Dark Forces

PG

1980

1h 36m

Horror

List

40%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

A faith healer (Robert Powell) turns his supernatural powers on a hostile PR man (Broderick Crawford) while treating a senator's (David Hemmings) son.

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laurent b

Great fantastic and mystical thriller, with lots of mysteries and a nice spiritual touch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Chris W

I really enjoyed the movie, but I feel the title should have been Harlequin and the Birds of Prey vs current title. Since the movie was more about Harlequin and her plot.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/20

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delysid d

i was confused and bored when i watched this, didnt help that i was asleep half the time

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/30/18

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Audience Member

A lower budget movie out of Australia using Brits in the main roles. It's fairly well done though and Robert Powell's mysterious character offers us a seductive insight into the world of faith and mind control with an intriguing presentation.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

WOW......WOW......WOW.....BRILLLIANT.....GENIUS.....FANTASTIC.....AMAZING.....SUPERB......SO SO SO BRILLIANT.......man I have just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is such fantastic movie 2 watch......its got a good cast of actors/actresses throughout this movie......I think that Gus Mercurio, Broderick Crawford, David Hemmings, Carmen Duncan, Robert Powell, play good roles/parts throughout this movie......I think that the director of this drama/mystery/suspense/sci-fi/fantasy movie had done a great job of directing this movie because you never know what 2 expect throughout this movie..... Development Simon Wincer and Everett De Roche had previously collaborated on Snapshot but were not happy with the film since it was made so hurriedly. They decided to make another film, came up with six ideas and eventually chose The Minister's Musician, a modern-day version of the Rasputin story. They did a treatment and Antony I. Ginnane became involved as producer. Everett de Roche originally did a 400-page first draft in which the central character, Gregory Wolfe, was a priest. When the producers sent the script to the US, they were worried that this would make the film hard to market in Catholic countries so it was changed. The script was given to some American writers to work on but Wincer was not happy with the changes. As de Roche was not available, Wincer went over the script with Russell Hagg although he later said he would have preferred it if de Roche had done the job. Casting The script was written with David Bowie in mind for the lead role and conversations were had with Bowie but the filmmakers got "cold feet" at the last minute and cast Robert Powell . The original choice for the role of the senator was Orson Welles but he wanted $80,000 a week for two weeks so Broderick Crawford was cast instead The film performed poorly at the Australian box office but was very successful overseas. Simon Wincer says it was particularly successful in South America, due in part to Robert Powell's popularity there In Australia, Harlequin was released on an All Region DVD by Umbrella Entertainment on Wednesday, 27 October 2004. It was presented in a remastered 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, and Special Features were an Audio Commentary by director Simon Wincer and producer Antony I. Ginnane, a theatrical trailer and a photo gallery. In the US, Harlequin was released as Dark Forces by Image Ent. on 8 June 2004. It was presented in 2.35:1 Widescreen, with Behind The Scenes Photo Gallery, Filmographies, Isolated Music Score and an Audio Commentary by director Simon Wincer and producer Antony I. Ginnane. It is set for release on Blu-ray in the US by Scorpion Releasing on 29 October 2013 under its original title. man this is such a thrilling entertaining movie 2 watch......I think that this is such a really well written/acted/directed movie 2 watch......I think that this is such a brilliant movie 2 watch....man this is such a really creepy movie 2 watch, but it is such a fantastic movie 2 watch, its got a great cast throughout this movie.....man this is such a brilliant movie 2 watch, it is such a fantastic movie 2 watch it is so so so brilliant movie 2 watch with a great cast throughout this movie......WARNING THIS MOVIE CONTAINS STROBE LIGHTINING EFFECTS THROUGHOUT THIS MOVIE ......MAN THIS IS SUCH A BRILLIANT MOVIE 2 WATCH, WITH A GREAT CAST THROUGHOUT THIS MOVIE.......

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Thanks to the cracking documentary Not Quite Hollywood which dealt with the Ozploitation genre I have been seeking out some of the films featured. Most of the better films were produced by Anthony I Ginanne and were written by Everett De Roche . This film is a basic spin on the tale of Rasputin as mysterious faith healer Robert Powell turns up at the home of a local senator played by David Hemming's cures his son of leukaemia and proceeds to gain a strong influence over him and his wife.. its kind of Rasputin meets the Omen with a political thriller tacked on as well, and despite it being a bit confused in some places its not half bad . Powell is clearly having a great time as the mysterious healer and Hemming's is suitably bemused as his life falls apart. Only Broderick Crawford who was a last minute replacement for Orson Welles lets the side down as he looks like he has had a heavy night out on the beer before acting in the film. So aside from that this Is a solid entry in the OZplotation genre

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Simon Wincer

Director

Robert Powell

Gregory Wolfe

David Hemmings

Nick Rast

Broderick Crawford

Doc Wheelan

Carmen Duncan

Sandra Rast

Gus Mercurio

Mr. Bergier

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Ard Vijn

ScreenAnarchy

"Harlequin" is a curious thriller which at times fails to make its point clear but nevertheless remains remarkably engrossing, primarily because of the very good acting by all persons involved.

Jan 17, 2020

Full Review

Ian White

Starburst

Harlequin is a fascinating if flawed psycho thriller that deserves much more attention than it received

Rated: 9/10

Mar 2, 2019

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

This horror film has a high-quality, professional feel but somehow lacks tension or any emotional connection.

May 26, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 11, 2005

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Scott Weinberg

Monsters At Play

Quaintly entertaining little horror chestnut...if you're into old-fashioned Rasputin-lite rehashes and late 70's decor.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 25, 2004

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Synopsis

A faith healer (Robert Powell) turns his supernatural powers on a hostile PR man (Broderick Crawford) while treating a senator's (David Hemmings) son.

Director: Simon Wincer
Rating: PG
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2019
Runtime: 1h 36m

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