Braindead
Date: 1992
Director: Peter Jackson
Production Company: WingNut Films, New Zealand Film Commission, Avalon/NFU
Stars: Timothy Balme, Diana Peñalver, Elizabeth Moody, Ian Watkin, Jed Brophy, Stuart Devenie, Brenda Kendall, Davina Whitehouse, Silvio Famularo, Lewis Rowe, Glenis Levestam, Stephen Papps
Location(s): Wellington (New Zealand)
Region(s): Rest Of The World
Storyline:
25-year-old Lionel Cosgrove has never even kissed a girl, and so is excited when the lovely Paquita, a Spanish girl who works in the corner shop, arranges a nocturnal tryst with him in the zoo. Unfortunately, Lionel’s over-possessive mother, spying on them from the bushes, is bitten by a Sumatran Monkey Rat, and soon develops a craving for raw meat. Upon learning of this, Lionel tries to warn his new love of his mother’s strange cannibalistic habits before it is too late.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Dave Wilson
Also known as ‘Dead Alive’ (US Title)
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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
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Several explorers play cricket on Skull Island as their companions approach with their prized Sumatran Rat Monkey. This was filmed at the Putangirua Pinnacles near Wellington.
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The explorers get chased by the bloodthirsty locals who are a bit cross that their Rat Monkey has been stolen. If you recognise part of this landscape, it may be because director Peter Jackson returned here to film the Dimholt Road in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
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The explorers just make it onto their Jeep and get away, avoiding arrows from the natives. Skull Island is of course the home of King Kong, which Peter Jackson would direct a remake of over a decade later in 2005.
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The Rat Monkey is loaded onto an aeroplane bound for the modern world. This location is currently unidentified. It might be a studio exterior.
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A Fieldair Freight Dc-3 (possibly ZK-BBJ) lands at Wellington airport. Director Peter Jackson is a collector of vintage planes, and so I'm sure features old aircraft whenever he can. He cameoed as a machine gunner in one of the planes attacking the Empire State building in his own version of King Kong.
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The cargo is unloaded and makes its way up Queens Drive, Lyall Bay, Wellington.
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- 12 Nov 2016
I used to wonder if this was stock footage of downtown Wellington from the 1950s but it is in fact a rather impressive miniature set.
Just to highlight the fact that it's a miniature, here is director Peter Jackson leering over the model!
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- 12 Sep 2023
Rat Monkey delivery man (actor and sometime director) Tony Hiles drives the 1941 Chevrolet Light Delivery vehicle up Sutherland Road, Melrose, Wellington 6023.
Site visitor Elman proves a great now image with the beautiful blue water of Wellington harbour in the distance.
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- 12 Sep 2023
The van continues up Sutherland Road, passing Hornsey Road on the left.
Elman’s now photo also shows evidence of the subsequent tree growth since filming in the early 90s.
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Nearing the top of the hill, the van pulls into Rodrigo Road and is about to pass Paquita's shop.
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- 12 Sep 2023
The store where the films couple will first meet is on the corner of Rodrigo Road and Sutherland Road in Wellington.
Paquita’s shop looking a bit less colourful and more overgrown these days. Thanks to site visitor Elman for this and other brilliant now shots.
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After an unimpressive first meeting, Lionel (Timothy Balme) stands awkwardly whilst backing away from Paquita on Rodrigo Road.
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Lionel gets off the tram on Waitoa Road, Hataitai, Wellington 6021. This shot also sneaks in a very well done effects shot of the model tramlines that run along the bottom of the frame.
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Lionel hears his domineering mother call his name from the house and so he starts to run up Waitoa Road. This shot was actually taken a bit further back down the street from the previous shot after he got off the tram!
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- 12 Sep 2023
The family home! This is a real house located at Hinau Road, Hataitai, Wellington. Since the film was made there have been additional properties built in front of the house, making it quite hard to see from Hinau Road itself.
Elman’s recent ‘now’ shot shows proof of the subsequent new build in front of the ‘movie house’.
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Lionel attempts to fix the lawnmower in the front garden, not knowing he is about to get a surprise visit. Waitoa Road, Hataitai, Wellington is visible in the background.
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- 12 Sep 2023
Paquita's infectious enthusiasm seems to be winning Lionel over. He tries to help her with a pronunciation and doesn't realise he is about to change his future. The mountains of the Eastbourne Domain Recreation Reserve are visible in the background.
Elman captured this beautiful updated now shot, with the glorious clear sky looking across Wellington.
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Paquita (Diana Peñalver) eyes a fidgety Lionel on the front garden of 12 Hinau Road, Hataitai, Wellington.
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Paquita manages to get Lionel to unexpectedly agree on a date to the zoo!
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Lionel and Paquita stroll on their first date through Wellington Zoo located in the Newtown area.
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As they pass by a large pond, Lionel is about to experience a haunting flashback.
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Passion restored, the fledgling couple continue to walk through Wellington Zoo. But they may not be alone!
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The future looks bright as they approach the monkey enclosure at Wellington Zoo.
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Paquita excitedly runs over to the primate area with a sense of glee.
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Seemingly the monkeys want to have a bit of fun with the young couple, but the neighbour in the next cage has other intentions...
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The Keeper at Wellington Zoo (Tony Hiles) runs over to see what all the fuss and screaming is about...
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The Rat Monkey beaten back, Zoo Keeper (Tony Hiles) tells Lionel and Paquita briefly about its origins.
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The couple relax on a bench after witnessing the mini-carnage, but someone else is keeping an eye on them.
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Lionel is, for the first time enjoying loving company. But his mum Vera (Elizabeth Moody) is about to step in and ruin it.
