Member-only story

The Complete History of The Return of the Living Dead

Gabriel Hayes

·11.9k Followers· Follow

Published in Christian Sellers

5 min read · 1 month before

320 View Claps

68 Respond

Save

Listen

The Return of the Living Dead is a 1985 American horror film directed by Dan O'Bannon and written by O'Bannon and John Russo. The film stars Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa, and Thom Mathews. The film follows a group of employees at a medical supply warehouse who accidentally release a deadly gas into the air, which reanimates the dead as flesh-eating zombies.

The Complete History of The Return of the Living Dead

by Christian Sellers

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	203933 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

The Return of the Living Dead was a critical and commercial success, and has since become a cult classic. The film has spawned several sequels and remakes, including Return of the Living Dead II (1988),Return of the Living Dead III (1993),and Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis (2005).

Inception

The Return of the Living Dead was conceived by Dan O'Bannon in the early 1980s. O'Bannon had previously worked on the screenplay for George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead (1978),and he wanted to create a film that would be even more gory and over-the-top.

O'Bannon initially pitched his idea to several major studios, but they all rejected it. He eventually found a backer in Hemdale Film Corporation, a British company that had recently produced the horror film The Evil Dead (1981).

Production

The Return of the Living Dead was filmed on a budget of $4.5 million. The film was shot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding areas. The cast and crew endured a difficult shoot, which was plagued by bad weather and injuries.

One of the most iconic scenes in the film is the "Tarman" scene, in which a zombie is melted by toxic waste. The scene was created using a combination of practical effects and stop-motion animation. The Tarman has become one of the most recognizable images in horror film history.

Release

The Return of the Living Dead was released in theaters on August 16, 1985. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $14 million at the box office. The film has since become a cult classic, and is considered to be one of the best horror films of the 1980s.

Sequels and Remakes

The Return of the Living Dead has spawned several sequels and remakes. The first sequel, Return of the Living Dead II, was released in 1988. The film was directed by Ken Wiederhorn and starred James Karen, Thom Mathews, and Phil Bruns. The film follows the survivors of the first film as they try to stop a new outbreak of zombies.

The second sequel, Return of the Living Dead III, was released in 1993. The film was directed by Brian Yuzna and starred Melissa Sue Anderson, Peter Coyote, and Ken Foree. The film follows a group of medical students who accidentally create a new strain of zombies.

The third sequel, Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis, was released in 2005. The film was directed by Ellory Elkayem and starred Aimee Garcia, Peter Coyote, and John Doe. The film follows a group of teenagers who break into a medical research facility and accidentally release a new strain of zombies.

Legacy

The Return of the Living Dead is a cult classic horror film that has had a lasting impact on the genre. The film's gore, humor, and social commentary have made it a favorite among fans of horror films.

The Return of the Living Dead has also been referenced in popular culture, including in films, television shows, and music videos. The film's iconic Tarman has become a symbol of horror and has been featured in numerous merchandise, including toys, clothing, and posters.

The Return of the Living Dead is a classic horror film that continues to entertain and terrify audiences. The film's unique blend of gore, humor, and social commentary has made it a cult classic that has stood the test of time.

The Complete History of The Return of the Living Dead

by Christian Sellers

4.8 out of 5