Dark Star

Before he became world renowned as a master of suspense for his work on films such as Halloween (and the frequently haunting scores which accompanied them), director John Carpenter was a film student working on what is very possibly the world’s most meagrely budgeted space opera. 

The end result ran only 68 minutes and is a clumsy masterpiece of stoner comedy, unconvincing set dressings, astonishingly variable acting ability and filmmaking on a shoestring.  After consultation with Hollywood producer Jack Harris the budding auteur was convinced to add an additional 15 minutes of footage to the production, and following its release in 1974 the film promptly garnered cult status, becoming a firm favourite of schlock buffs and film critics alike. 

The 2-disc Hyperdrive edition contains both the early cut and the theatrical editions of the film described only half-ironically by Carpenter as ‘Waiting for Godot in space.’  Okay, three quarters ironically.  It also includes a host of worthwhile extras, including a feature length making-of documentary replete with interviews and archival footage, a 3D guide to the Dark Star ship, an entertaining audio commentary with ‘superfan’ Andrew Gilchrist and more, in addition to a remastered widescreen transfer and digitally enhanced 5.1 surround soundtrack. 

It’s the best this oft-overlooked film has ever looked or sounded by a long shot, and worthy treatment for this classic sci-fi spoof which heralded such brilliant things to come.