Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is a made-for-television horror film that originally aired on ABC on October 10th 1973. Directed by John Newland and written by Nigel McKeand, this film has become a cult classic over the decades, known for its creepy atmosphere and unforgettable premise. The film’s eerie tone and subtle, psychological horror set it apart from many of the more overtly violent horror films of the time.
The film features a small but effective cast that brings the chilling story to life including Kim Darby as Sally Farnham, the film’s protagonist, whose growing terror drives the narrative; Jim Hutton as Alex Farnham, Sally’s husband, who remains sceptical of her fears; William Demarest appears as Mr. Harris, a handyman with a deep understanding of the house’s dark past, and Barbara Anderson as Joan Kahn, Sally’s close friend who tries to support her. It is the performances, particularly by Kim Darby, that are key to the film’s success. Darby’s portrayal of Sally, a woman slowly unravelling under the weight of supernatural terror, is both compelling and relatable, grounding the story in a human reality.
The Plot
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” centres around a young couple, Sally and Alex Farnham, who move into an old mansion that Sally has inherited from her grandmother. The house, with its large, imposing structure and hidden nooks, has a mysterious aura, particularly the closed-off basement, which Sally becomes curious about.
Despite warnings from Mr. Harris, the handyman, Sally insists on opening a bricked-up fireplace in the basement, which her grandmother had sealed many years before. This act unleashes a group of small, malevolent creatures that begin to torment her. These creatures (Felix Silla, Tamara De Treaux and Patty Maloney) are not visible to others, making Sally’s terror seem irrational to everyone around her, including her husband Alex.
As the film progresses, Sally’s sanity is questioned by those closest to her. The creatures grow bolder, appearing more frequently and whispering ominous threats. The horror builds as Sally becomes increasingly isolated, with no one believing her stories about the creatures. The film culminates in a chilling climax where Sally’s fate is sealed, leaving the audience with a haunting sense of dread.
Reception and Legacy
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” was well-received upon its initial airing and has since become one of the most remembered made-for-TV horror films of the 1970s. The film was praised for its atmosphere and the way it built tension without relying on gore or shocking visuals. Instead, the horror was psychological, with the viewer’s imagination playing a significant role in creating the terror.
Critics and audiences alike lauded Kim Darby’s performance, which effectively captured the terror of a woman slowly being driven to the brink of madness. The film’s minimalist approach to horror, relying on sound design and subtle visual cues rather than overt special effects, was also praised.
Over the years, “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” has gained a cult following, particularly among fans of classic horror. Its influence can be seen in later horror films that focus on the psychological aspects of fear rather than just physical threats. The film’s eerie tone and unsettling atmosphere have ensured its place as a standout example of television horror from the 1970s.
In 2010, the film was remade as a theatrical release, with Guillermo del Toro as a producer and co-writer. While the remake brought the story to a new generation with updated effects and a more elaborate plot, many fans of the original still regard the 1973 version as the definitive adaptation.
Conclusion
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” remains a significant piece of television horror history, celebrated for its ability to create an atmosphere of fear and tension with a minimalist approach. Its legacy endures, not only as a chilling film in its own right but also as an influential work that has inspired many horror filmmakers who followed. Whether you’re a fan of classic horror or simply looking for a well-crafted, eerie story, “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” is a must-see.
Yuen Biao plays a champion fencer who disposes of his rivals with startling ability. Biao is also a student, writing an essay on the Ming Dynasty, which is received favorably by his tutor, Read more
At a dinner party with their wives, NASA scientist Dr. Keith Ritchie (Tony Huston) reveals to his colleague Dr. Curt Taylor (John Agar) that he has secretly been in communication Read more
In Italy during World War II, an American military patrol discovers a spaceship that has crash-landed in the woods, along with its alien crew. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm9fnNfLg8M A nearby Nazi unit also Read more
Directed by Chris Watson and distributed by Troma Entertainment, Zombiegeddon begins as Satan creates a human-like race called zombies. When the zombies begin taking over the world, dirty cops Jeff Read more
Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante, Zombie Tidal Wave aims to pick up where the Sharknado franchise left off. More serious in tone, the film plays more like the original Sharknado Read more
Based on Marilyn Sadler and Roger Bollen's book of the same name, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century was directed by Kenneth Johnson and set in the year 2049. It Read more
Directed by Keita Amemiya, Zeiram follows two intergalatic bounty hunters named Iria (Yûko Moriyama) and Bob (Masakazu Handa) who accept a job to apprehend Zeiram (Mizuho Yoshida) on a planet Read more
Arriving in 2010, Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City was the sequel for 2004's Zebraman, and starred Show Aikawa once again as Shinichi Ichikawa/Zebraman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqnYJugzaiU As the film opens it Read more
Directed by Takashi Miike, Zebraman follows Shinichi Ichikawa (Shô Aikawa), a man whose life is unravelling before his eyes. At work he is a failing school teacher and at home he Read more
Zardoz, often referred to as "the one where James Bond is in his pants," is set in a future post-apocalypse Earth in the year 2293. By this point in history Read more
Directed by Don Barton, Zaat follows Dr. Kurt Leopold (Marshall Grauer) as he struggles with his former colleagues' "ZaAt" formula. Well you see this formula transforms humans into weird hybrid Read more
Directed by Michael Campus, Z.P.G. (Zero Population Growth) is inspired by the novel The Population Bomb by Paul R. Ehrlich. It deals with a planet Earth in the future that Read more
A young woman, Beverly (Lynda Day George), is gang raped and murdered in a California college town, sparking her brother Kevin (James Van Patten) to take up arms by night with Read more
Internationally renowned director Takashi Miike (ICHI THE KILLER, AUDITION, 13 ASSASSINS, HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI 3D,ACE ATTORNEY, FOR LOVE’S SAKE, LESSON OF THE EVIL) is back with the action fantasy Read more
Directed by Harry Bromley Davenport, Xtro follows what happens to a man named Sam Phillips (Philip Sayer) who is abducted by a strong alien light whilst playing with his son Tony (Simon Read more
Since Fox’s bastardisation of The X-Men started to be put right with First Class and Days of Future Past I had high hopes that Apocalypse and in some ways Fox Read more
Wonder Woman 1984 (aka WW84) sees director Patty Jenkins return to the franchise that saved the DCEU. It is hard to believe this is the ninth film in the DCEU, Read more
Witchboard is a 1986 horror film directed by Kevin Tenney. The movie follows the story of a young woman named Linda (Tawny Kitaen), who becomes involved with a spirit board, Read more
Wishing Stairs is the third installment of the Whispering Corridors film series set in girls high schools, but, as with all films in the series, it is unrelated to the others. Read more
A creepy obsession film that may have influenced Single White Female. Is it a great film... not really but it is worth watching for the way the Police act throughout Read more
Brett Summers
Brett founded CultFaction.com in 2014 a website and podcast that deals with cult film and tv. He also has a strong interest in grappling martial arts both as a practitioner and as a historian.
More Stories
All Summer in a Day (1982)
Satan’s Triangle (1975)
Waxwork 2: Lost In Time (1992)