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The Laughing Dead

  • 1989
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
4.5/10
742
YOUR RATING
The Laughing Dead (1989)
Horror

A ragtag group of people go on an archaeological trip to Mexico to visit Mayan ruins, but get more than they bargained for, when they encounter a zealous group of Mexicans attempting to revi... Read allA ragtag group of people go on an archaeological trip to Mexico to visit Mayan ruins, but get more than they bargained for, when they encounter a zealous group of Mexicans attempting to revive a deadly ancient ritual of their ancestors.A ragtag group of people go on an archaeological trip to Mexico to visit Mayan ruins, but get more than they bargained for, when they encounter a zealous group of Mexicans attempting to revive a deadly ancient ritual of their ancestors.

  • Director
    • Somtow Sucharitkul
  • Writer
    • Somtow Sucharitkul
  • Stars
    • Tim Sullivan
    • Somtow Sucharitkul
    • Wendy Webb
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.5/10
    742
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Somtow Sucharitkul
    • Writer
      • Somtow Sucharitkul
    • Stars
      • Tim Sullivan
      • Somtow Sucharitkul
      • Wendy Webb
    • 19User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos45

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    Top cast44

    Edit
    Tim Sullivan
    Tim Sullivan
    • Father O'Sullivan
    Somtow Sucharitkul
    Somtow Sucharitkul
    • Dr. Um-tzec
    • (as S. P. Somtow)
    Wendy Webb
    Wendy Webb
    • Tessie
    Premika Eaton
    Premika Eaton
    • Laurie
    Matt Demeritt
    • Harlan
    • (as Matthew De Merritt)
    Ryan Effner
    • Cal
    Erica Frank
    • Counter Girl
    Edward Bryant
    • Bus Driver
    Gregory Frost
    Gregory Frost
    • Frost
    Hank Azcona
    • Police Sergeant
    Timpson Hill
    • Acolyte #2
    Joey Acedo
    • Policeman #1
    Larry Kagen
    • Wilbur
    George Barnett
    • Policeman #2
    Krista Keim
    • Clarisse
    Bruce Barlow
    Bruce Barlow
    • Kukulcan
    Lydia Marano
    • Attendant
    John Anthoni
    • Acolyte #1
    • (as John-Anthoni)
    • Director
      • Somtow Sucharitkul
    • Writer
      • Somtow Sucharitkul
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film is notable for the large number of fantasy/sci-fi/horror authors in the cast, several making their only appearance on film. Writer/director/actor Somtow Sucharitkul has published numerous novels as "S.P. Somtow"; star Tim Sullivan published several novels both before and after this film. Other novelists in the cast include Tim Powers (twice nominated for science fiction's Nebula award); Gregory Frost (perhaps best known for 1984s "Lyrec"); Edward Bryant and Arthur Byron Cover (both protégés of Harlan Ellison, with numerous novels to their credit); Brynne Stephens (1986's ''The Dream Palace", but probably better known for her scriptwriting work on TV shows like Batman: The Animated Series (1992) and Gargoyles (1994); and William F. Wu (two-time Hugo and Nebula nominee). Also in the cast: acclaimed comic book author Len Wein (co-creator of Swamp Thing and Wolverine), and legendary writer/agent/superfan (and inventor of the term "sci-fi") Forrest J. Ackerman.
    • Goofs
      A poster shows an image of Chichen Itza over the word Oaxaca. Chichen Itza is located in the state of Yucatan.
    • Quotes

      Father O'Sullivan: Have you heard of Tourette's Syndrome, DOCTOR Um-tzec?

      Dr. Um-tzec: I am a doctor of divinity.

    • Connections
      Referenced in There's Nothing Out There (1991)

    User reviews19

    Featured review

    Just skip it to 40th minute

    Well, actually this movie is not so bad. But the first 40 minutes are just boring. After that movie starts to focus on the real plot. It's biggest mistake is its too long. You'll have to watch a lot of nonsense parts. And there is a really stupid & boring love story included. Special FX are good especially the scene with a hand in the throat. For the acting, well the cast did their best to drag this movie down. Especially the Mexicans. And the music, well half of the movie there plays a romantic melody, the other some mexican music, and on action scenes o rip-off of Nosferatu's soundtrack.

    Well this movie's biggest drag is its just a soup of genres. You have love stories, splatter, Basketball, Monster fights, Zombies with sport shoes, possessions, devil worshippers. There is one thing i cant figure out, did they made this movie to be funny or they were really trying to make a horror movie.
    • sharerIMDB
    • Apr 18, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ14

    • How long is The Laughing Dead?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • S.P. Somtow's the Laughing Dead
    • Filming locations
      • Old Tucson - 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona, USA
    • Production company
      • Skouras Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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