28 Days Later 2002 1080p Zombies

This article is about the film. For the comics, see 28 Days Later (comics).

28 Days Later is a 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle, written by Alex Garland, and starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson. The plot depicts the breakdown of society following the accidental release of a highly contagious virus and focuses upon the struggle of four survivors (Murphy, Harris, Burns, and Gleeson) to cope with the destruction of the life they once knew while evading those infected by the virus.

The film received critical acclaim. Many praised the performances, screenplay, atmosphere, and soundtrack. The film is credited with reinvigorating the zombie genre of horror film, as well as increasing the popularity of fast-moving zombies (while Dan O'Bannon's 1985 film The Return of the Living Dead featured the first example of "fast zombies" in cinema, the concept was largely neglected in media until after the release of 28 Days Later).[citation needed] It was also a financial success, grossing more than $82.7 million worldwide on its modest budget of $8 million and becoming one of the most profitable horror films of 2002.

It was followed by a 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, a graphic novel titled 28 Days Later: The Aftermath, which expands on the timeline of the outbreak, and a 2009 comic book series titled 28 Days Later. In 2017 a poll of 150 actors, directors, writers, producers and critics for Time Out magazine ranked it the 97th best British film ever.

A highly contagious, rage-inducing virus is unleashed in Great Britain after a group of animal liberation activists free chimpanzees infected with the virus in a laboratory in Cambridge, spreading quickly among the populace and resulting in societal collapse. Twenty-eight days after the initial outbreak, bicycle courier Jim awakens from a coma in St Thomas' Hospital in London, where he discovers the city deserted. Wandering through London and finding signs of catastrophe, he is attacked by humans infected by the virus and rescued by survivors Selena and Mark. The two inform Jim about the virus, which is believed to have spread worldwide. At Jim's request, the group travels to his parents' house in Deptford, where he learns they committed suicide. That night, Mark is bitten during an infected attack and Selena kills him before he turns.

After leaving the house, Jim and Selena encounter cab driver Frank and his daughter Hannah at Balfron Tower. Frank informs Jim and Selena of a military broadcast offering protection to survivors at a blockade in Manchester. With supplies dwindling, he asks them to accompany him and Hannah to the blockade. The two accept, and the group boards Frank's cab to Manchester and become close with each other during the trip. When they reach the blockade, however, they find it seemingly deserted and Frank is infected when a drop of blood falls into his eye. The soldiers arrive soon afterwards and kill Frank.

The remaining survivors are brought to a fortified mansion under the command of Major Henry West. However, the safety promised by the soldiers turns out to be false when West reveals to Jim that the broadcast was intended to lure female survivors into sexual slavery to repopulate the world. Jim refuses to be complicit with the soldiers' plan and they attempt to execute him, but Jim escapes. Jim tricks West into leaving the mansion and releases Private Mailer, an infected soldier kept chained for observation. This results in the deaths of West's men. Jim, Selena, and Hannah attempt to leave in Frank's cab, but find West sitting in the back seat. West shoots Jim. Hannah retaliates by putting the cab in reverse, allowing Mailer to grab West through the rear window and kill him, and the three survivors escape from the mansion.

Another 28 days later, Jim recovers at a remote cottage in Cumbria, while the infected are shown dying of starvation. As a Finnish fighter jet flies overhead, Jim, Selena, and Hannah unfurl a huge cloth banner spelling the word "HELLO." The three survivors optimistically watch the jet as they hope that the pilot has spotted them.

Alternate endings

The DVD extras include three alternative endings, all of which conclude with Jim dying. Two were filmed. The third, a more radical departure, was presented only in storyboards. The U.S. cinematic release included one of the alternative endings after the film's credits in response to intense online debates over whether or not it was a more appropriate conclusion than the official ending. One of the alternate endings was also added in after the credits in airings from Sky Movies.

Directed by Danny Boyle

Produced by Andrew Macdonald

Written by Alex Garland

Starring

Cillian Murphy

Naomie Harris

Christopher Eccleston

Megan Burns

Brendan Gleeson

Music by John Murphy

Cinematography Anthony Dod Mantle

Edited by Chris Gill

Production

company

DNA Films

UK Film Council

Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures

Release date

1 November 2002 (United Kingdom & Ireland)

Running time

113 minutes

Country United Kingdom

Language English

Budget £8 million

Box office $82.7 million

Cast  :

Main article: List of 28 Days Later characters

Cillian Murphy as Jim

Naomie Harris as Selena

Brendan Gleeson as Frank

Megan Burns as Hannah

Christopher Eccleston as Major Henry West

Noah Huntley as Mark

Stuart McQuarrie as Sergeant Farrell

Ricci Harnett as Corporal Mitchell

Leo Bill as Private Jones

Luke Mably as Private Clifton

Junior Laniyan as Private Bell

Ray Panthaki as Private Bedford

Sanjay Rambaruth as Private Davis

Marvin Campbell as Private Mailer

Additionally, Alex Palmer, Bindu De Stoppani, and Jukka Hiltunen portray the animal liberation activists and David Schneider portrays the scientist. Christopher Dunne and Emma Hitching appear as Jim's parents. Toby Sedgwick plays the infected priest that Jim encounters.

On the DVD commentary, Boyle explains that, with the aim of preserving the suspension of disbelief, relatively unknown actors were cast in the film. Cillian Murphy had starred primarily in small independent films, while Naomie Harris had acted on British television as a child, and Megan Burns had only one previous film credit. However, Christopher Eccleston and Brendan Gleeson were well-known character actors.