Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Director:

George A. Romero

Writer:

George A. Romero (written by)

Release Date:

24 May 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

George A. Romero's classic 1978 gore-fest, Dawn of the Dead, is back.

Plot:

Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter, and his television-executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.

Plot Keywords:

Mall | Sequel | Shopping Mall | Pennsylvania | Helicopter

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

David Emge	...	Stephen
Ken Foree	...	Peter
Scott H. Reiniger	...	Roger
Gaylen Ross	...	Francine
David Crawford	...	Dr. Foster
David Early	...	Mr. Berman
Richard France	...	Scientist
Howard Smith	...	TV Commentator
Daniel Dietrich	...	Givens
Fred Baker	...	Commander
James A. Baffico	...	Wooley (as Jim Baffico)
Rod Stouffer	...	Young Officer on Roof
Jese Del Gre	...	Old Priest
Clayton McKinnon	...	Officer in Project Apt.
John Rice	...	Officer in Project Apt.
Ted Bank	...	Officer at Police Dock
Randy Kovitz	...	Officer at Police Dock
Patrick McCloskey	...	Officer at Police Dock
Joseph Pilato	...	Officer at Police Dock (as Joe Pilato)
Pasquale Buba	...	Motorcycle Raider
Tony Buba	...	Motorcycle Raider
Butchie	...	Motorcycle Raider (as 'Butchie')
Dave Hawkins	...	Motorcycle Raider
Tom Kapusta	...	Motorcycle Raider
Rudy Ricci	...	Motorcycle Raider
Tom Savini	...	Motorcycle Raider
Marty Schiff	...	Motorcycle Raider
Taso N. Stavrakis	...	Motorcycle Raider (as Taso Stavrakos)
Nick Tallo	...	Motorcycle Raider
Larry Vaira	...	Motorcycle Raider
Sharon Ceccatti	...	Lead Zombie
Pam Chatfield	...	Lead Zombie
Mike Christopher	...	Lead Zombie
Clayton Hill	...	Lead Zombie
Jay Stover	...	Lead Zombie
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joe Abeln	...	Redneck Rifleman That Misses (uncredited)
John Amplas	...	2nd Guy on Roof (uncredited)
Liz Augenstein	...	On Air Girl at WGON-TV (uncredited)
Joey Baffico	...	Zombie Who Sticks Fingernails Into Roger's Wounded Leg (uncredited)
Ben Barenholtz	...	Cowboy Hat Zombie Hit by Sledge (uncredited)
Dave Bartholomew	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Zilla Clinton	...	Blonde Biker Chick Riding Motorcycle (uncredited)
The Pagans Motorcycle Club	...	Various Bikers (uncredited)
John Cosgrove	...	Tall Bearded Zombie Clawing at Mall Door (uncredited)
Susan Cosgrove	...	Crosshairs Zombie #3 (uncredited)
Lee Cummings	...	Bathing Suit Zombie (uncredited)
Jim Edemensen	...	WGON-TV Cameraman (uncredited)
Chet Flippo	...	Cowboy Zombie (uncredited)
J. Clifford Forrest Jr.	...	Featured Elderly Zombie (uncredited)
Christine Forrest	...	TV Producer / Elf Zombie / Voice of Monroeville Mall Announcer (uncredited)
Cliff Forrest	...	Tony, Man at WGON - TV ('You all right?') (uncredited)
Ingeborg Forrest	...	Mall Zombie Wearing Blue Nightgown (uncredited)
Nancy Friedman	...	Bandana Girl Zombie (uncredited)
Roy Frumkes	...	1st Pie-In-Face Zombie (uncredited)
Ron Gibson	...	Landlord Zombie in Tenement Cellar (uncredited)
