Darkman (1990)

Director:

Sam Raimi

Writers (WGA):

Sam Raimi (story)
Chuck Pfarrer (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

24 August 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Who Is Darkman? Find Out This August.

Plot:

A hideously scarred and mentally unstable scientist seeks revenge against the crooks who made him like that.

Plot Keywords:

Scientist | Revenge | Lawyer | Mask | Sacrifice

Awards:

2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Liam Neeson	...	Peyton Westlake / Darkman
Frances McDormand	...	Julie Hastings
Colin Friels	...	Louis Strack Jr.
Larry Drake	...	Robert G. Durant
Nelson Mashita	...	Yakitito
Jessie Lawrence Ferguson	...	Eddie Black
Rafael H. Robledo	...	Rudy Guzman
Dan Hicks	...	Skip (as Danny Hicks)
Ted Raimi	...	Rick (as Theodore Raimi)
Dan Bell	...	Smiley
Nicholas Worth	...	Pauly
Aaron Lustig	...	Martin Katz
Arsenio 'Sonny' Trinidad	...	Hung Fat
Said Faraj	...	Convenience Store Clerk
Nathan Jung	...	Chinese Warrior
Professor Toru Tanaka	...	Chinese Warrior #2 (as Prof. Toru Tanaka)
John Lisbon Wood	...	Carnival Booth Attendant
Frank Noon	...	Side Show Barker
William Dear	...	Limo Driver
Julius Harris	...	Gravedigger
Bridget Hoffman	...	Computer (voice)
Philip A. Gillis	...	Priest
Maggie Moore	...	Nurse
Carl Bresk	...	Policeman #1
Sean Daniel	...	Policeman #2
John Landis	...	Physician
Carrie Hall	...	Screaming Woman
John Cameron	...	Bartender
Craig Hosking	...	Helicopter Pilot
Karl A. Wickman	...	Police Helicopter Pilot (as Karl Wickman)
Cliff Fleming	...	Police Helicopter Pilot
Andy Bale	...	Dockworker #1
Neal McDonough	...	Dockworker #2
Stuart Cornfeld	...	Dockworker #3
William Lustig	...	Dockworker #4
Scott Spiegel	...	Dockworker #5
Cary Tyler	...	Dockworker #6
Charles W. Young	...	Dockworker with Bullet in Forehead
Bruce Campbell	...	Final Shemp
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jenny Agutter	...	Burn Doctor (uncredited)
Christopher Doyle	...	Goon at Construction Site (uncredited)
Tony Gardner	...	Burn Ward Nurse / Lizard Man (uncredited)

Directed by
Sam Raimi

Writing credits (WGA)
Sam Raimi		(story)
Chuck Pfarrer		(screenplay) and
Sam Raimi		(screenplay) &
Ivan Raimi		(screenplay) and
Daniel Goldin		(screenplay) &
Joshua Goldin		(screenplay)

Produced by
Daryl Kass	....	line producer
Robert G. Tapert	....	producer (as Robert Tapert)

Original Music by
Danny Elfman

Cinematography by
Bill Pope		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Bud S. Smith
David Stiven

Production Design by
Randy Ser

Art Direction by
Phil Dagort

Set Decoration by
Julie Kaye Fanton

Costume Design by
Grania Preston

Makeup Department
Susan Exton-Stranks	....	head of hair department
Tony Gardner	....	special makeup effects designer
Larry Hamlin	....	makeup artist
Deborah K. Larsen	....	key makeup artist
Mark William Robinson	....	makeup production assistant
Marlene Stoller	....	effects technician: makeup effects unit
Roland Blancaflor	....	special makeup effects technician (uncredited)

Production Management
Paul Hellerman	....	production manager
Patricia Whitcher	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John Cameron	....	first assistant director: reshoots
Andrew M. Flinn	....	second second assistant director (as Andrew Flinn)
Carl Goldstein	....	assistant director: re-shoots
Scott Javine	....	first assistant director
Francis R. Mahony III	....	second assistant director

