The Dead Pit is a 1989 United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 horror film. It was co-written and directed by Brett Leonard

Brett Leonard

Brett Leonard is an American film director, producer and music video director specializing in the science-fiction and horror genres. A few of his films such as The Lawnmower Man and Virtuosity feature groundbreaking computer animation and visual effects...

.

Plot

The Dead Pit opens with Dr. Ramzi (Danny Gochnauer), a deviant who enjoys torturing his patients, being killed and buried in the basement of a mental health facility. Twenty years later, the hospital is running again and Jane Doe (Cheryl Lawson) arrives at the institute. Upon her arrival, a major earthquake rocks the building and unearths the now undead Dr. Ramzi and his legion of zombie patients.

Reaction

The Dead Pit surprised horror fans upon its release, receiving positive reviews in genre magazines such as Fangoria

Fangoria

Fangoria is an American magazine devoted to horror and exploitation films, which has a number of associated brands:* Fangoria Comics* Fangoria Films* Fangoria RadioFangoria may also refer to:* Fangoria , a Spanish electro pop band...

and Slaughterhouse. Drive-In

Drive-in

A drive-in is a facility such as a bank, restaurant, or movie theater where one can literally drive in with an automobile for service. It is usually distinguished from a drive-through. At a drive-in restaurant, for example, customers park their vehicles and are usually served by staff who walk out...

 critic Joe Bob Briggs

Joe Bob Briggs

John Irving Bloom , who uses the pseudonym Joe Bob Briggs, is a syndicated American film critic, writer and comic performer.-Early years:...

 gave the film four stars (his highest rating) and praised lead Cheryl Lawson's screaming ability.

Versions

• The original US VHS release from Imperial Entertainment housed the film in a relief cover that lit up the eyes of the main zombie when a button was pushed. This version was slightly cut to receive an R-rating.
• The US company Code Red DVD released the film on DVD June 17, 2008. Special features include commentaries from Brett Leonard
  Brett Leonard
  Brett Leonard is an American film director, producer and music video director specializing in the science-fiction and horror genres. A few of his films such as The Lawnmower Man and Virtuosity feature groundbreaking computer animation and visual effects...
  
    and late actor Jeremy Slate
  Jeremy Slate
  Jeremy Slate was an American film and television actor.-Early life:He attended a military academy and joined the navy when he was 16. He was barely 18 when his destroyer assisted in the Normandy Invasion on D-Day . After the war he attended St. Lawrence University where he graduated with honors in...
  
  as well as interviews with both and Cheryl Lawson, the original theatrical trailer, and other trailers for upcoming Code Red releases. The version released by Code Red is an unrated director's cut, featuring six additional minutes of footage cut for an R rating.