Release date: June 23, 2025 Purchase links: Fabulous Films- Amazon UK - Zavvi Price: £45.99 (Fabulous Films) - £39.99 (Amazon - Zavvi) Notes: Includes both Original 72-minute Director’s Cut and the Expanded Theatrical Release 84-minutes
Dark Star – 2025 4K Edition (Remastered from Original 35mm Film Reels)
This definitive 4K restoration has been expertly restored from the original 35mm film reels, bringing John Carpenter’s cult sci-fi classic to stunning ultra-high definition. The soundtrack has been digitally enhanced and fully restored in Dolby Digital 5.1, ensuring the most immersive viewing experience yet.
The Film
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. Dark Star follows a dysfunctional intergalactic mission where 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.
Originally a 73-minute USC student film, Dark Star was expanded into a theatrical release after producer Jack Harris encouraged Carpenter and O’Bannon to add an extra 10 minutes. This special edition includes both versions and is packed with exclusive bonus features that dive deep into the film’s controversial production, groundbreaking special effects, and legacy.
Bonus Features:
Let There Be Light: The Odyssey of Dark Star: A feature-length documentary 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. (Directed by Daniel Griffith, 2010)
Interviews with Sci-fi author Alan Dean Foster
Brian Narelle (Lt. Doolittle) shares behind-the-scenes stories
3D Guide to the Dark Star Ship
Full-Length Audio Commentary by Super-Fan Andrew Gilchrist
Written Introduction by Dan O’Bannon
Commander Powell’s Ship Log Booklet NEW
Michael Doyle’s Notes on Dark Star Booklet NEW
8 Reproduction Original Film Lobby Cards
Reproduction Foldout Poster of the 2 Original British Quad Poster Versions
Reproduction Original Film Campaign Brochure
Film Versions Included: Original 72-minute Director’s Cut / Expanded Theatrical Release 84 minutes
