Content Warning: This article contains graphic images. 

After the success of Dawn Of The Dead, zombie horror movies were everywhere, which led to studios wanting to capitalize on the hype. Of the many attempts to grab cash, one of the most successful was a bizarre horror/comedy known as The Return Of The Living Dead.

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In this world, Night Of The Living Dead is also a movie but was inspired by true events. When young workers clumsily release a toxin into the air, a new zombie epidemic starts. Only this time, it features blood, gore, lots of dark comedy, and quite a lot of punk rock. The Return Of The Living Dead had quite the production, with a lot of things some fans might not even know.

Well-Planned Censorship

Freddy in the chapel as a zombie in The Return Of The Living Dead

In the actual film, the back of Freddy's jacket says, "F**k you!" Since the filmmakers knew The Return Of The Living Dead would have life being played on TV, they couldn't have that jacket. In the DVD commentary, O'Bannon stated that every scene with Freddy's jacket was reshot for the TV version with a jacket that hilariously said, "Television Version."

This bit fourth-wall breaking is hardly noticeable but still manages to fit within the humorous style of The Return Of The Living Dead. Unfortunately, footage of the version that aired on TV is rare to find.

The Movie Was Made By The Co-Creator Of Alien

Dan O'Bannon at 20 Century Fox when Alien was in production

When it comes to the original Alien from 1979, most think of Ridley Scott as the original creator. It is understandable since Scott's name is more famous and synonymous with the franchise. However, he also worked with Dan O'Bannon who helped in writing the story for the iconic sci-fi horror.

Dan O'Bannon would go on to become the writer and director of The Return Of The Living Dead. It marks only one of two films O'Bannon ever directed, the other being H.P. Lovecraft's The Resurrected. O'Bannon's other writing works include Lifeforce (another bizarre zombie film), Total Recall, and more.

Dan O'Bannon Wanted To Star In It

Frank telling Freddy about 245-Trioxin in The Return of the Living Dead

Almost going for a triple threat of writer, director, and actor: Dan O'Bannon revealed on the commentary that he was aiming for the role of Frank, the older man who accidentally releases the zombie-raising toxin. Fortunately, the late James Karen was selected for the role instead.

James Karen's chemistry with Freddy's Thom Mathews, who some might recognize as one of the most iconic Friday The 13th survivors, was so beloved that the two actors would return as completely different characters in The Return Of The Living Dead Part II. Dan O'Bannon did get to appear as the voice of a helicopter pilot later in the film.

Tobe Hooper Was Almost Director

Tobe Hooper on the set of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Before Dan O'Bannon became director, he almost paired up with the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre's director Tobe Hooper. However, Tobe Hooper left the project to direct Lifeforce, leaving it up to Dan O'Bannon to take the lead of The Return Of The Living Dead.

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Producers originally wanted George A. Romero to helm the project but he was too busy with creating his Day Of The Dead at the time.

Partially Responsible For Day Of The Dead Flopping

Zombies walking in George Romero's Day Of The Dead

 

It's common for different studios to release similar films around the same time for a competition. However, in the case of The Return Of The Living Dead, it was simply poor timing. While The Return Of The Living Dead was a surprising success at the box office, George A. Romero's Day Of The Dead in the same year suffered.

At the time, critics were not kind to Romero's film, plus audiences were already zombied out after The Return Of The Living Dead. While O'Bannon's film brought humor into the mix, Romero's film was cold and distressing. Now both films from 1985 have become staples of the subgenre.

It Created The "Brains" Trope

The main characters of Return of The Living Dead fighting defending themselves

 

Whether it be Halloween decorations or parodies of zombies, there is almost always a zombie groaning out, "Brains!" or brains themselves will be the form of gummy candy. The funny thing is that zombies never fed off brains until The Return Of The Living Dead.

George A. Romero's zombies just ate and tore people apart in some famously gnarly kills across his franchise while O'Bannon zombies were the first to go right for the brain. Tarman practically made it into an iconic line when he emerges.

Different Versions Have Different Audio

The Tarman screaming for brains in The Return Of The Living Dead 1985

In a strange bit of alteration, things sound different depending on the release. The most commonly found version features changes from the original release. For example, some of the music is a little different but the biggest changes come in the form of zombie voices.

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The iconic zombie known as the Tarman features a deeper, more growly voice. Whereas in the original VHS release, Tarman sounded more high-pitched and gurgly. Even the zombie that radios in to "send more cops" sounds different. According to SYFY Wire, the original audio was later restored with the Shout Factory release of The Return Of The Living Dead.

Producers Hated The Running Zombies

Police officer revived as a zombie in The Return Of The Living Dead

Another thing The Return Of The Living Dead changed was the speed of the zombies. Up until that point, zombies were shambling corpses that were the deadliest in numbers. In The Return Of The Living Dead, the zombies were the first to sprint after their prey, thus giving them more of an edge.

It paved the way for films such as 28 Days Later and Army Of The Dead. However, the producers at the time did not like that the zombies were fast but O'Bannon wanted to give the audience something new.

The Brains Were Real

Freddy and Frank panicking over the zombies in The Return Of The Living Dead

Yes, some of the extras playing the zombies actually ate brains. Thankfully, the DVD commentary revealed they were not human brains but calf brains. Dan O'Bannon himself even ate some to make the zombie actors feel better about it; O'Bannon stated in a commentary that he would never make the actors do something he wasn't willing to do himself.

This isn't the first use of animal meat for gore. In Romero's Night Of The Living Dead, the charred corpses that the zombies eat were pieces of ham covered in chocolate syrup (which somehow sounds less appetizing).

Two Different Tarmen

Puppet and actor comparison in The Return Of The Living Dead

Bringing Tarman to life required a lot of things going on in just one scene. In the majority of scenes, Tarman is portrayed by actor Allan Trautman; his nimble body combined with stellar practical effects made him into one of the most iconic zombie performances.

However, it wasn't always Trautman; in certain shots, Tarman was a puppet to allow more expression and to bite into another puppet's head to get his preferred meal. The most famous use of the puppet is in the first reveal of his face, yelling out the word, "Brains!"

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