NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: MVD Visual Blu-ray (August 2021): MVD Visual have transferred John 'Bud' Cardos's The Dark to Blu-ray. It is on a single-layered disc and can look a bit noisy in the many dark sequences. Well lit scenes look quite acceptable in 1080P. There are a few speckles but no flagrant damage. In the commentary they discuss the Blu-ray transfer so I thought it is new although Igor passed away in 2019 (at 89) and Bud passed on 2020 (at 91) - RIP both - so this must be a rehash of an older BD - I found a 2K scan advertised for a 2017 Code Red Blu-ray. I presume this is the same transfer and likely the exact same disc - just different packaging. It is in the original 2.35:1 and looks okay - not reaching the heights of the format but I also suspect the source and production stock utilized may not have been in pristine condition. It's a shade dull; and contrast is middling but the HD presentation is consistent.  

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On their Blu-ray, MVD Visual use a linear PCM 2.0 channel track (16-bit) in the original English language. The Dark has quite a few aggressive moments from the guttural monster growls to extensive gunfire. There is modest depth. I enjoyed the jazzy score by Roger Kellaway (Jaws of Satan, Legacy, Silent Scream, The Mafu Cage) sounding clean and supportive in the lossless transfer. MVD also include the score as an isolated option in lossy Dolby. MVD Visual offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The MVD Visual Blu-ray offers the 2017 commentary featuring producer Igo Kantor and director John ''Bud'' Carlos moderated by Bill Olson and filmmaker Damon Packard.  It's very informative - they discuss how the initial girl who is murdered was Paris Hilton's mother, Kathy Hilton - the older half-sister of Kim Richards (the only feature Kathy has done.) They talk a lot about how Devane accepted the role to work with Tobe Hooper because of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Igor describes him as a 'thinking actor' like Cliff Robertson. They talk about Tobe's health, drug use, how he was behind schedule immediately, his propensity to be fired and how almost none of his footage was used in the film, the term 'Non compos mentis' (not of his right mind) is used to describe why Devane wanted to leave the film, the jazzy score, a lot on Keenan Wynn and Richard Jaeckel plus much more. There is a lot of topics discussed very openly and honestly making it worth the indulgence. There is also a 26-minute interview with composer Roger Kellaway. He describes that he wrote the score being inspired by two pieces by Luciano Berio; The Cries of London and A-Ronne performed by The Swingle Singers. He goes into details about his creative process. There is also a 1/4 hour interview with John 'Bud' Carlos, a theatrical trailer, TV and radio Spot and the package has a collectible folded mini-poster.

John 'Bud' Cardos's The Dark kinda reminded me of Dan Curtis' Night Strangler / Night Stalker films and a bit like the ensuing Kolchak TV series, with investigatory work and lesser-accepting police eventually taking on an unknown monster in the finale - could also be the jazzy score. I think there is some pleasing nostalgia value here. Effects are at the low end, but there is a neat 'beheading' that is underplayed. It maintains a minor 70's feel and is realized well enough by Cardos. The science-fiction angle is barely addressed after the opening credit narration and the blazing creature eyes put in as an after-thought. So, 'creature-feature', mystery, sci-fi, horror - it brushes a few genres. The MVD Visual Blu-ray certainly advances on DVD a/v plus includes a revealing commentary and interviews. I would definitely watch this again when the mood strikes. 

Gary Tooze