Art Department
John Alvin	....	poster artist
Ginni Barr	....	set designer
Barbara A. Bordo	....	painter
Michael Paul Clausen	....	assistant art director
Kirk Corwin	....	property master
Ron Ervin	....	construction foreman
Thomas Fichter	....	assistant art director
Elizabeth Flaherty	....	art department coordinator
Gary Frutkoff	....	assistant art director
Christopher Gilman	....	props
John Harrington	....	assistant property master
Allan Johnson	....	carpenter
Thomas D. Krausz	....	propmaker/scenic artist
Janet Kusnick	....	storyboard artist
Roger Nall	....	scenic artist
Michael Poulik	....	assistant set decorator
Michele Poulik	....	assistant set decorator
Edmond Scott Ratliff	....	set dresser
Karl Shields	....	model maker
Jonathan Smart	....	set dresser
George Denes Suhayda	....	set designer (as George Suhayda)
Carolyn Thome	....	model maker
Pete von Sholly	....	storyboard artist
Sean Fanton	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Paul Vincent Fusco	....	props (uncredited)
Johnathon Gallagher	....	painter (uncredited)
Jonathan Lantry	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Richard N. McGuire	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Christopher Corey Smith	....	assistant set decorator (uncredited)
Kevin Taylor	....	scenic painter (uncredited)

Sound Department
David W. Alstadter	....	foley mixer
Dino Dimuro	....	sound effects editor
Matthew Iadarola	....	sound re-recording mixer
Mark Lanza	....	sound effects editor
Steve Mann	....	sound effects editor
James Moriana	....	foley artist
Terry Rodman	....	supervising sound editor
John Rotondi	....	sound engineer: Y4
Lionel Strutt	....	adr mixer
Don Summer	....	sound mixer
Robert Thirlwell	....	sound re-recording mixer
Bill Voigtlander	....	adr supervisor
Dan Wallin	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jeffrey Wilhoit	....	foley artist
Michael D. Wilhoit	....	sound supervisor
Bruce Campbell	....	sound (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Gabriel Bartalos	....	sculptor: makeup effects unit
Doug Beswick	....	mechanical designer: makeup effects unit
Roger Borelli	....	effects technician: makeup effects unit
Evan Brainard	....	mechanical designer: makeup effects unit
Teresa Burkept	....	bandage costumes: makeup effects unit
Michael Burnett	....	effects technician: makeup effects unit
Caleb Chung	....	mechanical designer: makeup effects unit
Steve Dunham	....	mechanical designer: makeup effects unit
Mike Elizalde	....	sculptor: makeup effects unit
Jim Eustermann	....	effects technician: makeup effects unit
Steve Frakes	....	mechanical designer: makeup effects unit
Linda Frobos	....	sculptor: makeup effects unit
Tony Gardner	....	special makeup effects artist
Loren Gitthens	....	sculptor: makeup effects unit
Ray Greer	....	miniatures
Werner Hahnlein	....	special effects technician
Larry Hamlin	....	special makeup effects artist
Kevin Hudson	....	special effects makeup
Kevin Hudson	....	key mold maker: makeup effects unit
Rick Lalonde	....	gelatin specialist: makeup effects unit
Kent W. Luttrell	....	model maker
Roger McCoin	....	mechanical designer: makeup effects unit
Becky Ochoa	....	effects technician: makeup effects unit
Colin Penman	....	effects technician: makeup effects unit
Greg Polutonovich	....	production painter: makeup effects unit
Wendy Ripley	....	bandage costumes: makeup effects unit
Randy Simper	....	animatronics specialist
Randy Simper	....	mechanical designer: makeup effects unit
Chet Zar	....	key sculptor and painter: makeup effects unit
Yancy Calzada	....	mechanical effects (uncredited)
Phil Weisgerber	....	model maker (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Craig Barron	....	visual effects supervisor: Matte World Digital
Krystyna Demkowicz	....	executive in charge of production: visual effects
Tim Donahue	....	visual effects art director: Introvision
Jammie Friday	....	animator: VCE, Inc.
Paul Gentry	....	elements visual effects unit
Julia Gibson	....	visual effects producer: 4-Ward Productions
Brian Griffin	....	optical line-up: VCE
Mark Gutterud	....	assistant cameraman
Rick Hannigan	....	optical camera
Rick Hilgner	....	modelmaker
Richard Kilroy	....	matte artist
Michael Lawler	....	visual effects cameraman
Stephen Lebed	....	model maker
Jerry Macaluso	....	additional miniatures: 1/4 scale puppets
Jo Martin	....	visual effects editorial
John P. Mesa	....	visual effects cameraman
William Mesa	....	visual effects supervisor
Kendall Nishimine	....	visual effects
Michael Pangrazio	....	matte artist supervisor
Rick Rische	....	matte artist: Introvision
John Scheele	....	motion control and visual effects
Mark A. Shelton	....	visual effects gaffer
Robert Skotak	....	visual effects supervisor: 4-ward productions
Marcus Tate	....	visual effects cameraman
Bob Smithson	....	miniature construction: Introvision (uncredited)
Rick Taylor	....	visual effects cameraman (uncredited)

