Warning Sign [Blu-ray]

Overview

In yet another ostensible thriller about deadly germs wreaking havoc on human life and psyches, this is a frenetic, uneven story about germs going berserk in a sealed-off lab, giving rise to infected humans more berserk than the germs. The lab is secretly developing weapons of biological warfare, and when an accident occurs that immediately seals off the building, it looks as though some of the workers have died from their exposure to the invisible killers. But, lo and behold, these apparent corpses leap up from death and, rabidly homicidal, they can hardly wait to kill off any human in their vicinity. This makes the potential victims about as vicious as their attackers in their need to escape from room to room, turning the lab into a kind of asylum for the homicidally insane. No wonder that chief cop Cal Morse (Sam Waterston) has a job and a half on his hands -- made worse because his girlfriend (Kathleen Quinlan) is in there with the loonies.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/26/2019
UPC:	0826663197648
Original Release:	1985
Rating:	R
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:39:00
Sales rank:	16,897

Special Features

NEW interviews with director/co-writer Hal Barwood and producer Jim Bloom; Audio commentary with Hal Barwood; Theatrical trailer; TV spot; Photo gallery

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Sam Waterston	Cal Morse
Kathleen Quinlan	Joanie Morse
Yaphet Kotto	Maj. Connolly
Jeffrey DeMunn	Dan Fairchild
Richard Dysart	Dr. Nielsen
G.W. Bailey	Tom Schmidt
Jerry Hardin	Vic Flint
Rick Rossovich	Bob
Cynthia Carle	Dana
Scott Paulin	Capt. Walston
Kavi Raz	Dr. Ramesh Kapoor
Keith Szarabajka	Tippett
Jack Thibeau	Pisarczyk
J. Patrick McNamara	Connolly's Aide
Tom McFadden	Deputy Grazio
Kyle T. Heffner	Video Technician
Meshach Taylor	Video Technician
Lori Hallier	TV Reporter
Jeannie Epper	Woman on Video Screen
Gilbert Smith	Man on Schmidt's Team
Nancie Kawata	Woman in Cafeteria
James B. Dirker	Helicopter Pilot

Technical Credits

Hal Barwood	Director
Jim Bloom	Producer
Matthew Robbins	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

Often overlooked, this thoughtful, compelling thriller deserves better than the ho-hum reception it usually receives. Warning Sign sets itself apart from the pack by taking a careful plotting- and character-conscious approach to its storyline; instead of going for a roller-coaster ride packed with shocks, writers Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins take the necessary time to establish their characters and their situation. When the time comes for a confrontation, the heroes use their intellect as much as they use brawn (a nice touch). Warning Sign also benefits from an unusually distinguished cast: Jeffrey DeMunn and Sam Waterston give their heroic characters a vulnerable, down-to-earth quality and Kathleen Quinlan makes a likeably resourceful damsel in distress. On the downside, Hal Barwood's direction is a bit pedestrian and lacks the flair for the thrills that could have made this film a classic. However, the film's strong story and subtle approach to its chosen genre make Warning Sign a decent choice for anyone interested in a thoughtful variation on the sci-fi thriller.

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