Dark Shadows is immortalized in vampire mythology for its portrayal of the tragic figure of the vampire. In some ways it changes the way one looks at the vampire forever, moving it from the shadows into the mainstream.
The story is about Barnabas Collins who, after spurning his witch lover, is turned into a vampire and meant to suffer for eternity. The majority of the series takes place in the seventies, which is when the original soap premiered, and tracked the vampire's struggles as he tries to become human again and find his beloved. In both the series and the new film this love is Victoria Winters, a doppelganger of his lost Josette. Throw in witches, werewolves, mutants, and family drama, the viewer finds themselves hooked for life.
The series ran for several years, spawned several books and series revivals. Tim Burton's adaptation is not typical of the director. It is truly dark humour and rather grim, with none of his usual extravagances. Even Danny Elfman has taken a more somber approach to the score. That said, the witch is malevolent and sexy, Alice Cooper (as himself) is beyond awesome, and Christopher Lee's short cameo steals the scene.
The bad is that, as based off a soap opera, it is full of over dramatics and campy scenes. Everyone woman loves Barnabas, despite his being a vampire. And he's not exactly apologetic about it: he'll smile to your face, greet you like a gentleman, and then slit your throat. Barnabas is ever true to his vampire nature.
Link to trailer of Tim Burton film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isjg9O7ifwM
Above image found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dark_Shadows_2012_Poster.jpg
Image at the top taken from Famous Monsters magazine issue #261, pg. 64
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