User reviews

An interesting take on the concept of getting Welsh National Film Council grant to make a film that made the Welsh look rather like COMPLETE LOONS!

I had no idea to expect before watching the film, and a quick look at IMDb had me worried, especially as two of the main characters who had allegedly only just met were shagging by day 2 of the plot.

The Welsh journalist has a dodgy east-end geezer accent, there are several inconsistencies in the story ("take him to room six, i will be along in a minute" - he is put in room 4).. but although kind of predictable, more than slightly cheesy, possibly quite tasteless and definitely lacking in any depth of plot; somehow a reasonably watchable sort of horror/shocker film does manage to fall out the far end.

The druidy types come in subspecies of hippy druidy girls, madmax meets punk blokes, strange beardy cardigan wearing gypsies on a caravan site, steel workers, the NHS, the local police, the council... in fact, the whole town bar the mad priest appears to be plotting a sacrifice....

Not much one poor reporter can do in the face of so much adversity, but he tries....

It's a really boring film, but has it's highlights! The first hour of the film sucks, but the last 30 minutes are moderately good. One cool thing is when the main character, Frazer, drives around with his girl and if you watch the background they pass a power plant (some factory) and just a few seconds later they are going backwards passing the exact place again, but reverse... *lol* =) Anyway, the ending is cool too, I'm not going to spoil anything, but it does not end like most film does! =) Best regards, /Janne

There is simply nothing to redeem this awful rip off of the wicker man. While other commentators seem to feel overly kind in that they mention it being similar, it was clearly an unashamed copy without the style or intellect. The pacing is terrible. the acting rotten (poor Jon Finch being the exception) and the directing haphazard.

Failing at both intrigue and suspense, this so called horror simply becomes a waste of two hours of your life. Watching it will make you feel that A) you've seen the ideas done better before somewhere else and B) that if this film got the green light you and a few mates could probably get drunk with a cell phone and do a better job. You would be 100% correct in both assumptions.

Julian Richards "Darklands" is a modern cult thriller-noir that plays on classic misbeliefs of Celts, pagans and gypsies based on common misconceptions that run through European society (not that the Americas are exempt from such poor quality judgment of cultural differences). The movie is a traditional display of western giallo film making and "Darklands" is as good an example of cult-pagan genre storytelling than contemporary films such as "Spellbinder" and "The Wicker Man". The story follows journalist Frazer Truick as he investigates the mysterious death of the brother of trainee journalist Rachel Morris. Delving deeper, Truick becomes convinced that the tragedy was murder, committed by a bizarre religious cult. But as the evidence unfolds, things take on a more sinister and potentially lethal significance for the reporter, as he becomes embroiled in devil worship, witchcraft and ultimately human sacrifice! (That is the official synopsis).

For me this film is a captivating crime thriller and great example of 20th Century noir. The story is plays on mystery, intrigue and suspense in a classic style that is often associated with Italian giallo-most notably Argento's work. Even with the very obvious culture insensitivity that plagues the film, "Darkland" is a very interesting and mesmerizing story that slowly builds suspense through melodrama and eerie atmospheric effects. I did find the view of pagans, Celts and gypsies as some humanized boogeymen wrought with villainous intent a tad offensive, but in proper context as a fictional setting it is easy to swallow.

The sound effects and cinematography used for "Darkland" is traditional 80's and 90's creepiness one expects in these suspenseful stories. The characters are classic and mysterious, well developed if needed and never over-indulged to the point of annoyance. Visually the film entertains with moments of post-industrial, neo-primal experimental theatrics that creates a wild urban paganism aesthetics. Usually these images are saved for post-apocalyptic or future-dystopia films. The witchcraft, or primitive traditional religious elements where minimal but when on screen became very effective. Mostly this is a great conspiracy, crime noir. "Darklands" is a very cool, classic cult thriller that offers a great witchy story, and plenty of suspense. The blood and gore is almost non-existent which was a bit of a bummer but over-all I enjoyed the film.

When I sat down to watch the 1996 movie "Darklands" here in 2025, I had never heard about it. And the movie was listed as a horror movie, and thus, of course, I opted to watch it, given my love of all things horror.

However, this was not really a horror movie. It was, and that is even a far stretch, a thriller.

The storyline in the movie, as written by Julian Richards and David Mitchell, failed to capture my interest. And thus it was somewhat of a prolonged struggle to sit through 1 hour and 26 minutes of this narrative.

