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.
Directed by: David
Cronenberg
Written by: Jeffrey
Boam
Produced by:
Jeffrey Chernov, Debra Hill, and Dino De
Laurentiis
Original music by:
Michael Kamen
Cast:
Christopher Walken ....
Johnny Smith
Brooke Adams .... Sarah Hazlett Bracknell
Tom Skerritt .... Sherriff George Bannerman
Herbert Lom .... Dr. Sam Weizak
Anthony Zerbe .... Roger Stuart
Colleen Dewhurst .... Henrietta Dodd
Martin Sheen .... Greg Stillson
Nicholas Campbell .... Frank Dodd/The Castle
Rock Slasher
Sean Sullivan .... Herb Smith
Jackie Burroughs .... Vera Smith
Géza Kovács .... Sonny Elliman
Roberta Weiss .... Alma Frechette
Simon Craig .... Chris Stuart
Peter Dvorsky .... Dardis
Julie-Ann Heathwood .... Amy
Barry Flatman .... Walt Bracknell
Raffi Tchalikian .... Denny #1
Ken Pogue .... Vice President
Gordon Jocelyn .... Five-Star General
Bill Copeland .... Secretary of State
Jack Messinger .... Therapist
Chapelle Jaffe .... Nurse
Cindy Hines .... Natalie
Helene Udy .... Weizak's Mother
Ramon Estevez .... Teenage Boy with Camera
Joseph Domenchini .... Young Weizak
Roger Dunn.... Reporter
Wally Bondarenko .... Reporter
Claude Rae .... Reporter
John Koensgen .... T.V. Anchorman
Leslie Carlson .... Brenner (as Les Carlson)
James Bearden .... Deputy #1
Hardee T. Lineham .... Deputy #2
William B. Davis .... Ambulance Driver (as
William Davis)
Seirge LeBlanc .... Denny #2
Vera Winiauski .... Polish Peasant
Joe Kapnaiko .... Polish Peasant
David Rigby .... Truck Driver (as Dave Rigby)
