City of the Living Dead (1980) - full transcript

I am there.

Yes, i am there

i see...

i see

there's the contact.

He's just entered.

The contact has entered

the contact...

the dead...

i see the dead

the city of the dead



hold the link,
don't break it

hold the link
it's critical for mary.

Don't break the link,
don't break it

mary

mary...

the soul that pines
for eternity...

shall outspan death.

You dweller of the twilight
void come dunwich.

I'm afraid mary's dead.

No...

alright,

maybe i've got
no imagination,

but your story is
a little tough to swallow.

James mclewin,



busted twice for peddling
and possession.

That's right. So?

And you expect me
to believe that

mary woodhouse died
out of sheer fright

while you were
having a seance?

Ok fellas.

You help us

and we'll help you.

What were you on?

Coke? Grass?

Where's the stash?

Down the toilet?
- You don't deserve any help

you're a comic book version,
sergeant.

You look better in
your mugshot, you know.

The great theresa.

The master medium.

Yeah,
for you it's all in the book

your book of...

what's it again?

Enoch.

Yeah, enoch.

According to you this
poor girl is dead

because of a book that
was written 4000 years ago.

Correct?

That's right.

I'd find such
an unusual paradox

of tremendous appeal
terribly stimulating

if i were a sleuth.

The explanation in every
detail of a crime

before it's been committed.

Lady,

you're either on grass or
you're pulling my leg.

No...
the problem is in your mind.

It can't accept the truth,

but i'll help you just same.

In the book of
enoch the killer is...

sergeant...

come here and look

who's playing games here?

Come out of the floor,

out of nowhere.

Who lives downstairs?

It's vacant,

has been for 26 years.

But how the heck did...?

Don't you start
acting up too.

It's only a prank and i'll
find out

what's behind it even if

i have to tear the whole
building apart.

Keep refusing the truth.

At this very precise
moment,

in some other distant
town,

horrendously awful
things are happening.

Things that would shatter
your imagination.

Hi officer.

I'm looking for
sergeant clay.

And who are you?

I'm peter.

You see, i'm with the...
- don't tell me

you're a newspaper
reporter, right?

I can smell you guys
a mile away.

You're right,
i'm a journalist.

Look, there's a rumor down a
the station house

that someone kind
of died mysteriously

and i wanna talk to
the sergeant about it.

It's not going to be any
mystery

how the next guy dies

if i let any unauthorized
people in that house.

Look...

isn't there a way that
maybe you and i

could come to a sort of
gentleman's agreement?

You're talking into deaf
ear, pal.

Now take my advice and
beat it before

the sergeant comes out.

Ok, i'll take your advice.

It's like we're in the wrong
season suddenly.

Damn dusty

all these high winds,

pretty unusual.

By the way,

i hear cindy heran
never went home last night.

So?

It sure wouldn't be
the first time.

I remember once she was
sitting in...

you know something?

Ever since father thomas
hanged himself

dunwich ain't been the
same.

Kind of scary

a few beers and you fellas

start seeing ghouls and
devils all over the place.

Well, you saw what
happened, didn't you?

Sure, but that doesn't
mean that

there isn't any explanation.

It could have been a truck
passing by

the vibration

anyway,
i've lost my mirror.

You forget who our
ancestors were?

No.

I've forgot how many
beers you have drunk.

So let's have another.
House buys.

I've gotta go

but wait, what about...
- see you

me too
wait up, mike.

I'll see you around

wait, guys... guys...

brand new building...
new construction.

I tell you,

more garbage like this...

i'm gonna loose
all of my customers.

The language is scary,
i admit it.

But the overall message

couldn't have been more
puritanical.

Then why did you choose
the topic of incest?

When i was 8 years old

i wanted to marry
my father.

I guess all girls that age
want to marry their fathers.

Anyway,

i got over it pretty quickly

he was a drunk.

One day he just picked up

and left
my mother and me.

Did this leave any

particular emotional
feeling in you at the time?

Emptiness.

That and pity for my
mother.

I began to hate all men
and i...

excuse me jerry.

Hi, sandra.

How are you?

Hello emily.

How come so early?

I mean i thought
we made it for eight.

That's the trouble.
I can't make it tonight.

