Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Director:

George A. Romero

Writer:

George A. Romero (written by)

Release Date:

24 May 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.

Plot:

Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter, and his television-executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.

Plot Keywords:

Mall | Sequel | Shopping Mall | Helicopter | Pennsylvania

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

David Emge	...	Stephen
Ken Foree	...	Peter
Scott H. Reiniger	...	Roger
Gaylen Ross	...	Francine
David Crawford	...	Dr. James Foster
David Early	...	Mr. Sidney Berman, TV Interviewer
Richard France	...	Dr. Milliard Rausch - Scientist
Howard Smith	...	TV Commentator
Daniel Dietrich	...	Givens
Fred Baker	...	Police Commander
James A. Baffico	...	Wooley, Maniacle SWAT Cop (as Jim Baffico)
Rod Stouffer	...	Rod Tucker - Young Officer on Roof
Jese Del Gre	...	Old Priest
Clayton McKinnon	...	3rd SWAT Cop in Projects Apt.
John Rice	...	2nd SWAT Cop in Projects Apt.
Ted Bank	...	3rd Officer at Police Dock
Patrick McCloskey	...	4th Officer at Police Dock
Randy Kovitz	...	Officer at Police Dock
Joseph Pilato	...	Head Officer at Police Dock (as Joe Pilato)
Pasquale Buba	...	Biker (wearing sarapi)
Tom Savini	...	Blades - Motorcycle Raider
Tony Buba	...	Biker (Wearing sombrero)
Marty Schiff	...	Charlie 'Moonbaby', Biker (Blades' sidekick)
Butchie	...	Motorcycle Raider (as 'Butchie')
Joe Shelby	...	Martinez / Motorcycle Raider / Van driver #1
Dave Hawkins	...	Timmy, Biker (with TV Set)
Taso N. Stavrakis	...	Sledge, Biker / Various Zombies (as Taso Stavrakos)
Tom Kapusta	...	Biker
Nick Tallo	...	Jack, Biker (with seltzer bottle)
Rudy Ricci	...	Biker Leader (Radio operator)
Larry Vaira	...	Mousey, Biker (with Tommy Gun)
Sharon Ceccatti	...	Lead Zombie (nurse)
Pam Chatfield	...	Lead Zombie
Mike Christopher	...	Lead Zombie - Hare Krishna Zombie
Clayton Hill	...	Lead Zombie - Wearing white sweater
Jay Stover	...	Lead Zombie - with M-16 rifle
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Amplas	...	2nd Guy on roof (uncredited)
Joey Baffico	...	Zombie who sticks finger nails into Roger's wounded leg (uncredited)
Ben Barenholtz	...	Cowboy Hat Zombie hit by Sledge (uncredited)
Dave Bartholomew	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Adolph Caesar	...	Narrator of Theatrical Trailer (uncredited)
Zilla Clinton	...	Blonde Biker Chick Riding Motorcycle (uncredited)
Lee Cummings	...	Bathing Suit Zombie (uncredited)
Christine Forrest	...	TV Producer / Monroeville Mall Announcer (uncredited)
Cliff Forrest	...	Tony, Man at WGON - TV ('You all right?') (uncredited)
Ingeborg Forrest	...	Mall Zombie - Wearing blue night gown (uncredited)
J. Clifford Forrest Jr.	...	Featured elderly zombie (uncredited)
Nancy Friedman	...	Bandana Girl Zombie (uncredited)
Roy Frumkes	...	1st Pie-In-Face Zombie (uncredited)
Ron Gibson	...	Landlord Zombie in Tenement Cellar (uncredited)
Michael Gornick	...	Voice of News Reporter on Radio (uncredited)
John Harrison	...	Screwdriver Zombie (uncredited)
Michael James	...	Bald Zombie in Bikers' battle (uncredited)
Jeannie Jefferies	...	Blond Zombie who attacks Roger in truck (uncredited)
Jim Krut	...	Helicopter Zombie (uncredited)
Tommy Lafitte	...	Miguel, The Zombie (uncredited)
Ralph Langer	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Robert Langer	...	Zombie eating Bikers' flesh (uncredited)
Maxine Lapiduss	...	Redhead Zombie outside J.C. Penny (uncredited)
Lenny Lies	...	Machete Zombie (uncredited)
Nicholas Mastandrea	...	Mall Zombie outside Gun Store (uncredited)
Molly McCloskey	...	Lovely Woman at WGON - TV ('My turn for the coat.') (uncredited)
Doug Mertz	...	Preppie Zombie - 2nd Pie-In Face (uncredited)
Robert V. Michelucci	...	Bearded Scope Zombie / Zombie Who Attacks Mousey (uncredited)
John Paul	...	Bald Zombie (Airport Chart House) (uncredited)
Donald Pollock	...	Zombie in parking lot (uncredited)
Sukey Raphael	...	Red Poncho Zombie - 3rd Pie-In Face (uncredited)
George A. Romero	...	TV Director / Nick - Biker (wearing Santa Claus suit) (uncredited)
Donald Rubinstein	...	Roger's Zombie attacker in Parking Lot (uncredited)
Donna Savini	...	Zombie girl in airport chart house (uncredited)
Mike Savini	...	Zombie boy in airport chart house (uncredited)
Frank A. Serrao	...	Fat grey-suited zombie (uncredited)
Warner Shook	...	Security Guard Zombie who attacks Stephen in mall basement (uncredited)
Stephen M. Silverman	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Sara Venable	...	Leotard Zombie hit by Sledge (uncredited)
Billie Walters	...	Biker Chick (uncredited)
Vickie Walters	...	Biker Chick (uncredited)
Robert Williams	...	Soldier in Apartment Project (uncredited)

