20 Years Later DARKNESS continues to be discovered and discussed...

Hey everybody,

Having just posted a whole slew of DARKNESS review quotes and Top 10/Favorite lists from the old website here on the recently revived blog, it reminded me of the huge amount of articles and reviews I've seen since those compilations were updated.  If you google with a vengeance, you will find a lot more out there, but here's a few tidbits that either happened fairly recently, or happened a while ago and I just now found them.

First off, HorrorHound Magazine said DARKNESS was the number one goriest vampire movie yet filmed!  Click the photo for a larger/readable version:

HorrorHound Magazine also thought DARKNESS lived up to the gore/hype on the cover of it's old VHS video release artworks.  Click the photo for a larger version:

Also, Best-Horror-Movies.com included DARKNESS on the:
"10 HORROR MOVIES THAT DESERVED A SEQUEL LIST":
"Darkness (The Vampire Version) (1997) - Leif Jonker’s mega low budget ($5,000) vampire film was a labor of love and while not a great film the gore and carnage put on screen and the finished product left me hoping for a higher budgeted sequel in which the director would be able to expand on his goals of vampire film nirvana. Over the years there were sequel rumors but lately I don’t even think America’s Most Wanted would be able to track this guy down."
Check out the full list here:
http://ossuary.best-horror-movies.com/m/news/view/65731/10-Horror-Movies-That-Deserved-a-Sequel

And I just recently found this very cool review over on BASEMENT OF GHOULISH DECADENCE where Jayson Kennedy said:

"Last but certainly not least, the gore and splatter is tremendous. Heads become pop rocks, convenience store stand-offs become fodder for shock websites, flesh melts into red-slicked raw chicken meat, and trembling corpses become one with asphalt through self-mutilating yoga exercises. Darkness is a testament to picking up your parent's cheap camera and the perfect example of a horror film that admirably reaches far past its literal Denny's steak and eggs budget."

Read the full review here:  http://www.ghoulbasement.com/2009/12/nothing-like-little-darkness-on.html

BeAst WisheS -- Leif Jonker 5/30/2012

DARKNESS Reviews - 2006 VAMPIRE VERSION

Saved from the older 13th Dream website.  Many of the links are no longer working.

Internet and Magazine REVIEWS of the
2006 VAMPIRE VERSION:

DARKNESS

NEWER REVIEW & ARTICLE EXCERPTS:
(In no particular order or chronology, however, most recently
discovered entries are added to the TOP of the list.)
UPDATED 10/11/07.

-------------------------------------------------------

FIVE STARS - HIGHEST RATING
A "MASTERPIECE OF UNDERGROUND HORROR."
"If you're looking for something violent and fun, give this one a chance. The dvd presentation by Barrel Entertainment is the single best dvd presentation a film at this budget has ever seen. It's LOADED with stuff."
B-Independent.com - NETFLIX Review
Read the Full Review log in to NetFlix and click HERE!

“His raw, powerful vampire gorefest DARKNESS has sustained a decade-long buzz as one of the cornerstone films of the microcinema scene.  ...delivers a string of harrowing, shocking scenes, delivered with such unvarnished acting and production value that the film almost seems lensed in a quasi-(or perhaps I should say queasy-)documentary style.  And Jonker fills the double DVD with loads and loads of extras...  THE VAMPIRE VERSION is a great testament to this memorable achievement.”
John Oak Dalton - THE HOMEMADE WORLD REVIEW
Read the Full review HERE!
This review first appeared, in a slightly different form, at MICRO CINEMA SCENE.COM.

#5 ON THE ULTIMATE GORE LIST!
"You will never see a vampire movie this gory.  Exploding hordes of vampires here with bubbling flesh!"
Jose Angeles - AMAZON LISTMANIA!
SEE THE ENTIRE LIST OF 35 MOVIES BY CLICKING HERE!

"Gory and juicy...  The first commentary is with the cast and crew. It’s pretty enjoyable, as there is a good dynamic among them. There are some genuine funny moments here that I actually laughed out loud.  The third commentary with the director has an interesting history of the film...  There are some featurettes as well, including cast interviews and making of special effects. This disc is worth it just for the value alone. It will take you more than one night to go thru all of it, and some parts are very educational, if you’re into low budget filming."
DirkMaster - My Nightly Bad Movies BLOG
Read the entire review HERE!

HIGHEST RATING!  5 STARS!  "SPLATTACULAR"!
"This movie was gore PACKED. Quentin Tarantino should have taken some lessons from the effects crew in DARKNESS, I mean blood sprays everywhere!  My personal favorite is a kill scene at a carwash, it was the main scene that stood out in my mind all these years since I watched the movie on VHS -- other than the insanely cool ending, and that my friends, the ending, WOW. The ending of this movie is splattacular!  For Gore and Splatter fans this movie is right up your alley.  Leif Jonker's DARKNESS: THE VAMPIRE VERSION is an inspiration to all budding independent horror movie directors."
Jaysin Champion - EVIL DREAD.COM
Read the Full Review on EVIL DREAD.COM by clicking HERE!
Originally posted: Jay Decay - CUTTING CREW REVIEWS
Read the Full CUTTING CREW Review on MySpace by clicking HERE!

"...Jonker would be the perfect guy to do 30 DAYS OF NIGHT."
"Enter DARKNESS: THE VAMPIRE VERSION, a two-disc, digitally remastered set with more goodies than you can shake a crucifix at.  ...you’ll find yourself cheering these besieged survivors to safety.  It’s much the same feeling people got the first time they saw THE EVIL DEAD -- and I’m not talking about when it first came on video.  It’s so enjoyable, that I actually found myself thinking that Jonker would be the perfect guy to do 30 DAYS OF NIGHT.  Just a thought, but I think he could pull it off.  Now, however, you can have the film in a format that does it and its cast and crew justice.  Do yourself a favor, horror fans, and get this ASAP if you don’t already have it in your hot little hands."  Rating: 3.5 out of 4 STARS!
Doug Brunell - FILM THREAT
Read the Full Review by clicking HERE!

"Man, I've been waiting for this DVD for years!  DARKNESS is a great example of raw talent, ambition and creativity overcoming budgetary restraints.  To this day the movie is a blast to watch!  The last fifteen minutes just can't be beat - and that includes anything I've seen in EVIL DEAD, BRAINDEAD, etc."
Richard Dean - Author of FINAL DEATH and TOTAL DARKNESS
Visit Richard Dean on his MySpace page by clicking HERE!

"The Vampire Version rocks! Looks sooooo much better now."
Ronnie Sortor - Director of SINYSTER and RAVAGE
Visit Borderline Entertainment HERE!

"We check out Barrel Entertainment's DVD remastering of Leif Jonker's energetic 1993 vampire flick.  Small on budget it may be, but gorehounds will love it."
Single-Disc Edition Review:
"When the vampires are exposed to ultraviolet rays their reaction is, especially considering the DARKNESS budget, spectacular.  Writer/director Leif Jonker is a huge talent: it's a shame that he made this in 1993 and hasn't gotten another feature.  Darkness looks great and the sound is crisp and clear.  Scenes at night featuring pools of light isolated in inky darkness show just how good the remastering is.  For adventurous viewers, Darkness comes highly recommended."  Score: 8/10
And excerpted from a personal note from Howard:
"...I hugely enjoyed it.  Although I'm not that big on blood and gore I was completely absorbed in what was going on and thought it was really well done.  Had I seen it prior to the digital restoration I probably wouldn't have gotten much farther than ten minutes into it.  Wow.  The comparison scenes showing the before and after really made me appreciate what good work was done on the film."  Also featured on their "Recent Recommendations" list!
Howard Paul Burgess - THE FILM ASYLUM
Read the Full Review HERE!

"I think it's a great film.  DARKNESS is the EL MARIACHI of horror movies!"
Eric Tomosunas - Producer of FURNACE and DEAD HEIST
Visit Swirl Films HERE!

