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The Terrifying 1973 TV Movie DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is now Available on Blu-ray from Warner Archives
An old house…a mysterious locked room…a terrifying secret. Elements that make a horror movie memorably chilling get a taut, spooky reworking in Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. Kim Darby (True Grit)and Jim Hutton (The Green Berets) star as Sally and Alex, young marrieds who inherit a crumbling mansion. Despite warnings to leave well enough alone in her new home, Sally unlocks the mysterious room, opens a bricked-up fireplace…and unleashes a horde of hideous whispering, murdering minidemons only she can see and hear. This is the original TV movie that inspired the 2010 theatrical movie starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce.
More than 40 years after it was first broadcast, this classic TV Movie-of-the-Week chiller continues to cast a spell over viewers new and old, and looks better than the original broadcast thanks to this brand-new High Definition master derived from the original camera negatives! After she inherits her grandmother’s house, Sally’s (Kim Darby) marriage has a sinister wedge driven through it when her occult “imaginings” come to life and threaten to derail husband Alex Farnham’s (Jim Hutton) career. Also starring William Demarest. SPECIAL FEATURES: NEW Audio Commentary by Amanda Reyes (Made for TV Mayhem); Audio Commentary by Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton (Dread Central), Screenwriter Jeffrey Reddick (Final Destination, Day of the Dead) and Sean Abley (Fangoria).
For you horror fans out there who can’t wait until the August 26th release, watch this conversation with Guillermo del Toro, director Troy Nixey, and stars Katie Holmes and Bailee Madison from FilmDistrict/Miramax’s DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK. Warning: the video below contains MAJOR spoilers.
Produced by Guillermo Del Toro and Mark Johnson, the film stars Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison and Jack Thompson and marks the directorial debut of Troy Nixey. DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is a remake of a 1973 TV movie bearing the same title, considered by Del Toro to be among the scariest ever made. The film was co-written by Del Toro and Matthew Robbins.
DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK follows Sally (Bailee Madison), a young girl who moves to Rhode Island to live with her father (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend (Katie Holmes) in the 19th-century mansion they are restoring. Having stumbled upon the mansion’s hidden basement, Sally starts hearing voices calling out from the bolted ash pit, imploring her to open it. Sally obliges and unwittingly unleashes something so terrible, so unthinkable, that everyone’s life – hers most of all – is placed in immediate and grave danger.
FILMDISTRICT PARTNERS WITH MIRAMAX FOR U.S. DISTRIBUTION OF
DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
Presented by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce;
Nationwide Release Set for August 12th
FilmDistrict and Miramax announced earlier this week that FilmDistrict has acquired all U.S. rights to DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK and that a wide release has been scheduled for August 12. Produced by Guillermo Del Toro and Mark Johnson, the film stars Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison and Jack Thompson and marks the directorial debut of Troy Nixey. DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARKis a remake of a 1973 TV movie bearing the same title, considered by Del Toro to be among the scariest ever made. The film was co-written by Del Toro and Matthew Robbins.
Have another look at the trailer. I still can’t get past the first 25 seconds without having to turn it off.
DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK follows Sally (Bailee Madison), a young girl who moves to Rhode Island to live with her father (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend (Katie Holmes) in the 19th-century mansion they are restoring. Having stumbled upon the mansion’s hidden basement, Sally starts hearing voices calling out from the bolted ash pit, imploring her to open it. Sally obliges and unwittingly unleashes something so terrible, so unthinkable, that everyone’s life – hers most of all – is placed in immediate and grave danger.
Mike Lang, CEO of Miramax says, “We’re very pleased to partner with FilmDistrict to bring DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK to U.S. audiences. Guillermo Del Toro has crafted a true thriller that exemplifies the type of high-quality films for which Miramax is known. We are thrilled to add it to our growing library and we look forward to maximizing its U.S. theatrical and long-term potential.”
“Nixey made a very impressive first film and we are thrilled to be working with Guillermo and Mark Johnson,” says Peter Schlessel, CEO of FilmDistrict. “DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK should be one of the most anticipated horror films of the summer, and it rounds out our 2011 slate nicely.”
“Miramax has done an inspired job finding the right home for our film that took 15 years to get made. Partnering with Bob Berney is always an exciting privilege and I’m confident that the FilmDistrict team will bring the intelligence, patience, and inspiration to set DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK forth into the world in a powerful way,” says co-writer and producer Del Toro.
“DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is the kind of incredibly unique and very frightening movie that we know American audiences crave,” says Bob Berney, President, Theatrical Distribution, FilmDistrict. “The filmmakers and cast have done a brilliant job in re-imagining the original version and I am personally very pleased to be working with Guillermo again.”
About FilmDistrict FilmDistrict is a multi-faceted acquisitions, distribution, production and financing company focusing on wide release, commercial pictures. Founded in September by Graham King and Tim Headington’s GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, the company’s films include INSIDIOUS, April 1; SOUL SURFER, April 8; DRIVE, Sept. 16; and LOCKOUT February 24, 2012. For more information, visit filmdistrict.com.
I’ll tell ya what. You watch the trailer for Miramax Film’s DONT BE AFRAID OF THE DARK and let me know when its over, ok? I stay awake enough at night from hearing creaky sounds. I dont need any help.
Can I take my hands away from my eyes now? How was it?
Synopsis:
The fantasy thriller, starring Katie Holmes (“Batman Begins”), Guy Pearce (“The Proposition,” “Memento”) and nine-year-old Bailee Madison (“Bridge to Terabithia” ), is based on a 1970s telefilm. The script was co-written by celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro (“Hell Boy,” “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “The Hobbit”) and Matthew Robbins (“Mimic”) and is being directed by Del Toro’s protegee, Troy Nixey. The film tells the story of a young girl sent to live with her father and his girlfriend in a restored mansion who discovers creatures living in the basement. When the creatures turn nasty, the nightmare begins, and the child is unable to convince the adults of the imminent danger.
The next in line for the coveted “Guillermo del Toro presents” honor is a film titles ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark’. The film was co-written by Guillermo del Toro and Matthew Robbins. The project will be co-produced by del Toro and Mark Johnson.
‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark’ is about a girl who moves in with her dad and and finds out that the house is also inhabited with evil creatures. The movie is based on an ABC television movie from 1973.
The film will be directed by first-timer Troy Nixey, whom del Toro has taken under his wing since seeing Nixey’s short film ‘Latchkey’s Lament’. Nixey is a comic book artist making his directorial debut. Katie Holmes will star in this new thriller from Miramax Films.
