Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

Synopsis

The movie Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) is an anthology film that brings together four different segments, each directed by a different filmmaker. The segments are based on classic episodes from the iconic television series The Twilight Zone, created by Rod Serling. The film pays homage to the original series while presenting new stories with a modern twist.

Segment 1: Time Out

The first segment, “Time Out,” is a partial reworking of the episode “Back There” and “A Quality of Mercy.” Bill Connor, a racist man, finds himself transported to Nazi-occupied France during World War II, rural Alabama during the 1950s, and the Vietnam War. He is eventually captured by the S.S. officers and put into an enclosed railroad freight car, along with Jewish prisoners bound for a concentration camp.

Segment 2: Kick the Can

The second segment is a remake of the episode “Kick the Can.” An old man named Mr. Bloom moves into Sunnyvale Retirement Home and insists that being elderly should not prevent them from enjoying life. He invites them to join him for a game of kick the can, during which they are transformed into childhood versions of themselves.

Segment 3: It’s a Good Life

The third segment is a remake of the episode “It’s a Good Life.” Helen Foley meets a young boy named Anthony and his family. Anthony’s family is excessively welcoming, but Helen soon realizes that Anthony is a monster who killed his parents and brought them to his house to be his surrogate family.

Segment 4: Nightmare at 20,000 Feet

The fourth segment is a remake of the episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” While flying through a violent thunderstorm, airline passenger John Valentine notices a hideous gremlin on the wing of the plane and spirals into a severe panic.

Cast

Dan Aykroyd
Albert Brooks
Vic Morrow
Scatman Crothers
John Lithgow
Kathleen Quinlan

Trivia

The movie Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) was intended to revive the spirit of the original Twilight Zone series and introduce it to a new generation of viewers.
The film faced controversy and tragedy during production when actor Vic Morrow and two child actors were killed in a helicopter accident while filming a scene for the segment directed by John Landis.
The movie received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the individual segments while others felt that the film failed to capture the magic of the original series.