Behind The Scenes With Dark Shadows – The Blood Spattered Depp
There are several reasons why the Dark Shadows movie will benefit from being set in 1972. Here’s screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith on some:
Tim and Johnny took a long time explaining exactly why it had to be 1972. 1969 was too early and 1973 was too late. 1972 is right at the time when the hippie movement and all its peace and love is dying out and being replaced by this me-me-me generation in the ’70s who are all about showing their wealth and having everything.
He was speaking to Empire Magazine, who support their piece with two on-set snaps of Tim Burton working with the cast, their hairstyles and what looks like a litre of corn syrup.

Marketing objective: convince people the film won’t be bloodless and too campy. Mission: half accomplished.