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This special limited edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray set comes with a spot gloss and embossed bottom load slipcase + slipcover combo (designed by Wes Benscoter) and is limited to 6,000 units. It is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Iconoscope is a new Vinegar Syndrome sub label dedicated entirely to television, produced by long-time VS film scanning technician and restoration artist, Brandon Upson. With a focus on genre-based, English language (and possibly international) productions, Iconoscope will be preserving, restoring and releasing made-for-tv films, mini-series, and multi-season series ranging from well known big productions to more obscure, and even lost, regional rarities.
When Sally inherits a beautiful Victorian mansion from her grandmother, she and her husband Alex waste no time moving in. During renovations, she comes across a mysterious locked study. Despite pleas from the local handyman who insists she leave things be, Sally finally happens upon the key. Inside, she discovers a reinforced fireplace that was sealed long ago, and the handyman insists she not try to open it. Soon after entering the room, Sally begins to see small, menacing creatures all over the house, but no one will believe her. Alex thinks she's just neurotic, and her friend Joan thinks she’s merely another bored housewife seeking attention. Meanwhile, the macabre creatures keep calling her to join them, as Sally too begins to question her sanity. As she spirals closer and closer to madness, the shocking truth of the house’s past starts to unravel, with death close behind.
One of the most celebrated and beloved horror Movie Of The Week telefilms of the 1970s, helmed by master small screen director John Newland (TV’s Star Trek, Night Gallery), DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK has resonated with and inspired generations of fans and filmmakers alike, including Guillermo del Toro, who produced and co-wrote a 2010 theatrical remake. Evincing an atmosphere of true doom, terrifying forced perspective creature effects, and bold performances from Kim Darby (True Grit, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers) and Jim Hutton (Hellfighters, Psychic Killer), Iconoscope is proud to present for its debut release, the 4K UHD premiere of this intensely creepy creature feature, newly restored from a 4K scan of its original camera negative.
directed by: John Newland
starring: Kim Darby, Jim Hutton, Barbara Anderson, William Demarest, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Lesley Woods
1973 / 74 min / 1.33:1 / English Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.5304346 / 5 from 230 reviews.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is a celebrated 1970s horror telefilm, now available in a limited edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray set. The film, directed by John Newland, features a terrifying atmosphere and impressive creature effects. The set includes a 4K scan of the original camera negative, along with commentary and featurettes.
Review topics: [colors, fit, quality, picture, design, looks, feel, issues, cover, box, packaging, work, sound, upgrade, case, buy, detail, deal, movie, transfer, release, film, restoration, horror, artwork, presentation, extras, slip, slipcover, title].
"Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is a genuinely creepy slow-burn horror that proves you don’t need big effects to create real fear. Kim Darby gives a strong, vulnerable performance that makes the escalating dread feel personal and unsettling. It’s simple and atmospheric, but the idea of unseen things lurking just out of sight sticks with you long after it ends."
"A solid TV movie from my childhood that relies primarily on a very creepy atmosphere and surprisingly effective special effects. The remake produced by Del Toro is enjoyable, but the original is far superior."
"4 star film and 1 star packaging. A great restoration of one of the best made for TV movie horror flicks. Love the new artwork on this release but the packaging leaves a lot to be desired. The case with the slipcover on it fits so tight in the hard box that it was a fucking nightmare to get out without damaging anything. I removed the slipcover and it fit perfectly in the hard box."
"This classic making its VS debut brings back a lot of memories for me! It is very well done the entire collection is a very engaging watch all the way through! The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
"One of the creepiest made for TV films finally gets the treatment it deserves. Wished I had seen it when it first aired, but I had to settle for watching it on VHS as a brat in the 90's. It's right up there with the first Trilogy of Terror but beats that out with atmosphere and those creepy little golems are still unsettling today."
"I would have rated this even better, but the choice to make everything so dark its barely visible wasn't great in my opinion. I get what they're going for, but even the dinner party was nearly pitch black. I heard the throw away line of dialogue explaining it, but I would've said "thank you, no" and left that party. Other than that small gripe, I really enjoyed this one. The performances are all solid, the camerawork (lighting aside) is nice for a movie-of-the-week and I thought the script and director really achieved the tension and paranoia they were going for. I've seen criticisms of the creatures and, while I personally thought they were interesting at the very least, I can still see where people are coming from, but by all accounts this was written, filmed, edited and ADR'd in about 2 weeks to avoid an impending writer's strike, so I'd imagine these little creeps are as good as they could manage. Honestly, I enjoyed this flick a lot and I wish I'd been around in the days where networks made MOWs and actually gave a shit about the quality. Oh, and I had absolutely zero issues with the slipcase design. A bunch of internet dweeb are complaining, but I think its sleek and slick as hell."
"Love the presentation of this release and its a great start in the WB partnership, great picture quality and the kind of love this gem deserves. Great extras everything across the board is well done."
"Another great release from the sub-label, looking as good as it ever has, happy to keep supporting these!"
"VS kick-off their new Iconoscope line as well as their first WB deal with the seminal Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, perhaps the most memorable and creepy of all 70s made-for-TV movies. I wasn't sure if the Warner Archive release could be improved, but this looks absolutely terrific in 4K, and the extras are appreciated. I know the packaging has received a number of complaints, but my copy was fine (perhaps because I purchased it a couple of months later, I don't know). Hopefully a sign of more WB-owned television gems to come!"
"The made for tv. movie that scared us all almost to death. I didn't think the blu ray print could better. . however this 4K seems like a miracle. Doesn't matter how many copies you have of this. . . get. this right now. Could wrote a small book o. How great this release is. So far its 4K release of the year"
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