Michael Gornick	...	Voice of News Reporter on Radio (uncredited)
Barry Gress	...	Parking Lot Zombie Knocking Sign Over (uncredited)
John Harrison	...	Screwdriver Zombie (uncredited)
Chuck Hoffman	...	Bearded Zombie Outside Gun Store (uncredited)
Michael James	...	Bald Zombie in Bikers' Battle (uncredited)
Jeannie Jefferies	...	Blonde Zombie Who Attacks Roger in Truck (uncredited)
Susan Kilmartin	...	Yellow-Green Striped Shirt Zombie (uncredited)
Vic Kleinman	...	Charlie Parker - WGON-TV Typist who hands out notes to Francine (Francine's Ex-Husband) (uncredited)
Jim Krut	...	Helicopter Zombie (uncredited)
Tommy Lafitte	...	Miguel, The Zombie (uncredited)
Ralph Langer	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Robert Langer	...	Zombie Eating Bikers' Flesh (uncredited)
Maxine Lapiduss	...	Redhead Zombie Outside J.C. Penny (uncredited)
Ed Letteri	...	Long-Haired Man by Door at WGON-TV (uncredited)
Lenny Lies	...	Machete Zombie (uncredited)
Michael Lies	...	WGON-TV Sideburns Man Wearing Vest (uncredited)
Barbara Lifsher	...	Mary 'Chickie' / Blonde Biker Chick Driving Van (uncredited)
Frank Mamone	...	Biker (uncredited)
Nicholas Mastandrea	...	Mall Zombie Outside Gun Store (uncredited)
Molly McCloskey	...	Lovely Woman at WGON - TV ('My turn for the coat.') (uncredited)
Doug Mertz	...	Preppie Zombie - 2nd Pie-In Face (uncredited)
Robert V. Michelucci	...	Bearded Scope Zombie / Zombie Who Attacks Mousey (uncredited)
Bob Miller	...	Funeral Zombie Wearing Three-Piece Suit (uncredited)
Ken Nagin	...	Pendant Headband Biker - with Axe (uncredited)
Jack Pappalardo	...	Lead Zombie - Bach's Arco Pitcairn Pitcher (uncredited)
Jeff Paul	...	Biker Who Shoots Flyboy (uncredited)
John Paul	...	Bald Zombie - Airport Chart House (uncredited)
Donald Pollock	...	Zombie in Parking Lot (uncredited)
Sukey Raphael	...	Red Poncho Zombie - 3rd Pie-In Face (uncredited)
E. Butler Richards	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Russell L. Richards	...	Zombie (uncredited)
George A. Romero	...	TV Director / Nick - Biker in Santa Claus Suit (uncredited)
Donald Rubinstein	...	Roger's Zombie Attacker in Parking Lot (uncredited)
Katherine Rubinstein	...	Brunette Biker Chick Throwing Pies and Cakes (uncredited)
Donna Savini	...	Zombie Girl in Airport Chart House (uncredited)
Mike Savini	...	Zombie Boy in Airport Chart House (uncredited)
Frank A. Serrao	...	Fat Grey-Suited Zombie (uncredited)
Joe Shelby	...	Motorcycle Raider (uncredited)
Warner Shook	...	Security Guard Zombie Who Attacks Stephen in Mall Basement (uncredited)
Stephen M. Silverman	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Ralph Tallo	...	Stephen's Grey Suited Airport Zombie Attacker (hit by sledgehammer) (uncredited)
Sara Venable	...	Leotard Zombie Hit by Sledge (uncredited)
Vincent Vok	...	WGON - TV Station Employee (uncredited)
Billie Walters	...	Biker Chick (uncredited)
Vickie Walters	...	Biker Chick (uncredited)
Robert Williams	...	Soldier in Apartment Project (uncredited)
Laura Ziemba	...	Ice Skating Rink Zombie (uncredited)