I have to see bob.

Bob?

You're not upset are you?

No, i'm not upset.

Maybe a little worried
perhaps.

You've been seeing
an awful lot of him,

haven't you, lately?

Poor bob.

He's a sick and ionely kid.

I don't see why people
hate him so.

His mother was what you call
a woman of easy virtue.

No husband. No morals.

Here in dunwich,

anybody like that
is also branded a witch.

Look sandra.

I don't believe those
idiots who tell me

that our ancestors were
salem witch burners alright?

Okay, okay

jerry, i'm sorry.
- Don't worry

i'll see you tomorrow.
Around 9?

Sure thing.

Bye.

So long sandra.

Bye bye and take it easy.

Jerry, bye.
- Bye

okay sandra,

where were we?

On the same old problem,
men.

Why do they have to
make life so difficult?

Sandra

sandra...

did he hurt you?

Did he claw you?

He must have been
frightened.

Strange.

It's the first time he
ever acted up like that.

He loves to have you
pet him.

He always comes to
you when you're here.

Something must have
frightened him.

...give me the
dirtiest thoughts...

i'm telling you,

you're gonna end up
a dirty old man.

A pervert.

Peeping tom.

Talk about
box lunches man

saw a porno flick once,

where this guy got so
carried away

he humped himself to death.

Too much of good thing

but what a way to go

what's the matter?

Never seen a body
in the earth before?

Any law against looking?

Yeah

okay, i'm leaving.

What time you got?

Let's flip to see who
goes in the hole

alright.

Call it.

Heads.

Tails.
In the hole, sucker.

Shit...

what are you still
doing here, pal?

Come on fellas.

What do you want from us?
- Nothing

i'm just curious about
this girl here, that's all.

Look, why don't you guys
go ahead with your work

and just pretend i'm not
around.

Well move, cause we're
almost finished.

It's 5 o'clock.

We've busted our
balls enough, let's go.

You're not going to leave
her like that, are you?

Union hours.

Anyway, what does she care?

She's not in any hurry.

Is she?

Oh, my god...

but for you,

mary would have suffered
a terrible death.

I was just lucky.

No

it was written.

Are you acquainted with
the book of enoch?

A text which dates back to
more than 4000 years ago.

It contains man's first
recorded description of

his boundless
mortal fear

in the face of malice itself

the demanding implacable
enemy who's search for blood

is never satiated.

Mary, tell your experience.

Everything you've witnessed
during our last seance.

The city of the dead...

the living dead.

A cursed city

where the gates of hell
have been opened.

Where exactly is this city?

I don't know where it is.

All i know is that it is
called dunwich.

I've never heard of it.

How do you know?

I mean how can you
be so sure?

I read the name

on a tombstone

mr. Bell,

if those gates are left
open it may be

the end of humanity.

We gotta try to get them
shut again.

At midnight on monday

we go into all saints day.

The night of the dead
begins then.

And if the portals of hell
don't get shut before then,

no dead body will ever be
able to rest in peace again.

And so the dead will rise
up and take over the earth.

You've got to get to
dunwich.

You must re-close those
gates

bob?

Bob, are you here?

Bob?

Bob?

Bob...?

Bob

bob...

what happened?

Did you hurt yourself?

Bob

bob...

bob

bob...

don't leave me alone

i'm afraid...

hello?

It's you, mr. Robbins.

No, emily's not here,
i'm afraid.

What's that?

She's usually home
this hour of the night.

I hope that nothing's
happened to her.

There's been a lot of
strange talk circulating.

Come on now
mr. Robbins.

Ignore it.

People here in this town
thrive on that stuff.

You should know it
by now.

She'll be home in another
couple of minutes.

If you need me for any
reason though,

feel free to call.

I should be at the studio
for at least

another hour or so, okay?

Goodbye mr. Robbins.

Goodbye

no, no...
come on tommy, please.

No please, tommy

what the devil's the matter
honey?

You treat me like i was a
stranger.

What have i done?
Tell me.

How come you picked out
here to park?

This place gives me
the willies.

Oh, rose. Come on.

You're not a little child
now.

You don't really believe in
that stupid

salem witch stuff, do you?

Of course not.

Now what's wrong?

