The Dark Half (1993)

Director:

George A. Romero

Writers (WGA):

Stephen King (novel)
George A. Romero (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 April 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

Serious writer or serial killer? George is in two minds.

Plot:

A writer's fictional alter-ego wants to take over his life...at any price.

Plot Keywords:

Alter Ego | Murder | Sparrow | Surgery | Author

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Timothy Hutton	...	Thad Beaumont / George Stark
Amy Madigan	...	Liz Beaumont
Michael Rooker	...	Sheriff Alan Pangborn
Julie Harris	...	Reggie Delesseps
Robert Joy	...	Fred Clawson
Kent Broadhurst	...	Mike Donaldson
Beth Grant	...	Shayla Beaumont
Rutanya Alda	...	Miriam Cowley
Tom Mardirosian	...	Rick Cowley
Larry John Meyers	...	Dr. Pritchard
Patrick Brannan	...	Young Thad Beaumont
Royal Dano	...	Digger Holt
Glenn Colerider	...	Homer Gamache
Sarah Parker	...	Wendy & William Beaumont
Elizabeth Parker	...	Wendy & William Beaumont

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Sweden:15 | Ireland:18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:-16 | Germany:18 | Norway:18 | Spain:18 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Trivia:

In total 4,500 Cut Throat Finches were used for the sparrows in the film. The birds would consume 100 pounds of birdseed and 15 gallons of water on a daily basis during the production.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The Toronado, a luxury car, was never offered with a 4-speed manual.

Quotes:

George Stark: [after slitting the throat of his literary agent, Rick Cowley, with a cut-throat razor] I've decided to change agents. Sorry, Rick - it's a cut throat business.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Crow: City of Angels (1996)

Soundtrack:

Are You Lonesome To-night?

One of the best horror films out there

I've seen some pretty awful horror movies in my time, sometimes they don't even scare me they just put me too sleep. Bu this one is one of the better horror films I've seen lately. The Dark Half stars Timothy Hutton as Thadeus Beaumont who under his pen name George Stark writes horrific murder mysteries novels that shoot him to the top of the bestseller's list and make him know far and wide as the master of horror.But when Thad wants to break away form his other half he stages a mock funeral of George Stark so he can go out on his own, but soon enough the people who helped put George in the grave are suddenly dying left and right and the police have Thad pinned as the prime suspect, as the bodies continue to rise the possibility of Thad committing the murders are becoming less and less likely. Now Thad has only one shot to clear his name but how can he do it when everybody believes he's the killer? The Dark Half is a menacing and increasingly creepy horror mystery that will have you guessing and wondering until the credits roll, it's an amazingly well made film that's basked in mind blowing special effects, dark tones and eerie music that make you jump at the slightest noise. It's a movies that you will want to watch over and over again.