Directed by
George A. Romero

Writing credits
George A. Romero		(written by)

Produced by
Claudio Argento	....	associate producer
Alfredo Cuomo	....	associate producer
Richard P. Rubinstein	....	producer
Donna Siegel	....	assistant producer

Original Music by
Dario Argento
Goblin		(as The Goblins)
Agostino Marangolo		(uncredited)
Massimo Morante		(uncredited)
Fabio Pignatelli		(uncredited)
Claudio Simonetti		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Michael Gornick		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
George A. Romero
Dario Argento		(recut version) (uncredited)

Casting by
John Amplas

Set Decoration by
Josie Caruso
Barbara Lifsher

Costume Design by
Josie Caruso

Makeup Department
Nancy Allen	....	first assistant makeup artist
Ted Bank	....	second assistant makeup artist
Joseph A. Campayno	....	second assistant makeup artist (as Joe Campayno)
Jeannie Jefferies	....	first assistant makeup artist
Randy Kovitz	....	second assistant makeup artist
Joseph Pilato	....	second assistant makeup artist (as Joe Pilato)
Joe Shelby	....	second assistant makeup artist
John Amplas	....	second assistant makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Zilla Clinton	....	production manager
Jay Stover	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Christine Forrest	....	assistant director

Art Department
Joseph Eberle	....	graphic artist

Sound Department
Tony Buba	....	sound recordist
Tony Buba	....	sound
Rick Dior	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Richard Dior)
Robert Williams	....	boom operator

Special Effects by
Don Berry	....	explosive effects
Tom Savini	....	makeup & cosmetic special effects
Gary Zeller	....	explosive effects

Visual Effects by
Arthur J. Canestro	....	optical consultant

Stunts
Leonard DeStefans	....	stunt driver: truck
John Konter	....	stunt driver: truck
Tom Savini	....	stunts
Carl Scott	....	stunt driver: truck
Taso N. Stavrakis	....	stunts (as Taso Stavrakis)
Tom Savini	....	stunt double: Jeannie Jefferies (uncredited)
Tom Savini	....	stunt double: Larry Vaira (uncredited)
Marty Schiff	....	stunts (uncredited)
Joe Shelby	....	stunts (uncredited)
Taso N. Stavrakis	....	stunt double: Nancy Friedman (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Carl Augenstein	....	lighting
Dan Bertha	....	grip
Bradley Drumheller	....	grip
Tom Dubensky	....	assistant camera
Cliff Forrest	....	key grip
Katherine Kolbert	....	still photographer
Lenny Lies	....	grip
Nicholas Mastandrea	....	key grip (as Nick Mastandrea)
Clayton McKinnon	....	grip
Ken Nagin	....	grip
Daniel Silk	....	grip
Tom Wholey	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Ellen Hopkins	....	casting assistant
Michael Lies	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Michèle Martin	....	wardrobe (as Michele Martin)
Michael Lies	....	wardrobe (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Piero Bozza	....	assistant editor (Italian edition)
Kenneth Davidow	....	assistant editor
Joe Violante	....	advisor: Technicolor (as Joey Violante)
John Dowdell	....	hd colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Dario Argento	....	composer: additional soundtrack
Giorgio Agazzi	....	music recordist (uncredited)
Pierre Arvay	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Herbert Chappell	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
DeWolfe	....	music publisher (uncredited)
Don Harper	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)
Don Harper	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Paul Lemel	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Agostino Marangolo	....	musician: drums, percussions, piano (uncredited)
Antonio Marangolo	....	musician: saxophone (uncredited)
Phil May	....	musician: lead vocals (uncredited)
Massimo Morante	....	musician: guitar, bass, mandolin (uncredited)
Keith Papworth	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Simon Park	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Fabio Pignatelli	....	musician: bass and acoustic guitar (uncredited)
John Povey	....	musician: drums & percussions (uncredited)
Carlo Rustichelli	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Derek Scott	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Claudio Simonetti	....	musician: keyboards, organ and violin (uncredited)
Barry Stoller	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Dick Taylor	....	musician: lead guitar (uncredited)
Reg Tilsley	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Eric Towren	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Jack Trombey	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)
Cliff Twemlow	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)
Wally Waller	....	musician: bass guitar (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Frank A. Serrao	....	production driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Dario Argento	....	script consultant
Leslie Augenstein	....	production assistant
Ben Barenholtz	....	distribution consultant
Jim Barger	....	mall security
Barth Bartholomae	....	helicopter pilot
Billy 'Silver Dollar' Baxter	....	presenter (as Billy Baxter)
Jean Bertl	....	title designer
Sharon Ceccatti	....	production assistant
James Chai	....	title designer
Francine Davidoff	....	publicity assistant
Margarida Delgado	....	production assistant
Diane Donati	....	slate
Charles Forman	....	production accountant
Renée Furst	....	publicist (as Renee Furst)
José Gallardo	....	title designer (as Jose V. Gallardo)
Clayton Hill	....	weapons coordinator
Ed Letteri	....	production assistant
Karen Levy	....	title designer
Dan Lupovitz	....	production assistant
Otto Paoloni	....	advisor: Technicolor
Alberto Piferi	....	additional dialogue: Italian edition
John Rice	....	continuity
Herbert R. Steinmann	....	presenter
Vincent D. Survinski	....	business manager (as Vince Survinski)
Bill Wagner	....	mall liaison
Diane Westerman	....	production assistant
John Amplas	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Donna Siegel	....	assistant: Mr. Rubinstein (uncredited)
Larry Vaira	....	biker wrangler (uncredited)