Included in the upcoming book:
100 GREATEST GORE FILMS OF ALL TIME!
From SKULLRING.ORG interview:
"Leif Jonker’s DARKNESS finally hit DVD this year—if you’re into ultra low budget gore, this one is good."
From MySpace:
"Darkness made the cut in my forthcoming book on the 100 GREATEST GORE FILMS OF ALL TIME and I'm eagerly awaiting your next project."
Mike Bracken - "The Horror Geek" Comedy Central's BEAT THE GEEKS
Read Matt Staggs Full Interview with Mike on SKULLRING.ORG by clicking HERE!
Visit Mike's MySpace page by clicking HERE!

HIGHEST RATING! 10 OUT OF 10!
"Every once in a while a movie that has a $0.00 buget manages to do the unthinkable, become a world wide underground cult classic.  And thanks to BARREL ENTERTAINMENT I can finally throw away my 9th generation VHS that is not even watchable now.  This is the best micro budget, independent film...period.  This is a movie in the same spirit of BAD TASTE, EVIL DEAD, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, but done on a fraction of the budget of those films.  But don't let the lack of budget fool you, what they were able to accomplish is amazing & this first time director has some real talent.  Leif is able to keep the film moving at a frantic pace, so you never have a chance to zero in on the lack of budget (well almost), always throwing something at you to keep you busy, but at the same time, it never feels forced.  The chase scenes are fantastic, & the scares come at you with startling speed.  If you can really enjoy small independent films, with zero budget, (at times) bad acting, & GORE BY THE BUCKET LOAD, this film is calling your name."  Rating 10/10!
Miguel Bain - THE TRPC.COM Discussion Forums
Read the Full Thread of Reviews by clicking HERE!

"DARKNESS: THE VAMPIRE VERSION (2-disc limited edition) is an absolute must have for any fan of indie cinema and gore!!  This flick could give Peter Jackson's DEAD ALIVE (BRAIN DEAD) a run for it's money!"
Eric Butts - MySpace BLOG
Visit Eric's MySpace page by clicking HERE!

Review translated from Italian into English.  "Do you want some advice?  Buy the limited edition!!!  The dvd’s development took ages, 9 years, but the final product is something amazing.  Darkness is a bloody orgy of gore and human/vampire flesh.  In addiction, the makeup is terrific and we can assure you that you’ll enjoy that very much.  In our opinion, it is the most violent and gory vampire movie ever filmed.  For the people who saw [John] Carpenter’s VAMPIRES and this one (1993), they’ll notice some similarities between them.  In particular, during the vampire’s resurrection where it is very noticeable…  We’re not saying that J.C. copied that idea from DARKNESS but…  As regards the original soundtrack, it is composed only by brutal/death and thrash metal songs, which is a positive aspect of the film.  Anyway, the acting is a kind of hilarious because all the actors are only meat for the slaughterhouse like us and you.  Lastly, the best scene in this movie is the one inside the abandoned house in the desert infested with vampires (Carpenter rings you a bell?)!  Once and for all, this is one of the most marvellous underground movies in a spectacular edition (both limited and standard).  If you like splatter, gore or whatever, you have to buy it immediately!"
HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD.COM's Fanzine SEEDS OF FEAR Vol. 1 - ITALY
Visit HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD by clicking HERE!
Download a PDF of SEEDS OF FEAR by clicking HERE!

"From start to finish it's one of the goriest movies you'll ever see.  Hardly a minute goes by without blood spurting across the screen, an eyeball popping or a head exploding.  The climax alone gives the lawn mower scene in Peter Jackson's DEAD ALIVE a very chunky run for its money.  Hollywood movies with multi-million dollar budgets haven't accomplished half of the gross-out effects as effectively as Jonker's novice crew did."
Last Chance Lance - RUE-MORGUE MAGAZINE Issue #57
Read the Full Article by Buying RUE-MORGUE #57  HERE!

BEST DVD RELEASES of 2006 List!
"5. DARKNESS: THE VAMPIRE VERSION - Company: Barrel  Dir.: Leif Jonker  Another old grassroots horror film – Jonker's Super8 splatteriffic vampire extravaganza DARKNESS – was given an even more lavish release.  Another gem from the low budget world."
TetsuoMARK13 - MySpace BLOG
Check out the full listing by clicking HERE!

"...you go into a film like this for the blood, guts and gore!  ...high on the blood meter.  From the opening scene until the end of the film, the blood flows quite freely...  ...you have few minutes in this film where someone isn't being ripped to shreds, squirting blood all over the place or being shown up close in a convulsing death scene. The 'meltdown' scene is probably a gore-lover's dream come true and adds a couple of jaw-dropping moments.  From what I understand, this is a re-release of the film and had until this time, only been available on DVD in Germany and Japan and from the sequences shown before the film begins, this edition appears to be a vast improvement over the earlier two releases.  Barrel Entertainment, the fine crew that gave us Special Editions of both Nekromantik films, along with Roger Watkin's Last House on Dead End Street, have really out done them selves with this DVD release.  ...if you're a fan who enjoys a very 'moist' and bloody film, then I'd certainly not hesitate in recommending this film."
Hammer Fanatic - HOUSE OF HORRORS
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Leif Jonker, for the extreme low budget he had and using college students and friends, pulled off this feature length splat fest, beautifully!  The gallons upon gallons of blood, sprayed, spilled and spread in this film is to me, absolutely Gorious (or glorious for those of you, not down with the lingo).  The climax of DARKNESS is quite possibly one of the goriest and most blood filled sequences in film history.  Leif has truly built an independent goldmine with this one.  I definitely look forward to future projects from him. When it comes down to the splatter factor, Darkness: The vampire version gets my rating of a 10.  For a shoe string budget, this film had some fucking gruesome, outstanding gore FX.  Leif and his friends went all out and by far made this picture one of the bloodiest things ever put to celluloid.  Over all DARKNESS: THE VAMPIRE VERSION gets my rating of an 8.  All I can say now is, go get this film!  If you value your love of underground, independent and extremely gory cinema, do it!  Well… what the f*#k are you waiting for, GO… NOW!!!"
CINEMA EULOGIES
Read the Full Review by clicking HERE!

HIGHEST RATING - 10 OUT OF 10!
"One of the finest zero-budget horror movies I've had the pleasure of viewing.  DARKNESS: THE VAMPIRE VERSION is a terrifically ambitious zero-budget movie by first-time director Leif Jonker. Its high-octane, non-stop bloody action is gripping from the start...   ...this film succeeds with its large-scale portrayal of the effect that a master vampire (Randall Aviks) has on various towns in North America.  Aviks' character manages to turn a seemingly endless number of townsfolk into fast moving, gut chomping vampires and there are some superbly dark scenes of carnage.  This shot-on-film horror production puts much higher budget pictures to shame.  The scenes of jugular-spurting bloodshed are numerous and intense - very impressive for a film of this independent nature.  The excellent synthesiser produced score is very reminiscent of early John Carpenter tracks - very moody and foreboding. Director Leif Jonker also co-produced this music - is there no end to the man's talent?  I've given DARKNESS a 10 for sheer effort. Along with [Jörg Buttgereit's] NEKROMANTIK and [Mike] Mendez's KILLERS, this ranks as one of my favourite low-budget movies."  Rating: 10/10
DVD_Connoisseur - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
Read the Full Review HERE!

"There are some really good shots in the movie; the carwash blood bath, the slice and dice death and the meltdown at the end is pure BLOOD FEST.  If you're into underground movies then this is for you.  If you're not and you want to expand your mind, open it a little bit, you know, taste the brains, then watch this and see what true, and I mean TRUE, independent movie making is all about.  Patch gives this 5 BLOOD SPLASHES out of 7!  Patch says open your mind and watch some underground cinema!"
Patch/Lucio Fulci is God - THE SEVEN DREADED GATEWAYS/MySpace Blog
Read the Full Review by clicking HERE!

