Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973) | Warner Archive | (DVD) | USED

Title: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973)

Genre: Horror

Plot Synopsis
A young housewife and her husband inherit a Victorian mansion and uncover a sealed bricked-up fireplace concealing a dark sub-basement. Whispering voices lure her toward the hidden chamber, where mischievous goblin-like creatures begin to terrorize her—revealing that whoever frees them must become one of them.

Cast and Crew

• Director: John Newland

• Writers: Nigel McKeand

• Cast:

  • Kim Darby as Sally Farnham

  • Jim Hutton as Alex Farnham

  • William Demarest as Mr. Harris

  • Barbara Anderson as Joan Kahn

  • Pedro Armendáriz Jr. as Francisco Perez

IMDb Link: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973) 

Reviews from Letterboxd

1. Brogan Luke Bouwhuis – ★★★½
   “RANKINGS: 1973
   This movie would be even spookier if Kim Darby didn’t so closely resemble a young Donny Osmond.
   Its age is apparent but its ambition still shines. The willingness of Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark to swing for the fences in regards to its subject matter and special effects allows the film to surpass the limitations of its budget, resulting in an experience as chilling as it is cheesy. The fur-suited, rubber-masked creatures are performed to creepy effect by Felix Silla, Tamara De Treaux, and Patty Maloney and director John Newland incorporates them into the footage proper with such ease it’s easy to forget how modest the film’s means actually are. Add in Darby’s ability to balance the panic of the film’s supernatural elements with writer Nigel McKeand’s less-than-subtle commentary on misogyny and the film is able to offer terror far more gripping than that of simple jump scares.
   Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark may be condemned to live in the shadow of horror classics like The Excorcist, Dawn of the Dead, and Alien just because they were released in the same era but that’s really doing it a disservice. As far as television work goes, it deserves to be held alongside the likes of The Twilight Zone and The Night Stalker as some of the best frights the medium has to offer.”

2. Zay – ★★★★☆
   ““Set us free, set us free, set us free”
   A married couple move into a mansion that happens to be inhabited by lil demon creatures that look kinda like angry baby Groots. The angry mini Groots set out to add the wife to their ranks by any means necessary…
   The mansion backdrop made for a solid setting as it was beautiful and lively during the day and dark and foreboding at night. The creatures constant whispering and mischievous ways made for a few creeptastic moments. The creatures were clearly ppl in costumes shot in a way that made them look like little action figures which was clever. A top notch made for tv horror film by way of the 70s. Good shit!”

Meta Description:
A chilling 1973 ABC horror TV movie in which a young wife uncovers tiny goblin-like creatures lurking beneath her inherited Victorian home—once freed, they demand she becomes one of them, in a suspenseful blend of supernatural dread and 70s TV terror.