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:

When the dead rose from their graves...

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most of the zombie extras in this film were Pittsburgh residents who volunteered to help in the film.

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Goofs

When the soldiers see the zombies coming down on the platform, Rhodes escapes in the opposite direction on a cart, meeting several zombies on the way (he even hits one). These zombies are not coming from the platform as some people erroneously think (which would indeed be impossible). They come from the mine, as the mine gate has been breached (revealed in preceding shots).

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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 German Video-Release is heavily cut. nearly all gore is missing. The uncut version was re-released by Astro Video

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Connections

Referenced in House of the Dead (2003)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Romero's finest film to date...

I saw DAY OF THE DEAD at a drive-in; the second half of the double bill was DAWN OF THE DEAD (which I'd seen a dozen times by then, most often at midnight showings). I was stunned. DAY OF THE DEAD was as tight and as dramatic and as frightening as anything I'd ever seen. Although I'd championed Romero's movies in the pages of magazines like Famous Monsters of Filmland, Fantastic Films and Fangoria for years, I was totally blown away by the savvy evinced in DAY OF THE DEAD. No more of the tell-tale amateurishness of a "regional filmmaker," no more overindulgence: this is Romero at his very best, and a great movie by any standards. For critics who espouse the virtues of DAWN OF THE DEAD over DAY OF THE DEAD, take this simple test: watch them back to back, as I did the night DAY OF THE DEAD opened. If you're still not convinced, you may be a zombie yourself...

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