"This film is a gorehounds wet dream come true.  Lucio Fulci would be proud.  For a low-budget feature, the gore effects are top notch...  If you like ripped-off throats, hands torn off by chainsaws, bodies being crushed by trucks, people being hacked to bits by machetes, and vampires melting into skeletons before exploding and dousing everything within a twenty mile radius in blood and intestines, than this film was tailor made for you! Drink Up!  P.S.: a little BTW, this film predates FROM DUSK TILL DAWN in it's portrayal of vampires as blood-hungry zombies."  Rating: 8/10
The_Movie_Defender - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
Read the Full Review HERE!

"In my quest for the goriest movie ever made, I came across Leif Jonker's DARKNESS.  ...it's fun to watch.  There's a lot of gore scene...  ...you can't see anything but blood squirting everywhere...  Call some friends, have a few beers and enjoy!"  FILM RATING: 3/5    GORE RATING: 4.5/5
Jitan Forcier - SPLATTERMANIA
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Just a couple minutes in, and we've got suicide, vampires, blood all over the place, and some dude who lives in a trailer park running from things.  Then, niftiness ensues.  Great metal soundtrack to tons of killing of vampire thingies.  Regular countdowns to sunset or sunrise.  Chainsaws.  Shotguns.  Desperate teens.  Blood.  Creepy stuff.   The brooding music, the usual lack of friends or family around to help (until our heroes band together, of course), and yes, the Darkness, all come together to create quite a nice atmosphere for the film.  Add in the well placed metal songs (by Apostasy in this version) for the chase scenes, and you have a film that uses all of its tools to create the mood.  There are some seriously cool bits of gore - heads being shot off, drills used as weapons, limbs being hacked off with swords, and other grisly bits of killing goodness.  One of the best is about 45 minutes in, where a bad guy gets run over and disintegrates into a bunch of pieces.  Cool stuff.  There is a great scene near the end with some fabulous gore- lots and lots of vampires dying in the sun in a horrific manner.  Overall, I give it, um, some sort of rating that translates to pretty darn good.  And bloody."
scotian42 - LiVEJOURNAL BLOG
Read the Full Blog/Review by clicking HERE!

"This movie was raw and powerful. ...the direction and special effects were incredibly cool.   These guys love horror films, and their homage is great.  Please give them a bigger budget and let them do more films."
lukasmontoe - Reader/Contributor on YAHOO MOVIES
Read the Full Comment HERE!

HIGHEST RATING!
"Finally the 2-disc special edition of the underground classic, Leif Jonker’s DARKNESS!  The gory vampire film made for no money was beautiful in the fact that it told a story about a vampire which would invade a town and turn people into vampires, or kill them, until the whole town was destroyed!  ...with the new remastered print for DVD, the blood and the gore are better than ever to see!  This vampire film inspired quite a few filmmakers out there that a great movie can be shot for no money if you have the talent, the passion, and skill for great make-up effects.  I give the movie 4 STARS."
Tim Gross - BASTARDS OF HORROR
Read the Full Review HERE!

"It's very clearly the work of a very talented young man... The energy comes through and it's fun to watch.  As a resume piece, it would be excellent, the shots are beautifully considered and well-framed, the momentum is strong and the effects are remarkable.  I was very pleased with the I AM LEGEND [novel] styled vampires, quite possibly the only true cinematic representation of that style."
Neil Sarver - THE BLEEDING TREE Blog
Read the Full Review HERE!

"...what really sets this one apart are the effects. During some of the more effects-laden scenes I had to remind myself that I was watching a 15-or-so year old low-budget movie...  In particular, the last scene (which I won’t ruin) has some of the best gore effects I’ve seen on such a low budget."
Justin - CATHODE RAY MISSION
Read the Full Review HERE!

"...the zest and fiery creativity in the special effects and alltogether presentation of the film give it a charm which is impossible to deny.  There are only one or two scenes in the film where the action cuts away from the violence. The remainder of the movie is unflinching in its display of carnage...  To make a long story short, this film is sickly violent.  There is so much violence in this movie it becomes almost humorous at times.  It's not one of those low budget horror movies that tries to be suspenseful at the expense of gore, as some of the scenes are absolutely soaked in blood and kind of suspenseful as well.  How these guys got all this blood to flow demonstrates an amazing level of creativity and resourcefulness on the part of the creators. And speaking of suspense, there's also quite a few convincing chase sequences in the film that speak volumes of the directing talent of this amateur film crew. Much of the last half of the movie the main characters are running from large groups of their vampire assailants, and for a brief moment it almost felt like watching [Walter Hill's] THE WARRIORS.  When you think that this whole movie cost what Tom Cruise's hairdresser probably gets for about 30 seconds of work, it becomes that much more impressive. If you're a fan of horror movies in general, I'd definitely say give this one a try.  Hopefully you'll be as surprised as I was."
Travis Hunt  - THE GLOBAL CAFE
Read the Full Review by clicking HERE!

Included in FAVOURITE DVD RELEASES OF 2006 List!
"Barrel Entertainment put out a definitive edition of the underground horror classic, Leif Jonker’s Darkness. ...a fantastic example of micro budget horror film making, heavy on the splatter gore, but still managing to offer more than just that including some very cool scenes. Sure it’s a little ruff around the edges, but it’s a low budget film I would highly recommend even to people who would normally avoid such stuff.  If you liked early [Sam] Raimi and [Peter] Jackson you should get a real kick out of this movie from Leif Jonker."
Feral Cat - I SPIT ON YOUR MOVIE

To check out the rest of Feral Cat's "Favourite DVD releases of 2006" click  HERE!

Included in BEST DVD RELEASES OF 2006 List!

"The horror genre has long been a breeding ground for aspiring filmmakers who want to make it big.  Filmmaker Leif Jonker’s first attempt at making Darkness in [1988] failed and few years later he would start all over again and what he created would become an instant underground horror classic."

Michael Den Boer - 10,000 BULLETS
To check out the rest of Michael Den Boer's "Best DVD releases of 2006" click  HERE!

Included in TOP DVD RELEASES OF 06 List!
"Another film that took its sweet time coming to Region 1 with Barrel seemingly all but off the radar as far as new releases were concerned.  They only released one new DVD for the entire year, but boy is it a doozy.  I would rather one marvel of a release then 50 shoddy films any day and the quality of this DVD package shows the love that the people behind Barrel have the film. Their love wasn’t wrongly placed as it’s truly a great example of low budget independent film making. I couldn’t help but think however if this was initially picked up by a bigger label back in the day of Vhs ([Film Threat] had it before) that it would've become a sure fire cult classic and a huge hit. Now thanks to DVD Technology and tender love and care from all those behind the DVD release it’s now easily assessable for a new generation of potential fans and I'm sure its popularity will grow.  "
Proteus - I SPIT ON YOUR MOVIE
To check out the rest of "Proteus's Top Dvd Releases Of 06" click  HERE!

DVD OF THE MONTH!
"...jam-packed two-disc set...here’s my advice: Start with Jonker’s terrific solo feature commentary...  Then move on to the commentary by Jonker (in more anecdotal mode) and several of those actors for a most entertaining group recollection.  Longtime fans will appreciate the inclusion of DARKNESS’ original release edition, which points up just how superior THE VAMPIRE VERSION is in both letterboxed picture (still grainy, but with much-improved colors and clarity) and pacing.  Budding filmmakers will take inspiration from footage of the restored DARKNESS’ festival play, and true devotees will dig the exhaustive gallery of hundreds (!) of stills.  ...however you look at it, this is a milestone in the presentation of DIY horror on DVD."  DVD RATING: **** (FOUR STARS!)
Michael Gingold - FANGORIA Magazine Issue #258
Order your copy by clicking HERE!
Visit FANGORIA Magazine Online HERE!

"The first thing I have to say is WOW. The digital transfer from the original film is incredible.  People, I have to tell you, this is what underground horror filmmaking is about.  A no holds barred story with texture, gore and excitement. This will please any gore hound.  [Thirteen] years later, this film is still sought after.  Do yourself a favor and join the ranks of fans who already own this extraordinary release."
Eve Blaack - Editor THE HACKER'S SOURCE MAGAZINE
Look for issue #22 at fine booksellers everywhere or order your copy by clicking HERE!

