Dawn of the Dead (1978)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

George A. Romero

Writer:

George A. Romero (written by)

Release Date:

24 May 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.

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	...	Dr. Milliard Rausch - Scientist
Howard Smith	...	TV Commentator
Daniel Dietrich	...	Givens
Fred Baker	...	Commander
James A. Baffico	...	Wooley (as Jim Baffico)
Rod Stouffer	...	Roy Tucker - Young Officer on Roof
Jese Del Gre	...	Old Priest
Clayton McKinnon	...	Officer in Projects Apt.
John Rice	...	Officer in Projects Apt.
Ted Bank	...	Officer at Police Dock
Patrick McCloskey	...	Officer at Police Dock
Randy Kovitz	...	Officer at Police Dock
Joseph Pilato	...	Officer at Police Dock (as Joe Pilato)
Pasquale Buba	...	Motorcycle Raider - With tommy gun
Tom Savini	...	Blades - Motorcycle Raider
Tony Buba	...	Motorcycle Raider - Wearing sombrero
Marty Schiff	...	Blades' sidekick - Motorcycle Raider
Butchie	...	Motorcycle Raider (as 'Butchie')
Joe Shelby	...	Martinez / Motorcycle Raider / Van driver #1
Dave Hawkins	...	Motorcycle Raider
Taso N. Stavrakis	...	Sledge - Motorcycle Raider / Various Zombies (as Taso Stavrakos)
Tom Kapusta	...	Motorcycle Raider - With seltzer bottle
Nick Tallo	...	Motorcycle Raider
Rudy Ricci	...	Motorcycle Raider - Radio operator
Larry Vaira	...	Motorcycle Raider
Sharon Ceccatti	...	Lead Zombie (nurse)
Pam Chatfield	...	Lead Zombie
Mike Christopher	...	Lead Zombie - Hare Krishna Zombie
Clayton Hill	...	Lead Zombie - Wearing white sweater
Jay Stover	...	Lead Zombie - with M-16 rifle
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Amplas	...	2nd Guy on roof (uncredited)
Ben Barenholtz	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Dave Bartholomew	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Lee Cummings	...	Bathing Suit Zombie (uncredited)
Christine Forrest	...	TV Producer (uncredited)
Cliff Forrest	...	Man at WGON - TV ("You all right?") (uncredited)
J. Clifford Forrest Jr.	...	Featured elderly zombie (uncredited)
Roy Frumkes	...	1st Pie-In-Face Zombie (uncredited)
Michael Gornick	...	Voice of News Reporter on Radio (uncredited)
John Harrison	...	Screwdriver Zombie (uncredited)
Jeannie Jefferies	...	Blond Zombie who attacks Roger in truck (uncredited)
Jim Krut	...	Helicopter Zombie (uncredited)
Tommy Lafitte	...	Zombie - Miguel (uncredited)
Ralph Langer	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Robert Langer	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Maxine Lapiduss	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Lenny Lies	...	Machete Zombie (uncredited)
Molly McCloskey	...	Woman at WGON - TV ("My turn for the coat.") (uncredited)
John Paul	...	Bald Zombie (Airport Chart House) (uncredited)
Sukey Raphael	...	Zombie (uncredited)
George A. Romero	...	TV Director (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)
Warner Shook	...	Maintenance Man Zombie who attacks Stephen in mall basement (uncredited)
Stephen Silverman	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Billie Walters	...	Motorcycle rider (uncredited)
Vickie Walters	...	Motorcycle rider (uncredited)
Robert Williams	...	Soldier in Apartment Project (uncredited)

Directed by
George A. Romero

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
George A. Romero		written by

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

Makeup Department
Nancy Allen	....	first assistant makeup artist
Jeannie Jefferies	....	first assistant makeup artist

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)

Camera and Electrical Department
Carl Augenstein	....	lighting technician
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)

Editorial Department
Piero Bozza	....	assistant editor (Italian edition)
Kenneth Davidow	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Dario Argento	....	composer: additional music
Agostino Marangolo	....	musician (uncredited)
Antonio Marangolo	....	musician: saxophone (uncredited)
Massimo Morante	....	musician (uncredited)
Fabio Pignatelli	....	musician (uncredited)
Claudio Simonetti	....	musician (uncredited)

Other crew
Dario Argento	....	script consultant
Leslie Augenstein	....	production assistant
Ben Barenholtz	....	distribution consultant
Jim Barger	....	mall security
Barth Bartholomae	....	helicopter pilot
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
Vincent D. Survinski	....	business manager (as Vince Survinski)
Joe Violante	....	advisor: Technicolor (as Joey Violante)
Bill Wagner	....	mall liaison
Diane Westerman	....	production assistant
Donna Siegel	....	assistant: Mr. Rubinstein (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)
• Republic Pictures (II) (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Elite Entertainment (1996) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Astro Distribution (1998) (Germany) (VHS)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1999) (USA) (VHS) (widescreen)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
• BMG Video (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (????) (Australia) (VHS)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (????) (USA) (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
• 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)
Dawn of the Living Dead
The Zombies (Philippines: English title)
Zombi (Italy)
Zombie: Dawn of the Dead
Zombies
Zombies: Dawn of the Dead (UK) (video box title)

Runtime:

126 min | Germany:156 min (extended version) | Italy:117 min (Dario Argento's European/Italian Cut) | Spain:115 min | USA:128 min (DVD version) | USA:139 min (director's cut)

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: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:15 (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:Open (rating surrendered) (1983) | USA:R (original rating) (cut) | 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:

Revealing mistakes: When Stephen and Peter are locking the front door to the mall, they are shown talking to each other from two angles, so it would appear that they are side by side. However, an old female zombie can be seen in both shots, proving it's the same spot from two different angles.

Quotes:

[Fran and Stephen are observing from the roof of the mall]
Francine Parker: What are they doing? Why do they come here?
Stephen: Some kind of instinct. Memory, of what they used to do. This was an important place in their lives.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Halloween (2007)

Zombie mayhem reigns supreme!

If only every horror movie was made with such determination as this one. A zombie classic, Dawn of the Dead succeeds in every aspect. It has enough violence and gore to gratify any horror fan, and then some! The weird thing is that the gore in this movie isn't unnecessary, it suits the purpose. In this sequel to the classic Night of the Living Dead, the zombies have taken over the land and have spread to immense numbers. A group of people escape the carnage in a helicopter, and take refuge in a huge mall where they can live off the supplies inside for years. They have to fend off the zombies trying to get in, as well as a sadistic group of bikers who want to loot the place. Great film, lots of gory action and flesh-munching. Make sure to check out the newly remastered director's cut for terrific picture and sound, and extra footage.