The Return of the Living Dead (1985) – Film Review

Director: Dan O’Bannon
Cast: Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa
Certificate: 15

By Sarah Morgan

Film-making is awash with tales of feuds, broken partnerships and arguments.

The row between George A Romero and John Russo may not be as legendary as the enmity Bette Davis and Joan Crawford felt for each other, but it did at least inspire a creative streak in both men.

Russo and director Romero co-wrote the low-budget horror classic Night of the Living Dead, but had a dispute over how any sequels should be handled. It was eventually decided they would go their separate ways, with Romero’s follow-ups being known as the Dead movies, with Russo’s as the Living Dead.

“Colourful and light-hearted”

Russo then wrote the novel Return of the Living Dead, which he turned into a screenplay with his new writing partner, Alien scribe Dan O’Bannon. For a time it was touted as a project for Texas Chain Saw Massacre director Tobe Hooper, but when he dropped out, O’Bannon took his place; the resulting film was his directorial debut.

If you’re expecting it to be another stripped-back, black-and-white, atmospheric chiller in the mould of Night of the Living Dead, you may be disappointed. This is rather more colourful and light-hearted, and has more in common with other 1980s chillers, such as Hooper’s own The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2, which was released a year later, than it does Romero’s classic zombie flick.

There are a few laughs (albeit rather lame ones) in a tale that begins at the Uneeda Medical Supply Warehouse, where Freddy is going to have the first day from hell.

While learning the ropes from old timer Frank, who tells him all about the skeletons and corpses stored there, a gas canister leaks, and whatever it contained turns the resident dead folk into brain-eating zombies that are seemingly indestructible.

“Successful enough”

Soon Freddy and his friends, as well as Frank, warehouse boss Burt and mortician Ernie, are caught up in a nightmare from which they may not awake…

As long as you’re not expecting too much, it’s an entertaining enough diversion. Just don’t compare it with its predecessor, because it really doesn’t stand up too well alongside it.

The cast, which includes veterans such as Clu Gulager, James Karen and Don Calfa alongside the fresh-faced Thom Matthews and Beverly Randolph, clearly know they’re in a piece of fluff and camp it up accordingly. The effects and make-up are pretty impressive, however, and the film itself was successful enough to spawn four sequels.

The release also includes various audio commentaries by cast and crew members, as well as interviews and a documentary about the hard rock soundtrack.

Sarah Morgan( Writer )

Sarah Morgan studied film journalism at post-graduate level with the BFI and has been writing about TV and film for PA Media’s newspaper, magazine and new media customers since 1996. She’s also written for a wide range of other publications, both online and in print, including the book Offbeat and Intermission magazine, and is a regular contributor to the Talking Pictures TV podcast. When she isn’t watching movies, she’s collecting and reading vintage crime and horror paperback books or, for her sins, watching her beloved Sheffield Wednesday.

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