Dark Was the Night Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray transfer of "Dark Was the Night," directed by cinematographer Ryan Samul, showcases a sharp and detailed 1080p, AVC-encoded image with deep, immersive blacks that amplify the film’s tense atmosphere. Shot on Red and completed through a digital intermediate, the resulting video quality preserves the intended visual aesthetic, capturing the desaturated, grayish palette of a late winter northern climate. This visual choice accentuates the emotional states of the main characters and enhances the film's suspenseful ambiance. Indoor scenes are predominantly bathed in a yellowish glow, providing a striking contrast to the outdoor visuals without ever feeling overly warm.

Interestingly, the video presentation incorporates a noticeable blue color grading choice during outdoor daylight scenes, presumably a post-production decision. This pervasive blue tint effectively contributes to the cold, wintry feel integral to the film’s mood, though it does introduce some variance in judging overall picture quality; black levels slightly diminish while contrast appears marginally elevated. Despite these variances, detail levels remain outstanding, rendering facial features and the cold, rustic scenery with remarkable clarity.

Technically proficient, the Blu-ray has been mastered with an average bitrate of 19.98 Mbps, a suitable rate for handling Red-captured footage given proficient compression techniques evident here. The transfer is devoid of noise, distortion, and interference. Indoor scenes benefit from robust color palettes and solid black levels that deliver a three-dimensional visual punch. The Blu-ray video presentation of "Dark Was the Night" becomes an essential component of the viewing experience, meticulously preserving the unsettling visual tension as intended by its creators.

The Blu-ray of "Dark Was the Night" features an exceptionally atmospheric 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack. This sound mix effectively merges the chilling score by Darren Morze with the film’s ambient noises, creating a persistently eerie atmosphere. The dynamic range is commendably wide, and the bass extension reaches impressive depths, enhancing the overall listening experience. Notably, the volume is sufficiently high, which might warrant a reduction of a few decibels from your typical setting. Although the use of surround channels for distinct rear channel effects is minimal, the mix remains enveloping, ensuring that voices stay anchored at the front. This sound design demonstrates how effectively the movie maximizes its limited budget to achieve its intended atmospheric effect.

In a film that's predominantly quiet, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track of "Dark Was the Night" still packs a significant punch in its delivery of creepiness. The score underscores the somber mood with low tones while ambient sounds such as whistling winds, rustling leaves, and creaking tires intricately fill the space. The dialogue is crisp, clear, and focused in the center channel, contributing to a cohesive audio experience. The track shines when nighttime scenes take over; during these moments, every small noise—from creaks to sudden bumps—gets amplified, giving the audience a heightened sense of presence. The meticulous sound imaging ensures that these elements emanate from all directions, making the audio mix an integral part of the film's unsettling nature.

The Blu-ray extras for "Dark Was the Night" provide insightful and engaging content that enhances the viewing experience. The "Behind the Scenes: A Trip to Maiden Woods" offers a concise yet in-depth look at the on-location filming, with director Heller, writer Hisel, and cast members such as Durand and Haas sharing valuable insights. This extra is particularly informative about the technical and post-production techniques used to achieve the film's distinct atmosphere. The "Q&A with the Cast of Dark Was the Night," though edited to exclude fan questions, still offers an engaging glimpse into the cast's experiences and thoughts following a screening at Screamfest. The provision of a bonus trailer for "The Houses October Built," although not directly related to the film, is an interesting addition that can be easily skipped.

Extras included in this disc:

• Behind the Scenes: A Trip to Maiden Woods: An informative look at on-location filming and post-production techniques in Suffolk County.
• Q&A with the Cast of Dark Was the Night: Edited version of a cast Q&A session from Screamfest.
• Bonus Trailer: Trailer for "The Houses October Built," not directly related to the main feature.

Review of "Dark Was the Night" (Blu-ray)

"Dark Was the Night" excels as a modern indie creature feature by effectively leveraging the essential elements of story and character, akin to classics like "Jaws" and "Alien." The film, guided by Tyler Hisel's adept script and Jack Heller's skillful direction, pivots around an enigmatic creature, but it’s the human characters that genuinely captivate. Kevin Durand and Lukas Haas deliver formidable performances as Sheriff Paul Shields and Deputy Donny Saunders, respectively, embodying the palpable weight of personal loss and PTSD, which strengthens the movie's emotional core. The slow-burn tension is meticulously crafted, with Maiden Woods' eerie atmosphere escalating through increasingly peculiar events that unsettle both characters and viewers. The allusions to Native American mythology and scientific plausibility regarding ancient creatures provide a thoughtful backdrop to the terror.

While the film adeptly develops both plot and characters, some viewers might find themselves critiquing the film’s climax. Throughout most of its 98-minute runtime, "Dark Was the Night" methodically builds suspense with well-placed jump scares and brief glimpses of the predator. However, the final reveal of the creature—a departure from the expertly maintained suspense—may deflate the experience. The creature’s design and visual effects, although creatively intended, unfortunately strike as underwhelming, resembling an unconvincing CGI artifact. This disparity between buildup and payoff might impact the overall immersion for some viewers.

Despite its visual shortcomings, "Dark Was the Night" remains an engagingly eerie narrative underscored by strong performances and a richly painted town setting. The film’s effectively drawn-out tension, coupled with its consideration of character development amidst horror, ensures it stands out in the genre. It is worth watching for admirers of horror-thrillers seeking a compelling small-town dread punctuated by tangible human emotion.

"Dark Was the Night" stands out as a compelling addition to the monster horror genre, driven by a strong atmospheric tension and a robust performance from Kevin Durand. The film effectively establishes an eerie ambiance that lingers throughout, keeping viewers on edge. The modest budget is expertly leveraged through keen cinematography and a gripping storyline that prioritizes psychological dread over overt spectacle. Despite some negative feedback on the appearance of the monster, the practical effects are competent, if not groundbreaking. The real appeal lies in the human element, particularly Durand's portrayal of a sheriff wrestling with personal loss while facing an external menace.

This Blu-ray release is technically accomplished, offering clear, immersive visuals that enhance the dense, foreboding mood of the film. The sound design is equally well-executed, featuring dynamic audio that complements the unsettling atmosphere. While the supplemental materials are somewhat minimal, what is included provides valuable context and insights into the film's production. One notable shortcoming is the lack of more extensive behind-the-scenes content or commentaries, which could have enriched the appreciation of the filmmakers' craft and the challenges they overcame. However, this does not significantly detract from the overall value of the release.

I have kept the feature discussion short and general, because "Dark Was the Night" deserves to be seen on its own terms. From the moment Kevin Durand appears on screen, he commands attention, first with his sadness, and then with his determination to protect his family and his town. Whatever one's opinion of the film's monster when it finally appears in full, it is Durand's portrayal of the sheriff's struggle with his inner demons that makes "Dark Was the Night" a memorable experience. Durand observed during the Screamfest Q&A that he rarely gets an opportunity to play the hero, but on the strength of this performance, that should change. Highly recommended.