Rabid (1977)

A young woman develops a taste for human blood after undergoing experimental plastic surgery, and her victims turn into rabid, blood-thirsty zombies who proceed to infect others, which turns into a city-wide epidemic.

Director:

David Cronenberg

Writer:

David Cronenberg

Stars:

Marilyn Chambers, Frank Moore, Joe Silver

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marilyn Chambers	...	Rose
Frank Moore	...	Hart Read
Joe Silver	...	Murray Cypher
Howard Ryshpan	...	Dr. Dan Keloid
Patricia Gage	...	Dr. Roxanne Keloid
Susan Roman	...	Mindy Kent
Roger Periard	...	Lloyd Walsh
Lynne Deragon	...	Nurse Louise
Terry Schonblum	...	Judy Glasberg
Victor Désy	...	Claude LaPointe
Julie Anna	...	Nurse Rita
Gary McKeehan	...	Smooth Eddy
Terence G. Ross	...	Farmer
Miguel Fernandes	...	Man In Cinema
Robert O'Ree	...	Police Sergeant

Storyline

Rose is involved in a motorcycle accident, and has experimental surgery performed in order to save her life. However, she develops a taste for blood. Her victims grow in number as well as madness, turning the city into chaos.

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Plot Keywords:

blood | motorcycle | accident | motorcycle accident | quebec | 

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Taglines:

Pray it doesn't happen to you.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rage

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 530,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC), Cinema Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., Cinépix

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sissy Spacek was David Cronenberg's first choice to play Rose. Ivan Reitman suggested Marilyn Chambers because he wanted sex appeal.

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Goofs

When Hart's car is attacked by a crazy, and a clean-up crew shoots and disposes of it, the cameraman who is shooting the "through the windshield" shots is clearly visible in the back seat of the car.

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Quotes

Murray Cypher: Potato man loves ketchup man.

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Connections

Referenced in The Id Proxy (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Vulcain"
from album "Energie"
Composed by Claude Vasor (as Claude Vasori)

User Reviews

David Cronenberg's second feature film!

Rabid (1977) is a strange film about a parasitic virus that inhabit's the body of a young woman (Marilyn Chambers). She receives this strange mutation after a new experimental procedure is performed upon her after she and her boyfriend were involved in a motorcycle accident. The doctors at a plastic surgery clinic save her life but her body revolts and mutates against the new cellular structure. The staff at the clinic and it's patients must answer for trying to defy nature.

A very good film from David Cronenberg. He further explores the topic of man fighting mutations from within or trying to change human nature. it's a topic that he returns to from time to time. He started off from Shivers and continued it in Rabid, The Brood, Scanners and Videodrome. Like most of his earlier films, this one was shot in around around the province of Quebec. Partially funded by the Canadian government, this twisted low budget wonder is a must for cerebral horror fans and Cronenberg devotees. Rabid benefits from the director's trademark clinical and cold aura.

I have to highly recommend this flick. the one I saw clocked it at almost 92 minutes. I haven't seen this film in awhile. I watched it on a D.V.D. import from Canada. I don't know how long the U.S. release was but this version seemed to have a little more blood than the one I watched seven years ago on an old V.H.S. copy. The Canadian Disc had a feature length commentary by David Cronenberg, a twenty some odd minute interview and a few other extras. The movie was restored and in it's proper film format.

Highly recommended.