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The Resurrected

  • 1991
  • R
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
Chris Sarandon and Jane Sibbett in The Resurrected (1991)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:37
4 Videos
79 Photos
Body HorrorHorror

Charles Dexter Ward's wife enlists the help of a private detective to find out what her husband is up to in a remote cabin owned by his family for centuries.Charles Dexter Ward's wife enlists the help of a private detective to find out what her husband is up to in a remote cabin owned by his family for centuries.Charles Dexter Ward's wife enlists the help of a private detective to find out what her husband is up to in a remote cabin owned by his family for centuries.

  • Director
    • Dan O'Bannon
  • Writers
    • H.P. Lovecraft
    • Brent Friedman
  • Stars
    • John Terry
    • Jane Sibbett
    • Chris Sarandon
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    5.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dan O'Bannon
    • Writers
      • H.P. Lovecraft
      • Brent Friedman
    • Stars
      • John Terry
      • Jane Sibbett
      • Chris Sarandon
    • 67User reviews
    • 41Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos4

    The Resurrected
    Trailer 1:37
    The Resurrected
    The Resurrected: The Portrait
    Clip 1:37
    The Resurrected: The Portrait
    The Resurrected: The Portrait
    Clip 1:37
    The Resurrected: The Portrait
    The Resurrected: Save Claire
    Clip 1:40
    The Resurrected: Save Claire
    The Resurrected: Jane Sibbet On Filming A Horror Film
    Featurette 1:32
    The Resurrected: Jane Sibbet On Filming A Horror Film

    Photos79

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    + 73
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    Top cast36

    Edit
    John Terry
    John Terry
    • John March
    Jane Sibbett
    Jane Sibbett
    • Claire Ward
    Chris Sarandon
    Chris Sarandon
    • Charles Dexter Ward…
    Robert Romanus
    Robert Romanus
    • Lonnie Peck
    Laurie Briscoe
    • Holly Tender
    Ken Camroux-Taylor
    Ken Camroux-Taylor
    • Captain Ben Szandor
    • (as Ken Camroux)
    Patrick P. Pon
    • Raymond
    • (as Patrick Pon)
    Bernard Cuffling
    Bernard Cuffling
    • Dr. Waite
    J.B. Bivens
    J.B. Bivens
    • Station Orderly 1
    Robert Sidley
    • Third Orderly
    Des Smiley
    • Janitor
    Eric Newton
    • Lucius Fenner
    Tom Shorthouse
    • Gas Man
    Jim Smith
    • Butcher
    Philip Maurice Hayes
    • Uniform Cop
    • (as Philip Hayes)
    Elizabeth Barclay
    Elizabeth Barclay
    • Lab Technician
    Judith Maxie
    • Dr. Lyman
    Charles K. Pitts
    Charles K. Pitts
    • Ezra Ward
    • (as Charles Kristian)
    • Director
      • Dan O'Bannon
    • Writers
      • H.P. Lovecraft
      • Brent Friedman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews67

    6.25.2K
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    Featured reviews

    8myboigie

    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward comes alive...again!

    This is probably one of the best commercial-adaptations of an H.P Lovecraft story I have seen yet, although Stuart Gordon's "Dagon" is probably equal in capturing the atmospherics of Lovecraft's stories. What I found most-amazing about this adaptation is that it comes-off as "clinical" as the original--kind-of like reading a Police-report or an affidavit from a cold-case. In-fact, it's to Dan O'Bannon's credit that he insisted on making this a contemporary detective-story on its surface. A Private Detective is more-familiar to audiences than a long-winded psychaitrist, and honestly, anchors the story more-firmly in a reality we're familiar-with. This ho-hum world is so familiar, the director really creates a greater sense-of-shock when that reality shatters. This is in-keeping with Lovecraft, who would often keep the reader waiting until the very-end of his tales for the horrible-revelations. It should also be said that it rains throughout the entire film, which goes a long-way in creating an East Coast atmosphere that is spot-on in the Lovecratian-sense. Add to this the extraordinary score by Richard Band (who scored "Reanimator" and "From Beyond"), the incredible makeup by Tom Masters, and some really great cinematography, and you get one of the finer-moments in horror. Recounting much of the plot line will only ruin the experience, so I will refrain from doing-so.

