LET’S GET PHYSICAL: FEAR IN THE DARK (1991) ** ½

FORMAT:  DVD

Christopher Lee hosts this short (less than an hour long) documentary on horror films that was originally broadcast on British television.  Things kick off by tracing the origin of modern horror back to the works of Edgar Allan Poe.  Then there’s a discussion on vampire films, a look at the impact of The Exorcist, and the gimmick movies of William Castle.  Other topics include gore, Video Nasties, horror comics, and even real-life serial killers. 

The interviewees include John Carpenter, Clive Barker, Wes Craven, Dario Argento, Robert Bloch, Barbara Steele, William Friedkin, John McNaughton, and Brian Yuzna, all of whom offer some illuminating insights on the genre.  (The input from an assemblage of horror fans is decidedly less interesting.)  Carpenter is especially fun to listen to while speaking of his love for Blood Feast and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.  Along the way, there are clips from Silence of the Lambs, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Nosferatu, Opera, The Tingler, Don’t Scream It’s Only a Movie, Queen of Black Magic, Hellraiser, Suspiria, Halloween 4:  The Return of Michael Myers, Henry:  Portrait of a Serial Killer, and Society.  Most of the time, the best footage isn’t shown, although I suppose that might’ve been due to the censors.  (At least they were still able to show the “butthead” scene from Society.)

Since it was a British production, it’s a little on the dry side.  It also glosses over some genres too quickly, and only shows lobby cards for some films instead of playing actual clips.  (Interestingly enough, they are forced to do that for The Exorcist because apparently British censors won’t allow it to be shown on television.  Pussies.)  Also, the random shots of audience members covering their eyes in a darkened theater feels more like padding than anything else.  

Overall, Fear in the Dark is watchable and entertaining.  I just wish it had more focus as it jumps around a bit too much and many of the segue-ways feel incongruous.  That said, any documentary/clip show package/horror compilation that includes scenes from Vampyres is OK by me.