From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

“From Dusk Till Dawn” is a 1996 American action horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Harvey Keitel and George Clooney as two criminal brothers who take a family hostage in order to cross the Mexican border. However, they end up at a seedy bar, which turns out to be infested with vampires.

The film also stars Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, and Danny Trejo. It was produced by Lawrence Bender and executive produced by Quentin Tarantino, who also starred in the film.

“From Dusk Till Dawn” was a box office success, grossing over $59 million worldwide against its $19 million budget. The film received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, but has since become a cult classic for its unique blend of crime and horror genres, as well as its memorable characters and performances.

The film has spawned two direct-to-video sequels, as well as a television series adaptation that aired on the El Rey Network.

Cast

The cast of “From Dusk Till Dawn” includes:

• Harvey Keitel as Jacob Fuller
• George Clooney as Seth Gecko
• Quentin Tarantino as Richard Gecko
• Juliette Lewis as Kate Fuller
• Salma Hayek as Santanico Pandemonium
• Cheech Marin as three different characters: Chet Pussy, Carlos, and Titty Twister Cashier
• Danny Trejo as Razor Charlie
• Tom Savini as Sex Machine
• Fred Williamson as Frost
• Michael Parks as Texas Ranger Earl McGraw
• Brenda Hillhouse as Hostage Gloria Hill
• John Saxon as FBI Agent Stanley Chase
• Marc Lawrence as Old Timer Motel Owner

The film also features a cameo appearance by director Robert Rodriguez as one of the vampires.

Production

“From Dusk Till Dawn” was directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. The film was produced by Lawrence Bender, who had previously produced several of Tarantino’s films, including “Reservoir Dogs” and “Pulp Fiction.”

The film was shot on location in various parts of Texas and California, with a budget of around $19 million. Rodriguez used his signature fast-paced editing and stylized visual effects to create a unique blend of crime and horror genres.

The production of “From Dusk Till Dawn” was notable for its star-studded cast, which included George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino in the lead roles, as well as up-and-coming actors Juliette Lewis and Salma Hayek. The film also featured several veteran character actors, such as Harvey Keitel, Tom Savini, and Fred Williamson.

“From Dusk Till Dawn” was released in the United States on January 19, 1996, and went on to gross over $59 million worldwide. While it received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, the film has since become a cult classic and is widely regarded as one of Robert Rodriguez’s most popular and influential films.

Reviews

“From Dusk Till Dawn” received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, with some praising its over-the-top violence and creative premise, while others criticized its uneven tone and lack of substance. The film currently holds a 62% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 65 reviews, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The site’s consensus reads, “A pulpy crime drama/vampire film hybrid, From Dusk Till Dawn is an uneven but often deliriously enjoyable B-movie.”

Roger Ebert gave the film 2 out of 4 stars, calling it “a geek show without a circus,” while Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave it a “B-” rating, praising the film’s energy and sense of fun.

Despite the mixed reviews, “From Dusk Till Dawn” has since gained a cult following and is often cited as one of Robert Rodriguez’s most entertaining films. Many fans appreciate the film’s unique blend of crime and horror genres, as well as its memorable characters and over-the-top action sequences.

Where are they now?

Here’s a brief update on where some of the main cast and crew of “Dogma” are now:

• Kevin Smith (writer/director/Silent Bob): Since “Dogma,” Smith has directed several other films, including “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” and “Clerks II.” He has also become a prominent podcaster and commentator on pop culture.
• Ben Affleck (Bartleby): Affleck has since become a major Hollywood actor and filmmaker, starring in and directing films such as “Argo,” “Gone Girl,” and “The Town.”
• Matt Damon (Loki): Damon has also become a major Hollywood star, starring in films such as the “Bourne” series and “Good Will Hunting,” which he co-wrote with Affleck.
• Linda Fiorentino (Bethany): Fiorentino has mostly retired from acting since “Dogma,” but she did appear in a few films in the early 2000s, including “The Last Seduction II” and “Once More with Feeling.”
• Alan Rickman (Metatron): Rickman continued to act in films and TV shows until his death in 2016. Some of his notable roles after “Dogma” include Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” series and the voice of Absolem the caterpillar in “Alice in Wonderland.”
• Chris Rock (Rufus): Rock has continued to perform stand-up comedy and act in films and TV shows. He has also hosted the Academy Awards twice and served as an executive producer on the FX series “Fargo.”
• Salma Hayek (Serendipity): Hayek has continued to act in films, including “Frida,” for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. She has also produced and directed films and TV shows, including “Ugly Betty.”
• Scott Mosier (producer): Mosier has continued to produce films with Kevin Smith, including “Clerks II” and “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.” He has also directed a few films, including “The Grinch” and “Muppet Babies.”

Fun facts

Here are some fun facts about “From Dusk Till Dawn”:

1. Quentin Tarantino wrote the screenplay for “From Dusk Till Dawn” as a tribute to B-movies, particularly horror and crime films from the 1960s and 1970s.
2. The character of Santanico Pandemonium, played by Salma Hayek, was inspired by the real-life Mexican film star Irma Serrano, who was known for playing seductive characters.
3. George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino trained with martial arts experts to prepare for their roles as the Gecko brothers. Clooney even wore a prosthetic tattoo on his neck to make his character look tougher.
4. The Titty Twister, the bar where much of the film takes place, was actually a set built specifically for the film. The set was later used for other productions, including the television series “Breaking Bad.”
5. Tom Savini, who played Sex Machine in the film, also served as the film’s special effects makeup artist. He created the film’s many gruesome practical effects, including the vampires’ transformations and deaths.
6. The film’s soundtrack features several classic rock songs, including “Dark Night” by The Blasters, “After Dark” by Tito & Tarantula, and “She’s Just Killing Me” by ZZ Top.
7. The film was followed by two direct-to-video sequels, “From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money” and “From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter.” A television series adaptation also aired on the El Rey Network from 2014 to 2016.

Box office

Trailer