Review of Prince of Darkness

Introduction

When a senior priest dies, his subordinate discovers a secret that the Church tried to keep hidden for 2000 years - a `Prince of Darkness` kept imprisoned within a capsule in a derelict church`s basement. Feeling this demon`s powers growing in strength, the priest appeals to a group of scientists to battle this demon using both spiritual and technological means.

Video

Prince of Darkness, as with so many Carpenter films, looks particularly good in its original widescreen format (I had only ever seen it full frame before). But although the picture here is anamorphically enhanced too, the print does show its age a little, with dullish colours and softness in certain scenes. However, overall the picture is very good, but a brand spanking new restoration wouldn`t go amiss.

Audio

The original 2.0 stereo track is provided and is adequate for the film`s needs - the typically Carpenteresque music is reproduced well and maximises eerieness, and the dialogue is clear.

Features

Spoiler alert - the theatrical trailer seems intent on giving away the entire plot, including the ending, so do not watch it until after you have seen the movie. Apart from this pretty unspectacular extra, we so have a significant extra in a John Carpenter commentary which, like on so many other DVDs he has participated in, is informative and interesting.

Conclusion

Prince of Darkness has to be up there with Halloween among Carpenter`s scariest movies - but `Prince` is especially effective as it has a chilling atmosphere throughout that surpasses even Halloween. The special effects are suitably gory, and the dialogue free from the cheese that seems to infest Carpenter`s more recent efforts. I would highly recommend this movie to any horror-lover.