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IMDbPro

The Dead Zone

  • 19831983
  • RR
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
69K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,904
16
The Dead Zone (1983)
Home Video Trailer from Paramount Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:13
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
A man awakens from a coma to discover he has a psychic ability.A man awakens from a coma to discover he has a psychic ability.A man awakens from a coma to discover he has a psychic ability.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
69K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,904
16
  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writers
    • Stephen King(based on the novel by)
    • Jeffrey Boam(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Christopher Walken
    • Brooke Adams
    • Tom Skerritt
Top credits
  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writers
    • Stephen King(based on the novel by)
    • Jeffrey Boam(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Christopher Walken
    • Brooke Adams
    • Tom Skerritt
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 265User reviews
    • 118Critic reviews
    • 69Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 4 nominations

    Videos2

    The Dead Zone
    Trailer 2:13
    The Dead Zone
    The Dead Zone
    Trailer 1:24
    The Dead Zone

    Photos177

    Christopher Walken and Brooke Adams in The Dead Zone (1983)
    Nicholas Campbell and Roberta Weiss in The Dead Zone (1983)
    Christopher Walken in The Dead Zone (1983)
    The Dead Zone (1983)
    Martin Sheen in The Dead Zone (1983)
    Christopher Walken, Nicholas Campbell, and Roberta Weiss in The Dead Zone (1983)
    Nicholas Campbell in The Dead Zone (1983)
    Christopher Walken and Sean Sullivan in The Dead Zone (1983)
    Christopher Walken and Roberta Weiss in The Dead Zone (1983)
    Christopher Walken and Brooke Adams in The Dead Zone (1983)
    Colleen Dewhurst in The Dead Zone (1983)
    Christopher Walken and Herbert Lom in The Dead Zone (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Christopher Walken
    Christopher Walken
    • Johnny Smithas Johnny Smith
    Brooke Adams
    Brooke Adams
    • Sarah Bracknellas Sarah Bracknell
    Tom Skerritt
    Tom Skerritt
    • Sheriff Bannermanas Sheriff Bannerman
    Herbert Lom
    Herbert Lom
    • Dr. Sam Weizakas Dr. Sam Weizak
    Anthony Zerbe
    Anthony Zerbe
    • Roger Stuartas Roger Stuart
    Colleen Dewhurst
    Colleen Dewhurst
    • Henrietta Doddas Henrietta Dodd
    Martin Sheen
    Martin Sheen
    • Greg Stillsonas Greg Stillson
    Nicholas Campbell
    Nicholas Campbell
    • Frank Doddas Frank Dodd
    Sean Sullivan
    Sean Sullivan
    • Herb Smithas Herb Smith
    Jackie Burroughs
    Jackie Burroughs
    • Vera Smithas Vera Smith
    Géza Kovács
    • Sonny Ellimanas Sonny Elliman
    • (as Geza Kovacs)
    Roberta Weiss
    • Alma Frechetteas Alma Frechette
    Simon Craig
    Simon Craig
    • Chris Stuartas Chris Stuart
    Peter Dvorsky
    Peter Dvorsky
    • Dardisas Dardis
    Julie-Ann Heathwood
    • Amyas Amy
    Barry Flatman
    Barry Flatman
    • Waltas Walt
    Raffi Tchalikian
    • Denny #1as Denny #1
    Ken Pogue
    Ken Pogue
    • Vice Presidentas Vice President
    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writers
      • Stephen King(based on the novel by)
      • Jeffrey Boam(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director David Cronenberg had to re-shoot the scene in which John Smith has his first premonition. It showed a little girl's room burning and a small E.T. doll could be seen on one of the shelves. The scene had to be re-shot when Universal Pictures threatened to file a lawsuit against them.
    • Goofs
      All the lights on the tanker stay lit even though it completely detaches from the rig.
    • Quotes

      Johnny Smith: The ICE... is gonna BREAK!

    • Crazy credits
      As the opening titles roll, certain parts (or "dead zones") of the screen become blocked out, until the part of the screen you can see spell out the title "The Dead Zone."
    • Alternate versions
      Although the UK cinema version was 18-rated and intact in 1986 Thorn-EMI released a British home video version with 13 seconds cut to obtain a 15 certificate rating from the BBFC. A scissor suicide sequence was re-edited to remove shots of the preparation and aftermath, and shots of topless nudity and the descending scissors were removed from the gazebo murder. Later 18-rated releases feature the full uncut print.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Deal of the Century/Richard Pryor Here and Now/Testament/The Dead Zone/The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    • Soundtracks
      The Yankee Doodle Boy
      (a.k.a., "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy") (uncredited)

      Written by George M. Cohan

      (Cohan included a snippet of "Yankee Doodle" (traditional) in his own composition)

      Performed by Traditional

    User reviews265

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    dead zone, lively film
    It seems that movies starring Christopher Walken just can't go wrong! David Cronenberg's adaptation of Stephen King's "The Dead Zone" features him in one of his most interesting roles as literature teacher Johnny Smith, who becomes psychic after surviving a car wreck. He uses his newfound power to help people avoid danger, but soon faces a moral dilemma when it looks like political candidate Greg Stilson (Martin Sheen) may become the next Hitler.

    This is one of those movies that has shades of everyone involved in it. Walken's eerie presence, Sheen's (apparent) "aw shucks" demeanor, plus the horrific feeling of Cronenberg and King. You're sure to love it. Also starring are Brooke Adams as Johnny's ex hubby, and Herbert Lom as a doctor (you may expect him to launch into an anti-Clouseau diatribe, but his role here is as far removed from Commissioner Dreyfus as possible).

    Very well done.
    helpful•44
    9
    • lee_eisenberg
    • Aug 3, 2006

    FAQ6

    • What are differences between this film & the television series?
    • What is 'The Dead Zone' about?
    • Is 'The Dead Zone' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 21, 1983 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Languages
      • English
      • Polish
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Stephen King's The Dead Zone
    • Filming locations
      • Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Dino De Laurentiis Company
      • Lorimar Film Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,766,616
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,556,083
      • Oct 23, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,766,616
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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