HIGHEST RATING!
"Leif Jonker's Darkness is a great low-budget vampire film from the early '90s.  Despite its extremely low-budget, Darkness has managed to become one of the best cult horror films out there.  ...the film manages to create atmosphere, suspense and classic gross-out moments...  The directing is pretty incredible.  The chase scenes are especially great.  The scenes are just overflowing with amazing amounts of energy.  The F/X work in Darkness is really great, and it actually rivals some of the F/X work done for The Evil Dead and Dead Alive. The ending meltdown sequence just has to be seen to be believed!  Despite the faults in Darkness, everything positive about it comes together and makes it one amazing film.  Leif Jonker has created a cult film for true horror fans, and I can't help but highly recommend this incredible little film to everyone.  Overall, this is an amazing DVD package, and the film is an absolutely must have for any true horror fan!"
Score Film: 5 out of 5!  DVD: 5 out of 5!
Lust del Carrion - REAL CULT FILM
Read the full review by clicking HERE!

"Darkness is a low budget gore fest that has that certain something.  The effects are extremely good for a movie of this budget and will keep the thirstiest gore-hound happy.  ...Jonker actually builds quite good tension within the movie and this keeps you glued to the screen.  It is a nightmare drawn on screen.  In many respects the zombie genre was spawned from the vampire genre (specifically from I am Legend) and this film takes those elements, that the zombie genre borrowed, back with a vengeance.  ...I highly recommend this movie, so long as you can handle high gore movies."
Taliesin - TALIESIN MEETS THE VAMPIRES (BLOG)
Read the full review by clicking HERE!

"The film is about a bad ass vampire named Liven who is going through Kansas turning townsfolk into bloodthirsty killers.  These first few minutes contain more action, gore and fun than any horror film I've seen in years.  One thing that one must mention when speaking of the film is the gore.  Jonker along with Gary Miller (Tobe) put together some absolutely superb effects, considering the budget.  Throughout the film, there are gunshot wounds, scenes of flesh eating, skin melted off by holy water (including a great one w/ Leif), chainsaw attacks, melting bodies, etc etc.  The finale of the film is just absolute brillance as far as the gore goes.  I honestly believe that if Jonker had made this film in the 70s, although not possible, the guy was born in the 70s, he would be listed with Romero, Hooper, Craven and Raimi as the masters of modern horror.  Buy it and support indie movie-making at it's absolute best." 
That Geeky Guy - MY SPACE BLOG REVIEW
Read the full review by clicking HERE!

"...the camp is very thick in this picture, you can almost taste it, which I love. The whole movie has this awesome haziness, and film feel to it that really adds to the expeirience. The over-the-top gore and early 90's fashions make it a movie the whole (vampire-possesed) family can enjoy.  Theres a whole lot of bloodsucking, exploding heads, chainsaw dismemberment, and a climactic scene that will make you have a complete gore-gasm.  In closing this film is a must have for gore hounds and indie junkies alike, or if your looking for something to watch and laugh your ass of to when your baked, it really is a great acheivment and I give this film a much deserved 9.5  out of 10. Now go buy this DVD before I bite you in the fucking juggalur vein."
Pizza Heaven - MY SPACE BLOG REVIEW
Read the full review by clicking HERE!

From the original review:  "Leif Jonker's DARKNESS is everything John Carpenter's VAMPIRES should have been, and then some. It's dark, brooding, frightening, raw, exciting, disgusting...hell, I could bring in the editing team for Webster's to throw around adjectives all day long for a week and it still wouldn't be enough to do this film justice."  From the DVD Review/Update:  "Looking back at Leif Jonker's microcinema masterpiece DARKNESS is like watching a new movie...  ...the movie is now even more rocking and harder edged.  Viewers who pick up the extremely affordable 2-disc set of DARKNESS will see that Barrel has gone above and beyond the call of duty to release the single best release for a film of this size an scope ever.   If you include commentaries, that's about [16] hours of material on these two discs which far outguns any of Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS releases.  If you're even simply a casual fan of independent horror or underground cinema, you NEED to pick up this disc. You won't find a better presentation for this sort of movie anywhere."
Allen Richards - B-INDEPENDENT.COM
Read the Full Review HERE!

"If you're looking for an old school bloodfest stop because this is it!  Leif Jonker’s Darkness was without a doubt, one of this year’s most anticipated DVD releases for me.  Right from the opening sequence Darkness takes off and never lets up. I know people say that all the time about movies, but I assure you, in this case it’s never been truer. It brings the kind of energy that you wish more horror films would have.  Darkness is without [a doubt] one of the goriest films I have ever seen, definitely in my top ten at least."
The Butcher - KILLER REVIEWS
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Darkness: The Vampire Version is a movie for horror fans who can appreciate the genre at its rawest extremes.  ...anyone who enjoys underground-style horror will be impressed by the intensity of Darkness: The Vampire Version.  Director Leif Jonker keeps the viewer from focusing on the film's shortcomings by giving it a lean, speedy pace and delivering plenty of outrageous, bloody set pieces (the highway-set finale in particular is a grue-soaked stunner).  Like the film it showcases, Barrel Entertainment's DVD of Darkness: The Vampire Version is a jaw-dropping labor of love.  The new version offers drastically improved picture quality, not to mention slicker editing and better title graphics...  In short, Barrel Entertainment's edition of Darkness: The Vampire Version is one of the most impressive (and exhaustive) DVD packages ever assembled for a low-budget horror film, and it is an obvious must for the film's fans."
Donald Guarisco - ALL MOVIE/ALL MEDIA GUIDE
Read the Full FILM Review HERE!
Read the Full DVD Review HERE!

HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION POSSIBLE!
"Leif Jonker’s DARKNESS is the kind of movie that dares you not to like it.  For every flaw inherent in this cheap backyard back-lot splatter epic, there are three or more genuinely good things that are so inspired and invigorating that, by the end, even the negative points turn into pluses.  The exhilaration Leif puts into his film, that sheer joy and release of moviemaking that feels embedded into every second of DARKNESS succeeds in completely winning over its audience with spectacular results.   ...one really gets to know Jonker as a person during this commentary and he reveals himself as the kind of guy you can’t help but love.  It's one of the best audio commentaries I’ve ever heard, thank you very much.  ...a pure, pedal-to-the-metal, ass-kicking horror flick.  For the great presentation, and especially the smörgåsbord of fine special features, I give this the highest recommendation possible.  It’s absolutely essential viewing for gorehounds."
David Austin - CULT CUTS
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Where else but in the underground independent scene would you find a splatterific gold nugget like this one?  DARKNESS: THE VAMPIRE VERSION has a distinct independent charm that only a handful of low-budget films ever really capture.  For all you jaded mainstream horror fans out there looking for an hour and a half of straight-up gory thrills, this one’s tailor-made for you – a film chock full of grisly and gruesome gut-munching goodness!"
Room 237 - BLOODY-DISGUSTING.COM
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Darkness had hit the underground circuit back in 1993 and ten years later, it is now one of the most sickest gruesome indie films of all time...  This is definitely a gore hounds film by far with outstanding special effects that will simply blow you away.  You get to see throats torn out, slashing & hacking from machetes, sh*t loads of splattered blood right down to vampires melting to death from sun light and gun fire.  ...I highly recommend you buy this movie on DVD right now while you still can. You wont be sorry that's for sure. ...you will love this film to death and look at independent cinema in a whole new way."
Zer0hal0 - DVD RESURRECTIONS
Read the Full Review HERE!

