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The Serpent and the Rainbow

  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
28K
YOUR RATING
Bill Pullman in The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)
Trailer for this thriller directed by Wes Craven
Play trailer1:22
4 Videos
47 Photos
FantasyHorror

An anthropologist goes to Haiti to research a drug that makes someone appear dead by suspending all vital signs.An anthropologist goes to Haiti to research a drug that makes someone appear dead by suspending all vital signs.An anthropologist goes to Haiti to research a drug that makes someone appear dead by suspending all vital signs.

  • Director
    • Wes Craven
  • Writers
    • Wade Davis
    • Richard Maxwell
    • Adam Rodman
  • Stars
    • Bill Pullman
    • Cathy Tyson
    • Zakes Mokae
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    28K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Wes Craven
    • Writers
      • Wade Davis
      • Richard Maxwell
      • Adam Rodman
    • Stars
      • Bill Pullman
      • Cathy Tyson
      • Zakes Mokae
    • 123User reviews
    • 121Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos4

    The Serpent and the Rainbow
    Trailer 1:22
    The Serpent and the Rainbow
    The Serpent And The Rainbow: Buried In Blood
    Clip 2:18
    The Serpent And The Rainbow: Buried In Blood
    The Serpent And The Rainbow: Buried In Blood
    Clip 2:18
    The Serpent And The Rainbow: Buried In Blood
    The Serpent And The Rainbow: Interview With Sfx Artist Dave Anderson
    Clip 1:06
    The Serpent And The Rainbow: Interview With Sfx Artist Dave Anderson
    Bill Pullman Tells Us the Scariest Co-Star He's Ever Worked With
    Video 2:26
    Bill Pullman Tells Us the Scariest Co-Star He's Ever Worked With

    Photos47

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    + 39
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    Top cast63

    Edit
    Bill Pullman
    Bill Pullman
    • Dennis Alan
    Cathy Tyson
    Cathy Tyson
    • Marielle Duchamp
    Zakes Mokae
    Zakes Mokae
    • Dargent Peytraud
    Paul Winfield
    Paul Winfield
    • Lucien Celine
    Brent Jennings
    Brent Jennings
    • Louis Mozart
    Conrad Roberts
    Conrad Roberts
    • Christophe
    Badja Djola
    Badja Djola
    • Gaston
    Theresa Merritt
    Theresa Merritt
    • Simone
    Michael Gough
    Michael Gough
    • Schoonbacher
    Paul Guilfoyle
    Paul Guilfoyle
    • Andrew Cassedy
    Dey Young
    Dey Young
    • Mrs. Cassedy
    Aleta Mitchell
    • Celestine
    William Newman
    William Newman
    • French Missionary Doctor
    Jaime Pina
    • Julio
    • (as Jaime Piña Gautier)
    Evencio Mosquera Slaco
    • Old Shaman
    Kimberleigh Aarn
    • Margrite
    • (as Kimberleigh Burroughs)
    Philogen Thomas
    • Priest
    Ana Rosa Smith Avila
    • Mulatto Nurse
    • Director
      • Wes Craven
    • Writers
      • Wade Davis
      • Richard Maxwell
      • Adam Rodman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Due to political strife and civil turmoil in Haiti during the production, the local government informed the film crew that they could not guarantee their safety for the remainder of the shoot. The crew subsequently relocated to nearby Dominican Republic to complete filming.
    • Goofs
      At about the 1:05 mark a computer screen shows the word "specimen" misspelled as "speciman".
    • Quotes

      Dennis Alan: Don't let them bury me! I'm not dead!

    • Crazy credits
      [Opening card] In the legends of voodoo the Serpent is a symbol of Earth. The Rainbow is a symbol of Heaven. Between the two, all creatures must live and die. But because he has a soul Man can be trapped in a terrible place Where death is only the beginning. The following is inspired by a true story.
    • Alternate versions
      UK video and DVD versions are cut by 5 seconds by the BBFC to remove shots of cock-fighting (illegal animal cruelty).
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Shoot to Kill/The Serpent and the Rainbow/She's Having a Baby/The Unbearable Lightness of Being/School Daze (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Madame Marcel
      Performed by Le Roi Coupe Cloue
      Courtesy of Chancy Records

    User reviews123

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10

    Zombies in modern times, would you expect the movie to be good?

    Much to my surprise, this film was actually an excellent horror flick, one that I plan to watch again some day. I am glad a friend of mine recommended the movie to me, I am just hoping others will find the time to look into it.

    Even more, if the story actually is based on a "true story", I will shudder at the thought of it...
    • sonofhades
    • Jul 18, 2001
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is The Serpent and the Rainbow?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the old British BBFC 18 Version and the Uncensored Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 5, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Zmija i duga
    • Filming locations
      • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $7,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $19,595,031
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,848,700
      • Feb 7, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,595,031
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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