Reviews (12)

The benchmark of Lovecraft inspired films
While most of the other films that claim "inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft" are trash, this one delivers. Loosely based on "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward", it follows a private detective as he looks into the peculiar activities of young and wealthy Charles Dexter Ward. While it makes no mention of the Mythos directly, it does capture much of the feel of HPL's novelette by the same title.

This film is well-directed and despite what was certainly a modest budget, contains acceptable special effects when needed. The acting is solid, if not exactly inspiring.

All-in-all this is a good movie. It sets a benchmark for quality in HPL inspired films that anyone else considering making one should watch first and learn from.

Solid
Out of all the dozen or so films directly based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, this one is the most loyal to Lovecraft's original story, "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward." The other best Lovecraft films took liberty with the original short stories- Re-animator, From Beyond and Dagon. This one had some nice gore and good-looking monsters. At one point in the film, there is a graphic scene of a fat man with his rib cage opened, guts and all. What I like most from this film is it is an alternative to the utterly bland world of mainstream films. Lovecraft is cult.

Alchemy and the First Test-Tube Babies!
When your husband goes a little mad and starts doing experiments in private, first leading you to believe that something grand is happening and then ordering you not to keep tabs on him and the estranged people he's now dealing with, what do you do? While most people would choose "get the hell out of Dodge" for 500 and would be correct in doing so, this story instead revolves around the not-so-bright outlooks spawned by love and a private investigator being brought into the fray to find out what's going on. This action is good because I'm not involved, too, eventually leading to interesting playgrounds in the lands of "what's that smell," "what is that moving in that pit," and "look at this book I found explaining the dark past," giving one ocular candy on which to feed.

While many haven't really liked this adaptation of The Case of Charlie Dexter Ward, I find it to be a really nice watch and like to summon it to my VHS player when I need something to entertain me. Part of the reason I can say that is because it is a fair adaptation of Lovecraftian thought, but that it doesn't try to retain everything Lovecraftian. It instead captures the needed portions, the atmosphere and the alchemy, the darkness and the "less is more" approach that leave haunting little shadows staring at its viewer, and it feeds the imagination. Another reason it is worth tasting is because it also leads the viewer forward, tempting them to keep going in order to unravel the mystery of what has happened, and then it suddenly pays off in a flashback to the "grotesque of the past" and a fast-forward to "the hideousness still thriving today." To me, that's like finding a pirates bounty within a seemingly ugly chest, not expecting too much but opening it to uncover more.

While a few points could possibly be taken away from the movie because of the overcooked undertones, I thought that they actually fit into everything nicely. The way the experiments were treated gleaned hideously at me from the shadows, too, and the horror of discovery, the true payoff, was superb. Perhaps this couldn't be called a pure fabrication in the realms of cinematic bliss for those wanting complexity, but it is definitely homage material to CDW brought to us by Dan O'Bannon. Does that mean its not campy? No, but that's part of the equation, with gore and atmosphere rounding it all out well.

Don't expect too much and you might enjoy yourself.

It should be "resurrected" for DVD!
You know what the movie's about so I won't rehash anything here.

This is the most faithful Lovecraft adaptation yet, directed by Dan O'Bannon ("The Return of the Living Dead", "Alien") but sadly it's unavailable on any home video format(!)

If you want this film released on DVD, you *must* write a letter to Artisan Entertainment as they own the rights. Here's their address;

Artisan Entertainment Inc
2700 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Close
This is one of the closest HPL adaptions I've seen. Although it is a "B" movie, it stays moderately close to the original tale, with the exception of the private dectective/love story twist. Why can't they just leave the story alone, you ask. Well, me too. That aside, the acting and special effects are weak, but the mood is all there. It is definitely worth a viewing if you are a Lovecraft fan. Maybe someday they'll make better adaptions, but for now, this is about as good as it gets. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Surprisingly Good
This horror/comedy kind of take-off on Night of the Living Dead was surprisingly good. It goes under the assumption that the Night of the Living Dead movie was based on a true happening. Except it really was a failed top-secret government experiment.

As this whole thing is explained to two unsuspecting young men, they accidently release the top secret gas that starts to animate all dead things. The dead come walking demanding "brains." In this one it seems it is impossible to totally kill any of these re-animated dead. Even dismember them, the individual body parts keep coming looking for brains.

Rather than the slow scarry looking creatures from the Romero flicks, these creatures can move just as quickly as living people, can talk, and in many cases are humorous looking.

The humor is so well done that it never feels corny.

"Return" has BRAINS!!!!
Part remake, part parody of George Romero's "Night Of The Living Dead", RETURN is one of those great cult films that you must see. A group of bumbling wharehouse workers accidentally release a top-secret government chemical that causes the dead to rise from the graves. These creatures want only one thing... HUMAN BRAINS!!!! This causes problems for both the wokers and a group of diliquents hanging out in the graveyard.

"Return" is in not a sequel to "Night" despite what the title might make you think. It is a brand new and highly original film from Dan O'Bannon of "Alien" fame. The movie is very good at mixing its horror elements with comedy. The story never takes itself too seriously and the comedy elements never get so silly that it hurts the horror portion of the movie either. If you are looking for a good old-fashioned fun movie then "Return Of The Living Dead" is an excellent choice.