Sorry tommy, but...

but i keep thinking that
someone's out there

spying on us.

Come on.
There isn't anyone out there

watch.
I'll turn on the headlights.

You know this dunwich

it's not even on the map.

So, you don't believe me,
do you?

That's not the point.

It's just going to be harder
to find, that's all.

We don't even know
where to start, do we?

You know i get my inner
visions too. You know.

Just let me meditate
over a bottle of scotch

...and?

And i'll take you anywhere.

Well, she certainly wasn't
strangled.

Doesn't seem to have been
any kind of physical abuse.

What was the cause of her
death then?

Some kind of cardiac arrest.

Only that expression on her
face looks like pure fear

like something scared
her to death.

Scared her?
- Excuse me, mr. Robbins

do you know if your daughter
had a heart condition?

No...

oh god...

well, what's our procedure?

Sit tight.

Everything depends
on the autopsy.

I'll sit tight

you'll get your order after
that from the d.a.

Okay, but let me hear
from you, joe

what's your opinion,
jerry?

What's there to say.

I'm at a total loss.

It was bob...

that pervert?
- You can bet on it

they should have
put him away for life

after what he tried to do
with poor little anne ross

listen, i'll call all three
cars out after that boy

and i wouldn't be surprised
if he could tell us

what happened to rosy
kellman and frank's kid, too

sheriff russell...

sheriff

what the dickens is this?

Good lord...

that kid is gonna fry...

mark my word.

So, your newspaper editor
wouldn't believe you?

Listen.
When adrian deniro told me

about 2 years ago

that i'd meet a girl who
would be buried alive,

i didn't believe him either.

I mean, i laughed right
in his face.

Deniro was aware of
many things.

He knew all about the
city of the dead.

Okay, okay.

Say i believe you.

Did you see...

when you were in this
trance did you see anything

besides that tombstone?

Oh yes.

I saw a priest

who by hanging himself

opened the gates of hell.

He must be destroyed...

...amen.

The lord is my shepherd...

this way please.

Where is she?

Where is my emily?

She's in heaven now,
mrs. Robbins

mrs. Holden?

Yes. Mrs. Holden died
last night

and according to
dr. Thompson,

was frightened to death.

Frightened to death?

That's what she
said, fear.

Of what?

Damned if i know, doc.

It's the strangest thing
i've ever heard of.

Fear?

There's been talk that

rose calvin and tommy
fisher disappeared too.

They went to the movies
last night

and nobody has
seen them since.

That makes five people
that have

disappeared in the last
48 hours.

I think it's bob.

I don't believe in this
superstitious nonsense.

Yeah, maybe you're right

sure, remember two years
ago when

bob took little anne into
the woods?

It was a miracle we found
him in time.

Yeah, and i say it's him

he's the one causing all
the trouble around here.

God only knows what he
did to poor emily.

All i know is that the air
in dunwich

is getting awful thick...

soon as i can find

somebody to buy my
shop and my house

i'm vamoosing.

You can bet your ass.

Calm down, dear.

Take it easy.

Calm down.

My baby, my poor baby

you better take
john john out.

Yes, of course.

John john

come on.
Let's go outside.

Let's take a walk.

You have to be
strong now.

You have to find courage
to face reality.

You have to be a man.

Do you know what i mean?

I'm hungry

good.

There's a lollipop in the
glove box

look. I'm not joking.

I'm starved.

Look, you're the one

who got me out here
in the armpit of the world

chasing your galloping
cadavers.

Come on.

Let's go have a snack
someplace

okay.

You want to give up?

Why don't you get in
the car

we'll go and check out
the local cuisine.

Don't be upset.

Upset? Who's upset?

According to your
theory we have less than

48 hours before
this... aii saints day.

Oh please. Not now.
Do you mind?

Come on.

Let's go check out
the local cuisine

mommy...

daddy... mommy... daddy...

mommy...

what's the matter, honey?

Emily is back.

I saw her
looking in the window.

She wanted to catch me.

Emily went away forever,
john john

she's in heaven.

I saw her...
i swear, i saw her

i really did

you better call the doctor.

I'm alright...

i don't need a doctor.

I don't want a doctor...
i saw her

you had a big day.

You're upset.

We all are.

