The Laughing Dead (1989)

Zombies, demons, and a mad doctor await a bus-load of folks looking for a tour of Aztec ruins. Father O'Sullivan is a Catholic priest who has lost his faith in God and who cannot forget the... See full summary »

Director:

Somtow Sucharitkul

Writer:

Somtow Sucharitkul

Stars:

Tim Sullivan, Wendy Webb, Premika Eaton

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Sullivan	...	Father O' Sullivan
Wendy Webb	...	Tessie
Premika Eaton	...	Laurie
Patrick Roskowick	...	Ivan
Larry Kagen	...	Wilbur
Krista Keim	...	Clarisse
Gregory Frost	...	Frost
Raymond Ridenour	...	Dozois
Ryan Effner	...	Cal
Joey Acedo	...	Policeman #1
John Anthoni	...	Acolyte #1
Hank Azcona	...	Police Sergeant
Bruce Barlow
George Barnett	...	Policeman #2
Edward Bryant	...	Bus Driver

Storyline

Zombies, demons, and a mad doctor await a bus-load of folks looking for a tour of Aztec ruins. Father O'Sullivan is a Catholic priest who has lost his faith in God and who cannot forget the nun with whom he once had an affair (and a son). O'Sullivan serves as tour guide for archaeological student Cal, New Agers Wilbur and Clarisse Lemming, runaway Laurie, and tourists Dozois and Frost on a bus trip to Mexico. No one is more surprised than O'Sullivan when his love, Tessie, also boards the bus with her bratty son Ivan. In Mexico, Cal reveals his knowledge of a crucial ancient text, just in time for the Day of the Dead festivities. Meanwhile, evil Dr. Um-tzec is planning an apotheosis for himself that will culminate in his incarnation as the Death God, and what he needs to accomplish this is the hearts of sacrificial children ... lots and lots of hearts. While Father O'Sullivan grapples with the emotions of seeing Tessie again, he is approached by Dr. Um-tzec to perform an exorcism; but ...

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Plot Keywords:

mexico | nun | possession | bus trip | tour guide | 

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Genres:

Horror

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Also Known As:

A halál istene

Company Credits

Production Co:

Skouras Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the sets where the crew shot was the staging area for The High Chaparral, according to star Tim Sullivan.

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Goofs

During the sacrificial ball game, one of the zombies can be seen wearing tube socks.

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Quotes

Father O'Sullivan: Have you heard of Tourette's Syndrome, DOCTOR Um-tzec?
Dr. Um-tzec: I am a doctor of divinity.

User Reviews

Some inspired weird moments, not much else

Faith-losing Father O'Sullivan (Tim Sullivan) takes a bus of folks down to some visit some Aztec ruins. Also along for the ride are Tessie (Wendy Webb), his former nun love that he got pregnant, and her foul- mouthed son Ivan (Patrick Roskowick), who is O'Sullivan's illegitimate son. It all makes for perfect timing for some sort of sacrifice to the Blood Star for evil Dr. Um-tzec (writer-director-composer S.P. Somtow). This film gained some notoriety back in the day thanks to a gore-filled spread in (naturally) Gorezone. And while the film looks great in stills, it has many, many problems unspooling at regular speed. Somtow certainly doesn't lack creativity, but his staging and pacing leave a lot to be desired. He will have bits like the trapped characters seeing two people squashed to death by a bus, but they will act like nothing is wrong in the next scene. And there is some REALLY bad comedy going on here. The acting (most of the talent are Somtow's writer friends) leaves a lot to be desired too and the film offers quite possibly one of the worst child performances ever captured on film by Roskowick. When on, the film is pretty fun with some great make up work by John Buechler's MMI company. Interestingly, despite have a wealth of gore, this film is still unreleased in the United States.