HIGHEST RATING!
"The film is a fun, LOW budget splatter flick, and a must see for fans of independent splatter.  This is quite possibly the most deluxe special edition of all time, and an absolute must have for fans of DARKNESS, or those interested in indie horror or splatter flicks."
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5!
Devon Bertsch - DIGITAL RETRIBUTION
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Sifting through every horror film that comes out -- or even a good chunk of them -- is like fishing a wedding ring out of a septic tank.  You have to swim through a lot of s#%t to find that little piece of gold.  Leif Jonker's Darkness is indeed that piece of gold, and considering the number of crappy films I've seen lately, it's presence in my DVD player is a truly wonderful thing.  ...one of the goriest climaxes in the history of horror cinema.  Darkness accomplishes the seemingly impossible by making vampires scary again.  A real triumph of talent, enthusiasm, and perseverance over budget, and one of the best horror films I've seen in quite awhile."
Matt Bradshaw - OMEGA CHANNEL
Read the Full Review HERE!

HIGHEST RATING!
"A MUST OWN Limited Edition, for the loyalists of ‘DARKNESS’ and for those who have yet to discover this little known gem.  For those who are not familiar with Leif Jonker’s ‘DARKNESS’ and have a deep appreciation of the classic 70’s Indy horror films like EVIL DEAD or NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, then this IS mandatory viewing!  This is ONE horror film that is more then deserving of its cult status and reputation, real, true horror with a naturalistic style is back with a vengeance---‘DARKNESS’ is a must see."
DVD & Film: 10-10!
The Dead One - JO BLO'S HORROR REVIEW FORUMS
Read the Full Review HERE!

HIGHEST RATING!
"I’m so f**king in love with this movie it makes my balls ache.  Jonker has created a landmark in modern independent horror cinema; a film so full of passion and ingenuity that it has almost single-handedly rendered every other film of its ilk moot by comparison.  Darkness is, hands-down, the best micro-budget garage-horror flick ever made…ever.  Show me a flick that has an ounce of Darkness’ passion, ingenuity and old-fashioned gut-slinging awesomeness that was made for less than five-grand and I’ll eat this review. You owe it to yourselves to add this disc to your collection."
MOVIE: 4 out of 4!     DVD: 4 out of 4!     OVERALL: 4 out of 4!
Rees Savidis - ARROW IN THE HEAD
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Though obviously impoverished in terms of budget and technical capacities, DARKNESS manages to beat the odds with its rocket-speed pacing and go-for-broke gore effects, climaxing with a wild, incredibly moist finale that's conceptually similar to NEAR DARK but a hundred times redder.  Grab this gore-drenched puppy now; you get your money's worth atleast ten times over!"
Nathaniel Thompson - MONDO-DIGITAL
Read the Full Review HERE!

"The film eventually found its way into the underground circuit, and for the last ten years, it's grown to be something of a cult classic amongst those who have seen one bootlegged edition or another.  Barrel Entertainment finally gave the film a proper DVD release, and the two disc edition features the cleaned up, director-approved version of the film along with (literally) hours of extras.  I'm not even going to attempt to run down the extras found within this set, but I will say that it contains more stuff than in any other two disc release that I have ever seen.  Do you want to see some of the most insane displays of blood and gore ever to be found in a vampire movie?  ...this one definitely comes recommended by yours truly."
MvMMDI - MOVIES MADE ME
Read the Full Review HERE!

"In the world of DARKNESS, vampirism is still spread via bites, and holy water and sunlight are still effective weapons against them. But they’re among the first to break from the fanged nobleman image. Without fangs, they tear into victims with knives, teeth or bare hands like wild beasts, spraying around as much blood as they consume. Jonker borrows further from the zombie genre with plenty of hacked limbs, exploding heads, and spewing entrails. ...climaxing in a crowd-pleasing orgy of splatter and screams. It’s the film’s apocalyptic attitude and efforts to deliver “the goods” that has endeared it to gorehounds, and now that it can all be viewed more clearly it should earn a new generation of admirers."   Movie Grade: B    DVD Grade: A+
Brian Thomas - CINESCAPE 
Read the Full Review HERE!

"This film is like Lucio Fulci on steroids, this is actually an insane film.  It was filmed on a shoestring budget and was never intended for public audience but someone was so impressed it ended up doing rounds at film festivals all over the world in the early 90's.  The acting and music are impressive and the gore is absolutely insane.  ...I have never seen so many exploding heads in one movie.  If you are into gore then I suggest you see this film if you get the oportunity."
Dungeon Master - CASTLE GORE 
Read the Full Review HERE!

<>"Darkness was originally shot in 1992, and has been kicking around in various incarnations – including the classic “9th generation bootleg” – ever since.  This re-release trumps ‘em all, though.  The “Vampire Version” is a digitally remastered print that lifts the gloom off the original super 8 film and provides a miraculously clear, detail-filled image.  It all ends up in a spectacularly bloody showdown between the vampire hordes and the local teenage heavy metal dirtbags.  Along the way, there is a literal truckload of gore-gags, from throat slashings to machete mayhem and plenty raw, ragged bullet holes.  It’s a classic of its kind, relentlessly downbeat and as bloody as they get.  Barrel’s fully-loaded double disc version is amazingly thorough.  There’s enough stuff here to keep you up all night, anxiously waiting for the break of dawn.  Great fun."
SLEAZEGRINDER.COM 
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Darkness feels like early [John] Carpenter or [Tobe] Hooper, and it's more than a simple homage.  There's a spirit here that channels the masters of horror, and allows Darkness to rise above its limitations.  Leif Jonker wanted to make a brutal vampire film that would steal the undead back from the likes of Anne Rice with her sensitive, soul-searching monsters who were just misunderstood junkies with a thing for blood.  What Jonker achieves most easily is a '70s documentary feel, and an unbridled glee in allowing the gore to flow in buckets while a rock-and-roll soundtrack pumps up the action.  ...had it been twenty years earlier, Jonker may have been mentioned in the same breath as [George] Romero or Carpenter.  Barrel Entertainment has just trumped Criterion for setting the bar high on supplemental material. Truly this is the most definitive set of extras I've ever seen.  THE VERDICT:  Guilty of being a gory good time. Darkness: The Vampire Version rocks on DVD."
Judge Brett Cullum - DVD VERDICT 
Read the Full Review HERE!

"As soon as the sun rises, viewers are treated to one of the most intense, nastiest, gore-soaked mass vampire meltdowns ever put to film. This is the kind of scene all vampire movies should end with. These vamps don't just turn to a pile of dust and blow away; in Darkness they boil, bubble, melt, and explode in spectacular buckets of gore.  They just don't make 'em like this any more.  It's full of kinetic, fast-paced and creative cinematography and editing, which come together to give the film a look that beguiles its meager budget."
Johnny Butane - DREAD CENTRAL 
Read the Full Review HERE!

"...if you're a fan of gritty, grimy and very gory horror and give films like the original Evil Dead and Peter Jackson's Bad Taste pride of place in your DVD collection Leif Jonker's Darkness: The Vampire Version is more than likely a film for you.  While I won't say it's quite a match for those low budget splatter gore classics, it's surprisingly not that far off.  Especially when you see the final "meltdown" scene, which is simply one of the coolest most surreal splatter scenes ever put on film.  If you're a splatter gore fan you really have no excuse for not picking up this DVD and most low budget horror fans in general should be pretty pleased to own this."
Film: 8/10 - DVD: 10/10
Feral Cat - I SPIT ON YOUR MOVIE 
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Darkness: The Vampire Version, the official director's cut, features extras as plentiful as they are crucial for establishing the aesthetic goals, historical timeframe, and social context of the movie, its makers, and the genre.  A perfect example of hard-hitting, fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek (and teeth in throat) movie mayhem, Darkness asks no friends, takes no prisoners.  This bloody splatter opera puts the the blood back in violence and the attitude back into horror!"
William P. Simmons - SEX GORE MUTANTS 
Read the Full Review HERE!

