It is necessary to take exception with this post.  Granted, the movie was more of a spoof than anything else.  And it's true that the movie had far more to do with the eccentricities of Depp & Burton than anything to do with the original show.  They are truely an Odd Couple.

Still, my final verdict on the film is one of appreciation.  Although for a fleeting moment, it was Jonathan Frid's final film appearance.  And Depp/Burton, in my opinion, did their best to appeal to a new and far more fickle audience while trying to remain faithful to the original show and fan base.  It was a daunting and very expensive task.  My hat is off to all the people that worked so hard on this production. 

Sadly, Dark Shadows, The Series is, like The Beatles, a phenomenon of the 60's.  We will always feel its influence, but the past is gone and will never return.  Dark Shadows without Jonathan Frid as Barnabas is like The Fab Four without John Lennon.  Anything less will pale in comparison.  Let's be grateful for any effort to recapture the magic of Dark Shadows because it calls attention to the original show and its devoted fans the world over.   

The Barnabas Collins, Julia Hoffman relationship was the Heart & Soul of Dark Shadows.  Storylines and other combinations would come and go, but when Barnabas and Julia "walked into television history" the show was doomed.

Holding a Costume Party in a Mansion like Lyndhurst is a far more reasonable project than trying to create a Festive, Party Atmosphere in a Cramped TV Studio.  The Movie Set released Dan Curtis & Co. to tell the Dark Shadows Tale like never before. Dan had all the Space, Time and $$ that was never afforded him on the show itself.  He made the most of it and never looked back.

It does not surprise me that the subject of Jonathan's Private Life would come up shortly after his passing.  It was always a subject of much curiosity on my part and obviously a very well guarded secret.  In my opinion, let's keep it that way.  It would be interesting to know the details, but far better to remember Jonathan as a cherished performer and a very good man.  He shared himself with us for 45 wonderlful years.  That is all we have to know and understand.
  

There is no question that Mitchell Ryan was the Definitive Burke Devlin.  The character was his from the very first episode.  Anthony George did the best he could with what he had to work with...probably with very short notice.  There are very few actors on Dark Shadows that really disappoint me.  Perhaps the Rose Colored Glasses are to blame 

Didn't Mitch Ryan have a drinking problem?  Perhaps he was a loose cannon on deck.  Dan Curtis was very ambitious and there must have been clashes between the two.  As for Robert Gerringer, perhaps he decided to split when he learned his character was being killed off.  Even Dana Elcar  left around this time.  Dark Shadows was about to travel back in time and some of the characters were doomed, such as Burke, Dave Woodard and the Cemetary Caretaker.

In my opinion, the new movie was as good as it could be.  One has to consider that it would be impossible to follow the original series too closely.  That would have made the movie less appealing to the modern audience.  Depp and Burton did a fine job recapturing the spirit of the series without allowing the movie to appear dated.  It makes me proud to be part of the original hardcore fan base and this film would never have happened without the strong interest we show.  We keep Dark Shadows alive for ourselves and future generations.