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With Lionel having to take his sabotaging mother home, Paquita is left alone in Wellington Zoo.
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With infected zombies on the loose, Lionel needs a strong solution as he walks along Standen Street, Karori in Wellington.
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- 12 Sep 2023
He turns onto the veterinary clinic on Standen Street, Karori, Wellington. In real life this is just an ordinary residential abode and like Lionels house location, it has changed in appearance since filming. It is situated just around the corner from the cemetery that features later in the film.
Elman’s shot shows that this building hasn’t changed too much since filming.
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Lionel returns to Paquita's family shop on Rodrigo Road. He is seeking information on the dark forces that his girlfriend's Grandmother (Davina Whitehouse) seems to know about.
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- 12 Sep 2023
With Lionel's tarot reading in full swing, zombie mum (Elizabeth Brimilcombe in place of the more senior actress Elizabeth Moody), is determined to keep her son to herself as she 'walks' across Sutherland Road towards the shop.
The beautiful sky focus of this now shot almost looks like showing off of the stunning weather in Wellington!
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Zombie mum continues her march towards Paquita's place, with some of the houses on Sutherland Crescent, Wellington in the background.
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- 01 Sep 2023
With mum sedated, it's about time she was properly buried! This is to take place at Karori Cemetery in Wellington.
Website visitor Elman has sent a wonderful updated now shot.
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Father McGruder (Stuart Devenie) and Undertaker (Peter Vere-Jones).is on hand to deliver the service to the congregation of Mum's friends including Nora Matheson (Glenis Levestam) and Mr. Matheson (Lewis Rowe).
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Paquita (Diana Peñalver) waits alone amongst the crowds in Karori Cemetery in Wellington.
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- 01 Sep 2023
When Uncle Les (Ian Watkin) spots Paquita, he sees all manner of seedy possibilities.
Contributor Elman also managed to capture this excellent shot at the cemetery location.
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Father McGruder is getting annoyed outside the chapel at the lack of Lionel's presence.
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The service over and mum laid to rest (for now!) Paquita looks for Lionel in Karori Cemetery.
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Paquita catches up to a lonely Lionel.
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Whilst timing is sensitive as they walk through Karori Cemetery, there are also discussions of mums estate...
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...which gives Uncle Les a new reason for greed.
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Lionel knows he must exhume his buried mother for the sake of humanity! He is digging in Karori Cemetery in Wellington.
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Unfortunately a bunch of local (drunk) thugs have decided to cause trouble.
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With zombie mum now risen from the dead, some of the thugs flee whilst Father McGruder (Stuart Devenie) is woken and comes out to see what the hell is going on. House location is almost certainly on Nottingham Street in Wellington.
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Now zombie numbers rise to three, mum and two thugs. All approach Lionel in Karori Cemetery.
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Father McGruder decides it's time for some divine intervention and kicks arse for the Lord!
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- 01 Sep 2023
McGruder puts Bruce Lee to shame as he deals with the second undead thug, taking his arms, legs and head!
As Elman’s shot shows, cemetery locations don’t change that much.
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Lionel is ready with the syringe, as McGruder suddenly gets the zombie bite himself.
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In Karori Cemetery, Wellington, Lionel sits mentally and physically exhausted with the subdued undead laying around him.
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A disheveled Lionel clutches his tranquilizer whilst outside the shop on Rodrigo Road. Parts of Sutherland Road and Sutherland Crescent are in the background.
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- 12 Sep 2023
Paquita is understandably confused as to Lionel's odd behaviour recently. Sutherland Road is in the background.
Another updated shot by Elman of Paquita’s store.
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- 12 Sep 2023
Lionel attempts to explain but fails and mutters an apology.
Elman’s updated now shot shows that the bus stop is still there. The one featuring in the film was (presumably) put there to look more vintage, reflecting the feel of the film.
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It's a day out in the park for Baby Selwyn and Lionel. This was filmed in the children's play area of the Wellington Botanical Gardens.
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A nervous Lionel immediately gets off to a bad start as the pram gets away from him.
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He manages to grab it just in time...
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He sits on a bench and attempts to blend in by copying one of the other parents with a pram.
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But Baby Selwyn has other ideas and a forced pull back on a cuddly toy sends the pram careering down the hill of the Wellington Botanical Gardens play area.
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A happy couple enjoying a picnic are about to have a pram and a speeding Lionel whiz past them and through their sandwiches.
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The pram tipped over, Lionel attempts to chase Baby Selwyn.
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Lionel grabs Baby Selwyn and attempts a different style of zombie parenting.
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With the zombie infant all bagged up, Lionel retreats from Wellington Botanical Gardens. This gardens sequence is apparently director Peter Jackson's favourite of the film. As the main production had finished ahead of schedule and under budget, there was enough time and money left to add this scene.
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- 01 Sep 2023
Lionel is feeling the effects of subduing a zombie family, a secret he can't let out. He walks along buildings that line Hapua Street, Hataitai in Wellington.
Elman’s recent now shot shows expected plant growth but it was surprising to see the buildings look more or less the same.
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Paquita (Diana Peñalver) and new jock boyfriend Roger (Harry Sinclair) walk and talk with the slope of Hapua Street in the background.
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- 12 Sep 2023
Lionel looks on in pain to see what once was... with the road tunnel of Waitoa Road behind him.
Elman captures the angle and the subsequent decades of growth.
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But Paquita is already missing Lionel and is deeply bored by Roger, so decides to take action along Waitoa Road.
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With the mass zombie uprising in the house dealt with (in part with a lawnmower) the fire brigade arrive to put out the flames on Hinau Road.
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The happy couple are bloodied but together. They embrace and walk away along Hinau Road.