Alone in the Dark (1982)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Jack Sholder

Writers:

Jack Sholder (story) &
Robert Shaye (story) ...

Release Date:

12 November 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Too frightened to breathe...

Plot:

A quartet of murderous psychopaths break out of a mental hospital during a power blackout and lay siege to their doctor's house.

Plot Keywords:

Siege | Psychopath | Doctor | Blackout | House

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Jack Palance	...	Frank Hawkes
Donald Pleasence	...	Dr. Leo Bain
Martin Landau	...	Byron 'Preacher' Sutcliff
Dwight Schultz	...	Dr. Dan Potter
Erland van Lidth	...	Ronald 'Fatty' Elster
Deborah Hedwall	...	Nell Potter
Lee Taylor-Allan	...	Toni Potter
Phillip Clark	...	Tom Smith / Skaggs
Elizabeth Ward	...	Lyla Potter
Brent Jennings	...	Ray Curtis
Gordon Watkins	...	Detective Burnett
Carol Levy	...	Bunky
Keith Reddin	...	Billy
Annie Korzen	...	Marissa Hall
Lin Shaye	...	Receptionist at Haven

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:(Banned) (Ontario) | Canada:R (Ontario -- Re-rated 1992) | Finland:(Banned) (1984) (heavily cut) | Finland:(Banned) (1984) (cut) | Finland:K-18 (2006) (self applied) | Italy:VM14 | Australia:M | Norway:18 | UK:18 | USA:R | Iceland:(Banned)

Filming Locations:

New Jersey, USA

Company:

Masada Productions

Trivia:

In 2008 the indie rock band Lithium Walkers did a tribute song to the film entitled "Alone in the Dark". The groups drummer cites this as one of his favorite films. The song is part of an upcoming album called Midnite Matinee, a series of songs named after 80's horror films.

Quotes:

Dr. Leo Bain: Thou shall not kill, Byron.
Byron 'Preacher' Sutcliffe: Vengeance is mine, says the Lord!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The House That Freddy Built (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Rock Or Die

One of the sharpest slasher films around, no pun intended.

The debut film of B movie director Jack Sholder, and one of the first films from New Line Cinema, is this highly entertaining and strikingly intelligent little thriller.

When the power fails in a New Jersey community, four murderously insane men walk out of a mental facility and head for the home of their new doctor!

Although it was lost among the numerous slasher films of the early 80's, Alone in the Dark is one of the smartest killer thrillers of the genre. Sholder delivers an above-average story all the way. He has one especially bizarre opening sequence, then follows with a plot that grows more intense through out. The film builds to a great claustrophobic climax, and then a memorable (and some what humorous) conclusion. The story packs some solid suspense, heated violence, and the occasional good jolt. One thing that really sets this tale above that of the average slasher flick is the fact that the films characters are believably well-rounded and even quirky at times. Yet another unique element of this story is the fact that it has a splendid kind of dark humor toward the idea of 'mental health'. It's almost a satire on the subject. Sholder's direction is quite good, giving some tight action sequences and well-timed shocks. Also good is the unique music score of Renato Serio.

Another thing that sets this film above the norm is the wonderful cast which includes a number of veteran actors. Jack Palance is excellent in his role as the leader of the crazed villains. Donald Pleasence is a welcomed trip as a 'different' kind of psychologist. Martin Landau makes for a perfectly creepy madman. The supporting cast, namely Dwight Schultz, are great as well.

Alone in the Dark is an outstanding slasher-thriller. For those seeking a slasher movie with a brain, it's a perfect choice.

*** 1/2 out of ****