5.5/10
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73 user 30 critic

The Children (1980)

R | | Horror, Sci-Fi | 13 June 1980 (USA)
The Children Poster
A nuclear-plant leak turns a bus-load of children into murderous atomic zombies with black fingernails.

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(screenplay), (screenplay)

Stars:

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... John Freemont
Gil Rogers ... Sheriff Billy Hart
... Cathy Freemont
... Molly
... 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)
... Hank
... Frank
Jessie Abrams ... Clarkie Freemont
See full cast »
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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? Written by Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

drive in classic | grindhouse film | grindhouse | midnight movie | zombie survival | See All (76) »

Taglines:

...thank God they're somebody else's! See more »

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

13 June 1980 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Children of Ravensback  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The original idea was that co-writer / producer Carlton J. Albright's friend Edward Terry (who plays Hank) would direct, but circumstances ended in Max Kalmanowicz getting the directing gig. This caused a rift in the Albright / Terry friendship that mended in time for them to make Luther the Geek (1989) together 10 years later. See more »

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. See more »

Quotes

Dr. Joyce Gould: I just don't know how Leslie's gonna take it when I tell her Tommy's missing.
Sheriff Billy Hart: Don't tell her.
Dr. Joyce Gould: ...That's one way to deal with it...
See more »

Crazy Credits

No music is played over the credits. See more »

Connections

References Superman (1978) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the soundtrack for this film sound so similar to the soundtrack from Friday the 13th?
Q: Why is The Children so scratchy? There are little black lines and dots all over the place!
Q: Was The Children referencing other films, or was it ever referenced in newer films?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Finally able to put a name to this movie, embedded in my memory.
27 October 2006 | by – See all my reviews

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.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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