THE CULT DVD RELEASE OF THE YEAR!
"...an instant underground horror classic.  This film has a high body count as many of the films characters are either stabbed to death by a machete, filled with bullet holes or served up as food for the vampires. The film’s strongest asset is its quick moving plot that keeps the scares and bloodshed coming at a manic pace.  DARKNESS: THE VAMPIRE VERSION is given a spectacular DVD release from Barrel Entertainment making this the cult DVD release of the year.  Not only does the film sound and look better then ever there is enough extra content on this release to keep even the films most diehard fan busy for hours, highly recommended."
Michael Den Boer - 10 THOUSAND BULLETS 
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Chainsaws tear through undead flesh, drill bits find their way into foreheads, limbs are severed, guts are munched en masse, and in the most famous part of the film, some poor suckers melt.  Barrel has given a fun and entertaining independent gore-fest a fantastic special edition release. ...it's a splattery good time and the insane amount of supplements on this disc make it pretty tough not to recommend as a lot of them are as interesting as they are entertaining."
Film 3.5 out of 5!  DVD Extras: 5 out of 5!
Ian Jane - DVD MANIACS 
Read the Full Review HERE!

DARKNESS Reviews - ORIGINAL RELEASE VERSION.

Saved from the older 13th Dream website.  Many of the links are no longer working.

Internet and Magazine REVIEWS of the
ORIGINAL RELEASE VERSION:

DARKNESS
OLDER REVIEW & ARTICLE EXCERPTS:
(In no particular order or chronology, however, most recently
discovered entries are added to the BOTTOM of the list.)
UPDATED 10/11/07.

------------------------------------------

"High energy gore!  Bravado filmmaking!  A new director to watch!  I wish I had the guts to make a movie like this!"
Don Coscarelli - Director of PHANTASM and BUBBA HO-TEP
Visit Don’s Official PHANTASM Site HERE!

"Plenty of BANG for your buck! Ferocious splatter! An easy 10+ on the Gore Score!"
Chas. Balun - Editor DEEP RED Magazine U.S.A.
Visit DEEP RED’s Official Website HERE!
Visit Chas. Balun’s Official Website HERE!

“There's a young horror director, Leif Jonker, out in Kansas who finances his films by selling his own blood at the local blood bank. He made a feature Super-8 vampire epic [DARKNESS] that I loved.”
Don Coscarelli -- MASTER OF HORROR/Director of PHANTASM
Interviewed on THE DIGITAL BITS - Read the whole interview HERE!

“A self-assured, stylish, heartland chunkblower.  Jonker shows a real flair with his meaty and mannered handling during its numerous action set pieces and rousing attack scenes! ...isn’t at all hesitant when it comes to painting the town red!”
Chas. Balun - BEYOND HORROR HOLOCAUST: A DEEPER SHADE OF RED
Buy BEYOND HORROR HOLOCAUST HERE!

THREE STARS!
"...has some of the most impressive gross-out special effects since the original EVIL DEAD.  Multiple exploding heads. Exploding torsos. Exploding necks. Neck ripped open. Bloodsucking. Walking dead. Chainsaw attack. Neck-chewing. Power-drill attack. Stomach-gouging. Two motor vehicle chases. Hand rolls. Arm rolls. Drive-In Academy Award nominations for Jake Euker, Gary Miller, Randall Aviks, Steve Brown and Leif Jonker, for the beginnings of a bright drive-in career.  Joe Bob says CHECK IT OUT!"
Joe Bob Briggs - THE JOE BOB REPORT/JOE BOB’S DRIVE-IN
Read the Full Article/Review HERE!

"Fans of true grue look no further, as DARKNESS is a splatterific good time, filled to bursting with 10-foot arterial sprays, chainsawed limbs, and a climactic meltdown orgy of explodin' noggins that'll have any worthwhile film-fan cheerin' themselves hoarse!"
Bruce Holecheck - DEEP RED Magazine 2003 review. U.S.A.
Buy the 15th Anniversary issue of DEEP RED Magazine by clicking HERE
or get the COMBO PACK by clicking HERE!
Or visit Bruce Holecheck’s MySpace page by clicking HERE!

"A completely demented, outrageously blood-drenched vampire tale called DARKNESS - which could best be described as Richard Matheson's original story I AM LEGEND as directed by...well, let's say Jonker's style combines [Tobe] Hooper with [George] Romero, but the story is pure John Carpenter with a dash of Peter Jackson's insanity thrown in for good measure."
Tom Brown - FILM THREAT VIDEO GUIDE Issue #9 U.S.A.
Buy Issue #9 with the Full Article HERE!

"...enjoyed the hell out of it...the film has a definite, relentless energy that is almost entirely lacking in most horror films. 28 DAYS LATER kind of reminded me of DARKNESS actually, but DARKNESS is a lot "wilder"."
Vincent Pereira - Writer/Director of A BETTER PLACE
Unofficial Historian of VIEW ASKIEW Productions - U.S.A.
Visit VIEW ASKIEW’s official site by clicking HERE!
Or visit Vincent’s MySpace page by clicking HERE!

"An extremely gory but also very atmospheric and well-directed film."
MOVIESTAR Magazine GERMANY

"...a cut above the rest...amazingly violent...probably the goriest movie I've seen since [Peter Jackson's] DEAD ALIVE!  There's a door left open for DARKNESS 2, I'll welcome it with open sores!"
Mike Baronas - G.A.S.P. ETC. Magazine U.S.A.
Visit G.A.S.P. ETC. HERE!
Or visit their MySpace page by clicking HERE!

"...I regard DARKNESS as the horror film of the decade!"
André Quintaine - SUEURS FROIDES Magazine FRANCE

"...a gore-splattered vampire epic to end all vampire flicks...  DARKNESS manages to rival even the imposing likes of DAWN OF THE DEAD on a scale of apocalyptic terror."
Nathan Tyler - HACKER'S SOURCE Magazine 2002 Review U.S.A.
Visit HACKER’S SOURCE by clicking HERE!

"...unbelievable amounts of carnage...a hugely enjoyable film for the armchair horror fan... Thoroughly deserving of it's cult reputation."
MJ Simpson - SFX MAGAZINE ENGLAND
Visit SFX Magazine HERE!
Or visit MJ’s official website by clicking HERE!

"This film is scary, I mean really scary, even for a fan of horror films like me. This movie is NEAR DARK, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE all rolled into one!"
Diana Weese - INDEPENDENT VIDEO Magazine U.S.A.

"Leif Jonker is the director of this great movie. DARKNESS is an absolute MUST-SEE!"
GORY NEWS Magazine - GERMANY

"Very cool...a cornucopia of carnage...very entertaining... ...I felt like I was watching an early work from Sam Raimi.  Grab this!"
Al Shevy - WORLD OF FANDOM Magazine U.S.A.
Visit the WORLD OF FANDOM Official Website HERE!

"...creepy...this movie is great...DARKNESS delivers the goods....totally entertaining...!"
Hugh Gallagher - DRACULINA Magazine U.S.A.
Visit DRACULINA Magazine HERE!

"For avid followers of gory excess there is plenty to savor... A bloody THUMBS UP from me."
Paul J. Brown - UNCUT Magazine ENGLAND
Find Out More About UNCUT HERE and HERE!

4 out of 5 STARS!
"His raw, powerful vampire gorefest Leif Jonker's DARKNESS has sustained a decade-long buzz as one of the cornerstone films of the microcinema scene, and the latest word is that a tenth-anniversary DVD edition may be in the offing. ... delivers a string of harrowing, shocking scenes...deserves a wider release and a mainstream reputation."
John Oak Dalton - MICROCINEMASCENE.COM
Read the Full Review HERE!

“But I have to go with the hard-rawkin’ teens of Wichita, getting chased by a vampire horde through a bleak night in Leif Jonker’s Darkness. There’s this scenes where they zip through an eerie car wash in the dead of night that just made me think, as I said in my review at this site, if this movie had come out to drive-ins in the 70’s, Jonker would be a cult hero today..“
John Oak Dalton - Reviewer's Roundtable MICROCINEMA SCENE
Read the Full Article HERE!

"Leif Jonker directed, wrote and produced this very gory vampire tale that mixes elements of such films as NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and a whole slew of Fulci Zombie classics.  The low budget look adds greatly to this film which has terrific special effects and plenty of vomit inducing gore.    This one may be a bit hard to find but it is an outstanding effort..."
Losman - LOSMAN'S LAIR OF HORROR
Visit Losman’s Official Website HERE!

