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Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

  • TV Mini Series
  • 2004
  • TV-MA
  • 24m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,607
1,139
Matthew Holness in Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (2004)
This parody series is an unearthed 80s horror/drama, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.
Play trailer0:22
1 Video
23 Photos
High-Concept ComedyMockumentaryParodySupernatural HorrorComedyFantasyHorrorSci-Fi

This parody series is an unearthed 80s horror/drama, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situate... Read allThis parody series is an unearthed 80s horror/drama, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.This parody series is an unearthed 80s horror/drama, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.

  • Stars
    • Richard Ayoade
    • Matt Berry
    • Matthew Holness
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    21K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,607
    1,139
    • Stars
      • Richard Ayoade
      • Matt Berry
      • Matthew Holness
    • 82User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 nomination total

    Episodes6

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 0:22
    Trailer

    Photos23

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    Top cast27

    Edit
    Richard Ayoade
    Richard Ayoade
    • Dean Learner…
    • 2004
    Matt Berry
    Matt Berry
    • Dr. Lucien Sanchez…
    • 2004
    Matthew Holness
    Matthew Holness
    • Dr. Rick Dagless M.D.…
    • 2004
    Alice Lowe
    Alice Lowe
    • Madeleine Wool…
    • 2004
    Kim Noble
    • Jim
    • 2004
    Julian Barratt
    Julian Barratt
    • Padre
    • 2004
    Matt Green
    • Chef's Assistant…
    • 2004
    Sarah Kants
    Sarah Kants
    • Larry's Mother
    • 2004
    Graham Linehan
    Graham Linehan
    • Security Guard
    • 2004
    Stephen Merchant
    Stephen Merchant
    • The Chef
    • 2004
    Spencer Brown
    Spencer Brown
    • Patient
    • 2004
    Noel Fielding
    Noel Fielding
    • Monkey Man
    • 2004
    Paul King
    Paul King
    • Techie
    • 2004
    Lydia Fox
    Lydia Fox
    • Rick's wife
    • 2004
    Bronwen Davies
    • Linda
    • 2004
    Lawrence Michelowski
    • Larry Renwick
    • 2004
    Nicholas Ivanov
    • 2004
    Kevin Hudson
    • 2004
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews82

    8.521.2K
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    Featured reviews

    10englandfan66_1985

    The BEST COMEDY since The Office

    "In the 1980's the horror writing genius and self confessed "sooth" Garth Marenghi penned a ground-breaking series of tele-plays. Of the 64 episodes written, only 50 managed to make it into production during the two-month filming. Marenghi's aim was simple: "To change the evolutionary course of mankind over a series of half-hour episodes". However, Merenghi claims that his series was too ground-breaking, and too shocking for the public, and for the past twenty years direct government intervention prevented the shows from ever seeing the light of day. That is, until now. Channel 4 (and E4) are now for the first time running six episodes from the series, and Garth Marenghi has said he is willing to be personally held accountable to God for the consequences."

    Garth Marenghi's Dark Place is a spoof of all horror films, tv and action tv from the 80's. Its set up as if the series was made in the 80's and was banned and is now eventually being shown. Throughout the episodes we get to see the cast and crew's comments on the episode's scenes. This is the best comedy since the office.

    9/10 (and I've only seen 3 episodes from the first series so far)

    "the pube on the pipe idea came from a real life situation" Garth Marenghi
    7Sarah-60

    what they said

    glad to see here that I'm not the only one already hooked after just 3 episodes.

    I've tried to explain to people why they must watch it, but the only way they will understand is to watch it!

    Its hilarious: terrible acting, atrocious script, wobbly sets, appalling dubbing, and some very alarming wigs.

    And lots of slow motion (well, its hard to fill a half hour slot with story all the time)

    I'm looking forward to saying 'I told you so' to lots of people when they 'discover' this show in 6 months!
    ShadowKnuxx

    Best UK show on TV at the moment.

    When The show 'Little Britain' ended, I felt that TV was lacking in any hilarious new comedies. Then I saw an advert for 'Garth Marenghi's Darkplace' so I decided to watch it.

    Since then I've been hooked, I have never seen anything like this show before. It is truly amazing. This proves that you don't need clever scripts, great acting or impressive special effects.

    Highlights for me include, Episode 4's bike chase, Episode 1's graveyard shootout and well, pretty much the entire show.

    This show is pure comic genious.

    I'll finish with a quote...

    "She was like a candle in the wind ... unreliable"
    9sscsgh

    say you were there first time round - watch it now

    I wasn't fully sure what to expect and nearly didn't watch it at all, that would have been a mistake. Three episodes in and I'm hooked and I'm slowly working on all my friends too as it would be a shame if this slipped by without getting the audience it deserves. I was a bit concerned after the first episode that the jokes would quickly wear a bit thin but this hasn't proved to be the case. I don't think it will be everyone's cup of tea but well worth trying because if it is you're in for one of the funnier half hours of television you'll see all week.
    9Chris Dillhole

    Innovative and refreshing

    I watched this show with trepidation expecting it to be another hit and miss, or even plain miss, of a mini-series. I was more then pleasantly suprised when the show proved not only to be hilarious but a much needed break from the vapid 'reality' shows that have come to expunge any palatability from our viewing pleasure. The 'bad acting', or 'showing the truth' as Garth puts it, is amazingly funny. This is especially true in the character of Garth's boss and the chef (The Office's Stephan Merchant). Overall, it can tend to be a bit tedious by the end but at the moment it is hysterical and I can't wait to see where they go from here.

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    Related interests

    Jim Carrey in Liar Liar (1997)
    High-Concept Comedy
    Amy Poehler in Parks and Recreation (2009)
    Mockumentary
    Bill Pullman, John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga, and Lorene Yarnell Jansson in Spaceballs (1987)
    Parody
    Daveigh Chase in The Ring (2002)
    Supernatural Horror
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The series was broadcast in 2004 on Channel 4, but a second season was never commissioned due to low ratings. However, over the next few years, the series gained a considerable cult following via word-of-mouth and the Internet. Renewed interest in the show led to its release on DVD and subsequent airings in the US on the Sci-Fi and Adult Swim networks. Since then, fans are petitioning for a second season of the show.
    • Quotes

      Dean Learner: She was like a candle in the wind... unreliable.

    • Crazy credits
      The credits are all in an 80s style and use the old Channel 4 logo.
    • Connections
      Featured in Bad Movie Beatdown: Reckoning Day (2011)

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    FAQ19

    • How many seasons does Garth Marenghi's Darkplace have?Powered by Alexa
    • Why doesn't Madeleine Wool speak in any of the interviews?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 28, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Avalon Television
      • Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Darkplace
    • Filming locations
      • Romford, Essex, England, UK(UK)
    • Production companies
      • Avalon Television
      • Channel 4 Television Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 24m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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