Dust Devil

Details

Release year: 1992

Storyline

A woman on the run from her abusive husband encounters a mysterious hitch-hiker.

Top credits

Did you know

• The initial cut of the film submitted by Richard Stanley had a duration of 120 minutes. Miramax, the distributor in the United States, rejected this version and created an 87 minute edit without the involvement of the director. This specific cut omitted supernatural elements and significantly reduced the screen time of the protagonist played by Zakes Mokae. Although this version saw a release in Europe, Stanley has stated he never viewed it. Following a 95 minute compromise agreement between the director and producers, the bankruptcy of Palace Pictures halted British distribution. After a year of investigation, Stanley located the original negative at PolyGram. With the support of original investors Channel 4 and British Screen Finances, the director regained control of the footage and financed a final cut to his own specifications.

• Director Richard Stanley originally intended for Kerry Fox to portray the character of Wendy. After financiers rejected this choice, Stanley proposed Stacey Travis, the lead from his previous film Hardware (1990). When the producers declined a second time, Chelsea Field was cast as a final compromise shortly before production began.

• Richard Stanley: When Wendy drives to Bethany at night, she briefly falls asleep and is startled by the Dust Devil on the roadside as he transforms into a dog. Director Richard Stanley performs this role under heavy makeup.