Product Details

• Released on: 2002-06-01
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: NTSC, Import
• Original language: English
• Running time: 900 minutes

On the DVD
40 complete episodes
Introductory "Dark Shadows" featurette
Exclusive interviews with actors

DVD Menu

• Side #1 -- Disc 1
  • Dark Shadows Introduction
  • Episode 210: April 17, 1967
  • Episode 211: April 18, 1967
  • Episode 212: April 19, 1967
  • Episode 213: April 20, 1967
  • Episode 214: April 21, 1967
  • Episode 215: April 24, 1967
  • Episode 216: April 25, 1967
  • Episode 217: April 26, 1967
  • Episode 218: April 27, 1967
  • Episode 219: April 28, 1967
• Side #2 -- Disc 2
  • Episode 220: May 1, 1967
  • Episode 221: May 2, 1967
  • Episode 222: May 3, 1967
  • Episode 223: May 4, 1967
  • Episode 224: May 5, 1967
  • Episode 225/226: May 8, 1967
  • Episode 227: May 9, 1967
  • Episode 228: May 10, 1967
  • Episode 229: May 11, 1967
  • Episode 230: May 12, 1967
  • Bonus Interview: Jonathan Frid
• Side #3 -- Disc 3
  • Episode 231: May 15, 1967
  • Episode 232: May 16, 1967
  • Episode 233: May 17, 1967
  • Episode 234: May 18, 1967
  • Episode 235: May 19, 1967
  • Episode 236: May 22, 1967
  • Episode 237: May 23, 1967
  • Episode 238: May 24, 1967
  • Episode 239: May 25, 1967
  • Episode 240: May 26, 1967
  • Bonus Interview: Kathryn Leigh Scott
• Side #4 -- Disc 4
  • Episode 241: May 29, 1967
  • Episode 242: May 30, 1967
  • Episode 243: May 31, 1967
  • Episode 244: June 1, 1967
  • Episode 245: June 2, 1967
  • Episode 246: June 5, 1967
  • Episode 247: June 6, 1967
  • Episode 248: June 7, 1967
  • Episode 249: June 8, 1967
  • Episode 250: June 9, 1967
  • Bonus Interview: John Karlen

From the Back Cover
With its alluring tales of Gothic mystery and supernatural intrigue, Dark Shadows became one of the most popular daytime series of all time. Since first airing on ABC-TV from 1966-71, Dark Shadows has earned the reputation of being one of the most unusual and enduring programs in television history. The character of Barnabas Collins, a guilt-ridden, 175-year-old vampire, brought the show tremendous success.

Released from his chained coffin after nearly 200 years, Barnabas Collins arrives at the Collinwood estate claiming to be a relative from England. Although noticing Barnabas's resemblance to his "ancestor" in the foyer portrait, the Collins family does not realize he is the same Barnabas who lived at Collinwood in the 18th century. As Barnabas moves into the Old House on the property, those around him are unaware of the horrors that will soon follow.

Contains: 40 complete, spine-tingling episodes. Bonuses: Special introductory Dark Shadows featurette and exclusive interviews with the actors. Starring: Joan Bennett, Jonathan Frid, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Louis Edmonds, Nancy Barrett, David Henesy, Clarice Blackburn, John Karlen, Mitchell Ryan, Dennis Patrick, Joel Crothers, David Ford, Dana Elcar, Robert Gerringer, and Alexandra Moltke. Black and white, approx. 15 hours.

Customer Reviews

Complete, low budget, melodramatic, gothic, and addicting!
... Basically, this first DVD set is VHS Volumes 1-4; in other words, 8 actual weeks of the programme, 2 weeks on each disc. The quality is better than the VHS tapes, but not greatly, as Dark Shadows was a very low budget soap opera, and through the years some of the original prints were lost, damaged, etc., and alternative prints were utilised in their stead; but it is a definite improvement over the quality of the VHS tapes. The programmes on this DVD collection begin at the same point in the series as the VHS videos begin: a synopsis of the earlier episodes and characters followed by the introduction of Barnabas Collins the Vampyre. As far as extras, there are three interviews approximately 5 minutes long each: Jonathan Frid (Barnabas), Kathryn Leigh-Scott (Maggie, Josette), and John Karlen (Willie, Kendrick), each interviewed several years ago. What really should be noted about the DVD collection(s) that differs from the VHS tapes is that ALL THE EPISODES ARE COMPLETE AND UNEDITED. The VHS tapes are actually edited. I didn't really notice this at first, until I realised I was seeing episodes and parts of episodes that weren't shown in the VHS volumes. (A clue to this being my former statement that the DVD collection, consisiting of 8 weeks, equals that of the VHS Volumes, 1-4; and as the VHS volumes only consist of approximately one week each, the math is incorrect.) By seeing the complete episodes, the viewer will find (after having watched the VHS tapes) the story to be fleshed out more, focusing more on all the characters and situations.

If you're new to Dark Shadows and are curious about this show and want a good starter sampler, this DVD collection is perhaps the best and least expensive way to start. For to begin with less than these 40 episodes will not give one a good idea of the scope of this programme. Quite frankly, even 40 episodes isn't enough to give anyone the idea of the scope of this show as there were so many changes in events and characters throughout the series. Keep in mind this is/was a five day a week soap opera (even if it is gothic), that it was on for approximately four to five years, that, as with all soap operas, it is mainly dialogue-based and moves at a snail's pace, and that, as such, can be very boring and tedious at times! And do expect low budget effects, bouts of melodramatic acting, and loads and loads of flubs and mistakes that made it onto film (due to the fact that the show was more often than not taped live and editing wasn't an option). However despite the many drawbacks, Dark Shadows is charming, addicting, imaginative, romantic, and eerie. And no matter how much one likes or dislikes a particular episode, one simply MUST see the next episode...and the next...and the next...and so on.

In a nutshell, Dark Shadows, with all its faults (probably more than any other show that ever aired on television), is pleasing because of the suspense and intrigue, and the imagination that propells it; because of the continuing story and the characters involved (who are portrayed by some very talented actors); and because of the romantic, supernatural escapism that draws us in. Watching Dark Shadows is very much like watching a play on a stage; and if one views it that way (no pun intended) all the mistakes, flubs, etc. will simply not matter.

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RIGHTLY PRICED and ON TIME
After seeing the first season of Dark Shadows at my local video store at the price of 93$ I figured that amazon.ca had a great price. It was shipped sooner then expected. Would buy from this site, or from this buyer again!

DARK SHADOWS RULES!..........A Supernatural Cult Phenomenom
The greatest show ever made for TV, is exactly how I would Rate Dark Shadows. The Characters are Amazing and the effects (though Cheesy) are great. Its Not perfect by anymeans but it is so exiting to watch over and over again. This is the Beginning of Barnabas Collins storyline, Unfortunately they Haven't released the first 209 episodes but Dark Shadows really does begin here at episode 210 when the 200 year old Vampire Barnabas Collins is released from his Coffin and begins to sink his teeth in the always Dramatic lives of the Collins Family. Definitly a must for everyone Dark Shadows allures you into the world of Supernatural and Fantasy with every episode as it Haunts you with every scene and still embraces you to love every character either good or bad.