"...is a gore-fest and a half and proud of it.  This is low-budget horror at its best.  Of the $6000 budget, I reckon $5900 went on fake blood and the other hundred bucks went on power-tools (don't mention the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'?).  The gore comes quick and faster, and there are times when I really had to cringe.  Cheap or not, the special effects are effective.  If you like splatter you'll love this..."
Pan - BLACK STAR REVIEW
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Tremendously savage! ...outrageous bloodshed..."
Dr. Cyclops - FANGORIA Magazine U.S.A.
Visit FANGORIA Magazine Online HERE!

"Leif Jonker's DARKNESS is everything John Carpenter's VAMPIRES should have been, and then some. It's dark, brooding, frightening, raw, exciting, disgusting…hell, I could bring in the editing team for Webster's to throw around adjectives all day long for a week and it still wouldn't be enough to do this film justice."
Allen Richards - B-INDEPENDENT.COM
Read the Full Review HERE!

"...beats the crap out of tinsel towns latest efforts in the bloodsucking stakes (no pun intended honest). ...the gore effects are great. Jonker manages to create an epic scale throughout building slowly towards a literally explosive finale, which will have goremongers cheering."
Richard King - THRILL CITY

"...stunning (considering the budget) special effects. Blood flows everywhere in this film! It spurts, pours, gushes and a wide array of internal organs follow closely behind. The outrageous finale aside, the gore here is more shocking than it is in the thematically similar but light-hearted THE DEAD NEXT DOOR. The murders are realistically brutal..."
Rob Dyer - DARK STAR VIDEO

"DARKNESS is a grim, dark, brooding film with lots of gore, great soundtrack music, and enough mayhem to choke a small army. The good thing is that it tries to be a scary film; no humor, no quirky one-liners to lighten up the scenery, just scene after scene of creative camera angles, good makeup effects... All the classics are put to a good use as influences - NEAR DARK, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSCRE, and just wait until you see the ending. You want to see a 10-minute acid flashback scene done by Lucio Fulci? You won't believe this one. ...a classic of the underground genre, if there ever was one."
Greg Dellaria - SLEAZEGRINDER
Read the Full Review HERE!

"It's good to find an unsentimental, grim vampire flick...DARKNESS owes more to THE EVIL DEAD than Bram Stoker...gloomy atmosphere...the gratuitous multiple exploding-head finale provides a showcase for Jonkers' overworked special-effects team, in which dozens of vampires melt into pools of red jello."
Jeff Frentzen - DARK WATERS

#5 ON THE TOP 10 EXPLODING HEAD MOVIES LIST!
"Here's a list of the flicks with the top 10 exploding head sequences ever put on film.
1. MANIAC
2. SCANNERS
3. THE FINAL CONFLICT
4. DAWN OF THE DEAD
5. DARKNESS
6. THE EVIL DEAD
7. HELLRAISER..."
E-SPLATTER.COM
Check out the Entire Top 10 List HERE!

“Extremely gory...  ...it really does go over-the-top with the gore...  ...shocking, balls-to-the-wall gore effects.“
E-SPLATTER.COM
Read the Full Review HERE!

"Think ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 with Vampires. DARKNESS is what John Carpenter's VAMPIRES and it's weaker straight to video sequel should have been. It's dark, raw and blood drenched, with some genuine moments that Carpenter himself would have been jealous of...Jonker clearly loves Carpenter's films as the excellent shot composition and original score reminds you of such classics as ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 and HALLOWEEN. The film opens with one of the most memorable massacres since the bar scene in NEAR DARK. In this film, they don't die with a puff of smoke ala BUFFY, they scream and scream and scream, dripping blood and flesh everywhere, before ultimately exploding. There's been talk of re-release of DARKNESS on DVD if it happens I want a copy. If you are out there Leif…Make another movie. I need more DARKNESS! If you guys haven't seen it I think you should track it down, especially if you are a vamp fan and need it to complete your collection. This is a diamond with a lot of rough edges, but a diamond nonetheless."
Lee Bailes - THE RUMOUR MACHINE
Read the Full Review HERE!

“Films like Peter Jackson’s, BAD TASTE, Robert Rodriquez's EL MARIACHI, John Carpenters DARK STAR, Midnight Pictures ZOMBIE GENOCIDE, Leif Jonkers DARKNESS, J.R. Bookwalter’s THE DEAD NEXT DOOR, and Sam Raimi’s THE EVIL DEAD are simply pure inspiration for amateur filmmakers. These classics of low to no budget independent cinema can be watched repeatedly and each viewing serves to renew one’s interest in filmmaking and fuels the ambition and commitment necessary to pull off your own project.”
Lee Bailes in his review for TERRARIUM
Read the Full Review HERE!

"The ending is a special effects extravaganza...  Buckets of blood here folks!!!  One of the better non-Bram Stoker vampire stories of the 90's, just for the gore alone. ...this low budget gem really packs a punch for gore."
The Caretaker - HOUSE OF HORRORS
Visit the House of Horrors HERE!

"EVIL DEAD meets Tarantino..."
RoD - SUBURBAN HOMEPAGE OF THE DEAD

"Yeah, we were late getting on stage cause I was watching your movie on the bus.  You’ve got a hell of a lot of blood in that convenience store scene."
Rob Zombie - Lead singer WHITE ZOMBIE
Writer/Director of HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES & THE DEVIL'S REJECTS
(To Leif Jonker at the Cotillion Ballroom, Wichita Kansas on WHITE ZOMBIE tour 1993)

"WOW!  Leif Jonker's DARKNESS is a tour de force of low budget horror filmmaking.  This movie plays it straight and goes right for the guts, delivering a feast of manic gore and unnerving pace.  VERY gory schlock that eschewes laughs for terror and features an effective and memorable soundtrack.  Movies like this seem to fall out of the sky, or off the Internet, and renew my faith in the horror genre and where it's headed."
The Gore-Met - ALT.HORROR NEWSGROUP
Read the Full Thread HERE!
Read Other Reviews from the Gore-Met by subscribing to RUE-MORGUE Magazine HERE!

"...it's a "Videodrome" fave. ...the blood spews beyond measure, and Jonker obviously harbors some real talent."
Scott Philips - VIDEODROME/WEEKLY ALIBI
Read the Full Review HERE!

"If you' re a fan of 70's Zombie-slasher-horror, this movie's your cup of tea.  It's BRAINDEAD [aka Peter Jackson’s DEAD ALIVE] for the vampire-genre. I think I've never seen any vampire-movie with more bloodshed and gory effects."
VAMPYRES ONLINE
Read the Full Review HERE!

"The BLOOD SPLATTERED BRIDE is easily one of my favorite vampire films, alongside classics such as DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS and Leif Jonker's DARKNESS (which is more of a gorefest than a vampire flick, really, but I digress)."
Goden - Editor ETERNAL FROST Extreme Music Webzine

"The blood-suckers in DARKNESS are into their roles and just want to go out and kick ass. It was a breath of fresh air, as is the entire experience of watching this film, which is dripping with gore and cool effects. ...DARKNESS has faster pacing, better effects, and more entertainment value than any other American horror film in recent years."
Keith Allison - TELEPORT CITY
Visit Teleport City HERE!

“...DARKNESS was just released to high acclaim...  ...an extremely graphic but technically masterful vampire horror...“
Tom Allen - MOVIE MAKER MAGAZINE
Read the Full Article HERE!

"...DARKNESS is amazing!!  Great special effects, a good cast, very professionally done, superb camera angles and ideas, and music that gives you a feeling you don't get often when watching this type of very-low-budget movies.  I was highly surprised by this movie, which is filled with tension, convincing actors and great EFX.  Independent Video Magazine wrote that DARKNESS is a mix between NEAR DARK, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.  I'd like to add EVIL DEAD to that list! This is excellent!!"
Kristian P. Mølgaard - TRAUMA MAGAZINE
Read the Full Review HERE!

