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IMDbPro

Dead of Winter

  • 1987
  • R
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
Dead of Winter (1987)
Trailer 1
Play trailer2:06
3 Videos
34 Photos
DramaHorrorThriller

A fledgling actress is lured to a remote mansion for a screen-test, soon discovering she is actually a prisoner in the middle of a blackmail plot.A fledgling actress is lured to a remote mansion for a screen-test, soon discovering she is actually a prisoner in the middle of a blackmail plot.A fledgling actress is lured to a remote mansion for a screen-test, soon discovering she is actually a prisoner in the middle of a blackmail plot.

  • Director
    • Arthur Penn
  • Writers
    • Marc Shmuger
    • Mark Malone
    • Anthony Gilbert
  • Stars
    • Mary Steenburgen
    • Roddy McDowall
    • Jan Rubes
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    4.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Arthur Penn
    • Writers
      • Marc Shmuger
      • Mark Malone
      • Anthony Gilbert
    • Stars
      • Mary Steenburgen
      • Roddy McDowall
      • Jan Rubes
    • 46User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos3

    Dead of Winter
    Trailer 2:06
    Watch Dead of Winter
    Dead Of Winter: Behind The Mirror
    Clip 2:54
    Watch Dead Of Winter: Behind The Mirror
    Dead Of Winter: Mary Steenburgen On Filming In Toronto
    Featurette 1:41
    Watch Dead Of Winter: Mary Steenburgen On Filming In Toronto

    Photos34

    Roddy McDowall, Mary Steenburgen, and Jan Rubes in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Roddy McDowall in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Mary Steenburgen in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Roddy McDowall, Mary Steenburgen, and Jan Rubes in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Mary Steenburgen in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Jan Rubes in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Mary Steenburgen and William Russ in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Jan Rubes in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Mary Steenburgen in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Roddy McDowall and Jan Rubes in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Roddy McDowall, Mary Steenburgen, and Jan Rubes in Dead of Winter (1987)
    Mary Steenburgen in Dead of Winter (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mary Steenburgen
    Mary Steenburgen
    • Julie Rose…
    Roddy McDowall
    Roddy McDowall
    • Mr. Murray
    Jan Rubes
    Jan Rubes
    • Dr. Joseph Lewis
    William Russ
    William Russ
    • Rob Sweeney
    Ken Pogue
    Ken Pogue
    • Officer Mullavy
    Wayne Robson
    Wayne Robson
    • Officer Huntley
    Mark Malone
    • Roland McGovern
    Michael Copeman
    Michael Copeman
    • Highway Patrolman
    Sam Malkin
    • Gas Jock
    Pamela Moller
    • Woman at Audition
    Dwayne McLean
    • Killer
    Paul Welsh
    • New Year's Eve Reveler
    • Director
      • Arthur Penn
    • Writers
      • Marc Shmuger
      • Mark Malone
      • Anthony Gilbert(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Malcolm McDowell: The celebrity whose photograph Dr. Lewis is "autographing" to add to his display. At the time of filming, McDowell was married to star Mary Steenburgen.
    • Goofs
      All entries contain spoilers
    • Quotes

      Telephone Operator: There is no 311 area code.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Black Widow/From the Hip/Light of Day/Dead of Winter (1987)

    User reviews46

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    A Solid Little Thriller
    DEAD OF WINTER is a fine 1980s thriller with a solid, small cast. The plot centers on a naive actress, played well by Mary Steenburgen, who accepts a job on a rather hush-hush production. She is told that she is to replace a troubled actress who walked off set, however, she never quite makes the set. Instead, she is taken to an isolated mansion where eccentric millionaire Jan Rubes claims to be the film's producer. Mary does everything Rubes and his assistant, Roddy McDowell, ask of her because she views this as her big break.

    But things aren't what they seem in the mansion. With a blizzard raging outside, Steenburegn is essentially trapped indoors with two men she hardly knows who may or may not be working on a movie. Mary makes a few shocking discoveries while she wastes time in the mansion, locating photographs of a dead woman that Rubes claims to be the actress she is to replace. Mary and the deceased actress bare a striking resemblance and as time rolls along, she feels that their machinations are devious and that her life is in danger.

    STORY: $$$ (The story doesn't really offer anything new. There are a few moments when you'll ask why Mary's character does the things that she does, but all in all the script isn't too bad. The screenplay builds enough terror and offers jolts in the right places. Also, from the beginning of the film, we know Mary Steenburgen's character is desperate so her going along with the game seems justifiable).

    ACTING: $$$$ (Mary Steenburgen essentially plays three roles in this film: the main character, the murdered actress and the murdered actress' sister. She does a fine job in all three roles and effectively turns off the naive aspiring actress role when she has to play the calculating sister of the dead thespian. Roddy McDowell is a treat as always in his role as Jan Rubes' sidekick and Rubes, confound to a wheelchair, is exceptional is his role of eccentric man of means. When he chases Mary up the stairs, walking for the first time in years, he'll give you the willies).

    NUDITY: None
    helpful•16
    2
    • BloodTheTelepathicDog
    • May 11, 2011

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    FAQ5

    • What is 'Dead of Winter' about?
    • Is "Dead of Winter" based on a book?
    • How does the movie end?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 6, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Usred zime
    • Filming locations
      • Ontario, Canada
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,413,427
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $951,548
      • Feb 8, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,413,427
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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