MovieChat Forums > Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973) Discussion > Don't Be Afraid of the Dark traumas

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark traumas

posted 17 years ago by jeffyoung1
10 replies | jump to latest

Judging by the large amount of viewer feedback on, "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark", this movie could actually justify its own psychology book.

So many viewers, now in their 30s and 40s, having seen this movie as children, can recall vivid fears as a result. This is all astonishing, considering there was no blood and gore, no profanity, and mild violence in the film. Interestingly, some adults state that they can't bring themselves to expose a foot or hand off the side of their bed, for fear of little, malicious imps grabbing them, even though no such scene occurred in the movie.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK was extremely successful from the psychological standpoint because it tapped into so many primal human fears. As adults we've learned to accept and cope with these fears, but not yet as children.

I was only a pre-teen myself when I got hooked into the Golden Age of made-for-television horror/gothic suspense/thriller/supernatural movies, circa 1970-1974. ABC network was the clear master of the genre. These movies were buttressed by horror television weekly shows such as, 'Night Gallery', 'The Sixth Sense', 'Ghost Story', and two others from the very early 70s I cannot recall at this moment. I was old enough to be delightfully scared but not so much traumatized as the kids who were under the age of 10. But for all of you out there who still cope with childhood fears caused by Don't Be Afraid of the Dark and its ilk, you're not alone. I have no trouble sleeping in the dark and walking around a dark house, but as an adult I have this obsessive-fetish for owning flashlights. I have a flashlight somewhere within easy reach where ever I am, except out in some public area like a shopping mall where it's not practical. But at least I have two in my car. I never want to be caught in the dark without a portable light source. I'm like that guy in the 2003 horror movie, "Darkness Falls", who owned zillions of flashlights. I'm not nearly that bad or freaked out, but I do own more flashlights than your typical consumer. Like that character in Darkness Falls, it's not the darkness itself that frightens, it's what might be lurking in the darkness that is the fear.

[–] L0GAN5 17 years ago

This film was special, it just had something. In many ways it's the ultimate children's horror film - it had no gore, very few scares (which somehow made it acceptable to show to children) but it was basically one hour of protracted fear. There will never again be a 'cinematic' experience in our lives as intense as this. When you were young Disney could make magic real, and this film could make your nightmares real.

[–] martyr-6 17 years ago

(SPOILER!)
In counting the traumas, let's not forget the creepy final fate
of Kim Darby's character!! That's what REALLY did me in as a
kid - that final scene where she's getting dragged away and she's
trying to photograph the little "demons...."

[–] SimplySteve 17 years ago

but it was basically one hour of protracted fear. There will never again be a 'cinematic' experience in our lives as intense as this.

Both "Dark" and "The Exorcist" were released in the same year. One theatrical, the other for television. If i had seen the Exorcist instead of DBAOTD at that age(i was 8), would IT have been the source of these intense fears? I simply can't say. I didn't see the Exorcist until much older. It is f-ing scary, and is one of my favorite horror films of all time.

But, i DID see DBAOTD at 8, and intense fear is EXACTLY what i would call the experience. From the very beginning of the film, with that cat's wicked meow, in sinc with that incredibly errie score. To Sally's blood curdling scream seconds before Alex drops his flashlight into hells pit, his voice shaking as he screams out her name in vain.

I have this movie on DVD, and it's great to have. I have watched it many times as an adult.

But i will NEVER, NEVER forget the experience all those years ago. If had never seen it again, i still would have remembered every scene, and every word.

[–] rudy70 17 years ago

her voice in the end and her sweet body was turned into one of them.

[–] smidget28 15 years ago

Not photograph - scare them or hurt them with LIGHT.

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[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] amon_101 17 years ago

I saw it on the first run when I was seven. But I can't watch it again. Or rather won't watch it again. I have a video-cassette of it (bought it probably five or six years ago off eBay), but can't pop it in the machine.
I'm one of those who can't sleep if any limb is hanging off the edge of a bed. Can't do it. I'll snap my arm/leg right back. Unless I'm drunk, then it's not a problem.
Oddly, I have absolutely no problem with walking around in the dark. Doesn't phase me a bit. But sleeping with a limb hanging off the bed? I can't do it. How bizarre is that?

And by the way, you're right. That would make a very interesting book.

...Dan

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[–] Taylorfirst1 14 years ago

I realize it has been almost a year since anyone posted on this thread but you can add a chapter on me to your book. I was a kid when I saw this movie one Saturday afternoon. I think it was shown on WPIX in NY. I have watched horror movies since I could turn on the TV, but I don't think anything ever scared me like this one. I only saw it once and refused to ever see it again.
When I opened IMDB today and saw an add for a trailer of a movie called "Don't be Afraid of the Dark", a chill went down my spine. I thought OMG they did a remake.
I don't know who wrote the original or directed it but if the intent was to terrify people, they are geniuses.
As I said, I only saw this movie once but I remember it like yesterday. I do not have any lasting quirks because of this movie. No fear of the dark per se, no hoarding of flashlights, my limbs can hang off the bed. But I remember what I went through the night after seeing it, sleep was not an option that night.

[–] RustyShackleworth 13 years ago

I grew up in NY and WPIX used to air this a lot on weekend afternoons in the late 70s and early 80s.

What evil drives the Car?...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFWea3Eu97E

[–] patchofblue65 13 years ago

It was great to be a kid/teen in the 70's. I am 50 now and remember watching all those great made for TV movies of the era: Bad Ronald, Gargoyles, Go Ask Alice,
Prey for the Wildcats, Trilogy of Terror etc.