New York Times, 04/29/1983, p.C8, "...A lively, entertaining tale combining boyishness and grown-up horror in equal measure..."
Variety, 05/04/1983, "...[The] visually imposing production has been mounted with taste and care....Clayton has done a fine job visualizing the screenplay by Bradbury..."
USA Today, 10/04/1996, p.3D, "...This odd horror-Americana mix about a supernatural traveling carnival has a cult, plus two aptly cast antagonist leads in Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce..."
The Buena Vista CLV laserdisc version (Cat. #8485AS) includes commentary by author Ray Bradbury on the left analog channel. James Horner's score, in mono and without sound effects, is on
the right analog channel.
After the first version of the movie was completed, Ray Bradbury insisted that the studio scrap it and add more special effects and new sequences. This explains why the film's child actors get older and then younger throughout the film.
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" was originally written for Gene Kelly, who tried to make it into a movie but couldn't find the financing.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
One of Ray Bradbury's most popular and intriguing novels of good and evil comes to life in this spine-tingling motion picture. On a grim and gusty October day, two young boys encounter a distressed man who foretells of danger blowing their way. Soon after, the town is visited by a seductive stanger named Mr. Dark and his Pandemonium Carnival. Terrifying things begin to happen when the adventurous boys stumble onto the carnival's deadly and destructive secret! Beware: SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES ... and frightening surprises follow!
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
When two boys (Vidal Peterson and Shawn Carson) become involved in the evil plans of Mr. Dark, a magical carnival owner (Jonathan Pryce), they find themselves in danger and responsible for the survival of their entire town! Mr. Dark has a devilish ability to grant wishes, which he uses to his advantage. When he realizes that the boys have discovered his secret, he sets about tracking them down, along with the creepy Dust Witch (Pam Grier). This spooky Ray Bradbury story is enhanced by the wonderful cast performances, particularly those of Jonathan Pryce and Pam Grier, who are scary enough to stop anyone from hoping for a wish come true!