From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Director:

Robert Rodriguez

Writers:

Robert Kurtzman (story)
Quentin Tarantino (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 January 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

A terrifying evil has been unleashed. And five strangers are our only hope to stop it.

Plot:

Two criminals and their hostages unknowingly seek temporary refuge in an establishment populated by vampires, with chaotic results.

Plot Keywords:

Brother | Fugitive | Mexico | Vampire | On The Run

Awards:

4 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Harvey Keitel	...	Jacob Fuller
George Clooney	...	Seth Gecko
Quentin Tarantino	...	Richard Gecko
Juliette Lewis	...	Kate Fuller
Ernest Liu	...	Scott Fuller
Salma Hayek	...	Santanico Pandemonium
Cheech Marin	...	Border Guard / Chet Pussy / Carlos
Danny Trejo	...	Razor Charlie
Tom Savini	...	Sex Machine
Fred Williamson	...	Frost
Michael Parks	...	Texas Ranger Earl McGraw
Brenda Hillhouse	...	Hostage Gloria Hill
John Saxon	...	FBI Agent Stanley Chase
Marc Lawrence	...	Old Timer Motel Owner
Kelly Preston	...	Newscaster Kelly Houge

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and gore, language and nudity.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS (8 channels) | Dolby Digital

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Ireland:(Banned) | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Australia:MA (Cable TV rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Belgium:KNT | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:R | Chile:18 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 (re-rating) | France:-16 (original rating) | Germany:16 (cut) | Germany:18 | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 (re-rating) (2004) | Italy:VM14 (re-rating) (1998) | Italy:VM18 (original rating) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Poland:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #34314) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

If you look closely, when Cheech Marin is playing the Customs Agent, his name badge says, "Oscar Marin" which is Cheech's real-life father's name. His father was an LAPD officer.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The RV is heading into Mexico from the US and therefore would be subject to scrutiny and questioning by Mexican customs, not US customs as depicted. The only US border authority interaction would be payment of a crossing fee.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Pete Bottoms: Hey, Earl
Earl McGraw: Yes, sir.
Pete Bottoms: What do ya know?
Earl McGraw: Well, it's a hot goddam day

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Ridskolan 2: Sexskolan (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Foolish Heart

This film defies classification...

Critics of "From Dusk 'Till Dawn" often dismiss it as grade Z-slasher tripe, however the film is really two separate but equal genres (hard boiled crime drama and B-horror comedy) scotch taped together. Definitely not everyone's cup o' cinematic joe, this movie has more energy, wit and style than most high-budget Hollywood actioners. Clooney and Tarantino make a classic duo in two powerhouse and differing performances. T-man's script is crammed full of his usual over-the-top dialogue (if only criminals were really this interesting) and a lot of love for the conventions of B flicks from his youth. I give it a 10.