Left 4 Dead (1987 film)

Left 4 Dead is a 1987 American horror action film directed, written, produced, and starring George Johnson.

It also stars Northern Calloway, Richard Knott, and Rebecca Butler as four survivors killing zombies and infected people.

This film not only became a huge hit in regular movie theaters, but it became a hit in drive-in theaters. It was to spawn sequels, video games, and even TV series.

Cast

 * George Johnson as Francis
 * Richard Knott as Bill
 * Northern Calloway as Louis
 * Rebecca Butler as Zoey
 * as Boomer
 * Betty Anderson as Witch
 * as Smoker
 * as Hunter
 * as Tank
 * as News Chopper 5 Pilot

Development
In 1986, while George Johnson was in a production of The Wild House Party 2: The Party Was Back, his wife persuaded him to watch Dawn of the Dead. After watching this movie, Johnson was hooked. He decided to put The Wild House Party 2 on hold and make a new movie. One character that has been removed from the final cut was Screamer, a noisy special infected character. Although actress Emily Matthews was cast in the role, but all of her scenes were ultimately cut from the film, and were never released until 2017, when Left 4 Dead's 30th Anniversary on Blu-Ray was released.

Casting
Although actor Michael N. Richardson really wanted to play the role of Francis. But for unknown reasons, George Johnson decided to play Francis. His longtime friend actor Richard Knott was selected to play Bill. Betty Anderson has selected the role of Witch. On the final day of casting, & Rebecca Butler joined the cast as Louis and Zoey.

Filming
Principal photography began on November 14, 1986, on Staten Island, New York. The hospital scene was filmed at Staten Island University Hospital on November 27, 1986. Principal photography finally ended on January 22, 1987.

Home media
The film was released by Media Home Entertainment on January 23, 1988, on VHS, Beta, and Laserdisc. It was re-released on VHS for its 10th Anniversary on March 23, 1998.

Video game
A Shoot 'em up game was based on the film published by LJN for NES in April 1988, a few months after the VHS release. In 1994, Left 4 Dead: The Interactive Adventure was released for both Sega CD and 3DO. This FMV game was developed by George Johnson Interactive, Absolute Entertainment (Sega CD version), and Interplay Productions (3DO version) and published by Sega (Sega CD version), and Acclaim Distribution (3DO version).

Sequels
The film has gone on to spawn multiple sequels and a television series.

Left 4 Dead 2
After Left 4 Dead became the best film of 1987, George Johnson and his son Daniel Johnson, begin to have plans to make a sequel to that film. They made Left 4 Dead 2, which is still becoming a huge success.

Left 4 Dead: The TV Mini-Series
George Johnson Entertainment produced the television mini-series, Left 4 Dead: The TV Mini-Series. That lasted from 1990 to 1991.

Left 4 Dead 3: Back 4 Blood
In 1996, George Johnson who recently recovered from lung cancer begin plans to make a second sequel to that film titled Left 4 Dead 3: Back 4 Blood.

Future
In early October 2022, George Johnson's younger son, Derby Georgy Johnson, announced that he will make a third sequel to the film titled Left 4 Dead 4: The Reunion. In mid-October 2022, Hailey Matthews will reprise her role as Rochelle, after that Michael N. Richardson will finally play Francis in the film, Betty Anderson will reprise her role as Witch, Chris Knowings will play Louis' son, Ron, and Rebecca Butler will reprise her role as Zoey, and Derby will produce and direct this film. However, Dennis Simmons who played Nick will not reprise the role due to he had Parkinson's disease since 2021. They will begin filming in March 2023.

Gallery
Main article: Left 4 Dead (1987 film)/Gallery