    But there is even more: Chris Sarandon's performance as Charles Dexter Ward and Joseph Curwen is easily on-par with those of Lon Chaney or Boris Karloff--even Vincent Price at his best, a performance for the ages. You honestly believe that Sarandon is an individual who has somehow found a way to reach-across-time from the 18th Century to exist in our own. It is an enigmatic and chilling performance, and one of the greatest realizations of 18th Archaic English-dialect I have ever heard from any actor. Even Sarandon's countenance and movements strike one as a being from a foreign-land: the distant, colonial-past. Yes, the DVD is now available from Lion's Gate, and it is definitely passable. But, it really should have been released in O'Bannon's director's cut, and Widescreen and in 5.1 stereo. The cut still exists, but it appears that the studio is more-interested in milking this property with no investment in restoration or even a minimal-treatment for we-the-fans, who have been short-changed. All-said, the film is strong enough to overcome all of this, and I still recommend you find a copy for yourself. Not a film without imperfections, "The Resurrected" is still effective in its goal of conveying Lovecraft's "cosmic horror," and the depravity at-heart of the desire for immortality. This is how horror looks, sounds...and smells. Welcome to an alchemical-horror, with mankind at the center.

    PS: When I saw this on cable 10+ years-ago, there was a scene (described in the book, the "Lurker in the Lobby") of the Detective overlaying a photo of Charles Dexter Ward with an image of Curwen's skull, and matching-exactly. Was this the director's cut?
    7Hey_Sweden

    "I should strip thy flesh from thy bones like a suckling pig."

    Modern day Rhode Island is the setting for this adaptation of the H.P. Lovecraft yarn "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward". John Terry ("Full Metal Jacket") stars as private eye John March, hired by comely young Claire Ward (Jane Sibbett, 'Friends') to find out what her husband Charles (Chris Sarandon, "Fright Night" and "Child's Play") is up to. Not that long ago, Charles had come into the possessions of an ancestor, and been awfully intrigued by what he found. He sets up a laboratory in a remote locale so he can work on a series of messy (and I do mean MESSY) experiments. Ones that involve a lot of blood and fresh meat.

    One of only two feature length directorial efforts for the late screenwriter Dan O'Bannon (the other being, of course, "The Return of the Living Dead"), this picture does have some ominous atmosphere, a twisty story (there are flashbacks within flashbacks), a wonderful music score by Richard Band, and eye popping monster effects by Todd Masters and his company. The acting is variable. Terry is just okay, but he at least comes off better than the bland Sibbett. Sarandon, unsurprisingly, acts rings around them both, and gets to have some fun when he starts behaving even more strangely than before, and speaks using antiquated language. Laurie Briscoe is fine eye candy as March's miniskirt wearing secretary, and the ever amusing Robert Romanus ("Fast Times at Ridgemont High") is amiable as March's leg man Lonnie Peck.

    O'Bannon proves himself to be at home in this sort of horror fare. Granted, the production company would tamper with it after he was done, apparently removing the element of humour that one might expect from the man who made RotLd. It's an entertaining story, that begins on a good note, but it's also a protracted one. One major "haunted house walk" set piece occurs a little past the one hour mark, and it could have used some tightening. The film does lead to a dazzling special effects-laden finale, and some horror fans are sure to be delighted by all the gore.

    Not a great film, by any means, but reasonably compelling and worth comparing to the 1963 Roger Corman version, "The Haunted Palace".

    Seven out of 10.
    Bynovekka1

    A hidden gem.

    Here's something you do not see everyday, a horror movie that actually remains faithful to book it was adapted from. Often film makers who alter the original product in the name of creativity needlessly dilute or destroy the story in the process. In 'The Resurrected' director Dan O'bannon wisely refrains from such tinkering. He takes H.P. Lovecraft's creepy classic, 'The strange case of Charles Dexter Ward', and places it amid late 20th century trappings. The result is a near perfect horror movie.

    The film starts off like a cheap detective novel. A hard boiled trench coat clad private investagator sits in his office waiting for his next case to come along. Enter a beautiful blonde who hires him to discover why her scientist husband is spending all of his time in his secluded lab.

    At first the P.I. believes the scientist, one Charles Dexter ward is having an affair. He soon finds Ward is involved not with a lover but a research partner. A mysterious fellow known only as Doctor Ash. The two are apparently engaged in highly secertive experiments involving tons of fresh meat.

