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 | Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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 | Pennsylvania | Helicopter

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

David Emge	...	Stephen
Ken Foree	...	Peter
Scott H. Reiniger	...	Roger
Gaylen Ross	...	Francine
David Crawford	...	Dr. Foster
David Early	...	Mr. Berman
Richard France	...	Dr. Milliard Rausch - Scientist
Howard Smith	...	TV Commentator
Daniel Dietrich	...	Givens
Fred Baker	...	Commander
James A. Baffico	...	Wooley (as Jim Baffico)
Rod Stouffer	...	Roy Tucker - Young Officer on Roof
Jese Del Gre	...	Old Priest
Clayton McKinnon	...	Officer in Projects Apt.
John Rice	...	Officer in Projects Apt.
Ted Bank	...	Officer at Police Dock
Patrick McCloskey	...	Officer at Police Dock
Randy Kovitz	...	Officer at Police Dock
Joseph Pilato	...	Officer at Police Dock (as Joe Pilato)
Pasquale Buba	...	Motorcycle Raider - With tommy gun
Tom Savini	...	Blades - Motorcycle Raider
Tony Buba	...	Motorcycle Raider - Wearing sombrero
Marty Schiff	...	Blades' sidekick - Motorcycle Raider
Butchie	...	Motorcycle Raider (as 'Butchie')
Joe Shelby	...	Martinez / Motorcycle Raider / Van driver #1
Dave Hawkins	...	Motorcycle Raider
Taso N. Stavrakis	...	Sledge - Motorcycle Raider / Various Zombies (as Taso Stavrakos)
Tom Kapusta	...	Motorcycle Raider - With seltzer bottle
Nick Tallo	...	Motorcycle Raider
Rudy Ricci	...	Motorcycle Raider - Radio operator
Larry Vaira	...	Motorcycle Raider
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)
Ben Barenholtz	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Dave Bartholomew	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Lee Cummings	...	Bathing Suit Zombie (uncredited)
Christine Forrest	...	TV Producer (uncredited)
Cliff Forrest	...	Man at WGON - TV ("You all right?") (uncredited)
J. Clifford Forrest Jr.	...	Featured elderly zombie (uncredited)
Roy Frumkes	...	1st Pie-In-Face Zombie (uncredited)
Michael Gornick	...	Voice of News Reporter on Radio (uncredited)
John Harrison	...	Screwdriver Zombie (uncredited)
Jeannie Jefferies	...	Blond Zombie who attacks Roger in truck (uncredited)
Jim Krut	...	Helicopter Zombie (uncredited)
Tommy Lafitte	...	Zombie - Miguel (uncredited)
Ralph Langer	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Robert Langer	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Maxine Lapiduss	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Lenny Lies	...	Machete Zombie (uncredited)
Molly McCloskey	...	Woman at WGON - TV ("My turn for the coat.") (uncredited)
John Paul	...	Bald Zombie (Airport Chart House) (uncredited)
Sukey Raphael	...	Zombie (uncredited)
George A. Romero	...	TV Director (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	...	Maintenance Man Zombie who attacks Stephen in mall basement (uncredited)
Stephen Silverman	...	Zombie (uncredited)
Billie Walters	...	Motorcycle rider (uncredited)
Vickie Walters	...	Motorcycle rider (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 (uncredited)
Antonio Marangolo	....	musician: saxophone (uncredited)
Massimo Morante	....	musician (uncredited)
Fabio Pignatelli	....	musician (uncredited)
Claudio Simonetti	....	musician (uncredited)

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 (II) (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (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)
• 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: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:

In order to save on production costs, director/editor George A. Romero had all the 35mm film stock developed into 16mm, and used that as his work reel. After choosing the scenes and takes he wanted, he had those alone developed into 35mm prints for the master reels.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Roger and the other police officer throw a female zombie onto a couch in the projects and shoot her, the string used to pull away the bullet hit on the zombie's forehead is visible.

Quotes:

Roger: Peter, where are you?
Peter: I'm right here, man.
Roger: Hey, we did it, didn't we? We whipped 'em, didn't we?
Peter: That's right, man.
Roger: Didn't we... Didn't we whip 'em?
Peter: We sure did, buddy.
Roger: We whipped 'em and we got it ALL!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Day of the Dead (1985)

Astonishing and ambitious satire; one of the great films of the 1970s.

'Dawn of the dead' may lack the pulverising immediacy of 'Night of the Living Dead', but it gains in exhilirating, epic scope. It is one of the best films of the 1970s, a reckless, hubristic, over-ambitious masterpiece whose excess is reined in by its Langian formal precision. The claustrophobia of the first film is replaced by a wider frame of reference, including the media, the military and suburbia; although, typically, the move is once again towards the indoors.

The film starts explosively, inside a panicking TV station trying to report on the inexplicable emergence from the earth of the undead. An assorted quartet - two media, two army; three white, one black; three men, one woman - escape in a helicopter used for rush-hour traffic reports. There is a sense of relief in this, a sense of breaking free from the circle of undead enclosing America's major cities.

But not for long - it seems that modern American man, unlike his pioneering ancestors, cannot stand open spaces, and holes up in a building, a shopping

mall, which is crawling with zombies, and recognised by the woman as a prison. Not content with this level of confinement, our heroes draw plans, erect barriers, shut down grids. Romero pinpoints this national insularity by framing his modern horror movie as a transposed Western, with the foursome as latterday frontiersmen wiping out the natives, and erecting a new civilisation.

Some might say that Romero's irony is a little heavy here - the mock-triumphal Western music on the soundtrack; the composition of the four at the height of the crisis standing in front of a sign with just the letters 'U' and 'S' visible; the glee in the gun culture, including an ersatz Western gun store in the mall the 'Red River' like beseiging of the mall by the 'Indian' Hells' Angels on their motorbike/horses complete with tomahawks. But such irony is never stable - Romero keeps pulling the ground from under the viewers' feet, both in terms of character identification, and the shifting meanings embodied by the zombies.

Romero's terrifying vision is of an America turned in on itself, eating itself through cannibalistic greed, the very system of capitalism based on a cycle of power and repression in which the repressed will never quite go away. 'Night' pulsated with a late 1960s urgency reflecting contemporary social and political upheaval, white capitalist America beseiged by the peoples it had oppressed for centuries. By 1978, that political anger is gone, and America has reverted to being a race of consumer zombies, congregating around massive shopping malls like they're the religious temples of the Incas, trapped there not by the freedom of choice of capitalist propaganda, but mindless instinct.

the zombies are supposed to be the enemy, the Other in conventional horror terms, but the first thing the so-called heroes do on landing at the mall is substitute urgent survival for gleeful consumerism (compare with the very similar silent fantasy, 'Paris Qui Dort'). There's no way to deal with any outside threat because we are numbed and bloated by products. Reality ceases to exist; there are some beautifully surreal scenes, as our heroes make homes in showrooms.

The mall sequence as a whole has a Bunuellian savagery about it, and the film builds up an aggression like the characters until all is chaos - tones, modes, genres all colliding, the 'reality' or 'integrity' or, even, 'seriousness' of the film as much in question as the modern world the protagonists live in, where even time seems to stand still, the weeks of the action compressed into the framework of a day, with the night of the living dead giving onto the dawn. It is probably allegorically significant which characters survive, but by the end we're not sure whether we're watching a horror, a comedy, a thriller, a Western, or a very bitter joke. Certainly scarier than 'The Stepford Wives'