The Dead (1987)

92% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(2,559 ratings)

The final film of legendary director John Huston was based on the closing story of James Joyce's Dubliners. Anjelica Huston is top-billed as Gretta Conroy, the niece by marriage of turn-of-century Irish spinsters Kate Morkan (Helena Carroll) and Julia Morkan (Cathleen Delany). At the home of these… More The final film of legendary director John Huston was based on the closing story of James Joyce's Dubliners. Anjelica Huston is top-billed as Gretta Conroy, the niece by marriage of turn-of-century Irish spinsters Kate Morkan (Helena Carroll) and Julia Morkan (Cathleen Delany). At the home of these two curious ladies, Gretta is prodded into remembering her long-dead lover. She tearfully reveals to her husband (Donal McCann) that the deceased boy may well have died on her behalf. Her tale of woe bespeaks the sentiment shared by James Joyce: no matter how long in their graves, the dead will always influence the living. Adding to the film's elegiac quality, it stars Huston's daughter Anjelica and was co-written with his son Tony Huston. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: John Huston
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Dec 17, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Apr 10, 2006
Studio: Vestron UK Ltd.

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
There's also a rather awesome and unpretentious directness as well as calmness about the way that Huston contemplates his own rapidly approaching death.
Variety Staff, Variety
A well-crafted miniature, this dramatization of the Joyce story directly addresses the theme of how the 'shades' from 'that other world' can still live in those who still walk the earth.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
That Huston should have dared search for the story's cinema life is astonishing. That he should have found it with such seeming ease is the mark of a master.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
There's a certain disarming sweetness to the film. The scenes are lit in amber warmth and Joyce's Dublin fable of lost hopes and living memories is treated with respect. But the acting pool is only adequate.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
The movie was Huston's last and it's a great culminating work. As such, it couldn't be more perfect.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Huston was an old man when he died, but he had not withered dismally with age because he still had the courage and the imagination to attempt to make an impossible film of the greatest story that he had ever read.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A personal film for John Huston, starring daughter Anjelica and adapted to the screen by son Tony, this very last work evokes beautifully the mood and texture of James Joyce's lyrical story.
Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
... a small masterpiece, a film of exquisite grace and understated power.
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
... a perfect cinematic short story attuned to the rituals and touchy relationships of family and friends gathering in early twentieth century Dublin...
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com
a finely polished jewel and a wonderful way to remember a great director.
Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
Though it does the heart good to see John Huston's uneven swan song on DVD, The Dead deserves better than this cheap-as-Lucky Charms package.
Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
What redeems Huston's last gasp is the observational framing and agile editing with which the Morkan sisters' soiree is captured.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
One of cinema's best literary adaptations.
Jamie Russell, BBC
[A] deeply reverent, deeply affecting adaptation.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
Entirely filmed in a Californian warehouse, The Dead features the greatest Irish cast ever assembled on screen.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Fine performances from everyone, and a self-effacing, enigmatic star turn from Anjelica Huston herself.
Dave Calhoun, Time Out
A beguiling chamber piece.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A true labor of love -- a masterpiece, and perhaps the crowning achievement of a long, varied and highly celebrated career.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
A haunting farewell for father John Huston, a powerhouse acting turn from daughter Anjelica.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
The Dead celebrates the beauty of the English language, the challenges of marital love and the intimations of mortality which can bring us back to an exaltation of life.

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jameson W

This is a boring watch. However, it is important to keep in mind that it's intentional. The story is supposed to be awkward, so to the audience, the film will assuredly come across as boring. Still, this was a brilliant adaptation of the famous James Joyce novel. Most of the… More
This is a boring watch. However, it is important to keep in mind that it's intentional. The story is supposed to be awkward, so to the audience, the film will assuredly come across as boring. Still, this was a brilliant adaptation of the famous James Joyce novel. Most of the characters were true to the book with only a few flaws here and there. The tone and setting was spot on, though. Overall, watcheable, but not necessarily the most enjoyable film I have seen.
Erin C

I really didn't care for this movie. I've already forgotten what it was about.
Leo L

Fantastic movie.

Cast

            Anjelica Huston as Gretta Conroy

            Donal McCann as Gabriel Conroy

            Rachel Dowling as Lily

            Cathleen Delaney as Aunt Julia Morkan

            Helena Carroll as Aunt Kate Morkan

            Ingrid Craigie as Mary Jane

            Dan O'Herlihy as Mr. Browne

            Frank Patterson as Bartell D'Arcy

            Donal Donnelly as Freddy Malins

            Marie Kean as Mrs. Malins

            Maria McDernottroe as Molly Ivors

            Sean McClory as Mr. Grace

            Kate O'Toole as Miss Furlong

            Maria Hayden as Miss O'Callaghan

            Barbre Dowling as Miss Higgins

            Lyda Anderson as Miss Daly

            Colm Meaney as Mr. Bergin

            Cormac O'Herlihy as Mr. Kerrigan

            Paul Grant as 1st Young Gentleman

            Patrick Gallagher as 3rd Young Gentleman

            Amanda Baird as Young Lady

            Paul Carroll as Young Gentleman

            Redmond Gleeson as Nightporter

            Brendan Dillon as Cabman

            Dara Clarke as Young Lady
See full cast