Easy!
I can sum this film up easy! If your a horror fan and haven't seen it, your not a fan. This is one of those greats that creates us horror buffs. When I see a Zombie film to date I complare it to this classic. My words "Cool Zombie movie, but nowhere close to Return Of The Living Dead".

P.S. I've been all over Louisville and can't find the wharehouse or cemetary.........my guess is that it isn't really based on a true story! LOL

end note: To the reviewer that writes as if he likes it and gave it one star? What planet are you from?

Punk Rock and zombies how can that not be good.
Punks against zombies enuff said.

"i just wanna party!"
i recently (finally) saw this movie and i really enjoyed it. my favorite type of horror movies are the ones with zombies and this movie pulls it off. i especially like the fact that it is uber 80's it was awsome ... Read more

Reviews (25)

THE MOST STUNNING GENRE PIECE SINCE ALIENS!!!!!!!!!!!
This movie does to horror what Aliens did to routine Sci-fi films. Other then this movie being the greatest horror film of all time,(next to Dawn of The Dead) it also features 2 of the most landmark performances of the horror genre by Clu Gulager and James Karen. These 2 guys do a splendid and wonderful job of playing a couple of warehouse nuts. Return of the living dead is just funny, gory, scary, entertaining and well produced with grace and arch. Its really a very frightening film. See it if you aint seen it yet. Its SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would compare it to Dawn Of The Dead!! Clu Gulager is absolutely excellent as Burt. He gives one of the most outragious performances of all time. A truly amazing film to summerize!

Humorously raunchy zombie satire!!!
Of all zombie flicks, Return of the Living Dead 1 ties for first (along with Evil Dead, which is KINDA zombie-esqe). From the moment the two baffled med-supply workers beat a reanimated split dog, you know you're in for one twisted flick. The special effects are great, the acting is good, the storyline is super campy fun. Ravenous zombies with a penchance for BRRRRRRRRRRRRAINS! As far as pop culture monster movies go, only Lost Boys approaches this fun realm of punk-rock ghoulies (only THAT movie takes itself too seriously). With a great soundtrack and a splendidly dark ending (gleefully over the top), this is one of my favorite movies ever... I am impatiently awaiting a wide-screen dvd release.

Easy!
I can sum this film up easy! If your a horror fan and haven't seen it, your not a fan. This is one of those greats that creates us horror buffs. When I see a Zombie film to date I complare it to this classic. My words "Cool Zombie movie, but nowhere close to Return Of The Living Dead".

P.S. I've been all over Louisville and can't find the wharehouse or cemetary.........my guess is that it isn't really based on a true story! LOL

they dont makem like they used to
I could not have liked this movie more.It's scary, gory, and its got linnea quigley [with few clothes on].Its good to know that you can see her in at least two first rate horror flicks (the other being Night of the Demons if your not sure). See this movie.You will not be disapointed!

trash is a hottie...
this movie is very much good. what more is there to say? you've got the crazy, brain-eatin' zombies, excessive violence, a very nice gothic/punk rock soundtrack (featuring TSOL, 45 Grave, The Cramps, The Flesheaters, and The Damned), and the best part: linnea quigley naked. now normally, she isn't that hot. however, in this movie she plays a very sexy punk girl. anywho, getting back to the movie, this is definetly the coolest horror movie ever. i've been watching it since 5th grade and i still love it. go buy it. now. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Zombies, boobies, what more could you want?
A sudden storm brings a shower of rain polluted with 245 Trioxin (an actual chemical!,used to break out riger mortis) which soaks into the ground of a nearby cemetery which makes something stir six feet under. The bad news is that the living dead are back. The worse news is that they haven't had anything to eat in years. Ask anybody and they will tell you that there is nothing worse than a greedy ghoul with a taste for human brains. This is, by far, the best horror movie from the early 80's, with a punk twist, and a great cast including James Karen, who played the owner of the neighborhood in Poltergeist and Linnea Quiggley, the Scream Queen of 80's horror, who does a naked graveyard dance. The only thing wrong with this movie is that it isn't available on tape or DVD. If you are a true fan of this movie, you would wait for the release of the Region 1 DVD (August, 2002) instead of buying an old copy of the tape ..., like I did, or the Region 2 DVD from England that people sell for rediculous prices and say its rare, when its NOT, here in the states. .... The guy who made this page knows just about everything there is to know about the movie, and he has a book coming out somethime next year.

not bad
I enjoy Clu Gulager`s cussing in this movie,and the special effects are gross.

Easy!
I can sum this film up easy! If your a horror fan and haven't seen it, your not a fan. This is one of those greats that creates us horror buffs. When I see a Zombie film to date I complare it to this classic. My words "Cool Zombie movie, but nowhere close to Return Of The Living Dead".

P.S. I've been all over Louisville and can't find the wharehouse or cemetary.........my guess is that it isn't really based on a true story! LOL

I thought this came out in 1984?
This is a cool movie.The thing that I like about these "Living Dead" movies is that it didn't follow the "slasher" movie trends in the '80s.It used an old formula from the '60s.

DVD ON IT'S WAY!!!!
DON'T WORRY EVERYONE!!! MGM has confirmed that a ROTLD Special Edition DVD is coming on August 27, 2002. It is color and sound corrented under the directors supervision. It also has a trailer, documentary, and a commentary. Also, MGM said they will releas a directors cut soon if the sales on the DVD are good. SO PREORDER IT RIGHT NOW PEOPLE!!!!!!!!! ... Read more