One Dark Night is a 1981 [1983 release] American supernatural horror film directed by Tom McLaughlin (Sometimes They Come Back; Jason Lives! Friday the 13th Part VI) from a screenplay co-written with Michael Hawes. It stars Meg Tilly, Melissa Newman and Robin Evans.
Special effects were provided by Tom Burman, Ellis Burman and Bob Williams.
One Dark Night was released theatrically in 1983 but was filmed two years earlier. Like Scanners, this is one of very few North American horror releases that deals with the dangers of telekinesis. It was also released as Entity Force and The Entity Force on video in the UK.
On 4 December 2017, One Dark Night is released on Blu-ray in the UK by 88 Films.
Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.co.uk
A strange man named Karl Rhamarevich dies shortly after discovering a way to become even more powerful in death through telekinesis. On the night of his burial in a crypt, Julie is to spend the night there as part of an initiation rite, supervised by two other girls.
The crypt becomes a scene of horror as Raymar returns to life and deploys his terrifying telekinetic powers, with coffins sliding out and splintering open to release decaying bodies on the command of Raymar. The bodies soon begin to menace the three girls trapped inside. Will they survive the horrific night in the crypt?
Reviews:
“One Dark Night is a solid little thriller with some good performances and genuinely good effects (by Tom Burman). Though this is a PG film with little bloodshed, Burman’s corpse make-up and effects are wonderfully gruesome and still pack an eerie punch.” Bradley Harding, Monsters at Play
“It takes 65 minutes for the movie to get going, with most of the viewing experience devoted to Olivia’s research, Carol’s scheming, and Julie’s experience inside the mausoleum, home to creepiness from one end to the other. The sets are impressive and McLoughlin has the right idea, but there’s too much padding, which doesn’t translate into suspense.” Brian Orndorf, Blu-ray.com
“One Dark Night is a lot of fun if you’re looking for a non-slasher ‘80s horror title – and it’s a great Halloween viewing choice, too, thanks to the plenty of zombies and a lot of rubbery monster pranks pulled by the Sisters inside the crypt. Adding to the fun is an unexpected appearance by the late Adam West (TV’s Batman)…” Nathaniel Thompson, Mondo Digital
“The filmmakers compensate for their meager budget by shooting on location in a fantastically scary Hollywood mausoleum. They adorn their film with shots of endless, claustrophobic hallways, not letting you forget for a moment that the only thing standing between the living and an army of the dead is a quarter inch of steel.” Bryan Pope, DVD Verdict
” …all the scares are supposed to come from rotting corpses, a device that wears thin quickly. Before it’s over, the whole business has become downright silly instead of frightening. It’s not meant to be a comedy.” Mike Mayo, Videohound’s Horror Show
Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca
” …a predictable show of familiar jolts and one-dimensional dialogue. About two-thirds of the whole film consists of running around the mausoleum. After building up the powerful nemesis of Raymar, the film does little with him. The dreary plot involving the turning of tables on cruel pranksters looks and sounds like a quick-fill tv movie ripoff of Carrie (1976).” Richard Scheib, Moria
“One Dark Night channels all of its energy into this delirious, manic display of effects wizardry. In what amounts to the effects department emptying their clip, this climax delivers exquisite corpses by the bushel, allowing McLoughlin to effectively tread the line between vintage, gothic thrills and 80s splatter…” Brett Gallman, Oh, the Horror!
“If I’d seen this on cable as a kid that last 20 minutes would have scared the shit out of me. Zero nudity, small cast, zero blood, zero gore, camel toe (visible twice), great 80’s hair and fashions. Fans of 80’s slasher will be disappointed by the slow pace, but if you stick around you’ll find a simple, but entertaining film.” Happy Otter
Buy Code Red Blu-ray: Amazon.com
Brand New 2016 HD Master | Audio Commentary with Director Tom McLoughlin and Writer Michael Hawes | Work Print Version of the Film | Brand New Commentary with Director Tom McLoughlin and Producer Michael Schroeder | Brand New On-camera interviews with McLoughlin, Schroeder, Actress E.G. Daily, Make-up Person Paul Clemens, DP Hal Trussell, Production Designer Craig Steams | Original Theatrical Trailer
Main cast:
- Meg Tilly – Body Snatchers; Psycho II
- Melissa Newman – Revenge of the Stepford Wives
- Robin Evans
- Leslie Speights – A Pup Named Scooby-Doo
- Donald Hotton – The Runestone; Buried Alive; Freeway Maniac; Invaders from Mars; Deadly Lessons; The Hearse; Dark Shadows
- Adam West – Tales from Beyond; Seance; American Vampire; Monster Island; Zombie Nightmare; The Eyes of Charles Sand; Voodoo Island
- Elizabeth Daily – Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman; Bad Dreams; Wacko
- Leo Gorcey Jr.
- Rhio H. Blair
- Larry Carroll – Venomous
- Kevin Peter Hall – Highway to Hell; Predator 2; Predator; Monster in the Closet; Without Warning; Prophecy
Image credits: Trash Video Finland
