Darklands (1996)
Craig Fairbrass takes on the Edward Woodward role in this Welsh take on the classic 1973 film The Wicker Man.
Whilst on the same lines, the film also takes a huge swig from the glass marked Rosemary's Baby, yet also manages to maintain an edge of originality as well.
Set in the industrial Welsh heartlands, the film has that same feeling of unease and mystery as the Robin Hardy film but the clank of machinery and the pounding techno soundtrack takes the viewer to a different realm. The pagan blood rituals coming across like a Front Line Assembly gig than a sensual religious ceremony. Unlike the unwitting Sgt Howie, Fairbrass's reporter is more likely to have to fight his way out of dodgy gypsy camps rather than worry about whether Britt Ekland is writhing away on the other side of his wall.
When all's said and done Darklands probably knocked the image of Wales back 150 years, but on the whole i rather like it.
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