MPI Home Video has made a remarkable franchise with its “Dark Shadows” releases, a series of multi-DVD box sets that have collected every minute of the 1960’s and ‘70’s horror television program. Having now progressed to “DVD Collection 9,” another 14 hours of content has been rendered to digital format for posterity.

“Dark Shadows” was a ground-breaking mid-1960’s program that appeared on ABC’s daytime line-up, a rather atypical space for a horror show featuring a 175 year-old vampire, Barnabas Collins, as its lead interest. With the transition to Set 9, The Dream Curse has ended, but the story of Adam continues as he wreaks his havoc on the residents of Collinwood.

“Dark Shadows” starred actors Alexandra Moltke, Jonathan Frid, Lara Parker and Robert Rodan, all of whom lend commentary to the ninth set. And this is the typical level of Extras that one can expect to find on any volume in the series, as the focus is very much on episodic content to the detriment of Special Features. Avowed fans, however, will find no fault in this – adding all of the “Dark Shadows” to their safe-keeping is reward enough for possession of each and every volume in this series.

Dark Shadows: DVD Collection 9

With its alluring tales of Gothic mystery and supernatural intrigue, Dark Shadows became one of the most popular daytime series of all time. Since first airing on ABC-TV from 1966-71, Dark Shadows has earned the reputation as being one of the most unusual and enduring programs in television history. The character of Barnabas Collins, a guilt-ridden 175 year-old vampire, brought the show tremendous success.

Fearing for Victoria Winters' safety, Barnabas Collins forces her to reveal her nightmare resulting from Angelique's frightening dream curse, which threatens to make Barnabas once again a creature of the night. The man-made monster Adam kidnaps Victoria in an attempt to force Barnabas an Julia Hoffman to create a mate for him. Warlock Nicholas Blair causes Angelique Hoffman to create a mate for him. Warlock Nicholas Blair causes Angelique to age and warns that he'll destroy her unless she returns the vampire curse to Barnabas. Nicholas becomes infatuated with Maggie Evans and causes her boyfriend to be the victim of a vampire attack. After ailing handyman Tom Jennings tries to warn Maggie of the danger surrounding them, Barnabas discovers fang marks on Julia's neck.