Stunts
Chuck Borden	....	stunts
John Cade	....	stunts
John Casino	....	stunts
George B. Colucci Jr.	....	stunt double (as George B. Colucci)
BJ Davis	....	stunts
Christopher Doyle	....	stunt coordinator (as Chris Doyle)
Christopher Doyle	....	stunts
David Efron	....	stunts (as Dave Efron)
John Escobar	....	stunts
Terry James	....	stunts (as Terrance James)
Karen Laine	....	stunts (as Karen E. Laine)
Lane Leavitt	....	stunts
Gene LeBell	....	stunts
Dennis Madalone	....	stunts (as 'Dangerous' Dennis Madalone)
'Wild' Bill Mock	....	stunts
Manny Perry	....	stunts
Sherry Peterson	....	stunts
Rex Pierson	....	stunts
Tim Trella	....	stunts
Gregory J. Barnett	....	stunts (uncredited)
Anthony Cecere	....	stunts (uncredited)
Gary Dionne	....	utility stunts (uncredited)
Ernie Jackson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Hubie Kerns Jr.	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Barbara Anne Klein	....	utility stunts (uncredited)
Michael R. Long	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Spiro Razatos	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Dante Cardone	....	gaffer: visual effects unit
Peter Deming	....	photographer: second unit
Gary Drew	....	helicopter rigging grip
Tim Durr	....	grip: helicopter unit
Kevin 'Rambo' Fitzgerald	....	grip
Melinda Sue Gordon	....	still photographer
Kurt Grossi	....	grip
Kim Heath	....	grip
Frank M. Holgate	....	aerial camera operator (as Frank Holgate)
Tony Jefferson	....	helicopter rigging grip
Wayne Kosky	....	rigging grip: second unit
Max Pomerleau	....	gaffer
Gary D. Scott	....	first assistant camera
Scott Sproul	....	helicopter rigging grip
Gregor Tavenner	....	key focus puller
Brad Wood	....	rigging grip
Tom Jensen	....	additional second assistant camera (uncredited)
Rory Robert Knepp	....	second assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Randy Paik	....	additional second assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Debbie DeRango	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lisa Burnett	....	set costumer
Lynda Foote	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
Richard Alderete	....	first assistant editor
Jody Fedele	....	assistant editor
Allen Ferro	....	montage editor
Pablo Ferro	....	montage
Darrin Navarro	....	assistant editor
Bud S. Smith	....	supervising editor
M. Scott Smith	....	supervising editor
Kathie Weaver	....	additional editor

Music Department
Bob Badami	....	music editor
Steve Bartek	....	orchestrator
Sandy DeCrescent	....	orchestra contractor
Robert Fernandez	....	scoring mixer
Shawn Murphy	....	scoring mixer
Robb Navrides	....	music editor: TV version
Jonathan Sheffer	....	composer: additional music
James Thatcher	....	musician: french horn
Shirley Walker	....	conductor
Shirley Walker	....	orchestrator

Other crew
Lisa Burnett	....	assistant production coordinator
Michael Burnett	....	foam prosthetic technician
Bundy Chanock	....	set medic
Adam Davis	....	production assistant
Tony Didio Jr.	....	armorer
Pablo Ferro	....	title designer: main title sequence
Gerrit V. Folsom	....	location manager (as Gerrit Folsom)
Mickey G.	....	medic (as Michael Wilkins)
Susan Gee	....	production financing
Harry Hauss	....	aerial helicopter pilot
Stacy Ivers	....	unit publicist
April A. Janow	....	first assistant accountant
Bonnie Jordan	....	production services
Solomon J. LeFlore	....	production financing
Heather Ling	....	production assistant: Introvision
Matt Maiellaro	....	set production assistant
Brian McMillan	....	head animal trainer
Bob Murawski	....	director of stock footage
David Pollison	....	production assistant
Tom Prince	....	production executive
Clay Loring Roberts	....	location scout
Corinne Saaranen-Welch	....	script supervisor (as Corinne Welch)
Burton Sharp	....	adr group coordinator
Kristin Smith	....	production coordinator
Jim Stubblefield	....	production assistant
Ethan Coen	....	developer (uncredited)
Joel Coen	....	developer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Renaissance Pictures
• Universal Pictures

