Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

A flighty teenage girl learns that she is her generation's destined battler of vampires.

Director:

Fran Rubel Kuzui

Writer:

Joss Whedon

Stars:

Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristy Swanson	...	Buffy
Donald Sutherland	...	Merrick
Paul Reubens	...	Amilyn
Rutger Hauer	...	Lothos
Luke Perry	...	Pike
Michele Abrams	...	Jennifer
Hilary Swank	...	Kimberly
Paris Vaughan	...	Nicole 'Nicki'
David Arquette	...	Benny
Randall Batinkoff	...	Jeffrey
Andrew Lowery	...	Andy
Sasha Jenson	...	Grueller
Stephen Root	...	Gary Murray
Natasha Gregson Wagner	...	Cassandra
Candy Clark	...	Buffy's Mom

Storyline

Buffy Summers has the lifestyle any young woman could want. Cheerleading, dating the captain of the basketball team, and copious amounts of time spent shopping with friends. She had no idea of her true calling until a mysterious man named Merrick approached her and told her that she is the Slayer; one woman called to defend the world from vampires. Reluctant to concede to the fact, Buffy soon learns that Merrick speaks the truth and so begins to take her new life seriously while trying to maintain the sense of normality her life had once been. With her best friends slowly abandoning her, Buffy finds solace in the town outcast, Pike, who knows very well the terrors that have arisen. Together, they combat the forces of the old and powerful vampire, Lothos, who has his eyes set on Buffy.

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Plot Keywords:

mentor student relationship | destiny | high school | coming of age | teenage girl | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes it takes more than just good looks to kill.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for comic vampire violence and drug references

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Filming Locations:

Merry-Go-Round, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,515,541, 2 August 1992

Gross USA:

$16,624,456

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,624,456

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Kuzui Enterprises, Sandollar

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Trailer narrated by Percy Rodrigues.

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Goofs

After Buffy punches Merrick, she gives her "marry Christian Slater and die" speech. The reverse angle of Merrick shows Buffy's lips still moving, even though no dialogue is heard.

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Quotes

Buffy: You threw a knife at my head!
Merrick: Yes, I had to show you.
Buffy: But... you *threw* a *knife* at my *head.*
Merrick: And you caught it. Only the chosen one could have caught it.

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Crazy Credits

TV interviews with people who were at the dance attacked by vampires.

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Alternate Versions

The original theatrical release received a "12" rating in the UK without any cuts however, the video release was rated "15" with 11 seconds cut. The scene in which Lothos ignites Buffy's cross was removed and instead of immolating his head, she merely flees. At the time, the "12" rating did not cover video releases, only theatrical so it was rated "15" and the scenes in question may be imitated by younger viewers. In 2002, all previous cuts were waived and the video release was rated "15".

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Connections

Referenced in Mickey Mouse: The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular! (2017)

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Soundtracks

I Fought the Law
Written by Sonny Curtis
Produced by Ralph Sall
Performed by Mary's Danish
Courtesy of Morgan Creek Music Group

User Reviews

Fairly Average Movie

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a fairly average movie from 1992. Little did I know when I watched it back in 1992 that it would spawn a TV series five years later.

Kristy Swanson did a great job as Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Some of the other actors such as Donald Pleasance did a great job too but to be honest some of the young actors were so annoying and at times this movie had some bad scenes in it.

The movie would probably have benefited if it had been a bit longer. It seemed a bit too rushed when it came out. And I hate to be totally negative but the climax was anti-climatic if you know what I mean.

The film isn't totally bad-perhaps that was down to the combined talents of Swanson and Pleasance. If you're a fan of the TV series then I wouldn't recommend this as you might come away disappointed. If you've never seen the TV series then watch this next time you've got nothing to do.