Near Dark (1987)

[porcupine]

My apologies if this has already had a dedicated thread (I have already read and enjoyed The Lost Boys vs Near Dark thread, but that's closed so I can't add to it) but I couldn't find one, so I thought I'd be so bold as claim that Near Dark is the greatest vampire film ever! I love The Lost Boys, I really do, but Near Dark is the stronger film. It's beautiful, gory, funny, atmospheric and intense. It has great music (mostly, there are some dated moments here and there), amazing photography, a terrific script, and of course, it has the barroom scene, which is one of the best scenes in any film, ever!

What are your thoughts on this film? Obviously, The Lost Boys is its closest contemporary, but it also belongs to a bigger range of vampire films from the eighties like Fright Night, Vamp, The Hunger, etc.

Forgive the plug, but my fellow movie junkie friend and I have recorded a fan commentary for Near Dark which is available to listen (or download for free), so feel free to listen to our ramblings!

Near Dark (1987) Fan Audio commentary – Listen on my blog or download for free! | Angstinmypants's Blog

[Robert W]

It's also got one of the best casts you're ever going to see in an American vampire film.

[SocialNightmare]

I have never seen it , now added to my ever growing must see list though

[porcupine]

Originally Posted by Robert W

It's also got one of the best casts you're ever going to see in an American vampire film.

It's true - you've got great actors with great characters to work with. Always a winning combination! Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen have never been better, and Jenny Wright is probably my favourite ever lady vamp!

[porcupine]

Originally Posted by SocialNightmare

I have never seen it , now added to my ever growing must see list though

I hope you like it - it can divide opinion as it does abandon a lot of the vampire rules and regulations. There are no garlic, crosses, stakes, fangs or even the word 'vampire', though I find these are key to the film's success rather than a detriment. Also, the method of 'curing' a vampire is probably the film's most controversial element, though I myself have no problems with it. Finally, the soundtrack can be known to put people off, though I love it.

I think the film's got more beauty, sensuality and emotion than any of the other eighties vampire films, and if you like bad-ass vampires, they're here too, as well as some tasty gore and even a cracking shoot-out!

[Buboven]

Originally Posted by porcupine

I hope you like it - it can divide opinion as it does abandon a lot of the vampire rules and regulations. There are no garlic, crosses, stakes, fangs or even the word 'vampire', though I find these are key to the film's success rather than a detriment. Also, the method of 'curing' a vampire is probably the film's most controversial element, though I myself have no problems with it. Finally, the soundtrack can be known to put people off, though I love it.

I think the film's got more beauty, sensuality and emotion than any of the other eighties vampire films, and if you like bad-ass vampires, they're here too, as well as some tasty gore and even a cracking shoot-out!

here, here!

[Buboven]

I wanna buy it on BluRay but I am put off by the Twilight-esque cover for the current Blu-Ray and DVD release.

[sjconstable]

Originally Posted by Buboven

I wanna buy it on BluRay but I am put off by the Twilight-esque cover for the current Blu-Ray and DVD release.

DNR'd to hell as well.

[Beyond72]

Originally Posted by porcupine

I think the film's got more beauty, sensuality and emotion than any of the other eighties vampire films

I disagree, but since you at least named The Hunger in your first post I'll let it slide.

[porcupine]

Originally Posted by Beyond72

I disagree, but since you at least named The Hunger in your first post I'll let it slide.

Heh heh, cheers! The Hunger's a peach, exquisitely shot and the first ten or so minutes are some of the greatest in all of film - barely any dialogue, just pure visual and aural cinema, with great use of music. Weird to think of it as a Tony Scott film, it's so different from his other stuff - who'd have thought he'd follow this with Top Gun and Beverly Hills Cop II?