Paul Magne Haakonsen I remember watching this on TV sometime during the early 1990's, and I was fairly impressed with it and remembers it as a rather good series. Then finally getting around to buying it in 2012 and revisiting it, I must say that my memory held true. This 1991 version of the "Dark Shadows" legacy is actually quite impressive.The story is firmly told at a pace that keeps you captivated and interested throughout the entire series - all 12 episodes. Plus it was helped along quite nicely by some really nicely detailed characters with great individual personalities. And the combination of portrayal of events in the present day and past day worked out well.Actually the story in "Dark Shadows" needs no introduction, as this is something everyone should be familiar with by now. If not by the Tim Burton version, this version or the original 1966 series.The cast on this 1991 version was quite good, and especially Ben Cross did a tremendous job in the role as Barnabus Collins, with his dark, rugged and slightly devilish charms. As did Lysette Anthony in the role of Angelíque. Actually all people did really great jobs with their given roles, and there are some familiar faces on the cast list, which makes it all the more enjoyable.If you like vampires, and if you are tired of the hype that has been around the vampire genre since "Twilight" was spawned, then "Dark Shadows" is a great return to the vampiric roots and will have a good appeal to fans of the Dracula story and such dark, romantic and beastly tales of vampires.

hellraiser7 I'll admit I'm a fan of Dark Shadows, and when it comes to revivals I'm always skeptical it's always a hit or miss affair as much as movie remakes are. But this show didn't disappoint me, it really met my expectations and more, I feel this is one of the best revivals I've seen just about on par with the "Battlestar Galatica" revival. But the other thing is I saw this show when I was about ten years old, so if it wasn't for this show I never would've known about the original show "Dark Shadows".And it makes me all the more sad and teed off of the fact this show's lifespan was prematurely cut, if this show was on for the long haul it probably would of been the next big thing. We could of seen some of the other characters from the mythos like Quentin Collins, Nicolas Blair, and others. As well as had some new story lines, and not just retreads of the old ones; so yeah a lost opportunity.This show did what most good/great remakes should do; remodel everything to make things a little up to date, improve upon some areas that need some improvement, while staying true to the spirit and stand on it's own at the same time. I really love the production value, it still has the Gothic setting and tone but there is an even grander and vaster sense because everything and everyone isn't confined in just one space all the time. It's almost like this was what the original wanted to be in production sense, Collinwood in this show is foreboding but also beautiful at the same time, it has the mysterious foreboding but romantic sensibility about it. There was even some special effects in some places which actually are up to par, where in the original the special effects are terrible. The music is great which was one of the best things about the original, they even play the theme song (though slightly remixed) which has always been one of my favorite TV theme songs ever.But of course what makes this show is in it's characters and drama, the cast is great most to all were spot on with their characters, they didn't mimic the characters all had their own unique quality which made them feel like the same characters but were different at the same time. But also feel human because they make good and bad choices and sometimes there's a gray area where certain things they do can put you at odd.Ben Cross I thought was great as Barnabas Collins he my favorite version of the character (in my book), he still had those characteristics that make him all the more sympathetic with the charisma and menace to boot, As usual Barnabas is someone that is broken, he really doesn't want to do bad things but his vampiric nature drives him to divulge into his dark side.It's pretty much the same thing for the others, Lyontte Anthony I thought was good as Angelic she is still that villainous I don't completely hate and hot. I really like Dr. Julia Holfman played by cult actress Barbra Steele yeah I really like this actress since I like the Italian horror film Mario Bava's "Black Sabaath" she was perfect for the role, she is as usual dark, an intuitive nature, and does develop a love for Barnabas, so as usual my opinion on both Barnabas and her together hasn't changed. Adrian Paul as Jebadah even though it was a small role he was great, let alone the fact I'm a "Highlander" fan.And of course Victoria Winters played by Joanna Going is great and she's my favorite version of the character (in my book) because she a bit more aggressive. I remember as a kid having a crush on this actress because she's fraking hot. I even loved it when she played the Jossette role, it was just beautiful.The story telling style was still intact but it wasn't as lengthy and has improved in pacing. There was a non linear storytelling style sometimes with the flashbacks that add more depth to characters much like with Alan Moore's "Watchman" or TV show "Lost". The story arcs which were all the more intriguing and made me want to know more whenever it ended on a cliff hanger it's true they were slight retreads but done right where they didn't imitate their predecessor and were probably just a starting point a way to establish the mythology and introduce newbies like myself at the time to the franchise.I really loved it when the retold my favorite arc in the original series 1790 which of course was the origin and tragic story of how Collinwood and Barnabas came to be. Most of what happened in the arc was emotional and sad; I knew what was going to happen but at the same time I didn't want it to happen.I really have nothing bad at all to say about this show, well this is just a minor complaint and it's just my opinion. I didn't like how Maggie Evans was handled, she lacks that vibrant, naive, charismatic quality which to me was always the best thing about her, the lack of it make her almost a bit wooden. Don't get me wrong in the revival she's not a bad character but she's not the Maggie Evans I know and love. Also Angelique isn't really in this show long enough, but due to the show's run she didn't have a chance to be.Well, I have nothing left to say so I highly recommend the Dark Shadows revival, I just hope the upcoming silver screen film will be just as great. Collinwood is still that dark and beautiful place I want to revisit again and again.Rating 3 and a half stars

TaraBroadway I watched the 1991 Version when I was a Teen and LOVED it I still remember the episodes and have a VHS of the last episode. I wish they would have brought it back after the war slowed down. It was more of a romance series then a comedy like the original version. And the costumes were great. I hope Netflix will get the 90's version on their system. But the new movie is about the original version and is set in the 1970's which is lame I thought it would be more like the 90's version. Oh Well. Johnny Dep still looks good in it though..I will prob go see this or wait for DVD. I like Tim Burton movies.

Johnnyboy1666 An excellent series which combines the campy elements of the original with a modern 90s twist; the characters are now all very beautiful and wear a lot of pantsuits. It's an awesome way to start out watching DARK SHADOWS because it gives you an easy way to understand the main storyline (this series covers the first few years of the show in only 12 episodes). The only difference is the combining of the characters of Maggie and Vickie to be the 'reincarnation of Josette' to Barnabas). The storyline follows Victoria Winter's arrival at Colloinwood to her return there after time traveling and witnessing Barnabas' past. After watching this, simply pick up where it leaves off in the original series. Highly recommended for any fan of soaps or horror movies (as it combines them both)!