Directed by
George A. Romero

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
George A. Romero		written by

Produced by
Claudio Argento	....	associate producer
Alfredo Cuomo	....	associate producer
Richard P. Rubinstein	....	producer
Donna Siegel	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Dario Argento
Goblin		(as The Goblins)
Agostino Marangolo		(uncredited)
Massimo Morante		(uncredited)
Fabio Pignatelli		(uncredited)
Claudio Simonetti		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Michael Gornick		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
George A. Romero
Dario Argento		(recut version) (uncredited)

Casting by
John Amplas

Set Decoration by
Josie Caruso
Barbara Lifsher

Makeup Department
Nancy Allen	....	first assistant makeup artist
Jeannie Jefferies	....	first assistant makeup artist
John Amplas	....	second assistant makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Zilla Clinton	....	production manager
Jay Stover	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Christine Forrest	....	assistant director

Art Department
Joseph Eberle	....	graphic artist

Sound Department
Tony Buba	....	sound recordist
Tony Buba	....	sound
Rick Dior	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Richard Dior)
Robert Williams	....	boom operator

Special Effects by
Don Berry	....	explosive effects
Tom Savini	....	makeup & cosmetic special effects
Gary Zeller	....	explosive effects

Visual Effects by
Arthur J. Canestro	....	optical consultant

Stunts
Leonard DeStefans	....	stunt driver: truck
John Konter	....	stunt driver: truck
Tom Savini	....	stunts
Carl Scott	....	stunt driver: truck
Taso N. Stavrakis	....	stunts (as Taso Stavrakis)
Marty Schiff	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Carl Augenstein	....	lighting technician
Dan Bertha	....	grip
Bradley Drumheller	....	grip
Tom Dubensky	....	assistant camera
Cliff Forrest	....	key grip
Katherine Kolbert	....	still photographer
Lenny Lies	....	grip
Nicholas Mastandrea	....	key grip (as Nick Mastandrea)
Clayton McKinnon	....	grip
Ken Nagin	....	grip
Daniel Silk	....	grip
Tom Wholey	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Ellen Hopkins	....	casting assistant
Michael Lies	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Michèle Martin	....	wardrobe (as Michele Martin)

Editorial Department
Piero Bozza	....	assistant editor (Italian edition)
Kenneth Davidow	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Dario Argento	....	composer: additional music
Agostino Marangolo	....	musician: drums, percussions, piano (as The Goblins)
Antonio Marangolo	....	musician: saxophone (as The Goblins)
Massimo Morante	....	musician: guitar, bass, mandolin (as The Goblins)
Fabio Pignatelli	....	musician: bass & acoustic guitar (as The Goblins)
Claudio Simonetti	....	musician: keyboards, organ, & violin (as The Goblins)

