Filipe Neto I watched this series recently, in order to compare it to the film with the same name that was released in 2012. The first thing I noticed was the difference in tone: if the film is clearly a black comedy, this little series (a revival of an extensive TV series of the sixties) is drama with supernatural contours and some Gothic touch. Another thing I quickly noticed is that, sadly, it has never been finished. I am against television serials that extend indefinitely, just as I am against the abrupt cut of these by audience concerns. They're matters of respect for the viewer, the actors and the team engaged in the whole project. A quality series must finish before it becomes decadent, with a rational conclusion. However, when a series is interrupted or canceled, the best is to give a logical end to the work begun, even if one has to write and run one or two more episodes. I think its a matter of respect, but its just my opinion about that.I really enjoyed the gloomy atmosphere surrounding the show and the work of the general cast, where the sounding names of Ben Cross, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Barbara Steele and Jean Simmons promise us commitment and quality. The special effects and soundtrack are also good. I think that if the series had been launched at the moment, it would have been more successful than it ended up, but it was a successful environment anyway, which only regrets the lack of conclusion.

mike48128 Ben Cross does a wonderful job as Barnabas Collins and so do the major characters. Pretty good sets and effects for a low-budget mini-series. That being said, Jim Fyfe ("Willie Loomis") is extremely obnoxious as Barnabas' "handyman". He is about as annoying as JarJar Binks is in "Star Wars I." This version takes a left turn to 1790 before finally coming to a satisfying conclusion. Too much time is spent on the witch trial. This first "remake" (in 1991) is certainly not as much fun as the afternoon soap, and the Universal Monsters don't make "guest" appearances here. It basically follows the original storyline of the original soap: Dr. Hoffman tries to cure Barnabas of his "vampire condition". Originally intended as an on-going series; note the "cliffhanger" ending. Should have been tightened to a 6-hour series.Caution: Extremely graphic and bloody when compared to the original "soap" version. Unrated. Should be rated PG-13 for disturbing images of blood and gore (a lot of red sauce). Nicely packaged in slim "wallets" by MGM. (Do not confuse this with the recent Tim Burton version.)

Tina Thomas This 12 episode series had a stellar cast, great writing and directing, etc...Ben Cross was the PERFECT lead for this series. One minute he made women want to take care of him and such and the next minute he pushed Barnabas close enough to the cataract that the audience might have wanted to cuff him one upside the head for it! He portrayed his emotional extremes rather well and made that character his own-PERIOD!The chemistry with Joanna Going was great, but I think if they went on longer with the actual story line, he'd have sunken into an abyss when she departed Collinsport for good--if the original story line was followed. Lysette Anthony made Angelique the diabolical, psychotic bitch she was supposed to be and I was really hoping to get to see someone with a sense of justice really kick her backside when it was said and done! I was really angry that the end of the original series had Barnabas actually declaring his "love" for her when in real life, she would have been loathed rather than loved for what she did to that man and his family over time, and I think Curtis would have fixed that story line. I loved Jeanne Simmons and Roy Thinnes! They captured their roles perfectly also.In the short time this series was aired, Ben Cross showed enough of his mettle that he raised the bar too high for anyone to follow-- including Johnny Depp. The best advice Dan Curtis gave to Ben: "Go ahead,Ben. Do your Hamlet." and it bloody well worked, too! I almost got tossed over the cataract watching some of those scenes. That is exactly how an actor should bring out a character--enough to either make and audience love him or her OR enough to make that audience want to kick his or her backside! Believe me that when I say that there are times when I vacillated between both emotions and it doesn't happen with me very often.Hollywood REALLY needs to use Cross a bit more. HE can still pull this stuff off no matter what he plays! After reading the Helena Bonham Carter interview regarding the story line, I am convinced that Tim Burton is going to toy with the fan's too much by monkeying with the story line too much. This version will always be the best there was as far as the remakes go.

objim7-608-757815 I was very disappointed with the Dark Shadows Revival. I hoped that it would be something completely new that would take up where the original Dark Shadows left off. Instead, it was a combination of a remake of the movie 'House of Dark Shadows' and a remake of the second season of the original series. I don't think it's any wonder that it only lasted one season.However, it did have good casting. Ben Cross was a good choice for the role of Barnabas Collins. He filled Jonathan Frid's shoes very well. Also, Barbara Steele was a good choice for the role of Dr. Julia Hoffman. She had the right personality for it. She also had the beauty that Grayson Hall lacked. She also was a good choice for the role of Countess Du Pres, Josette's aunt. Joanna Going was perfect for the role of Victoria Winters and Josette Du Pres. She's a very beautiful girl as well as talented.