The Crazies

The Crazies, also known as Code Name Trixie, is a 1973 American horror film about the effects of an accidental release of a military biological weapon on the inhabitants of an American town. It was written and directed by George A. Romero. It starred Lane Carroll, Richard Liberty and Lynn Lowry.

Related Topics:
1973 - American - Horror film - Military - Biological weapon - George A. Romero - Lynn Lowry

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The film has two basic storylines. One follows the efforts of a group of civilians to stay alive during the disaster; the other follows the efforts of political and military leaders to contain the epidemic of violent insanity induced by the weapon.

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As often in Romero's work (e.g. Day of the Dead), the military are subjected to withering satire. Ordered to find the first expert they can lay hands on and convey him to the stricken town, the soldiers do precisely that, thus isolating the one man who might be able to find a cure in the middle of a disaster area with primitive facilities. The scientist's protests that he will be more useful in a proper laboratory are overridden with the threat of brute force.

Related Topics:
Day of the Dead - Satire

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The military response to the outbreak is to cordon off the town and shoot anyone who tries to escape, which has the effect of escalating the panic. One man, who seems to be immune to the nerve gas, is among those trying to flee, but by the time he is brought to the military clinic chaos has taken over and the problem seems to be spreading.

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