Off you go now.
Go to bed.

I don't wanna go, mommy
i'm scared...

emily's gonna get me
i know it...

hello?

It's me, sandra.

You have to come
right away.

No, there's no time
to explain.

You wouldn't believe
me anyway.

Just come, please

i'm having a
nervous breakdown...

yes, okay. Sandra,

just calm down
and control yourself.

What is it?

There's only two
possibilities.

Either i'm going out
of my mind or

something very very strange
is happening.

Look, take it easy.

I'll be there
in 10 minutes, honey.

Bye.

Jerry, is that you?

Yeah, it's me.

Come in...

come in

what do you need
that for?

I don't know,

maybe a crucifix
would be better.

A crucifix?

What the hell are
you talking about?

Tell me the truth.

Do you consider
me a basket case?

No, not at all.
Why?

Your nurturing a pet
neurosis, that's all.

Like about 70% of the

female population
in this country.

So according to you i'm
not stark raving mad,

at a least not yet.

Don't be silly.
Of course not.

Sometimes you may

drink a little more
than you should,

but that's no reason to be
taken away

and put into a looney
house.

No, i'd rather not right
now

and you really shouldn't
either.

Alright.

You better see for
yourself.

It's in the kitchen.

The kitchen?

Oh, christ

was i just imagining
things?

It can't be...

it's her. Mrs. Holden.

This morning she was inside
a coffin at the funeral home

and now she's here in my
kitchen.

How?
How did she get here?

I don't know.

I heard a noise.

I came to look and
there she was on my floor.

I called you right after.

I thought i was loosing
my mind.

Okay.

Let's use our heads
and not panic.

Calm down.

We've gotta find out how
she got here, alright?

I couldn't give a damn
how she got here.

I just want her gone.

Let's get her out of here.

I can't take the sight
of her.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

At this point, a good stiff
drink is the only medicine

what are you gonna do?

I don't believe in the
twilight zone

so i guess i'll call the
the sheriff on this matter.

And what do you tell him?

I'll tell him exactly what
you told me.

That you heard this noise.

That you came running

and that you saw her there,

and the rest is up to them.

What was that?

The door is closed
but we left it wide open.

Someone took her away.

Or maybe she just left.

Don't be ridiculous

bodies don't just
get up and walk away

by themselves.

She's still here

she's still in the house...

sandra...

sandra...
get a hold of yourself

i don't want to stay
here anymore

jerry get her out

calm down...
- please...

tell her to go...

she's in here
you hear her.

Jerry, she's in here,
i can't take it anymore.

Sandra

sandra, calm down.

Don't let imagination
run away with you.

I don't know what the hell
is going on here either,

so were going to take it
step by step

and search every room in
the house, alright?

And we'll find the reason,
alright sandra?

And you're going to
follow me.

Follow me now

come on, that's it.

Alright?

Alright.

I'll do whatever you say.

I don't think i'll manage to
sleep here tonight.

If you want to stay at my
studio or my house

you're always welcome.

Good god...
it's blood...

blood...

dunwich?

Yes. Yes. I know it.

Odd that you're looking
for dunwich.

Yes, as a matter of fact...

yes, that's the town
where father thomas...

terrible... terrible

you know that dunwich

was built on the ruins
of the original salem.

That village of witches
and heresy.

And evil...

yes, but can you tell us
how to get there?

It's not easy.

You'll have to go back
towards the highway

and as you approach it
there's a road going left

blocked by a landslide.

That will take you to
dunwich.

Thanks a lot.

Just out of curiousity...

why are you folks going
down there?

We're just looking up a
friend.

I see.

Thanks again.

Good lord, help us.

Bob...

hi ann.

What are you doing in

the back seat
of my dad's car?

I didn't know where
to sleep.

You won't tell anyone
will you?

No, of course not.

Although you get some
awfully weird ideas.

Come on, smoke

only then you better split,
okay?

Ann...

it's him

go on...
get out of here

what are you doing?

Get in the house...

i can explain everything,
mr. Ross

shut up you bastard...

what were you trying to
do with my daughter?

Please, let me explain,
mr. Ross.

I was only looking for a
place to sleep.

I swear

pervert...

murderer...

i guess there's nobody in.

That's strange.

