Dark Places (1973)

Director:

Don Sharp

Writers:

Ed Brennan (written by) &
Joseph Van Winkle (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

May 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

There is more than death waiting for you in Dark Places.

Plot:

A scheming couple plot to conceal a hidden cache of stolen money from its rightful owner. The only problem is that the house they plan to hide it in is haunted. |

Plot Keywords:

Supernatural | Mansion | Insanity | Beautiful Woman | Inheritance

Cast

Christopher Lee	...	Dr. Ian Mandeville
Joan Collins	...	Sarah Mandeville
Herbert Lom	...	Prescott
Jane Birkin	...	Alta
Robert Hardy	...	Edward Foster / Andrew Marr
Jean Marsh	...	Victoria
Carleton Hobbs	...	Old Marr
Roy Evans	...	Baxter
Martin Boddey	...	Sgt. Riley
John Glyn-Jones	...	Bank Manager (as John Glyn Jones)
John Levene	...	Doctor
Jennifer Thanisch	...	Jessica
Michael McVey	...	Francis
Barry Linehan	...	Asylum Gatekeeper
Linda Gray	...	Woman on Hill
Lysandre De La Haye	...	Child on Hill (as Lysandra De La Haye)
Earl Rhodes	...	Child on Hill

Directed by
Don Sharp

Writing credits
Ed Brennan		(written by) &
Joseph Van Winkle		(written by)
James Hannah Jr.		adaptation
Don Sharp		adaptation

Produced by
James Hannah Jr.	....	producer

Original Music by
Wilfred Josephs

Cinematography by
Ernest Steward		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Teddy Darvas

Art Direction by
Geoffrey Tozer

Makeup Department
Helen Lennox	....	hairdresser
Basil Newall	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Frank Bevis	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Barry Langley	....	assistant director

Art Department
Pamela Cornell	....	assistant art director

Sound Department
Laurie Clarkson	....	sound recordist
Paddy Cunningham	....	sound recordist
Pat Foster	....	sound editor
Doug Smith	....	sound recordist (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Dudley Lovell	....	camera operator
George Boner	....	best boy (uncredited)
Michael Browne	....	gaffer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Dorothy Edwards	....	wardrobe

Music Department
Philip Martell	....	conductor (as Philip Martell)

Other crew
Phyllis Townshend	....	continuity

Production Companies

• Glenbergh
• Sedgled

Distributors

• Cinerama Releasing Corporation (1974) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1985) (USA) (TV) (network premiere)
• Embassy Home Entertainment (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Sultan Video (????) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment

Also Known As:

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | West Germany:18 | France:-12 | USA:PG | Iceland:(Banned)

Company:

Glenbergh

A very decent little thriller!

Dark Places is not a very well known seventies British horror movie; probably owing to the fact that it's not a Hammer movie, but it features an interesting story and a great cast, and overall this is certainly a very decent little thriller! The story has some fairly strong horror themes running throughout, but personally I wouldn't say this is a horror flick; Dark Places is a thriller, and the main focus is on the thing that makes the world go round - money, and a huge stash of it. At the centre of the film is a spooky old house, once owned by a mental patient who died. The house has now being taken over by the Asylum administrator who inherited the house. This is bad news for a few different people in the village - mostly notably scheming couple Dr Mandevile and Sarah. The reason being that before he died, the owner of the house hid a huge sum of money somewhere within the walls and the pair have been on the trail of it ever since. Not wanting to risk losing their cash, Sarah and the doctor hatch a plan to turn the situation to their advantage...

The key thing about this film is the old house at the centre, and therefore the chilling atmosphere stemming from it. Director Don Sharp has a history in horror, with a handful of films made for Hammer, as well as the excellent cult trash classic 'Psychomania' to his name, so it's quite unsurprising that this film has a horror atmosphere. The plot is well done also, with many different characters having a stake in the money at the centre of the story, and thus ensuring that the film remains interesting and varied. Dark Places features a very good cast, which makes it even more surprising that this film isn't better known. The great Christopher Lee is the biggest standout in his role as the doctor with an ulterior motive, while Joan Collins gives good support and provides some nice eye candy as his accomplice. The film also features performances from fellow British stars Robert Hardy and Herbert Lom, who also do well. Overall, this might not be a masterpiece; but it's certainly a good film and comes recommended to fans of British horror!