*EXTREME GORE AWARD*
"Kick ass, rare, vampire splatter flick is proof that you don't need a huge budget to make something cool. Tons of blood spilling madness and a soundtrack that could wake the dead. The goriest vampire movie of all time! Check it out, you'll be blown away.“
Gorefiend - BLOOD DRENCHED CINEMA
Read the Review HERE!

FOUR STARS!
"...an all out assault...a slickly produced, well acted, ultra-intense gore fest...the last word in low budget splatter... If you thought horror, true horror was dead, think again! "
Thomas Brown - WHIZ NBC RADIO U.S.A.

"I'm a big fan of splatter movies and Darkness is at the top for me. Leif Jonker and Gary Miller who pulled off the EFX have great talent for what they do.  It's not only the EFX but the movie is also great, being shot on super8 gives the film a retro grind house look (and this is a good thing).  If you're a fan of ultra low budget underground gore shockers like Jim Van Bebber's DEADBEAT AT DAWN or COMBAT SHOCK, then DARKNESS is the film for you." Rating: 9/10
Zombiecore04-1 - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
Read the Full Review and other IMDb Reviews HERE!

"Darkness = low budget vampire gorefest classic!!!  ...it was fast moving and had a lot of creepy moments and atmosphere.  ...if you love gore then you will love this movie, it has loads of it, loads of blood, zombie meltings, heads being blown up, flesh being ripped off and loads more blood!!!!!!  If you enjoy low budget horror movies and you're also a fan of gore then you must try and find this movie, you'll be happy you did!" Rating: 8/10
cool_cool_1 - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
Read the Full Review and other IMDb Reviews HERE!

"DARKNESS is a really entertaining, micro-budget vampire film.  ...for a low-budget production, I really have to give it credit. The acting is better than I would expect from something this cheap, the gore FX are very good and plentiful, and there are some genuinely tense moments in the film. The ending is really over-the-top on the gore scale, which is always a good thing.  If you're a splatter fan, definitely check this one out."
Rating: 8/10
EVOL666 - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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"An energetic and imaginative independent vampire flick!  This movie kicks ass! Its got a lot of imagination. It might have had no budget but that doesn't mean that Leif Jonker didn't think up imaginative ways of overcoming their obstacles in making this vampire Opus!  First off the flick opens with a bang in a gas station. This whole sequence was designed to grab you by the throat in the first opening minutes, and that it does! The pace of the movie is very fast and energetic, right from the get go, the movie never stops. It's like a roller coaster ride of vampiric thrills.  In conclusion, I'd say this is a fun movie to watch. Never boring, lots of energy and imagination. Hurray for Independent cinema and bring on Darkness 2!"  Rating: 8/10
spacemonkey_fg - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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HIGHEST RATING!  
"Excellent Low Budget Gorefest!  Director Leif Jonker shows how much can be done with a minimal budget and a lot of gore and imagination and a willingness to totally re-invent the vampire movie.  The gore is incredible as we see meltdowns galore, a vampire get chainsawed, people gutted and feasted on, and many exploding heads. This movie is very hard to find but the searching is well worth it. Start hunting."   Rating: 10/10
diabolic213 - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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HIGHEST RATING!
"Wow. This film is low budget, and shot on Super8, but is still a great horror film. I personally think this will be a cult classic eventually. Read the Plot Outline on IMDB for the story... but let me just tell you this, this movie is f***ing gory!"  Rating: 10/10
leetkurp - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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"Splatter = Fun  ...for a low-rent [Super8mm] splatterfest this is one of the best I've seen in the independant market for quite some time. Darkness holds many moments of cinematic glory - the chainsaw farmhouse scene, the ending sunrise melting scene, the fact that most the vampires wear Iron Maiden T- shirts... This film is a buried gem and I implore all true fans of independent gore-based cinema to hunt this one down. Leif Jonker, I salute you."
Ryan Bartek - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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"A low budget gem!  A vampire movie like no other. Leif Jonker should be praised for his attempts to drag the vampire genre out of the terrible goth phase it's currently lingering in.  A well written plot combines with great gore and some genuinely terrifying scenes to make a great movie. The sense of menace and terror is never far from the screen, and the end is truly horrific."
James Mcconnell - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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"If nothing else, see this for two things: the amazing chase sequences, and the splatter effects!  My favourite scene (apart from the ending which surpasses the gore level of [Peter Jackson's] BRAINDEAD [aka DEAD ALIVE] is the chase scene in the middle of the film where a guy gets chased down by a group of about twenty vampires. This little scene has to be seen to be believed.  It's so fast-paced.  Plus, the rock song played in the background while the chase was occurring was very rousing, and really gets your adrenaline pumping.  rest assured, if you're a hardcore horror fan who loves gory flicks, this is the bloodiest that they come (which is a GOOD thing to people like myself). I'd take Jonker's `Darkness' over Raimi's `Evil Dead' films any day; at least Jonker has the courage to show carnage that Raimi never could pull off." Rating: 8.5/10
Vladimir_Grozescu - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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"The main attraction in DARKNESS is the gore, and it spills by the gallon! They're impressively done and they're graphic, as well as plentiful!  Jonker does his best to overcome his technical limitations to create a pretty cool little film, creating some memorable and haunting images - especially at the gruesome climax!"
mizziah74 - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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"Awesome independent horror! I bought this movie recently and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was way better than I thought it would be. With the budget that the filmmakers had I didn't expect FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, but this movie is awesome all the same. There was even a shot of Liven (the vampire king) coming out of the ground that would later be used in John Carpenter's VAMPIRES.  This film shows vampirism among normal people and not wealthy and elegant aristocrats. The vampires in this film don't just suck blood from people's necks, they revel in it. There is a lot of cool gore in this film, too, which is amazing considering how low the budget was. The scene where a group of vampires start to disintegrate on a lonely road when the sun comes up in the middle of chasing the heroes of the film is the most memorable. Altogether this is an awesome film!"
Otacon10 - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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"A must see for true fans of the horror genre.  Unlike a lot of the big-budget horror mush from studios, this film cuts to the chase and provides us scenes that really are horrific. In fact, this film will provoke some nostalgic feelings in anyone who recalls with fondness the days when Eurohorror was at its best, terrorizing filmgoers with its messy gore and shocking images. A must see for true fans of the horror genre."
milo-17 - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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"This is a REALLY gory movie!  If you are a hard gore fan this is a MUST for you.  This is the goriest movie I have ever seen. (Yes, I have seen [Peter Jackson's] BRAINDEAD [aka DEAD ALIVE].  The end of this movie almost tops BRAIN DEAD's lawnmower massacre."
900 - INTERNATIONAL MOVIE DATABASE (IMDb)
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"Here's a vampire movie that's certainly not your average vampire story.  It's definitely one of the goriest movies I've ever seen.  The vampires in this one are more like zombies almost.  We get throat rippings with jugular fountains, blood spraying everywhere, and an amazingly bloody finale where all the vampires begin to melt and explode in the sunlight. It's an absolute nonstop chunk blower.  Highly recommended. "
Mario Dominick - FILMS ON THE FRINGE/CRITIC ONLINE
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TOP 10 ALL TIME FAVORITES - BEST UNDERGROUND MOVIE!
BEST DIRECTOR - John Woo
BEST AMERICAN DIRECTOR - Sam Raimi
BEST ACTOR - Franco Nero
BEST ACTRESS - Barbara Steel
BEST MOVIE - THE KILLER (John Woo)
BEST AMERICAN MOVIE - FIGHT CLUB (David Fincher)
BEST GENRE MOVIE - MANNAJA, A MAN CALLED BLADE (Sergio Martino)
BEST UNDERGROUND DIRECTOR - Augustine Arredondo
BEST UNDERGROUND MOVIE - DARKNESS (Leif Jonker)
Alexandre Michaud - Director/Producer URBAN FLESH, BEAST and GOREGOYLES
Read other filmmaker's TOP 10 LISTS on HELLTIMATE.COM by clicking HERE!<>