Thanks
Robert Cox	....	produced with the cooperation of
Marvin Lieber	....	produced with the cooperation of
Miguel Lisenberg	....	produced with the cooperation of
Alvin Rogal	....	produced with the cooperation of
Frank Rubinstein	....	produced with the cooperation of
Irvin Shapiro	....	produced with the cooperation of
Max Toberoff	....	produced with the cooperation of
Susan Vermazen	....	produced with the cooperation of

Production Companies

• Laurel Group

Distributors

• United Film Distribution Company (UFDC) (1979) (USA) (theatrical)
• Astral Films (1979) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Ízaro Films (1979) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Éditions René Chateau (1983) (France) (theatrical)
• Thorn EMI Video (1983) (USA) (VHS)
• Thorn EMI Video (1983) (USA) (video) (betamax)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Elite Entertainment (1996) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (USA) (DVD) (139 Minute Director's/Cannes Festival Cut)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Astro Distribution (1998) (Germany) (VHS)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD) (128 Minute 20th Anniversary Hybrid Extended Version)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1999) (USA) (VHS) (widescreen)
• BMG Video (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD) (Divimax Series - 127 Minute 'True' Theatrical/Director's Version)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Trilogy of the Dead) (Director's Cut and European Cut)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
• MKR Group (1986) (USA) (theatrical)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (????) (Australia) (VHS)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (????) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Image Entertainment (????) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)

Other Companies

• Aquarius Sound  sound transfers
• Brooks Van Horne  costumes (as Brooks Van Horn)
• C & L Shipping  film shipping
• De Wolfe Music  production music
• Exceptional Opticals  optical effects
• F & B Ceco  equipment
• Hairtique  hairstyles
• Latent Image, The  production services (as The Latent Image. Inc.)
• Laurel Tape & Film  production services
• Listening Post, The  hi-fi equipment (as The Listening Post. Inc.)
• Lupovitz Furs  fur coats
• Maiers  costumes
• Oxford Development Co.  produced with the cooperation of
• Pennsylvania National Guard (1st Battalion. 10th Field Artillery)  produced with the cooperation of
• Pittsburgh Explorers Club  produced with the cooperation of
• Pittsburgh Housing Authority  produced with the cooperation of
• Production Coordinators  sets
• Resource Investments  produced with the cooperation of
• Rogal Company  insurance (as Rogal & Company)
• Royale Helicopter  helicopter services
• Technicolor New York  color by (as Technicolor/New York)
• The Plastics Factory  weapons
• Trans / Audio  re-recording mixer (as Trans/Audio. Inc.)
• Ultimate Mirror, The  production services (as The Ultimate Mirror. Ltd.)
• Wechsher Meyers Wolsh  production accounting
• Wickes Furniture  home furnishings

Also Known As:

"George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead" - UK (closing credits title), USA (complete title)
"The Zombies" - Philippines (English title)

Runtime:

126 min | Germany:156 min (Ultimate Final Cut) | Italy:117 min (Dario Argento's European Version) | Spain:115 min | USA:128 min (DVD version) | USA:139 min (Extended Version)

Country:

Italy | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (German prints) | Mono

