8mm Forum: DARK STAR

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Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on January 05, 2013, 07:48 PM:

I have often thought this a neglected little film that has a lot
going for it.Having purchased it when it first appeared on S/8,
round about the time of the "Star Wars" craze, I found it to be
an intelligent take on Sci-Fi, and all my friends enjoyed it too,
in fact it was second only to "Texas Chain Saw" in popularity
with them, if the "Star Wars" clips were shown, this invariably followed.Considering that it started life as a student made film
with very little budget, that was enlarged for cinema release, I
honestly think John Carpenter excelled himself on this movie,
plus it had a very catchy music score. What are other members views?

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on January 06, 2013, 12:03 AM:

Hugh I agree it was an intelligent take on sci fi, and in some ways that was its downfall financially. It is a hilarious film, but often people do not get the humor..I do have to disagree with you on giving sole credit to John Carpenter though because although he was listed as the director this was very much a collaborative project between him and Dan O'Bannon...If you really examine the film it was far more in line with all of O'Bannon's later work than Carpenter's..The new DVD/BluRay release has an excellent (albeit very long) documentary on the movie that really lays out the whole creation of the film..I am actually working on bringing all of O'Bannon's materials into my archive at USC (which was where Dark Star was made).

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on January 06, 2013, 05:11 AM:

Yes that's all true Dino,poor Dan has been used and abused, the
insights he gives on the ALIEN quadrilogy are very enlightening.
I was just using Carpenter as a recognisable name,most people
have never heard of Dan O'Bannon, but he is a very talented man.
I thought the film hilarous,as did my pals, and as for the sexy
voiced computer,what an excuse to become a computer geek.
Like I said, the boys found it great fun and I think it's a little gem.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on January 06, 2013, 02:38 PM:

This is a great little film Hugh,I first purchased it as the 2 x 400footer from Iver until a few years ago when i managed to secure the feature version which we have mounted on two 800ft spools. The carpenter/Bannon partnership worked so well and as previously mentioned it was only a student film but now has quite a cult following. Certainly Dan o Bannon has some battles in his early career & his pretty poor treatment on the Alien release, The DVD documentry with him explaining everything certainly is an eye opener.
As for Dark Star, it has everything & the opening sequence with the Spacecraft zooming away from the planet before it explodes never works on TV the way it does on the big screen projected image. I am surprised that this movie as yet hasnt been re made, everything else seems to have been done. Personally this is a classic old film which needs to be left well alone, Its a sci-fi classic,in fact many of the special effects were done by Dan o Bannon who plays Pinback in the film,much of the music was done by John Carpenter as he did in many of his future films including the brilliant Halloween. Amazing how a good movie could be made with just $60,000, i wonder how much its made over the years with its following.
Funny this appearing on this thread today as only yesterday my Brother and i decided this is one we wont be selling from our collection unless times were desperate.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on January 06, 2013, 03:02 PM:

When I used to rent films in the 70's there was always a waiting list for Texas and Dark Star so obviously very popular Hugh.

Posted by Paul Browning (Member # 2715) on January 06, 2013, 03:35 PM:

Hi Lee, sent you pm earlier, but i think your in box is full as it's bounced back at me.

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