Dust Devil (1992)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Richard Stanley

Writer:

Richard Stanley (written by)

Release Date:

8 August 1992 (Japan)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller | Western

Tagline:

He's not a serial killer. He's much worse.

Plot:

A woman on the run from her abusive husband encounters a mysterious hitch-hiker.

Plot Keywords:

Desert | Shape Shifter | Dust Storm | Woman's Neck Broken | Stranded

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Robert John Burke	...	Dust Devil (as Robert Burke)
Chelsea Field	...	Wendy Robinson
Zakes Mokae	...	Ben Mukurob
John Matshikiza	...	Joe Niemand
Rufus Swart	...	Mark Robinson
William Hootkins	...	Capt. Beyman
Terri Norton	...	Saarke Haarhoff
Russell Copley	...	Cpl. Dutoit
Andre Odendaal	...	Cpl. Bates
Luke Cornell	...	Soldier 1
Philip Henn	...	Soldier 2
Robert Stevenson	...	Rifle Boy
Peter Hallr	...	Marist Monk
Stephen Earnhart	...	Camper Driver
Marianne Sägebrecht	...	Dr. Leidzinger

Runtime:

103 min | France:87 min | Italy:87 min | USA:87 min

Country:

South Africa | UK

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

UK:15 (re-rating) (2006) | UK:18 (original rating) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | France:-12 | Germany:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Namibia

Company:

British Screen Productions

Trivia:

Richard Stanley's first cut of the film was 120 minutes long. US distributors Miramax hated it and produced its own 86-minute version without Stanley's permission or cooperation. This cut removed all references to the supernatural and almost completely disposed of the nominal hero's role, played by Zakes Mokae. Stanley came to an agreement with them over a 95-minute compromise cut. At this point the film's British backers, Palace Pictures, went bust, making it increasingly unlikely that the film would ever see the light of day in a UK cinema. A further cut version found its way into Spanish and Portuguese cinemas. Called "Demonica"; Stanley has never seen this version. Then after about a year of frantic searching, Stanley discovered that the original negative was being held by PolyGram. He went to the film's original investors, Channel 4 and British Screen Finances, which were naturally keen to see what had happened to their investment. PolyGram was obliged to hand over the negative, which Stanley recut to his own specifications, and with his own money.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Wendy slams on the brakes of her VW Beetle, she doesn't touch the clutch, but the car stops without stalling.

Quotes:

Joe Niemand: The Dust Devil must keep moving to survive, blown by the desert wind, on and on, throughout eternity, without rest or pity.

Movie Connections:

References Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo. (1966)

Soundtrack:

Travel Alone (On the Jericho Road)

Finally I get to see the original cut! Excellent!!!

One has to wonder what the hell is wrong with Miramax and the W Brothers? The director's cut of Dust Devil is superior cinema! Brilliant visuals, innovative camera work, mystical, compelling narrative that takes time to flesh out character... wow I guess I just answered my own question. Richard Stanley is a great talent, one can only hope that he will somehow get back into the Cinemadrome someday soon.