One of the best least-known movies of all time. (3. July 2008)

This film is an absolute gem that never dates. I could rave on about it for hours but I will try not to and attempt to provide a review that gives a balanced account of it.

I first saw this on tv. It was up against Fatal Attraction on another channel and I had to choose which to 'watch' and which to record for later. At the very last minute I changed my mind from recording FA and decided I would tape 'Dancin' thru the Dark' instead. Well..... it was the best decision I have EVER made!!! I couldn't even try to count how many times I have watched it over the years.

The story of Linda (Claire Hackett) & Peter (Con O'Neill) is one of first loves, peer pressure & life in the North of England.

Peter & Linda were a couple when Peter has the chance to go to London to further his career as a musician. Linda wouldn't take the risk of leaving her home town and they split up.
A few years later - and this is where the film starts - Linda is off on her Hen night with her mates, ready to marry Dave who will keep her in the life she has always known.
On the same night however - and totally unknownst to Linda - Peter's band, who are now enjoying success, are in town and playing a gig at one of the local nightclubs.
They bump into each other in an Italian restaurant where Peter informs Linda of the nightclub they're playing at. Against Linda's better wishes, the rest of the hens drag her along there thinking they'll have a good laugh.
In the meantime, groom-to-be Dave has met up with his chums, in particular Eddie (Mark Womack) who has a huge chip on his shoulder and is a 'very angry young man'. They do all the usual Stag stuff including the meal at their local Indian restaurant and this is portrayed exactly like any Indian restaurant on a Friday & Saturday night.
Inevitably, the stags end up at the same nightclub as Linda, her hens AND Peter! What then follows is a wonderful tale of the hens & the stags trying to keep Linda & Dave apart, Linda & Peter apart and then trying to convince Linda she still has to marry Dave. Whilst all this is going on however, you are always aware of Eddie's anger and he becomes quite menacing as time goes on. It's done in a very subtle way though so you're more feeling the threat rather seeing it in front of you.

Willy Russell has done very well in capturing both the typical 'Northern Night Out' and the small minded mentality that folk can have when faced with people who've gone out and become successful. In the first part of the film Peter is congratulated as 'one of us who has done well' but as the movie continues, Eddie wants to beat him up because he perceives Peter as being 'too big for his boots' and 'better than everyone else'.

The ending is superb and has you holding your breath for the outcome. I'm giving nothing away here though, you'll just have to watch it for yourself.

Claire Hackett & Con O'Neill give excellent performances as the star-crossed lovers. Mark Womack gives SUCH a good portrayal of the angry young man that, to this day, whenever I see him in another role, I immediately think of this film.

Dancin' Thru the Dark was deleted in the mid-nineties so if you are fortunate enough to get your hands on a copy, hold onto it tight because they are like gold-dust.

Con O Neill!! (4. February 2006)

Con O Neill plays the role of Peter McKeagan a Liverpool lad who moved to London, but left his love Linda back in Liverpool. However when he is on tour with his band, they go back to his home town only to find Linda on her hen night. Peter realises his feelings haven't changed for Linda. Written by the award winning play-wright, Willy Russell, author of Blood Brothers and Educating Rita. Willy has a small part in the film, also Con O Neill played Mickey in Blood Brothers in the West End, with Stephanie Lawrence for many years. So it is definately worth a watch.

Another great Willy Russell one.... (6. October 2004)

Dancin' thru the Dark is set in Liverpool, and is about an engaged couple, Dave and Linda, who are out on their stag and hen night, respectively.

While out, Linda bumps into an old flame, and begins to have doubts about her feelings for Dave, despite the efforts of her best mates.

Aside from the love storyline, it is full of typical scouse humour, and classic one liners that you'll remember for years (the wholemeal pizza one in particular)

Definitley a worthwhile purchase.

real and gritty (19. July 2003)

Personally my favourite film of all time. A true real life gritty portrayal of Liverpudlian life. Claire Hackett is convincing as a bride to be who meets up with her 'first love' on her hen night; Con O'Neill is a convincing 'first love'...sexy! The boys on their stag do are so real it's scary! Every stag and hen do perceived on Fridays and Saturdays in any Northern town are here in this film. Willy Russell appearance in the pub is fab!

laughs on the dance floor (27. June 2003)

the film is one long laugh it focus's on a hen night and a stag night, and how quickley things can go wrong, the music is brilliant and the writting of the film is magic, it is a film that you would want to watch again & again. You'll laugh from start to finish and want more when it ends.