    Shortly after this revealation, strange things begin happen in and around the Ward estate. Doctor Ash vanishes. Wards begins to conversing in antiquated speech. Ward's neighbors become the victims of grisley killings.

    As the case unfolds the detective follows these and other clues down a path that leads further and further into the preternatural.

    This film is something rare. A horror movie that is actually scary. It is probably the best ever adaptation of a Lovecraft story. The reason for this is simple. Unlike most filmakers director O'bannon had the common sense to let Lovecraft's masterful writing speak for itself.
    otto4

    This movie is WORTH SEEING.

    There is one other film I know of which is based on Lovecrafts "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward", and that is the old Roger Corman movie "Edgar Allen Poe's The Haunted Palace", with Vincent Price as Joseph Curwen and Charles Ward. But The Resurrected is by far the most accurate movie about this story, which is damning it with faint praise.

    The Resurrected is set in the modern day and Charles Ward is the head chemist at Belmar Cosmetics. He's rich. He has a beautiful wife. He's Chris Sarandon. But his wife detects that Charles is having some problems and so enlists a detective from the Marsh Agency to investiate. If you like the Call of Cthulhu game as well as Lovecraft you'll recognise how this movie goes: the detective makes his Library Use roll, uses his paid source to get info, makes an initial foray into enemy territory, then eventually finds the deepest secrets of Charles Dexter Ward. Almost everything in the book is in the movie: the painting, the formula for re-animation, the essential saltes, the pits, the initial destruction of Curwen in Revolutionary War times. It's all here and with good acting, costuming, and set. Curwens secret abode is everything you'd expect after reading the book.

    Simply put this movie is great. It and maybe one other movie are the reason I still have a Laserdisk player, as it's sadly not yet out on DVD.
    otto4

    Best adaptation of the Case of Charles Dexter Ward

    This movie is a must see, IF you've read the story and like it, and IF you've seen the other adaptation, "The Haunted Palace" with Vincent Price. Sure, this story is a bit different than the book. It's set in the modern day, and Charles Ward is a well-paid chemist at Belmar Cosmetics, not a young antiquarian débutante. And instead of Doctor Willet being the principle investigator, John Marsh P.I. is (nice nod to the Innsmouth stories with that last name).

    Aside from those differences necessary to bring this into the modern day, and aside from a very slight difference in how Joseph Curwen is ultimately dealt with, this follows the story in the book. It's all there: the portrait, the neighbor Fenner, the house in Pawtucket, and of course the underground labs of J.C. Curwen. There are story sequences set in Colonial times to build the story as well, and they are nicely done. But the real crowning glory of this movie is the sets they built for Curwens underground lab. They are MARVELOUS. Everything is there: the sanity blasting carvings, the "mistakes and screw-ups" raised from Imperfect salts, and the jars of Materia.

    I highly recommend this movie. I'm still treasuring my copy on Laser Disk and hoping that it someday comes out on DVD. Production is top notch, as is the music and of course the story.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Diane O'Bannon, the film was re-cut against her husband's objections and released without his approval; it was re-edited without the humor that he had attempted to put into it.
    • Goofs
      When Claire Ward first visits John March, she sits in his office, and we can see Holly the receptionist's desk behind Claire through the glass wall. The first time we see this shot, there is someone who is not Holly behind the desk. The next time we see the shot, Holly is at her desk, but talking to someone, although as far as we know, no one else is there.
    • Quotes

      Joseph Curwen: Strong as my hunger for knowledge may be, my hunger for food is so much stronger.

    • Alternate versions
      Director Dan O'Bannon's original cut ran over two hours and was subsequently edited down by the film's producers. The recent Blu-ray collector's edition of the film released in Germany by OFDb Filmworks contains a work print cut that runs 2 hours and 17 minutes. Additional scenes include a longer introduction of John March and Lonnie Peck, extended and new dream sequences, and a romantic encounter between March and Claire Ward.
    • Connections
      Featured in 31 Days of Horror: Missed Potential (2018)

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Resurrected?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 26, 1993 (Brazil)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Shatterbrain
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Scotti Brothers Pictures (I)
      • Borde/Raich
      • Eurobrothers Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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