Other crew
Dario Argento	....	script consultant
Leslie Augenstein	....	production assistant
Ben Barenholtz	....	distribution consultant
Jim Barger	....	mall security
Barth Bartholomae	....	helicopter pilot
Jean Bertl	....	title designer
Sharon Ceccatti	....	production assistant
James Chai	....	title designer
Francine Davidoff	....	publicity assistant
Margarida Delgado	....	production assistant
Diane Donati	....	slate
Charles Forman	....	production accountant
Renée Furst	....	publicist (as Renee Furst)
José Gallardo	....	title designer (as Jose V. Gallardo)
Clayton Hill	....	weapons coordinator
Ed Letteri	....	production assistant
Karen Levy	....	title designer
Dan Lupovitz	....	production assistant
Otto Paoloni	....	advisor: Technicolor
Alberto Piferi	....	additional dialogue: Italian edition
John Rice	....	continuity
Vincent D. Survinski	....	business manager (as Vince Survinski)
Joe Violante	....	advisor: Technicolor (as Joey Violante)
Bill Wagner	....	mall liaison
Diane Westerman	....	production assistant
Donna Siegel	....	assistant: Mr. Rubinstein (uncredited)

Thanks
Robert Cox	....	produced with the cooperation of
Marvin Lieber	....	produced with the cooperation of
Miguel Lisenberg	....	produced with the cooperation of
Alvin Rogal	....	produced with the cooperation of
Frank Rubinstein	....	produced with the cooperation of
Irvin Shapiro	....	produced with the cooperation of
Max Toberoff	....	produced with the cooperation of
Susan Vermazen	....	produced with the cooperation of

Production Companies

• Laurel Group

Distributors

• United Film Distribution Company (UFDC) (1979) (USA) (theatrical)
• Astral Films (1979) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Ízaro Films (1979) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Éditions René Chateau (1983) (France) (theatrical)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Republic Pictures (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Elite Entertainment (1996) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Astro Distribution (1998) (Germany) (VHS)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1999) (USA) (VHS) (widescreen)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
• BMG Video (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (????) (Australia) (VHS)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Trilogy of the Dead) (Director's Cut and European Cut)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (????) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Image Entertainment (????) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)

Other Companies

• Aquarius Sound  sound transfers
• Brooks Van Horne  costumes (as Brooks Van Horn)
• C & L Shipping  film shipping
• Exceptional Opticals  optical effects
• F & B Ceco  equipment
• Hairtique  hairstyles
• Latent Image, The  production services (as The Latent Image. Inc.)
• Laurel Tape & Film  production services
• Listening Post, The  hi-fi equipment (as The Listening Post. Inc.)
• Lupovitz Furs  fur coats
• Maiers  costumes
• Oxford Development Co.  produced with the cooperation of
• Pennsylvania National Guard (1st Battalion. 10th Field Artillery)  produced with the cooperation of
• Pittsburgh Explorers Club  produced with the cooperation of
• Pittsburgh Housing Authority  produced with the cooperation of
• Production Coordinators  sets
• Resource Investments  produced with the cooperation of
• Rogal Company  insurance (as Rogal & Company)
• Royale Helicopter  helicopter services
• Technicolor New York  color by (as Technicolor/New York)
• The Plastics Factory  weapons
• Trans / Audio  re-recording mixer (as Trans/Audio. Inc.)
• Ultimate Mirror, The  production services (as The Ultimate Mirror. Ltd.)
• Wechsher Meyers Wolsh  production accounting
• Wickes Furniture  home furnishings

Also Known As:

George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead (UK) (closing credits title) (USA) (complete title)
Dawn of the Living Dead
The Zombies (Philippines: English title)
Zombi (Italy)
Zombie: Dawn of the Dead
Zombies
Zombies: Dawn of the Dead (UK) (video box title)
El amanecer de los muertos (Argentina) [es]
In de greep van de zombies (Netherlands) [nl]
L'aube des morts (Canada: French title) [fr]
Muertos vivos: La batalla final (Argentina) [es]
Swit umarlych (Poland) [pl]
Zombi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Zombi (Spain) [es]
Zombi, to xypnima ton nekron (Greece) [el]
Zombie (France) [fr]
Zombie (West Germany) [de]
Zombie - Das Original (West Germany) [de]
Zombie - Dawn of the Dead (West Germany) [de]
Zombie - Le crépuscule des morts-vivants (France) [fr]
Zombie - O Despertar dos Mortos (Brazil) [pt]
Zombies im Kaufhaus (West Germany) (video box title) [de]
Zonbi (Japan) [ja]
Zora zivih mrtvaca (Croatia) (video title) [hr]

Runtime:

126 min | Germany:156 min (extended version) | Italy:117 min (Dario Argento's European/Italian Cut) | Spain:115 min | USA:128 min (DVD version) | USA:139 min (director's cut)

Country:

Italy | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (German prints) | Mono

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) (2004) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-18 | Finland:(Banned) (original rating) | Argentina:X (original rating) | Argentina:13 (re-rating) | Italy:VM18 (DVD rating) | Australia:MA (Cable TV rating) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) (Original rating) | Australia:R | Chile:14 (video rating) | Denmark:15 (DVD rating) | Denmark:16 | France:-16 (re-rating) | France:X (original rating) | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 (DVD rating) | Norway:15 (original rating) | Norway:15 (re-rating) (uncut) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (video rating) (1987) | UK:X (original rating) (cut) | USA:Open (rating surrendered) (1983) | USA:R (original rating) (cut) | West Germany:(Banned) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Harold W. Brown Memorial Field - 3926 Logans Farm Road, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Laurel Group

Trivia:

Much of the fake blood used in the blood packets was a mixture of food coloring, peanut butter and cane sugar syrup.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the airfield, while Roger is filling up the helicopter, a zombie climbs over some crates to get him. As he gets to the top, the blades of the helicopter chop off the top of his head. This causes blood to ooze out of the top of his head and down his body. The pump tube for the fake blood can be seen coming from up behind the crates and up the zombie's pant leg.

Quotes:

Martinez: Jesus Christ, there's a thousand pigs!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 28 Days Later... (2002)

One of the Greatest Sequels AND One of the Best Horror Films Ever

This review refers to the theatrical cut of the film.

When George A. Romero's no-budget horror movie Night of the Living Dead hit screens in 1968, the same year that had already given audiences the all time genre classic Rosemary's Baby, no one could have predicted the indelible effect it would have on the history of cinema. The film introduced audiences to a degree of graphic violence never before witnessed on American screens. However, it was the film's intense, omnipotent terror that forever scarred a generation of viewers.

Although the film enjoyed unprecedented mainstream success for an independent production, the filmmakers saw little of the movie's earnings. Romero's string of box office disappointments in the years to follow would diminish his clout in Hollywood, and as such he found it was an uphill battle to fund his ambitious sequel to the film. Then along came Italian horror maestro Dario Argento, hot off the heels of such international blockbusters as Deep Red and Suspiria. Argento helped secure funding for the film, in exchange for the rights to personally oversee the international cut of the film.

The collaboration would be a match made in horror movie heaven, for the end product would be Dawn of the Dead, one of the most acclaimed and enduringly popular horror movies of all time.

Dawn of the Dead's plot is so effectively simple, and now thoroughly familiar, that it almost goes without description. While the world approaches a still unexplained and ever growing zombie apocalypse, four individuals-two millitary men, a helicopter pilot, and his TV reporter girlfriend-barricade themselves in an abandoned suburban shopping mall. The mall provides fodder not only for the film's well known social commentary, but also for some truly thrilling-if not terrifying-setpieces.

With its graphic depictions of human evisceration, exploding heads, and gruesome flesh eating, Dawn of the Dead may well be the goriest American film of all time. The film is actually so violent and gruesome that it was released unrated in the United States for fear of being slapped with an X Rating. That didn't stop the film from being a huge hit at home and abroad. The film earned rave reviews from critics (most famously, from Roger Ebert, who called it `one of the best horror movies of all time'). It instantly became recognized not only as a genre classic, but also as one of the sharpest social satires of the decade, with its often hilarious commentary on an ever growing consumer culture embodied by the film's mall location.

Internationally, the film was even bigger. The movie was released in a special 117 minute cut overseas (the US theatrical version was 120 minutes) which was edited by Dario Argento and featured a more prominent presentation of the soundtrack by rock band Goblin as well as a much faster overall pace. Released in most countries as `Zombie: Dawn of the Dead' or `Zombies', it was so big in Italy that the following year Lucio Fulci, previously a director of `giallo' thrillers, helmed a gory semi-sequel. His `Zombie 2', released in the US as `Zombie', would become one of the most popular drive in hits of the 1970s, a massive international success that solidified the zombie/cannibal craze of the early 1980s and sparked Lucio Fulci's own reign as a horror movie icon.

Dawn of the Dead is a truly stunning example of the horror genre's ability to produce works that are as socially relevant as they are terrifying, films which break free of the constraints of conventional horror movie elements and in doing so establish themselves as being truly timeless. While I would still give Night of the Living Dead the slight edge between the two, Dawn of the Dead is still an extraordinary film in its own right as well as an almost superior sequel to another of the scariest movies ever made.