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) (2004) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-18 | Finland:(Banned) (original rating) | Argentina:X (original rating) | Argentina:13 (re-rating) | Italy:VM18 (DVD rating) | Australia:MA (Cable TV rating) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) (Original rating) | Brazil:18 | USA:NC-17 (director's cut) | USA:NC-17 (uncut) | USA:X (VHS/DVD rating) | USA:X (original rating) | USA:X (X-rated) | USA:X (director's cut) | USA:X (cut) | USA:NC-17 (cinema release) | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | USA:NC-17 (VHS/DVD rating) | USA:NC-17 (Complete Box Set) | USA:NC-17 (certificate number not listed) | Australia:R | Chile:14 (video rating) | Denmark:15 (DVD rating) | Denmark:16 | France:-16 (re-rating) | France:X (original rating) | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 (DVD rating) | Norway:(Banned) (original rating) | Norway:15 (re-rating) (uncut) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (video rating) (1987) | UK:X (original rating) (cut) | USA:X (original rating) (rating surrendered) | USA:Unrated | West Germany:(Banned) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Harold W. Brown Memorial Field - 3926 Logans Farm Road, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Laurel Group

Trivia:

Cameo: [Christine Forrest](wife of George A. Romero) director's assistant in the television studio.

Goofs:

Continuity: As Stephen is attacked in the elevator, he shoots a bearded zombie in the doorway, however, he shoots towards his left, but from the reverse angle, in which we see the zombie being shot, the shot is coming from what should have been Stephen's right.

Quotes:

Roger:It's Christmastime down there, buddy!
Peter:Fat city, brother! How do we work it?
Roger:If we can get into one of the department stores up top, they'll have their own escalators inside.
Peter:Let's go check those keys.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Super 8 (2011)

Soundtrack:

Ai Margini Della Follia (Alternate Take 2)

Here's ONE zombie movie that buries all the others!

There's not much use denying it… George A. Romero's "Dawn of the Dead" is one of the chosen few, absolute greatest horror films ever made and it's fairly unimaginable that a powerful movie like this will ever come out again. Even more than its 1968 predecessor, the landmark known as "Night of the Living Dead", this film contains literally everything to satisfy even the most demanding fan of horror cinema. Some films attempt to reach a maximum level of high tension throughout; some have eminent directors and/or a professional cast; some horrors will distinguish themselves from the rest by providing a lot of gore & gruesome make-up effects and others completely rely on uniquely atmospheric set pieces and filming locations. "Dawn of the Dead" consists of ALL these trademarks and yet a whole lot more! This film more or less begins where "Night" ended, with an alarming increase of zombies that feast their way through America. The opening sequences masterfully capture the growing sense of mass hysteria and disbelief in a TV-studio, where a 'scientist' warns the population not to regard these walking corpses as former family members or friends, but as mere monsters on the constant lookout for human flesh to feed on. These scenes introduce Peter and Francine, who plan to escape the big city in a helicopter. Cut to another very perplexing series of action sequences in which fellow policemen Stephen & Peter battle their way through a zombie-infested apartment building. Eventually these four characters flee together and entrench themselves in a large shopping mall complex. They can fairly easily handle the menace of the zombies here, but the biggest danger comes from typical human greed and selfishness. It's downright amazing how Romero manages to present such an implausible topic like zombie mayhem in such a realistic and incredibly disturbing way. He already did that in "Night of the Living Dead" but "Dawn" is entirely different film all together, since it contains a lot more humor and intelligently subtle society-mockery. The gore is sensational and plentiful (thank you, Tom Savini!) but the film never at one point drags in the tension or bad editing department. It's just, in one word, the perfect horror movie. There exist more than a dozen different versions of this film, which are all worth seeing at least once if only to spot the differences. Particularly recommended are Romero's original director's cut (duh!!) and Argento's European cut. This latter cuts a little on the dialogues and humor, but it features another brilliant soundtrack by Goblin! I could easily write another five page-essay about the genius of this movie, but it would just constantly re-confirm that it's absolute must-see! In case you haven't yet, make "Dawn of the Dead" a priority and also make sure you've got the horror-munchies!