10 Forgotten 80s Horror Movies You MUST Watch
9. Dead And Buried
A zombie movie that chose to play things in a low-key fashion (at least as far as horror is concerned), 1981's Dead and Buried is another motion picture that gained a favourable appraisal after its release, and with good reason. It effectively builds tone and suspense, features a foreboding atmosphere and its effects work by the legendary Stan Winston are top-notch.
The story sets its focus on Sheriff Dan Gillis (James Farentino) and local coroner William Dobbs (Jack Albertson) investgating a disturbing streak of killings in their town that have no motive or pattern beyond the brutal targeting of visitors. As the duo further unravel the mystery, Gillis realizes that his fellow townspeople are far from normal, and Dobbs is at the centre of said phenomenon.
Reminiscent of an old-school Twilight Zone episode, the Gary Sherman-helmed picture benefits from the aforementioned zombie effects work from Winston as well as the late Albertson's game performance as the unsettling coroner.
Dan O' Bannon's screenplay embraces surrealism, but ensures that the story and characters treat and deliver said surrealism with an odd sincerity rarely seen in such movies, helping it stand out from the pack as far as tone is concerned.