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Near Dark (2 Disc Special Edition) [1987]
![Near Dark (2 Disc Special Edition) [1987]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KX7GHtVIL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £17.99
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Brilliant
Review date: 2008-07-07 Rating: 10 out of 10
For me this really is the only vampire film actually worth watching. The script, the acting, the cinematography all top notch however for me the ending lets it down. Though this more down to the fact that i would have prefered the main character to remain with the vampires and turn his back on normal society. And the whole blood transfusion cure really does seem rather weak. However those points aside, this is still probably thr best vampire film around.
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Reviews
Masterful horror!
Review date: 2007-05-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is the best vampire movie ever made. No debate!
This film was released in 1987 I believe, around the same time as `The Lost Boys' a far inferior vampire flick aimed at the MTV market. `The Lost Boys' was box office candy raking in a fortune. `Near Dark' however sank without trace albeit doing so with a smattering of positive plaudits and heading towards cult status.
Today, and certainly for the last few years, `Near Dark' is rightly lauded as a film noir horror masterpiece.
Given the age of the film (now 20 years old) it has stood the test of time remarkably well. The portrayal of the characters are all pretty much flawless in their individual presentations although special praise must go to Bill Paxton's hedonistic and sadistic vampire Severence and also to Lance Henrikson as the elder and leader of the pack, Jesse.
The story is great (though I do know that many view the ending as a little too saccharine!) the direction by Katherine Bigelow is excellent, and the photography is stunningly beautiful at times. There is a particularly memorable scene towards the end of the film when the youngest vampire combusts into flames which is truly breathtaking.
In fact this film has got it all. Everything that is except pointy teeth! I think this is one of the first films, if not the first , to portray vampires without fangs. They may in fact have fangs but you never actually see them even though the bloodletting is pretty much continuous throughout the movie.
`Near Dark', though free with the blood, is not a particularly gory movie. It is the tension built around the vampire slaughters, particularly the bar room scene, which creates masterful horror.
Ultimately though, 'Near Dark' is more than a horror film which is why it is so good. It works on a number of levels not least in it's exploration of the concept of relationships, family and alienation. This is a rewarding multi layered film worthy of repeated viewings and well worth purchasing.
Original and unique
Review date: 2007-03-24 Rating: 8 out of 10
This is the best modern (although now 20 years old) vampire story filmed to date. It has nothing to do with Dracula or gothic horror, but instead reimagines vampires in a modern setting as a group of outlaws living on the edge of society.
Essentially the film is a love story. A farm hand Caleb is snared by the lovely Mae and then becomes a reluctant member of the gang. However he has problems becoming one of them... One of the key scenes in the film is where the gang take Caleb to a bar so that he can kill for the first time. This scene is brilliantly shot and truly scary and funny at the same time.
Some of the rules of traditional vampire movies are thrown out of the window so although the vampires can't go out into direct sunlight, if they black out the windows in the house or van they are able to survive in daylight (a lovely touch is that if exposed to direct sunlight they catch fire). Theres no reference to crosses or holy water and essentially its not a good and evil story - these vampires are just trying to survive.
The cast are excellent, with perhaps Bill Paxton taking the honours as the very scary Severen. If you haven't seen this, you've missed one of the best modern horror films of all. Certainly you should see it before the remake which is coming out next year.
One of the best films Ive ever seen.
Review date: 2007-03-05 Rating: 10 out of 10
In 1987, two vampire movies were realesed head to head. The hollywoodish, teenage-orientated Lost Boys, and the dark, romantic and scary Near Dark. In terms of box office records, The Lost Boys was the winner of the two, but to this day, Near Dark stands out as the triumphant film, becoming a horror classic that is considered one of the best horror movies ever made.
Farm boy Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) is out one night trying to get rid of his bordem where he sees and is captivated by mysterious beauty Mae (Jenny Wright). Caleb takes Jenny for a ride and when the two share a passinoate kiss, Mae bites Caleb on the neck before running off into the night. In the day, Caleb finds himself burning in the sunlight before Maes "family" of vampires appear and take Caleb hostage. Caleb, now a vampire himself, is forced into a world of violence as he tries to earn the respect of the vampires in order to be with Mae.
Near Dark boasts very fine performances. Unusally for a horror movie, the entire cast is top notch in terms of acting. Pasdar and Wright are charming in their roles of star crossed lovers Mae and Caleb, Jenette Goldstein and Lance Henriksen shine in their roles as immortal vampires, but the film belongs to Bill Paxton whose performace as sadistic vampire killer Severen is funny, scary and brutal.
Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to ever direct a horror movie with Near Dark and although she would go on blockbusters like Point Break and K19: the Widdowmaker, Near Dark remains her finest movie, boasting a great stroyline and a refreshing revival of the vampire sub-genre.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Bill Paxton
Neith Hunter
Lance Henriksen
Adrian Pasdar
Jenny Wright
Creators:
Adrian Pasdar (Primary Contributor)
Jenny Wright (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060034577010
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2007-02-19
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 94 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)