From the Dead of Night

This movie kept going nowhere, and then went nowhere some more, & then some more. The only good thing in this movie was the AWESOME '80's fashion. If you're looking for a cool 1980's look, these are some to die for. Also, cool hair styles, make-up, accessories, and an totally cool apartment. But other than that, this movie is a slow moving borefest that showcases Lindsey Wagner's acting shortcomings. Pass.

I'm a fan of lindsay's i like a good thriller and have an interest in the occult,so this movie has it all for me.Shown as a mini series in two parts over 2 nights in Australia over a decade ago. The suspense keeps you on the edge of the seat and is genuinely scary without the use of too many special effects - a too common occurence in more reacent horror/thrillers. The movie deals with so many aspects of the occult and interweaves them all without them becoming too confusing to the viewer,direction is first rate and the supporting cast is more than adequate also. As always(well almost always)Lindsay is first rate,definately one for your Lindsay collection - my rating 9 out of 10.

Joanna (Lindsay Wagner) is a successful designer, who lost her mother a few months ago. Her former mate Peter Langford (Bruce Boxleitner) has left her, and she is recovering her sentimental life through Glen Eastman (Robin Thomas), a man who loves her. When her friend and owner of the "griffe" where she works decides to maker her partner with her own exclusive "griffe", Glen and Joanna decide to have a celebration party in Joanna's fancy house with their friends. While in the party, Joanna stumbles on a cat, falls in the swimming pool and drowns. She experiences seeing her soul leaving her dead body and traveling through a tunnel, where shadows try to hold her. However, Peter and Glen revive her. From this moment on, her life changes, and she feels threatened all the time, as if she were supposed to die again. Yesterday I saw this movie for the third time on VHS, after many years. It is a great stylistic horror movie, having a good and original story. This theme was later partially explored in "Final Destination (2000)", "Final Destination 2 (2003)" and "Flatliners (1990)". Although watching for the third time, I found it again a great film. Lindsay Wagner in the role of a designer is very elegant, wearing beautiful costumes, and has a great performance. The story holds the attention of the viewer until the last scene. I did not read the novel, but I really like this movie. I disagree with the opinion that it is recommended for fans of Lindsay Wagner only. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Nos Braços da Morte" ("In the Rams of the Death")

I saw this when it was originally on television and I found it to be a well acted, suspenseful movie. I finally got the DVD and I don't know if this is the whole TV release or if it has been cut to fit one DVD.

I had remembered it being a mini series but it may have just been a two- part TV movie. It definitely wasn't the length of a normal TV movie as it had more than one part on different days when viewing.

I think it is a good film and well worth viewing if you are interested in the subject matter. I think they left in parts that would seem stretched at the time length of an ordinary TV movie.

It basically deals with Johanna's attempt to save her own life because of the length of time lapsed in her death experience and how she solves the issue of not being killed to bring her back to the light. Remember this was done in 1989 prior to a lot of movies that have since been released in theaters on this topic and it was for TV viewing audiences. They did an excellent job considering the time frame it was shown and the topic. I have never found it boring at any time and this is the reason I purchased it when I discovered it was on DVD. It was adapted from a 1980 novel called "Walkers" by Gary Brandner who also wrote "The Howling." Someone mentioned Flatliners which came out the next year but it doesn't remotely have anything in common with this movie other than the life after death theme which is explored differently and came from a screenplay. "Watchers" is much older than this. So there is no comparison whatsoever between these two movies. I liked them both but "From the Dead of Night" was a unique idea and I have never seen any movies quite like this one other than the subject of Near Death Experience. It is more suspenseful than scary in my opinion but individual viewers will vary on how it impacts them.

Recently bought this one on DVD in the UK. Found the plot extremely interesting, even chilling but was very DISAPPOINTED by the PICTURE QUALITY which was absolutely ABYSMAL - washed out and faded colours, misty image lacking in sharpness - muffled and unclear voices - also the theme and background music was HOPELESS ! For such a spooky and terrifying plot the could have used more powerful and anguishing music. What a shame to see such good and beautiful actors so badly portrayed aesthetically. The film is long but the suspense is maintained until the very end. Unfortunately the fact of buying it on DVD does not garantee a good picture, contrary to what I expected. But for the plot alone I would give 9/10 - most original !