What do you plan on
doing?

I have a feeling this is
where the answer is.

We've gotta find the
undertaker

or someone from the
funeral parlor.

Maybe they have gone
to the cemetery.

You go.

I'll wait in your office.

I don't think i can take a
cemetery right now.

Fair enough.

"Dweller of the twilight
void..."

well?

Yes...

that's it

that's the very same
tombstone

that i saw in my trance.

Great.

Welcome to
the city of the dead.

Now what do we do?

We must find the priest's
grave and uncover him.

There isn't much time left.

All saints day begins at
midnight.

Where do we start?

Okay...
it's gonna be one of these.

Good thing he didn't hang
himself in arlington.

Yes?

Excuse me.

I wonder if you could
give us some information.

Sure.

Well, we're looking for

a tombstone of...

of a priest who
hanged himself.

Father thomas?

We don't know his name.

Well, why are you looking
for his burial site?

It's a long story.

One you might not want to
believe.

Try me.

I'm just about ready to

believe anything
at this point.

That's the whole story.

My god in heaven...

the living dead.

And that's why you're here
in dunwich?

What do you wanna do?

What are you
hoping to accomplish?

The death of father thomas
gave birth to some...

some evil.

They're worms...

who's speaking?

Alright, john john
now listen to me

you take it easy.

Stay right there and
don't move.

I'll be right over.

What happened?

That was emily's little
brother, john

he just told me that emily
killed her parents...

emily died 2 days ago.

Jerry, jerry

i'm scared, jerry,
i'm scared...

it's all over.

Everything's going to
be all right.

You girls take care of him,
please?

Sure.

Come on

my car?

Yeah, okay

in you go.

Oh god.

Oh god all mighty

totally butchered.

Literally ripped to shreds.

You're sure it was emily?

Yeah, but she was all
different.

She looked like,

she was like...

like she was dead.

And she was eating
mommy and daddy

poor kid.
You poor darling.

Jerry...

jerry, listen.

We've got to go to the
funeral parlour

and then we've got
to look for that...

that grave of the priest
- alright.

Well?

Is the kid alright?

Scared to death.

John john...

it's all right.

It's going to be all right.

It's all over now

now listen, sandra

go to the studio with
john john

stay there and don't let him
out of your sight

yeah, sure

jerry, we'd better
get a move on

we only have

god knows what else
will happen

emily?

No...

no

go away

no...

go away...

emily...

john john, thank god you're
safe, boy.

There's a police car
around the corner

mary's there too,
you go straight to it

go...

i'm in car two in
with sheriff russell

we're in main street...

we got to look for
father thomas' grave

you want some of my men?

No, i think it's better if
you guys

took care of the kid

alright, i'll take care
of the kid

mary?
- Coming

did you call?

Yeah
- let's get going

we interrupt this program

to bring you a
special broadcast

dunwich

a state of emergency,

effective immediately
within dunwich county

all citizens are requested
to return to their homes

as quickly as possible

in case of necessity

contact this station,
radio wdwc

the telephone number is
825...

mind telling me what's
going on?

The dead are leaving their
tombs

that's a load of crap

crap or not

i'm taking my money

i'm closing my doors until
tomorrow morning

and i'm not opening it
for anybody

i believe father thomas is
buried in the family tomb

over there

guess what?

It's all saints day

oh no...

well...

thomas family tomb,
now what?

I wish i had a cigar

shall we open it?

The lady had a vision

are you sure?

Mary?

Ready?

Here we go...

be careful

there you go

hold on to this and let me
try to give bill a hand

for god's sake, hurry

it's past midnight

my god

someone must have broken in
from the other side

or broken out

now what do we do?

I want to go take a look

give me a hand

having receive no further

bulletins on police
emergency operations

which is still in progress

we can only confirm our
previous special broadcast

citizens are requested to
remain in their home

under no circumstances
should anyone try to reach

the state turnpike

we repeat

do not panic,
remain in your home

stay tuned to wdwc

for further bulletin

for those who just tuned in

we repeat our previous
bulletin

dunwich police authority
has declared

a state of emergency

effective immediately

within the dunwich county

all citizens...

stop...

sandra...?

Mary

jerry...

jerry

no, no...

no...