The only performer I was familiar with on the cast list was leading actor Craig Fairbrass. The acting performances in "Darklands" were actually fair, despite the rubbish script.

Visually, then you're not in for anything grand.

My rating of director Julian Richards's 1996 movie "Darklands" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.

I have to admit that the Wickerman (the original) did this so much better. Darklands did not seem to know whether it wanted to be The Omen or The Wickerman. It seems to get its ideas from both. That does not necessarily make this a bad movie. It's just that the first two are better.

The acting is fine and the cast did a great job, The movie did manage to build tension. But it was easy to see the ending coming from a mile off.

There is nothing new or different here but it does its job well enough.

It did keep me watching until the end and it a movie can do that, then it gets an uptick from me.

I really enjoyed this and I like this type of movie. It's a mystery thriller with a religious element. I'm not saying this is perfect and I can tell some probably won't like it, but for me it kept me on the edge of my seat. The story is good, I liked the main character, I liked the acting, it looked good, good atmosphere, interesting religious/cult theme, good suspense, and I liked the Welsh setting of the movie.

It's like a film noir movie. Although some say it's like the wicker Man, I found it original. I think it has a deeper meaning somewhere in it about Christianity Vs the old pagan religions that used to be norm in the UK.

I can't think of anything I didn't like about the movie.

I saw this movie years ago at a film festival in Irvine California. The movie had a good pace and the end was how I like them! The director was there at the viewing and gave a brief insight in to the movie, he also asked for questions from the audience. It was receive well by all that attended.

I have been looking for this film for years but I had forgotten the title of the movie until I just stumbled on to it today. I can't wait to watch it again, all these year later.

I would suggest this movie to anyone.

See it you might like it.

Set in recession hit Port Talbot, Darklands has local reporter Fraser Truick (Craig Fairbrass) digging through murky pagan goings-on as local churches are desocrated by slaughtered pigs and what-have-you... It's obviously the work of some dark force and not the local RSPCA, reckons Truick, who finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into a druidic conspiracy. Fairbrass' Truick completely anglicised to the point of having a cockney accent, is a perfect metaphor for Celtic cultural angst, and his pedigree and fate as sacrificial victim is poetic. Darkland's villains - especially local politician David Keller - are well portrayed as they are menacing. Richard's central message is also unusual, attacking the Celtic renaissance for being intolerant. (Unless of course he's implying all anglicised Welshman should be ritually slaughtered. You never know). In the world of British film-making, it's an impressive achievement. Julian Richards is definately a name to watch out for.

Horror fans, as well as drama and suspense fans will really appreciate this low budget, yet well thought-out film. Whilst containing references, in tribute, to some of the best movies made, it is still a highly original and intelligent movie, raising questions about paganism and Welsh culture. The ritual scenes are very atmospheric and beautifully shot. There are some great "jump-out-of-your-seat" moments, especially as you really start to become drawn in to this film. Some well-respected and accomplished actors featured, who also help make it more than just another low-budget horror flick. Refreshing and highly recom

SURPRISINGLY diverting horror thriller set in Wales and prompting a terrific performance from Cliffhanger's Craig Fairbrass as a reporter lured into a mire of pagan rituals and the occult by svelte 'trainee journalist' Rowena King. Before he knows it, he's up to his neck in pigs blood and human sacrifices. The pace builds relentlessly till he's caught - literally - on a one-way train to hell and damnation!

Not for nothing has Julian Richards' assured debut been dubbed the Welsh 'Wicker Man'. The writer-director readily acknowledges it's debt to the 1973 horror classic. In his least action orientated role to date - Craig Fairbrass plays Frazer Truick, a Welsh-born, London raised journo whose investigations into a young steelworkers death suggest links between the industrial 'accident', fervent nationalist politician David Keller (Jon Finch) and an uppity group of Celtic neo-pagans. Truick's nose for a story and lust for the dead girl's beautiful sister, trainee journo Rachel Morris (Rowena King), soon have him knee deep in desecrated churches, slaughtered pigs, crazy priests and a revivalist political conspiracy. Anyone familiar with 'The Wicker Man' or 'Rosemary's Baby' will quickly guess that what Truick thinks is a light at the end of the tunnel is in fact an oncoming train. That said, what the film lacks in narrative riginality, it makes up for in imaginative execution, despite the limitations imposed by a £500,000 budget. Richards' confident direction and cinematographer Zoran Djordjevic's atmospheric visuals are complemented by a score that effectively blends Test Department's percussive industrial noise with gentler Welsh folk songs. By juxtaposing the scary intensity of ancient pagan rituals with the grim beauty of a modern post-industrial landscape, 'Darklands' draws upon evocative pre-christian imagery while also hinting at a more serious socio-economic subtext. Together with 'Twin Town' and 'House Of America' this confirms the recent revival in Welsh film-making.

