From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Director:

Robert Rodriguez

Writers:

Robert Kurtzman (story)
Quentin Tarantino (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 January 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

A terrifying evil has been unleashed. And five strangers are our only hope to stop it.

Plot:

Two criminals and their hostages unknowingly seek temporary refuge in an establishment populated by vampires, with chaotic results.

Plot Keywords:

Exploitation | Seduction | Melting Face | Extreme Gore | Motel

Awards:

4 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Harvey Keitel	...	Jacob Fuller
George Clooney	...	Seth Gecko
Quentin Tarantino	...	Richard Gecko
Juliette Lewis	...	Kate Fuller
Ernest Liu	...	Scott Fuller
Salma Hayek	...	Santanico Pandemonium
Cheech Marin	...	Border Guard / Chet Pussy / Carlos
Danny Trejo	...	Razor Charlie
Tom Savini	...	Sex Machine
Fred Williamson	...	Frost
Michael Parks	...	Texas Ranger Earl McGraw
Brenda Hillhouse	...	Hostage Gloria Hill
John Saxon	...	FBI Agent Stanley Chase
Marc Lawrence	...	Old Timer Motel Owner
Kelly Preston	...	Newscaster Kelly Houge

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and gore, language and nudity.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Philippines:R-18 | South Korea:18 | Ireland:18 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Belgium:KNT | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:R | Chile:18 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 (re-rating) | France:-16 (original rating) | Germany:16 (cut) | Germany:18 | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 (re-rating) (2004) | Italy:VM14 (re-rating) (1998) | Italy:VM18 (original rating) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Poland:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #34314)

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

A Band Apart

Trivia:

The characters of Sex Machine and Frost were originally written the other way around: Sex Machine was to be the muscular, scarred, leather-wearing biker while Frost was to be a more slender (yet deadly) individual.

Goofs:

Continuity: When they are approaching the Mexican border, the same car pulls up twice and the same man gets out both times.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Pete Bottoms: Hey, Earl
Earl McGraw: Yes, sir.
Pete Bottoms: What do ya know?
Earl McGraw: Well, it's a hot goddam day

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Grindhouse (2007)

Soundtrack:

Willie The Pimp (And His Cadillac Coffin)

Two Movies In One

This is unusual in that it is really two separate movies in one: the first half is a crime story and the second half is a vampire extravaganza.

THE BAD NEWS - Harvey Keitel plays a Baptist minister who has "lost his faith" after this wife's death and intimates that those who have it are fools. In truth, he's just mad at God after what happened and he dos somewhat come back to his faith at the end. Of course, it takes a killer to preach to him at the end! Only in Hollywood do we have this kind of secular nonsense preached! The whole Keitel character is so theologically weak and ridiculous that it's past me getting upset over it. I just hope viewers aren't stupid enough to believe this kind of minister is normal (and acts and talks as like he does in this film.)

Anyway, people watching this should also be aware that there is a lot of "language," meaning tons of f-words said by about everyone. There is a lot of gore, too, in the vampire half of the film. So, if you expect all this or aren't offended by it, you are in for one wild ride because.....

THE GOOD NEWS - Despite with very low morality of this movie, it is extremely entertaining and never, despite multiple viewings, gets dull although the violence gets to be a little much at the end. It would have been a better film had it been cut about 10-15 minutes. George Clooney, as the more stable of the two killers, "Seth Gecko," is fascinating to hear. Although obnoxious, he is easily the the most fascinating character in a film filled with weirdos. It's one of the most interesting characters Clooney has ever played.

This is stylishly filmed and humorous in parts. It has the Richard Rodriguez ("El Mariachi trilogy) look all over it: stylish, outrageous and cartoon-like at times. Actually, many of the characterizers here a pretty perverse, especially Clooney's brother and partner, "Richard" (Quentin Tarantino). What a sicko he is! At least Tarantinto played himself, making his role easier to play.

The people at the bar in the second half of the film (featuring actors Danny Trejo, Tom Savin, Fred Williamson and Selma Hayak) have to be seen to be believed! You want to know who sleazy this can get? Just listen to Cheech Marin's "pussy" speech outside the bar. That about says it all.

Finally, the music in here is very good, if you are a fan of the blues and especially the Vaughan brothers. This is one of those "guilty pleasures" I can never decide whether to own or not. I got rid of it, but wouldn't mind seeing it again.