Product reviewsGarth Marenghi's Darkplace (DVD, 2006)

If you like mighty boosh you will love this.

When this initially aired it was heavily promoted on TV and Radio, but it never seemed to do very well and become one of those forgotten series.

Thankfully it had quite a dedicated cult following and the DVD release does justice to this truly original and purposefully 'bad' comedy.

This spoof TV series has all the 'cast' in character throughout. Providing talking head moments where they reflect on the `Horror Hospital Drama' they give their opinions and pad out the running time because many of the original tapes have been destroyed. Garth has an embarrassingly inflated idea about his own work and regularly explains how deep and powerful his message was.

The special effects are fantastically naff and the dodgy acting is captured to perfection. Especially that of Dean Learner who keeps glancing at the camera and having his scenes spliced together to cover up his mistakes, this leads to great moments where, for example; in a split second he is suddenly holding his drink in the other hand.

This DVD has great re-watch value. The plot of each episode is relatively funny, but it's the individual moments which ensure you have laugh after laugh.

In a nutshell: Remember the many cheesy American TV series of the eighties? Well this is the British version - lost for twenty years we can now see it in its (near) full(-ish) glory. Garth Marenghi's Dark Place looks shoddy - but it takes a lot of skill to make it look as natural as it does. This is an original comedy with a raft of features including a cast commentary (again all in character) and a full length version of the song "One Track Lover" which will have you singing it for days afterwards. I absolutely love this series - it's not often that you get something so unique, and - dare I say it? Yes I do ...genius!Read full review...

great fun

a cult following for a reason I loved this when it first aired and great fun to see lots of actors doing what seems to be their first roles great fun

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Amazing

Such a quality programme. Watched it years ago and had my eye out for the dvd saw it and had to buy it. If you like dry, tounge in cheek British humour then this is for you. Amazingly well written and acted. Has a really good over the top bmovie vibe to it but is just pure genius.Read full review...

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Garth Marenghi Rocks My World

"Salutations friend. I'm Garth Marenghi, horror writer, although I prefer the term 'dreamweaver'. When I wrote, directed and starred in Garth Marenghi's Darkplace for television back in the 1980s, I drew deep draughts of inspiration from the dyke of my dreams... Other times I just copied the plots from dead authors on whose work the copyright had lapsed."Read full review...

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Quirky, weird, brilliant!

Quirky, weird, brilliant!

If you're a 'One Track Lover' or have a friend called Skipper, it'll be right up your alley, if you'll pardon the expression.

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Unique British Comedy

Brilliant series and the extras made it worth the reasonable price.

Try Man to Man with Dean Learner if you’ve seen this.

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Marvellously silly

Does for the horror TV genre what 'Acorn Antiques' did for soaps.

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Stands the test of time

Cult classic that's become a meme, it's quotably funny with recognisable faces

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Its an import but its the only way to get it I love it

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Funny

Really enjoyed this show. Take it for what it is A spoof 80s style.

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