Dawn of the Dead (1978)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

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

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)

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)

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) | 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:

Cameo: [John Amplas]In 3 roles: LBiker wearing a head pendant and holding an ax; Zombie thrown over the balcony by Peter; Zombie who gets arm pulled off.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Roger pulls in a zombie inside the department store "Penney's", a frame reveals a crew member's leg just on the left side.

Quotes:

Roger: One-stop shopping; everything you need, right at your fingertips.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Neighbours: Yawn of the Dead (#1.4984)" (2006)

How much is that Zombie in the window

By turns horrific, hilarious, disgusting and absurd Dawn of the Dead is the work of a director truly on top of his game. Given almost total control (something which was to be denied Romero in later years) George Romero gives us his unique and vivid view of a world in absolute turmoil.

Not just a mockery of the hedonistic and empty America of the late 70's Dawn is also a parable or warning if you like of the brittle structure of society and how easily it can be disintegrated. Many have criticised the film for being too over the top and questioned the quality of the acting. This for me is one of the joys of the film, Romero uses gaudy sets and effects and combines this with comic book hero dialogue to lull us into a false sense of security. Then masterfully Romero pulls the rug out from under us and brings the reality of the situation crashing in on our heads.

Dawn stands alone well but really comes into its own as part of the trilogy to which it belongs. One theory of mine is that the Alien trilogy (forgetting the miserable fourth installment) takes a lot from the dead trilogy namely the pace and claustrophobia of the two which book-end the mass hysteria and over the top horror and violence of the middle film.

Undoubtedly one of the great Horror films of modern time. Or perhaps there is something about being the only people left alive and living in a shopping mall that appeals to the kid in all of us. 10/10