''The Aftermath'' (also known as ''Zombie Aftermath'') is a 1982
science fiction horror independent film
An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...
directed by Steve Barkett.
While not prosecuted for obscenity, the film was seized and confiscated in the UK under Section 3 of the
Obscene Publications Act 1959
The Obscene Publications Act 1959 (c. 66) is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom Parliament that significantly reformed the law related to obscenity in England and Wales. Prior to the passage of the Act, the law on publishing obscene mater ...
during the
video nasty
Video nasty is a colloquial term popularised by the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association (NVALA) in the United Kingdom to refer to a number of films, typically low-budget horror or exploitation films, distributed on video cassette that ...
panic
Plot
Three
astronaut
An astronaut (from the Ancient Greek (), meaning 'star', and (), meaning 'sailor') is a person trained, equipped, and deployed by a human spaceflight program to serve as a commander or crew member aboard a spacecraft. Although generally r ...
s return to Earth after a
nuclear holocaust
A nuclear holocaust, also known as a nuclear apocalypse, nuclear Armageddon, or atomic holocaust, is a theoretical scenario where the mass detonation of nuclear weapons causes globally widespread destruction and radioactive fallout. Such a scenar ...
(that also saw biological weapons used), although one dies in a crash landing. The two survivors, Newman (Steve Barkett) and Matthews, encounter some
mutant
In biology, and especially in genetics, a mutant is an organism or a new genetic character arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is generally an alteration of the DNA sequence of the genome or chromosome of an organism. It ...
s before discovering that
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
has been completely destroyed. Seeking shelter, the men take refuge in an abandoned
mansion
A mansion is a large dwelling house. The word itself derives through Old French from the Latin word ''mansio'' "dwelling", an abstract noun derived from the verb ''manere'' "to dwell". The English word '' manse'' originally defined a property l ...
. Newman later encounters a young boy, Chris, hiding in a museum with the curator (Forrest J Ackerman).
Before the curator passes away from radiation poisoning, Newman takes Chris under his care. While out seeking supplies one day, Newman and Chris encounter Sarah, who is running from a gang of bandits led by Cutter (Sid Haig).
After Sarah's murder, Newman decides to confront the gang at their desert wasteland hideout. After killing Cutter's gang, Newman is fatally wounded by the gang leader, who in turn is shot dead by Chris with a revolver. The boy then walks off alone before the credits roll.
Cast
*Steve Barkett as Newman
*Lynne Margulies as Sarah
*
Sid Haig as Cutter
*Christopher Barkett as Chris
*Alfie Martin as Getman
*
Forrest J Ackerman
Forrest James Ackerman (November 24, 1916 – December 4, 2008) was an American magazine editor; science fiction authors, science fiction writer and literary agent; a founder of science fiction fandom; a leading expert on science fiction, horror ...
as Museum curator
*
Jim Danforth
James Danforth (born July 13, 1940) is an American stop-motion animator, known for model-animation, matte painting, and for his work on ''When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth'' (1970), a theme-sequel to Ray Harryhausen's ''One Million Years B.C.'' (1 ...
as Astronaut Williams
*Linda Stiegler as Helen
*Adrian Torino as Bruce Will
*Levi Shanstan as Arnold Swatch / The Mummy
*Ramon Sumabal as Brad Pet
*Michael Eugene Romero as Silver-ster the Gold
*Jerone Meehleib as The lover Boy Irbo
*Martin Kearns as Victim
*
Dick Miller as Radio Announcer
Release
The film was released in the United States on various
VHS labels and in a special edition
laserdisc
The LaserDisc (LD) is a home video format and the first commercial optical disc storage medium, initially licensed, sold and marketed as DiscoVision, MCA DiscoVision (also known simply as "DiscoVision") in the United States in 1978. Its diam ...
release by the Roan Group. It was released in the UK with the alternate title ''Zombie Aftermath'' the film has been released in the United States by VCI ENTERTAINMENT. As of July 2021 it is available to stream on
Plex
Reception
Creature Feature gave the movie 3 out of five stars, finding it well written and directed. It also praised the musical score and effects. Fantastic Movie Musings was not as kind, finding the movie script weak and the characters lacking complexity.
See also
*
List of zombie short films and undead-related projects
The following is a list of zombie short films and other zombie- and undead-related projects, such as television series.
Zombies are creatures usually portrayed as either reanimated corpses or mindless human beings, in both cases cannibalistic o ...
References
External links
*
1982 films
1982 horror films
1980s science fiction horror films
American independent films
American science fiction horror films
Films about astronauts
American post-apocalyptic films
American zombie films
1980s English-language films
1980s American films
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