Michael MacKenzie

Darkplace is an elaborate and brilliantly executed hoax, designed to lampoon 1980s television, horror, sci-fi and the rampant egotism of self-appointed 'mastermind' authors. It was actually made in 2004, but the effect is so convincing that it's genuinely believable as a product of the 1980s. Everything, from the fashion, to the music, to the texture of film stock, to the overly punchy audio quality and dated synthesiser score, is captured with expert aplomb, to the extent that more than a few people have actually been taken in by the scam.

It goes without saying that Darkplace is really, really bad, and intentionally so. The episodes are hilariously incompetent in their execution, with clumsy editing, incompetent framing, laughable special effects, wobbly sets, atrocious writing and, last but not least, staggeringly poor performances, with Learner's monotone 'reading from the page' delivery contrasting with Rivers's ostentatious theatre-like readings.

In something of a twist of irony, the show achieved poor viewing figures when it aired in January and February of 2004. However, it quickly developed a strong cult following, and one would hope that the long overdue release of the DVD will make it available to a wider audience. It may not be for everyone, but Darkplace is, in this reviewer's opinion, absolutely hilarious and required viewing for anyone with even a passing interest in horror and sci-fi, provided they are prepared to take a few steps back and laugh along with the show at the sometimes ridiculous nature of the material.

Michael Mackenzie, DVD Times, 10th May 2006