The Dead Zone (1983) USA
The Dead Zone Image Cover
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Director:David Cronenberg
Studio:Paramount
Producer:Debra Hill, Dino De Laurentiis, Jeffrey Chernov
Writer:Stephen King, Jeffrey Boam
Rating:4.5
Rated:R
Date Added:2007-03-06
Purchased On:2007-06-03
ASIN:B00004W5UG
UPC:0097360164640
Price:$14.98
Awards:6 wins & 4 nominations
Genre:Canada
Release:2006-09-25
IMDb:0085407
Duration:104
Picture Format:Widescreen
Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
Sound:Dolby
Languages:English, Dolby Digital 5.1, English, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, French, Dolby Digital 1.0
Subtitles:English
Features:Anamorphic
Full Screen
David Cronenberg  ...  (Director)
Stephen King, Jeffrey Boam  ...  (Writer)
 
Christopher Walken  ...  Johnny Smith
Brooke Adams  ...  Sarah Bracknell
Tom Skerritt  ...  Sheriff Bannerman
Herbert Lom  ...  Dr. Sam Weizak
Anthony Zerbe  ...  Roger Stuart
Colleen Dewhurst  ...  Henrietta Dodd
Martin Sheen  ...  Greg Stillson
Nicholas Campbell  ...  Frank Dodd
Sean Sullivan  ...  Herb Smith
Jackie Burroughs  ...  Vera Smith
Géza Kovács  ...  Sonny Elliman (as Geza Kovacs)
Roberta Weiss  ...  Alma Frechette
Simon Craig  ...  Chris Stuart
Peter Dvorsky  ...  Dardis
Julie-Ann Heathwood  ...  Amy
Barry Flatman  ...  
Raffi Tchalikian  ...  
Ken Pogue  ...  
Gordon Jocelyn  ...  
Bill Copeland  ...  
Mark Irwin  ...  Cinematographer
Ronald Sanders  ...  Editor
Comments: In his mind, he has the power to see the future. In his hands, he has the power to change it.

Summary: The Dead Zone is based on a novel by Stephen King, directed by David Cronenberg (Scanners, The Fly) and produced by Debra Hill (Halloween, The Fog). Such a trio of horror vets would be expected to come up with an evening of shocks and gore, but The Dead Zone is a surprise. While it has great atmospheric eeriness and undeniably scary moments, The Dead Zone is at heart a sensitive and thoughtful portrayal of main character Johnny Smith's dilemma. Christopher Walken, king of the vaguely creepy, plays Smith, a man who awakens from a five-year coma with the very mixed blessing of second sight. At the mere touch of a hand, Smith is unwillingly launched into scenes of past and future terror. (Director Cronenberg is said to have fired blanks from a .357 Magnum just out of camera range to keep Walken's flinching spontaneous.) The Dead Zone wisely takes its time telling the story, and thus allows for some great performances. Walken gives a rich portrayal of the conflicted Smith, and Colleen Dewhurst and Tom Skerritt both do welcome turns in smaller roles. The most fun of all, though, is clearly being had by Martin Sheen, who gives a spirited performance as a complete sleazebag. --Ali Davis