Day of the Dead (1985)

A small group of military officers and scientists dwell in an underground bunker as the world above is overrun by zombies.

Director:

George A. Romero

Writer:

George A. Romero

Stars:

Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander, Joseph Pilato

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lori Cardille	...	Sarah
Terry Alexander	...	John
Joseph Pilato	...	Rhodes (as Joe Pilato)
Jarlath Conroy	...	McDermott
Anthony Dileo Jr.	...	Miguel (as Antonè DiLeo)
Richard Liberty	...	Logan
Sherman Howard	...	Bub (as Howard Sherman)
Gary Howard Klar	...	Steel (as G. Howard Klar)
Ralph Marrero	...	Rickles
John Amplas	...	Ted Fisher
Phillip G. Kellams	...	Miller
Taso N. Stavrakis	...	Torrez
Greg Nicotero	...	Johnson (as Gregory Nicotero)
Don Brockett	...	Featured Zombie
William Cameron	...	Featured Zombie

Storyline

Zombies rule the world, except for a small group of scientists and military personnel who reside in an underground bunker in Florida. The scientists are using the undead in gruesome experiments; much to the chagrin of the military. Finally the military finds that their men have been used in the scientists' experiments, and banish the scientists to the caves that house the Living Dead. Unfortunately, the zombies from above ground have made their way into the bunker.

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Plot Keywords:

bully | bully comeuppance | questioning authority | scientist | military | 

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Taglines:

Now life has become a NIGHTMARE!

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

On the special edition DVD, director George A. Romero claims this is his favorite film out of the original "dead trilogy".

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Goofs

When the hands punch through the wall in the dream sequence at the beginning of the movie, the hand immediately to the left of the calendar picture gets stuck and forces its way through later than the rest.

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Quotes

[first lines]
McDermott: Nothing, nothing at all.
Sarah: Send again.
McDermott: I've been sending up and down the coast from Sarasota to the Everglades and still getting back the same dead air. There's nothing! There's nobody or at least nobody with a radio.
Sarah: All right then let's set down, we'll use the bullhorn.
McDermott: Set down? Wait a minute, that's not in our contract!
Sarah: It's the biggest city within 150 miles and we're going to give it every chance.
McDermott: Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Sarah: Set down, John!
John: I'll set us down. But I won't leave my seat and ...

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Alternate Versions

The version released by Anchor Bay Entertainment is the complete uncut version, containing all the gore and violence.

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Connections

Featured in Best of the Worst: The Star Wars Holiday Special (2014)

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Soundtracks

Escape Invasion
(uncredited)
Composed by John Harrison
Performed by John Harrison

User Reviews

The third film in the "dead" series.

Day of the Dead (1985) was the third film in the "Dead" series. For awhile this was going to be the last chapter until recent events have changed the mind of the series creator George A. Romero. Whilst it was going to be a huge budgeted venture for Romero and Laurel Films, a small budget and a few extras limited the scope of the director's vision for this film. But like all good film makers he made do with what he had around him and made a dreary and depressing film.

Society is dead. Zombies have overran the living and the survivors can only be found in very small numbers. One of these groups are bunkered inside an old underground bomb shelter. The survivors inside this subterranean military installation have been divided into three groups: the soldiers, scientists and civilian employees. Stress, sexual tension and a dire situation have split the group even further apart. The dead have been growing in numbers outside and dwindling supplies have made everyone desperate. But within the base their is some order. But what will happen with that collapses?

The third film of the series is not as great as the second film but it's a good film. Performances from the actors may be uneasy and the tight budget restrains the director's vision but it still succeeds as a very frightening and depressing horror film. Savini and company have made the gore more realistic and nauseating. Gone is the cartoonish blood and cheesy gore effects. State-of-the-art splatter effects have been included adding a whole new element to this awesome trilogy. I have to strongly recommend this film. If you love the first two, you'll definitely enjoy this this installment of the one and only trilogy of cinema!

Highly recommended!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 July 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

George A. Romero's Day of the Dead

Filming Locations:

Sanibel Island, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,700,000, 21 July 1985

Gross USA:

$5,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Film Distribution Company (UFDC), Laurel Entertainment Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 101 min (Unrated Edition) 87 min (Sci-Fi Channel) (TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono 4-Track Stereo (Zombieing Sound System) (Japan theatrical release)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1