I played the disc in its entirety while utilizing the THX Cinema setting on my display and thought the disc looked beautiful and had no issues with it being too dark. I'm afraid this darkness issue will remain unresolved between those that disagree with that issue...
Since, this is one of my favorite films of all-time, I'm going to revisit it tonight on my new Panasonic TCP65VT50 plasma display in a darken room. I'll report back if my thoughts on this BD have changed with this new display.
I just noticed that this BD is 8.99 at Amazon...
IMO, I think it was an artistic decision to make this film very dark to reflect the colonial times of America. Can you imagine walking in the woods during those times, when they were mostly untouched by man. I bet you could hardly see any sunlight.