Day of the Dead (movie)
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Day of the Dead (released 1985) is a horror film by director George A. Romero, and the third of four movies beginning with Night of the Living Dead, continued in Dawn of the Dead and completed in Land of the Dead.
Day of the Dead deals with the zombie assault on a military establishment, satirizing the military mindset in the process. The film received the least enthusiastic critical review of the three films. Its production budget was severely curtailed and instead of the original $7 million budget, was completed on less than $3.5 million. Romero's original story and script had to be vastly curtailed in the process, something which disappointed him.
The film has been widely criticized for various reasons. Many fans of the second film, Dawn of the Dead, were disappointed in this third offering, as its plot is considerably less sweeping in nature; but Romero himself calls it his favorite of the original trilogy. Fans of the film point out, however, that the iconic human characters purposefully contrast with the precocious zombie lead, 'Bub', underscoring that zombies and humans are not so different.
The overall tone of the movie is grim, unrelenting and dour, a change from the comedic satire of Dawn. The violence and gore also reach a level of intensity that the two previous movies did not have. It was released without a rating from the MPAA.
Despite its lacklustre critical reception, the film is noted for its special effects work, notably Tom Savini's make-up and special effects work; and it was honored in 1985 with a Saturn Award for Best Make-Up.
Miscellaneous
True zombie and Romero fans noted the change in zombie behavior in this film. Many of the zombies generally had a bluish color to their skin. This was done possibly to show the long term effects of decomposition and the elements. Another interesting change is the sudden increase in zombie strength. In both Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead " (original), the zombies were generally weak and easy to push past. In Day of Dead, the zombies had the power to pull human limbs, heads and bodies apart with ease- thus some calling this the "Play-doh effect".
Romero once again presented the theme that people failing to work together was more dangerous than the actual threat of zombies. It was internal feuding and a failure to cooperate which led to the mutiny and total breech of the underground base. In reality, something many viewers don't realize, is the zombies posed very little direct threat. The antagonism between the characters is what destroyed the sanctuary of the base.
Cast and crew
Speaking cast members: Lori Cardille, as Sarah; Terry Alexander, as John; Joseph Pilato, as Captain Rhodes; Jarlath Conroy, as William McDermott; Anthony Dileo, Jr., as Private Miguel Salazar; Richard Liberty, as Dr. Logan; Gary Howard Klar, as Private Steel; Ralph Marrero, as Private Rickles; John Amplas, as Dr. Ted Fisher; Phillip G. Kellams, as Private Miller; Taso N. Stavrakis, as Private Torrez; Gregory Nicotero, as Private Johnson; Sherman Howard, as Bub (the Zombie)
Non-speaking cast members: Don Brockett (a.k.a. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood's Chef Brockett), as a zombie; William Cameron, as a zombie; Deborah Carter as a zombie; Winnie Flynn, as a zombie; Debra Gordon, as a zombie (the first zombie captured from the corral); Jeff Hogan, as a zombie; Barbara Holmes, as a zombie; David Kindlon, as a zombie; Bruce Kirkpatrick, as a zombie; William Andrew Laczko, as a zombie; Susan Martinelli, as a zombie; Kim Maxwell, as a zombie; Barbara Russell, as a zombie (kills Private Miller); Gene A. Saraceni, as a zombie; John D. Schwartz, as a zombie;Mark Tierno, as a zombie (the second zombie captured from the corral); Mike Trcic, as a zombie;John Vulich, as a zombie, Mike Pesch as probation officer zombie, Heather Pesch as sexy zombie nurse
Uncredited cast members: Donald Farmer, as a zombie;Peter Iasillo, Jr., as a zombie; Daniel Krell, as a zombie; Robert Martin, as a zombie; George A. Romero, as a zombie (wearing scarf)
Production Team: George A. Romero, Director; George A. Romero, Writer; David Ball, Co-Producer (Laurel Entertainment); Salah M. Hassanein, Executive Producer; Ed Lammi, Associate Producer; Richard P. Rubinstein, Producer (Laurel Entertainment); John Harrison, Composer; Michael Gornick, Cinematographer; Pasquale Buba, Film Editor; Christine Forrest, Casting Director; Gaylen Ross, Casting Director; Cletus Anderson, Production Design; Bruce Alan Miller, Art Director; Jan Pascale, Set Decoration; Barbara Anderson, Costume Design; Howard Berger, Special Make-Up Effects; Everett Burrell, Special Make-Up Effects Artist; Dean Gates, Special Make-Up Effects Artist; Rick Gonzales, Make-Up Effects Assistant; David Kindlon, Special Make-Up Effects; Tom Savini, SSpecial Make-Up Effects; Mike Trcic, Special Make-Up Effects; John Vulich, Special Make-Up Effects; Michael Deak, Makeup Artist (uncredited); Zilla Clinton, Production Manager; John Harrison, First Assistant Director; Katarina Wittich, Second Assistant Director; Gary Alexander, Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Music; Rolf Pardula, Sound Mixer; John Sutton, Feature Soundtrack; Tom Savini, Special Effects; Steven Kirshoff, Special Effects; Mark Mann, Special Effects; Jim Danforth, Matte Artist, and Matte Photographer; Taso N. Stavrakis, Stunt Coordinator; Jim O'Rear, Stunts (uncredited); Theresa Bedekovich, Stand-In; Bruce Bellows, Stand-In; Ernest R. Dickerson, Second Unit Camera Operator; Thom Downing, Production Assistant; Ellen Moon, Stand-In; Gregory Nicotero, Assistant to Tom Savini; Frank Perl, Assistant Camera Operator; Nick Tallo, Grip; James Wetzel, Stand-In