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Shawnee Free Jones, Seymour Cassel, Sally Kellerman, Rachel Shelley, James Purefoy ... see more see more... , Christopher Adamson , John Marley , Lynn Carlin , Richard Backus , Henderson Forsythe , Anya Ormsby , Jane Daly , James Farentino

A young Soldier is killed in the line of duty in Vietnam. That same night, the soldier returns home, brought back by his Mother's wishes that he "Don't Die"! Upon his Return, Andy sits in his room, re... read more read more...fusing to see his friends or family, venturing out only at night. The Vampiric horror is secondary to the terror that comes from the disintegration of a typical American family.

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60% liked it

990 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

7 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Bob Clark, Bob Clark (III), Henderson Forsythe, John Marley, Lynn Carlin, Richard Backus, Zalman King

Release Date: January 1, 1972

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DVD Release Date: April 24, 2001

Stats: 113 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (113)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    January 3, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Deathdream is a solid, original and creepy horror flick directed by Bob Clark who would later helm the pioneering slasher film, Black Christmas. Deathdream is a solid and effectively creepy horror film. Bob Clark assembles a great cast of actors here, and the story is unique, ori... read moreginal and what makes it unique is the fact that the film was one of the first to include the Vietnam War as a subtext for its plot. As a whole, Deathdream is a solid, well crafted horror film. The acting makes this film what it is, and like Clark's other horror classic Black Christmas, Deathdream is full of atmospheric suspense and it works. This is one horror film that every serious horror fan should see. Deathdream like I said uses atmosphere to effectively build the horror, and in many cases that's the key ingredient on building and effective horror film. If a film doesn't have any atmosphere, then the film suffers, and the thrills are poor and it really cheapens the scares of the film. However, Bob Clark does a phenomenal job here at delivering a near flawless film, and the atmosphere is present and what elevates this film are the spectacular special effects by Tom Savini. Deathdream is a different type of zombie film, and it's a refreshing take on the usual zombie flicks that we've seen. Deathdream is unique in that respect. Bob Clark has made a wonderful horror film here. The film is disturbing, and chilling, and that's what makes horror films so much fun to watch in the first place. A classic must see film.
  • creepfreak
    October 21, 2008
    creepfreak
    A spooky, atmospheric, fun and chilling B horror movie. Dead of Night is the perfect popcorn flick for a Halloween night viewing. Directed by Bob Clark, the man who brought us Black Christmas, Dead of Night tells an eerie tale of a deceased soldier who returns from Vietnam as a z... read moreombie. This movie was shot on a very low budget, and it definitely shows. But not to worry, cause the cheap look only works more toward it's advantage. Here we get all the spooky elements that make a horror movie so frighteningly fun...the sounds of howling winds, the cold and dark spooky atmosphere, the creepy and dramatic music in the background, and of course one hell of a scary ass lead character.

