The Crazies (1973 film)
| The Crazies | |
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Film poster
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| Directed by | George A. Romero |
| Produced by | A. C. Croft |
| Written by |
Original screenplay: Paul McCollough Screenplay: George A. Romero |
| Starring | Lane Carroll Will MacMillan Harold Wayne Jones Lloyd Hollar Lynn Lowry Richard Liberty |
| Music by | Bruce Roberts |
| Cinematography | Bill Hinzman |
| Edited by | George A. Romero |
| Distributed by | Cambist Films |
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Release date
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March 16, 1973 |
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Running time
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103 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $275,000 |
| Box office | $143,784 |
The Crazies (also known as Code Name: Trixie) is a 1973 American science fiction horror-action film about the effects of the accidental release of a military biological weapon upon the inhabitants of a small American town. The film was written and directed by George A. Romero, and starred Lane Carroll, Will MacMillan, Harold Wayne Jones. Although it failed at the box office during its original release, it has since become a cult classic. A remake of the film was released in 2010.
The film follows two stories, one about the civilians trying to stay alive during the disaster, having to battle both "the crazies" as well as U.S. soldiers ordered to shoot on sight. The other involves the political and military leaders trying to contain the epidemic.
Set in the small town of Evans City, Pennsylvania, the central characters are firefighter David (Will McMillan), his girlfriend, nurse Judy (Lane Carroll), and firefighter Clank (Harold Wayne Jones). David was a Green Beret and Clank an infantryman, both having served in Vietnam. The town has seen a number of violent events, including arson at a local farm by a demented farmer. Judy and David are very concerned, since Judy is pregnant.
Meanwhile, heavily armed U.S. troops in NBC suits and gas masks, arrive in town, led by Major Ryder (Harry Spillman), who takes over the doctor's office where Judy works. Days earlier, an Army plane carrying an untested bioweapon crash-landed in the hills near the town, infecting the water supply with a virus code-named "Trixie," causing victims to either die or become homicidal. "Trixie" is highly contagious, with anyone drinking from the Evans City reservoir becoming affected. In Washington D.C., government officials order Colonel Peckem (Lloyd Hollar) to go to Evans City to help contain the virus, while scientist Dr. Watts (Richard France), arrives to develop a cure before the virus spreads beyond the small town.
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