Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is a 1973 horror film directed by John Newland, starring William Demarest, Pedro Armendáriz Jr. and William Sylvester. It runs 1 hour 14 minutes. IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 14m (74 min)
- Director
- John Newland
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
English
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark About?
The premise of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
While renovating a historic estate, a young woman and her partner discover a hidden cellar containing a dark secret. Within the cellar, malevolent, goblin-like creatures emerge, fixating on the couple and threatening their new life together. As the wife delves deeper into the mystery, she becomes increasingly entangled in the creatures’ sinister world and must confront the terrifying forces hidden within the shadows.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark Themes & Keywords
· 47 tags- old dark house
- mansion
- basement
- brick
- ashes
- overheard whispering
- ashtray
- dinner party
- shower
- razor
- bathroom
- whispering
+35 more Show fewer
- handyman
- medical doctor
- sedative
- dragged along the floor
- breaker box
- 1970s
- dark past
- moving in
- fireplace
- demon
- rope
- imp
- falling down stairs
- inheritance
- psychotronic film
- mexican
- fairy tale
- creature feature
- no one believes the protagonist
- locked room
- couple
- gnome
- evil wins
- downbeat ending
- unhappy ending
- horror movie remade
- miniature set
- flashbulb
- hole in the wall
- bathtub
- ghost
- monster
- supernatural power
- haunted house
- surprise ending
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark Cast
William Demarest leads the cast, with Pedro Armendáriz Jr. and William Sylvester. Directed by John Newland; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director John Newland
Also Starring in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
· 6 moreMore from John Newland
More films directed by John Newland: A Sensitive, Passionate Man, The Legend of Hillbilly John, Crawlspace and My Lover, My Son.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate Don't Be Afraid of the Dark 6.5/10.
-
IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark Plot Summary
What happens in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Sally Farnham and her husband Alex receive an unexpected inheritance in the form of an old mansion from Sally’s recently departed grandmother. As they settle into their new home, Sally stumbles upon a bricked-up fireplace tucked away in the basement den. The estate’s handyman, Mr. Harris, warns her that her grandmother had it sealed after her grandfather’s death, insisting it’s best left untouched. However, fueled by curiosity, Sally attempts to pry the bricks free using some of Harris’ tools. Her efforts fall short, but she manages to open a small door meant for ash disposal, revealing not a fireplace, but rather a dark and foreboding sub-basement. As she departs the den, she hears a chilling whisper echoing, “She set us free.”
Full summary
The whole story of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, scene by scene
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 clips.
- Clip Preview Clip
- Clip Open
- Clip Clip
How Well Do You Know Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What did Sally discover in the basement of the mansion?
Cars in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
2 cars on screen: the 1973 Dodge Charger and the 1973 Chrysler Newport Custom.
-
1973 Dodge Charger Important role -
1973 Chrysler Newport Custom Minor role
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “Les Créatures de l'ombre” and “Non avere paura del buio”.
- Also known as
-
- Les Créatures de l'ombre
- Non avere paura del buio
- Gate of Darkness
- Frío en la noche
- Μη φοβάσαι το σκοτάδι
- Criaturas da Noite
- Не бойся темноты
- 别怕黑夜
- No le temas a la oscuridad
- Nie bój się ciemności
- 돈 비 어프레이드 오브 더 다크
Seen Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
Movies Like Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Afraid of the Dark, Fright and Don’t Look in the Attic.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark runs 1 hour 14 minutes (74 minutes).
When was Don't Be Afraid of the Dark released?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark was released on October 10, 1973.
Who directed Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark was directed by John Newland.
More films by John Newland Who is in the cast of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark stars William Demarest, Pedro Armendáriz Jr. and William Sylvester, among 10 credited actors.
How is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark rated?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark has 6.5/10 on IMDb and 61% on TMDB.
Does Don't Be Afraid of the Dark have a post-credit scene?
No. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