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I saw this movie at The Newport Beach International Film Festival 1997 and can't believe that it has not yet been distributed in the US! (If as a result of reading this comment. a US distributor acquires Darklands, I want a 10% commission because if Blair Witch is anything to go by, with good marketing, this movie could make a mint - hell why don't I just set up my own label and distribute it through Amazon!).

Darklands is a seriously weird and subversive movie which unlike Blair Witch, succeeds in delivering a number of shocks - not to mention the ending, which quite literally had my jaw on the theater floor. If you like alternative, offbeat, cult movies > then Darklands is a must

This film is a curious mix of Roman Polanski's brilliant masterpiece 'Rosemary's Baby' (1968)and 'The Wicker Man' (1975), another exceptional supernatural horror film. Sadly, 'Darklands' does not live up to the standards of these two outstanding horror films, despite containing elements of both, but it is still an interesting and enjoyable horror film in its own right.

With such great sources of inspiration for its concept, 'Darklands' biggest failure is its lack of ambition when it comes to its implementation. The very low budget of around $750,000 was certainly not sufficient for a film of this sort, and I think with more funding this film could have been better and more widely available.

The director also lacked the vision to take the film's excellent concept to the heights some of the directorial masters of horror manage to do (like the two examples in the introduction). However, 'Darklands' is still enjoyable, interesting, and entertaining enough, despite the feeling of missed potential you get at the end because of these reasons.

I stumbled across this obscure Welsh gem in a cinema in Reykjavík, Iceland, the year it was released. Basically it's similar in many ways to the infamous The Wicker Man (1973), though I much preferred Darklands, not least because of the black metal aesthetic and the excellent industrial music of Test Dept., whose album Gododdin has had a profound and lasting impact on me.

Darklands is very much a 'back to basics' Brit horror movie. Impressively shot in Wales it tells the story of a local journalist (Craig Fairbrass) who gradually uncovers a sinister cult within his home town, who practice ancient pagan rituals and human sacrifice. With unmistakable elements from 'Race With The Devil', 'Angel Heart', and of course 'The Wicker Man' Darklands is hardly original but director Julian Richards has delivered an atmospheric, dark and sometimes intense debut - possibly the best British horror film this decade.

Despite all of the feverish accolades on the box, I found this to be a conventional and dull film. The few scenes of the pagan ritual might be disturbing were there not some sub-portishead music playing on the soundtrack the entire time.The scenes of the gypsys living outside the power plant were grimy and creepy. I was very annoyed by the fact that this film compared itself to the great "The Wicker man." while that film was an attack on Christianity and organized religion, this film seems to just be about how bad and evil the religous cult is which I found kind of silly and reactionary.

An industrial Celtic cult is recruiting people from the local steel mill and leading them in pagan sacrifice rituals - I wonder if it could have anything to do with the gypsies just outside the mill? This is an example of one of the plot drivers that this film relies on - ones that are pretty obvious from the start.

However the film also has plenty of other plot twists that are revealed along the way, most of these are good but too many rely on coincidence or overlooking the facts. The whole cult-conspiracy thing is a bit unbelievable - maybe the Wickerman succeeded with a similar plot due to the island setting - here set in Wales it's not as easy to accept. But if you can overlook this then it's actually quite good.

The performances are OK - Fairbrass doesn't quite bring off the fear and confusion that he should but does a reasonable leading man. Rowena King is good as the love interest Rachael, she's there to add a bit of sex to the proceedings - however that said the love scenes between her and Fairbrass are laughable, clearly neither agreed to be naked on screen and their orgasms are harder to believe than a Celtic cult sacrificing Welsh people. The other characters are mainly rent-a-Celtic-thugs or small parts - you can usually tell whose bad or good easily enough due to the performances.

The plot is reasonable but regularly fails to convince - with most good films you're able to buy into it at least while you're watching it. For most of it however the twists keep your interest. When I read the comments on these pages I watched this in anticipation for the shock ending - however it's not there! You pretty much know how it's going to end 20/30 minutes before it happens. It's still an OK ending but lets not make this out to be what it isn't - a reasonable TV special that got some lottery money to become a film.