    Dead of Night is not gory, nor is it violent. There's nothing extreme about it. In fact, this movie is actually rated PG. But if that stops you from seeing it, then you're missing out. Dead of Night didn't need to be extreme. It was perfect just the way it was. This movie is more about mood and atmosphere than anything else. It aims to send shivers down your spine by building tension, and creeps up on you from it's dark and cold cinematography. Dead of Night is a true treat for any horror fan who longs a great ghost story. And like I said before, it's a perfect Halloween time movie! Alone in the dark, with a bowl of popcorn, is the only way Dead of Night should be viewed.
  • 366weirdmovies
    March 15, 2008
    366weirdmovies
    After being informed by the army that their son had died in Vietnam, the boy suddenly shows up at the family's door, a little bit changed... Original premise at the time, but has been done better since; not sure how Vietnam vets will feel about being depicted as soulless killing... read more machines.
  • Dannyrovira
    July 25, 2011
    Dannyrovira
    A creepy, effective and genuinely disturbing Canadian low-budget horror cult-classic, well-directed by the late Bob Clark. It concerns young Andy Brooks, intensely played by Richard Backus in a brilliant debut performance, whose simple blank stare at you could make your hair stan... read mored on end, he is a American soldier who was thought to have been killed in the of duty in Vietnam, his parents and sister even received a hand-delivered telegram from the Army to that fact, overcome by grief the family tries to go sleep, but later that night strange noises lead the family downstairs to see Andy standing silently in a dark corner of a room. suddenly despair turns into to joy, the father who is played superly by John Marley, informs his son that the Army had said he had been killed, "that my son was dead," Andy looks at his father and replies "I was!" Taking his answer as a joke they all have a big laugh, the family is just so overjoyed to have him back home, but not for long their joy turns into apprehension as they become aware that Andy is not the same, in fact he is a virtual stranger, who is completely emotionless, and does not eat, hardly talks, and his answers to questions are quick and short, he seems to be totally devoid of all humanity, but things really take a turn for the worse when some locals turn up brutally murdered and missing blood, because of his inhuman condition Andy must have blood in order to survive, for he is a Zombie vampire who cannot control his bloodlust. Special kudos must go to Lynn Carlin for her heartbreaking performance as Andy's devoted mother, who is in total denial of her son's monstrous state and horrific deeds, she is completely blinded by her love for him. A vastly underrated film that is atmospheric and gripping. Highly Recommended.
  • John2223
    October 31, 2010
    John2223
    A nice little spooky thriller that is a bit tame but features Tom Savini's first make-up work on screen and with the good script and effective score and acting most horror fans will enjoy "Deathdream".
  • patrickdol
    September 16, 2007
    patrickdol
    It's all about the boiling build up. A great zombie revisionist film and also comment on the vietnam war, or any war, making it all the more appropriate for the present.
  • kingmob6
    December 11, 2011
    kingmob6
    I really enjoyed the unsettling way that this film builds, from the moment we hear that the couples' son had been killed in Vietnam to his strange return, then as he tries to reintegrate into society with little success.

    Well worth a look, it;s a very different take on the zombi... read moree/ghoul genre, with some interesting political sub-text.

    Give it a rental.
  • chelano
    September 27, 2011
    chelano
    I know this is from the 80s and it has the typical bad acting and editing like most horror films at that time. But I did really enjoy this film. Richard Backus plays the creepy Andy in this film. He is dead and he needs human blood to stay alive and young, yet he takes it like... read more heroin which is very strange. There isn't much music at all this film except for an ear piercing scratchy violin whenever something bad is going to happen. So once you heard that violin, you knew something good was coming up. Lynn Carlin plays the mother of Andy and she was a favorite in the film because she would not let anyone take Andy away, even when they found out he was a zombie. She at points gets really annoying on how much she loves her son, but they wanted her to act that way and she did a great job. So this is an interesting take on a zombie film and I cannot stress enough how creepy Richard Backus was. So give the film a change and don't let the fact that it has about twenty movie titles fool you.
  • kimmason65
    June 21, 2009
    kimmason65
    Based on The Monkey's Paw, it tells the story of a family trying to cope after they are informed their son was killed in Vietnam, but he shows up quite changed. When they tell him they were told he died he replies "I did" and his behavior becomes more bizarre from there.
    The f... read moreilm is Tom Savini's first project and the extra's include an interesting short: Tom Savini the early years.
    Richard Backus is great as the detached veteran who progressively becomes more zombie like. An early entry in exploring vampirism as addiction.
  • mpghoul1973
    July 5, 2007
    mpghoul1973
    This early Bob Clark horror film relies heavily on mood. A unique entry into the ghost/zombie arena. Early f/x work by Tom Savini. Creepy at times.

View All Dead of Night (Deathdream) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary
October 9, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

A disturbing low-budget horror film that doubles as a critique of America's involvement in Vietnam.

Brian Juergens
March 31, 2005
Brian Juergens, Bloody Disgusting

Deliberate, uncompromising, and very sad, Bob Clark's quiet masterpiece is still one of the most inspired anti-war genre pics out there.

Ken Hanke
September 9, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Grim, tasteless and inexplicably overrated trash.

Bill Chambers
June 28, 2004
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central

John Marley imbues the film with the kind of pathos that wears down the defenses of a principally comic filmmaker like Clark Full Review

Josh Ralske
February 2, 2003
Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

Like the best genre films, Deathdream offers an interesting glimpse of the American psyche during the time it was made. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 10, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Jonathan R. Perry
August 11, 2002
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

No review available.

Jeffrey M. Anderson
December 28, 2007
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Click to read the article Full Review

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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