The Children (1980)

A nuclear-plant leak turns a bus-load of children into murderous atomic zombies with black fingernails.

Director:

Max Kalmanowicz

Writers:

Carlton J. Albright (screenplay), Edward Terry (screenplay)

Stars:

Martin Shakar, Gil Rogers, Gale Garnett

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Shakar	...	John Freemont
Gil Rogers	...	Sheriff Billy Hart
Gale Garnett	...	Cathy Freemont
Shannon Bolin	...	Molly
Tracy Griswold	...	Deputy Harry Timmons
Joy Glaccum	...	Suzie MacKenzie
Jeptha Evans	...	Paul MacKenzie
Clara Evans	...	Jenny Freemont
Sarah Albright	...	Ellen Chandler
Nathanael Albright	...	Tommy Button
Julie Carrier	...	Janet Shore
Michelle La Mothe	...	Dr. Joyce Gould (as Michelle LeMothe)
Edward Terry	...	Hank
Peter Maloney	...	Frank
Jessie Abrams	...	Clarkie Freemont

Storyline

A busload of children has disappeared from the quiet New England town of Ravensback, and Sheriff Billy Hart is on the case. A short while later, he manages to track down the kids, but unfortunately they seem to have been transformed into murderous zombies by a cloud of radioactive gas. How can he stop the killer tykes before they destroy the town?

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Plot Keywords:

drive in classic | grindhouse film | midnight movie | zombie survival | zombie film | 

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Taglines:

It only takes five to hold a town in TERROR...

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was screened for potential release for New Line Cinema.

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Goofs

Molly running out to hug the children and her subsequent death should not have been heard over the CB as the mike button needs to be pressed in order to be heard, and even if she had the CB mike in her hand, it wouldn't have been able to stretch far enough to make it all the way to where the children were standing.

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Quotes

Tommy Button: Joyce!
Dr. Joyce Gould: Tommy... a- a- AHHH!

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Crazy Credits

No music is played over the credits.

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Alternate Versions

The Vinegar Syndrome release of this film features an additional scene set in a diner in which the sheriff speaks to a waitress at said diner.

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Connections

References The Driller Killer (1979)

User Reviews

Finally able to put a name to this movie, embedded in my memory.

I saw this when I was five years old--my parents were oddly fine with letting me watch any horror flick I wanted. This has had some long-lasting issues, to say the least.

My memory of the movie is a bit hazy. I've described it to many people over the years, searching for someone who knew the title. Alas, no one ever recognized it. Never thought to search it online (one of those things, I guess) until now. I remembered the poisonous fog, the school bus, and the burning hands of the children. Unfortunately, my memory also included purple hamburger-like patties in the palms of the children's hands--the source of their awesome burning power. Strange what you think you remember.

Back on point, awesome awful nonsensical horror film of the 80's.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Children

Filming Locations:

Muddy Brook Cemetery, Stony Brook Road, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Albright Films Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1