Prince of Darkness (Collector's Edition)

Coming in between "The Thing" and "In the Mouth of Madness" as John Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy, Prince of Darkness represents Carpenter's most thoughtful horror film, with creepy and interesting ideas to spare, shocking philosophically and viscerally in equal doses. The plot has it's own joys and if you're avoiding it because you dislike religious-based horror or expect an Exorcist knock-off, you have got it all wrong. This is science-fiction/religious horror and it bears little resemblance to the Judeo-Christian myth. Enough about that - you must see it.This Scream Factory disc includes amazing picture and sound (this score begged for 5.1 surround sound), the same John Carpenter/Peter Jason commentary (fairly average for Carpenter's tracks, which means it's a solid 3/5) that's on the UK Studio Canal DVD (missing the opening remark about the "Studio Canal Plus logo" which is irrelevant as said logo is replaced by the original Universal logo here), a good solid interview with Mr Carpenter, another with a effects guy who also acted in the film, another with Alice Cooper (who acts here and recorded a song for it, briefly heard in the film), one with Alan Howarth (who collaberated on most of John Carpenter's scores between Halloween II/The Fog to They Live), the trailer and radio spots, the alternate opening sequenced edited for American TV which hilariously speeds up the footage to fit it between commercial breaks and attempts to tone down severely anything that might be construed as anti-religious. There's also the customary "Horror's Hallowed Grounds", which is funnier than usual (I still kind of find the host annoying, but these are really fun features) and an easter egg from the 25th anniversary screening of the film which features some of Carp's funniest answers to questions.This is THE version of the film to own. I find it VERY unlikely it will be topped by anyone for years and years to come.

Very nice print and sound quality. Very effective synth soundtrack also by John Carpenter. There's lots going on in this movie, spooky abandoned church in LA, relativity, quantum mechanics, time travel, religion, mysterious glowing green gunge and even Alice Cooper. Looking forward to watching it again with director's commentary.

Acclaimed director John Carpenter's penultimate end to his phenomenal '80s run (that closed out with the sublime 'They Live') is a wonderful slice of hokum that manages to mix religion and scientific mumbo jumbo in a diverting effort that balances honest to goodness horror with a slight bout of brain matter gymnastics.Following the death of a clergyman, the efficiently monikered 'Priest' (Donald Pleasence) invites quantum physicist Professor Howard Birack (Victor Wong) and his students to join him in his monastery where they plan to investigate the appearance of a mysterious cylinder holding an odd swirling liquid. Priest believes the worst and is dismayed to learn its making its presence increasingly 'felt' by turning the surrounding area's inhabitants... well, a little bit weird. Cue the obligatory butting of heads as religious belief crashes headlong into scientific 'fact' when the group begin to encounter what is hidden within its glass casing. Becoming stronger hour by hour and broadcasting complex streams of ancient data, this mystery box begins to affect the various students (led by Jameson Parker, Lisa Blount and Dennis Dun), leading up to the inevitable release of what (or whom) is hidden within the mysterious swirling green gas...I have to say, this late in the game John Carpenter effort is a real humdinger. Sure, it doesn’t offer the fun ’n frolics of ‘The Thing’, ‘Halloween’ or ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ - but as a low budget back to basics effort, it certainly succeeds more than it fails. From the brooding atmosphere highlighting Gary Kibbes’ cinematography and Carpenters’ precision point framing to the tight as a drum editing from Steve Mirkovich, the movie is given time to breathe but also ensures each shock or jolt is masterfully enhanced - allowing this loose(ish) redux of ‘Assault on Precinct 13’ (but with added devilry!) to become an efficient exercise in horror moviemaking. As is the norm with Carpenter, we don’t simply have to rest on his technical expertise as he fills his movies with great acting talent and in another crowd pleaser - Donald Pleasence adds one more great Carpenter performance to his resume. ‘Ol D-Man holds the movie well and anchors the weirdness around him, ably assisted by Victor Wong and Dennis Dun - who bring up the rear admirably. Lisa Blount too is very good but I was less enamoured by co-lead James Parker who takes the standard Tom Atkins role, but seemingly does little with it. However, its a minor quibble as the movie is so well mounted - its hard to knock.StudioCanal’s UK blu-ray gives the movie a stunning transfer with amazing audio from a recent 4k scan. Carpenter’s movies are genuinely beautiful films and even though this was a low budget studio flick back in ’87, it still looks very stylish with pitch perfect look and feel. A number of special extra features round out the package which include a brand new retrospective documentary featuring many of the cast and crew, an old audio commentary track featuring Carpenter and actor Peter Jason, scene analysis with Carpenter (again an old feature from 2003), a tour of the film’s locations, trailer and photo gallery. All in all, the movie itself is the real prize here but the extras (even some being quite old now) elevate the release that is certainly worth a rediscover for older fans and a genuine delight for newbies arriving at the alter of one of modern cinema’s best fright mongers. Some may find the tone a little dry, but for me this is peak Carpenter at his most thought provoking. Highly recommended.

This is one of two movies,Carpenter made for Alive films,the other is They Live,this one is better,slow burning,but if your in the right mood,late at night,just the best low budget horror you need,has lots going for it,Alice Cooper as the street nutter,great soundtrack,get it on vinyl lp as it`s the best version,Donald Pleasence who did not have a pension fund,just Halloween,and you cannot go wrong,ok the script is grade Z,made on a refund from Pleasence`s wages,and the story of satan trying to enter our world is well nothing new,but for some jump out of your seat thrills,perfect,go watch.This region 1 ntsc import from Universal is the best,WIDESCREEN,and dolby surround,which if you have a 5.1 amp sounds superb,infact better than some modern films,the Carpenter music just stands out so well.

Not gonna say too much about the plot here since it's better to watch it without any preconceptions as I did, and especially good not to know the ending in advance.All I'm gonna say is, if you like John Carpenter films like The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, They Live or The Thing, you'll love this, it's intelligent, fascinating, very scary and has a pretty shocking ending. As with all Carpenter film it gave me the creeps as well. There's also some great concepts and some interesting twists on conventional theology and science.Very nice DVD too in 2.35:1 widescreen with a commentary by John Carpenter. I always think feature-length commentaries are by far the best extra you can get on a DVD.