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1990) (USA) (theatrical)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1990) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1991) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan for MCA Home Video)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1992) (USA) (TV)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (France) (theatrical)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1994) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (UK) (theatrical)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1998) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (Finland) (theatrical)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD) (HD DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Video Film Express (2010) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• CIC Vídeo (199?) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (199?) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Egmont Entertainment (2000) (Finland) (DVD)
• Esselte CIC Video (199?) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Esselte Video (1991) (Finland) (VHS)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2000) (2012) (Finland) (TV)
• Pan Vision (2011) (Finland) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Finland (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
• VL-Musiikki (2013) (Finland) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Home Video (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (1995) (1997) (Finland) (TV)

Special Effects

• Visual Concept Engineering (VCE)
• Introvision International
• 4-Ward Productions (miniature sequences)
• Spectacular Effects Unlimited (mechanical special effects)
• Chiodo Brothers Productions (burning hand animation)
• Matte World Digital ('strack city' visual effects)
• Makeup Effects Laboratories

Other Companies

• California Digital Post  post-production sound services
• Pacific Art & Light  props/model makers

Also Known As:

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-15 (uncut) (2003) | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (original rating) (cut) | USA:R | Singapore:PG | Iceland:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Portugal:M/16 | Germany:18 | UK:18 (re-rating) (cut) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1991) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1990) | France:12 | South Korea:18 | Germany:16 (re-rating) (2013)

Filming Locations:

3rd Street Tunnel, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Renaissance Pictures

Trivia:

Kathy Bates was originally cast as the burn doctor but backed out before filming. Jenny Agutter took over the role at the request of John Landis.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During the warehouse fight at the beginning, a ramp used to flip one of the cars is clearly visible before the camera pans left as it goes over.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Eddie Black:[on phone] 'Cause he's an asshole! Tell him no. Tell him no, too. Him, tell "fuck you." No, I'm gonna be here a minute. Got some guy coming up who thinks he's gonna muscle me out of my property. What's it matter! Just another tough guy, that's all.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Brain That Wouldn't Die (#6.13)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

Give It To Me

Under-rated super-hero movie from the one and only Sam Raimi.

Of all the super-hero movies around, "Darkman" is my favourite. An original creation from Raimi, and not based on any comics, "Darkman" follows the story of Dr. Peyton Westlake, a scientist about to make a breakthrough in synthetic skin. Peyton's girlfriend, Julie Hastings is a hot-shot lawyer who gets on the wrong side of Robert G. Durant. Durant and his henchmen destroy Peyton's lab, and leave him for dead. Horribly burned and scarred beyond recognition, Peyton uses his uncompleted and synthetic skin to get revenge on those who wronged him - he becomes Darkman.

Darkman has no real super-powers - apart from some increased strength and his inability to feel pain - he uses the synthetic skin to assume the alternate identities, and fights his battles that way. Darkman is not a real super-hero. He makes no pledge to rid the world of evil-doers. He is just out for revenge, and every time Darkman acts, Darkman's dark-side claims just a little bit more of Peyton.

Others have mentioned the parallels to 'Robocop'. I'd like to mention the parallels to Sam Raimi's recent efforts with 'Spider-Man' - the two are very similar style-wise, but Peter Parker/Spider-Man is generally pretty happy and cheerful, where as Darkman finds sadistic pleasure in the way he toys with his enemies before finishing them off. 'Spider-Man' is family-friendly, 'Darkman' is not the sort of movie you would want to show to parents or younger-siblings.

'Darkman' is original, and yet another under-rated classic from Sam Raimi. Check it out if you like Sam Raimi, but avoid if you enjoy the family-friendly nature of 'Spider-Man'. Definitely my favourite super-hero movie, and nearly up there with Tim Burton's 'Batman' and 'Batman Returns', the best super-hero movies ever.

7/10