The Dead (1987)
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92% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
77% of users liked it
(2,659 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… 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
- Directed By
- John Huston
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Dec 17, 1987 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 10, 2006
- Studio
- Vestron UK Ltd.
Critic Reviews
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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.
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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.
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Dave Calhoun, Time Out
A beguiling chamber piece.
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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.
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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.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Anjelica Huston
as Gretta Conroy
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Donal McCann
as Gabriel Conroy
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Rachel Dowling
as Lily
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Cathleen Delaney
as Aunt Julia Morkan
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Helena Carroll
as Aunt Kate Morkan
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Ingrid Craigie
as Mary Jane
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Dan O'Herlihy
as Mr. Browne
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Frank Patterson
as Bartell D'Arcy
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Donal Donnelly
as Freddy Malins
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Marie Kean
as Mrs. Malins
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Maria McDernottroe
as Molly Ivors
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Sean McClory
as Mr. Grace
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Kate O'Toole
as Miss Furlong
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Maria Hayden
as Miss O'Callaghan
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Barbre Dowling
as Miss Higgins
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Lyda Anderson
as Miss Daly
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Colm Meaney
as Mr. Bergin
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Cormac O'Herlihy
as Mr. Kerrigan
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Paul Grant
as 1st Young Gentleman
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Patrick Gallagher
as 3rd Young Gentleman
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Amanda Baird
as Young Lady
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Paul Carroll
as Young Gentleman
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Redmond Gleeson
as Nightporter
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Brendan Dillon
as Cabman
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Dara Clarke
as Young Lady
