The 4K Restoration Of John Carpenter’s Cult Sci-Fi Classic Dark Star Is Coming To Home Entertainment
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Carl Roberts 
The spaced-out odyssey is back! Fabulous Films is releasing a 4K restoration of John Carpenter’s Dark Star onto home entertainment.
Bombed out in space with a spaced-out bomb! John Carpenter’s cult sci-fi classic Dark Star gets a 4K UHD release and a Blu-ray edition on 10th November from Fabulous Films. It features two cuts of the film. It is packed with brand new and archive extras. These include a feature-length documentary. The package also comes with repro stills and posters. Furthermore, a Limited Edition online exclusive clamshell/o-card package includes a highly collectable Dark Star patch.
From John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing) and Dan O’Bannon (Alien, Total Recall) comes this brilliantly clever and darkly funny parody of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Originally a 72-minute student film from USC, “Dark Star” follows astronauts on a dysfunctional intergalactic mission. Producer Jack Harris urged John Carpenter and Dan O’Bannon to add an extra 15 minutes. This led to its expansion into a theatrical release. This special edition showcases both versions of the film. It includes exclusive bonus features. These delve into the controversial production, groundbreaking special effects, and enduring legacy of the film.
INNOVATIVE SCI-FI COMEDY
Described by The Guardian as “a smart, cynical look at space travel”, Dark Star is an innovative sci-fi comedy that proved a huge influence on the smash hit TV series Red Dwarf. With memorable stoner dialogue (“Don’t give me any of that intelligent life stuff, just give me something I can blow up”) from O’Bannon, who also stars in the film and would rework many of the themes in in his script for Alien, the film features, as the infamous ship’s mascot alien, Nick Castle – who would go on to play ‘The Shape’ in Carpenter’s iconic horror Halloween.
This definitive 4K restoration has been expertly restored from the original 35mm film reels. The soundtrack has been digitally enhanced and fully restored in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. This ensures the most immersive viewing experience yet. So kick back and set off on a zonked out space journey with a picture so sharp. Indeed, it might puncture a beachball alien!
PREMISE
Four bored astronauts are assigned to destroy unstable planets — but end up filling their time with sun-lamp tanning, playing with a mischievously plastic-looking alien mascot, and conversing with their ship’s increasingly erratic AI. As the mission unravels, a rogue “smart bomb” gains self-awareness and starts questioning its existence, believing itself to be a god. With catastrophe looming, only one crew member—an ex-surfer—finds an unorthodox way to return to Earth: riding a piece of debris back home like a cosmic surfboard.
EXTRAS
Let There Be Light: The Odyssey of Dark Star: 2010’s feature-length documentary, directed by Daniel Griffith, exploring the making of Dark Star, featuring exclusive interviews with actor Brian Narelle (Lt. Doolittle), cinematographer Doug Knapp, art director Tommy Lee Wallace, visual effects artist Greg Jein, voice artist Cookie Knapp, producer Jack Harris, and USC alumni Jeff Burr. Also includes archival interviews with John Carpenter and the final recorded interview with Dan O’Bannon.
Sci-fi author Alan Dean Foster discusses Dark Star’s impact.
Brian Narelle (Lt. Doolittle) shares behind-the-scenes stories.
Trivia
3D Guide to the Dark Star Ship.
Full-Length Audio Commentary by Super Fan Andrew Gilchrist.
Written Introduction by Dan O’Bannon.
NEW Reproduction of the original press book.
NEW Mission Log
NEW Essay by journalist and author Michael Doyle, from his forthcoming book Bringing Darkness Instead of Light: Conversations with John Carpenter
NEW Two reproduction UK quad posters
NEW Reprinted set of 8 Original Publicity Lobby Cards
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: A strictly Limited Edition (of 500) clamshell and o-ring 4K UHD package, including a Dark Star Mission sew-on patch, will be available only via the Fabulous Film Website
“Dark Star” releases on 4K UHD and Blu-ray on November 10th.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
