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:

Female Vampire | Tattoo | Stripper Dancing With Snake | Melting Face | Shot In The Hand

Awards:

4 wins & 8 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 21

2:40 AM

TBS

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:

Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

Philippines:R-18 | South Korea:18 | New Zealand:R18 | Ireland:18 | 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)

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

A Band Apart

Trivia:

The gun that Sex Machine wields is one of the weapons found in El Mariachi's guitar case in Desperado (1995), also directed by Robert Rodriguez. Chango beer (also from the earlier film) is available at the bar.

Goofs:

Continuity: When getting out of the car at the hotel room, Seth tells Richard to pop the trunk (i.e., he wants Richard to open the trunk remotely from inside the car). Then, Seth opens the trunk using a key.

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:

References The Wild Bunch (1969)

Soundtrack:

Dengue Woman Blues

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.