Few films can claim to be as influential and genre-defining as George A. Romero's 1968 horror classic Night Of The Living Dead. This is a superb film in every respect - it's beautifully filmed, expertly constructed and well acted. However, the film's most impressive achievement is that it still packs one hell of a punch almost 40 years later. Night Of The Living Dead remains essential viewing for any student of the horror genre.
Romero's premise could not be simpler. Barbra is attacked by a man who appears to be in some kind of catatonic state and flees to an abandoned house. She soon finds herself surrounded by a group of similarly affected people and starts to question her sanity until help arrives in the form of Ben, surely one of cinema's first black action heroes. Ben boards up the house, only to discover that two couples and a child have been hiding in the cellar. The group learn that a murder epidemic has spread across the country and try to hatch an escape plan that will enable them to reach one of the camps that have been set up to protect survivors. The reason why Night Of The Living Dead endures as a "scary" movie, while many of its contemporaries have become quaint or camp with the passing of time, is its remarkable ability to tap into commonly held fears and phobias.
For a film that was initially renowned for its blood and gore, Night Of The Living Dead's legacy is its psychological impact. Night Of The Living Dead was not the first film to use zombie-like creatures by any stretch of the imagination. However, it was the first film to present zombies in the form and with the mythology that modern audiences have come to associate with the term. The power of the "zombie" concept derives from the relentlessness and inevitably of attack that they represent. Coupling this idea with prospect of being pursued by mutilated, former friends and loved ones, is particularly cruel - and psychologically, very effective. The idea of betrayal permeates the entire film, from the "zombie" concept, to the actions of Harry and the fate awaiting Ben. There is also an aspect of paranoia, unintentional (as Romero has stated) or otherwise, which expertly reflects the social climate of the late 1960s and, indeed, of today. Romero expertly manipulates the viewer through a landscape of fear and uncertainty, constantly feeding the tension until the blood begins to flow.
George A. Romero and John A. Russo's script is truly a thing of beauty. It is taunt, tight and terrifying. Unlike most horror films of the day, Night Of The Living Dead is grounded in reality. There is no supernatural aspect to the events, indeed, the in-fighting among the group repeatedly emphasises human weakness and moral decay. A ploy which, at the time, must have seemed ground breaking. Their decision not to explain the zombie epidemic is a great one. In fact, my only real complaint about the script is the minor subplot about the Venus probe. It is the only example of the film losing its grounding and falling foul of its bulletproof mythology. Romero and Russo keep their biggest shock for the conclusion and closing credits, which remain an unparalleled reality check for the viewer. Night Of The Living Dead broke the mold and then re-constructed it. The film's sense of realism is further heightened by the wonderful gore effects, Romero's no non-sense approach to direction, the eerie black and white photography and the riveting acting performances.
The film's gore and make-up effects still hold up well. Back in the day they must have been absolutely breathtaking. Romero places great emphasis on realism and the scenes of zombies chewing on entrails and flesh are expertly handled. The black and white photography helps to mask the most dated effects and contributes to the film's documentary feel. Romero's direction is incredibly self-assured for a debut. His camera is like a fly on the wall, observing the action. The stillness of the scenes inside the house expertly balances the manic action that takes place outside it. Romero is aided by a fine cast, particularly Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman. Judith O'Dea's Barbara is somewhat useless as far as modern heroines are concerned but the sense of shock and hysteria conveyed is convincing, while Karl Hardman's Harry is superbly slimy. The acting standout is Duane Jones as Ben. Duane is simply exemplary. Today, this performance would have shot the actor into superstar territory.
Night Of The Living Dead is one of the earliest examples of the modern horror film. It is a link between the more theatrical approach of early horror and the intensity of modern genre films. Night Of The Living Dead's influence can not be overstated - it has been used a blueprint for countless movies. However, very few of them come close to matching this masterpiece.
Romero's premise could not be simpler. Barbra is attacked by a man who appears to be in some kind of catatonic state and flees to an abandoned house. She soon finds herself surrounded by a group of similarly affected people and starts to question her sanity until help arrives in the form of Ben, surely one of cinema's first black action heroes. Ben boards up the house, only to discover that two couples and a child have been hiding in the cellar. The group learn that a murder epidemic has spread across the country and try to hatch an escape plan that will enable them to reach one of the camps that have been set up to protect survivors. The reason why Night Of The Living Dead endures as a "scary" movie, while many of its contemporaries have become quaint or camp with the passing of time, is its remarkable ability to tap into commonly held fears and phobias.
For a film that was initially renowned for its blood and gore, Night Of The Living Dead's legacy is its psychological impact. Night Of The Living Dead was not the first film to use zombie-like creatures by any stretch of the imagination. However, it was the first film to present zombies in the form and with the mythology that modern audiences have come to associate with the term. The power of the "zombie" concept derives from the relentlessness and inevitably of attack that they represent. Coupling this idea with prospect of being pursued by mutilated, former friends and loved ones, is particularly cruel - and psychologically, very effective. The idea of betrayal permeates the entire film, from the "zombie" concept, to the actions of Harry and the fate awaiting Ben. There is also an aspect of paranoia, unintentional (as Romero has stated) or otherwise, which expertly reflects the social climate of the late 1960s and, indeed, of today. Romero expertly manipulates the viewer through a landscape of fear and uncertainty, constantly feeding the tension until the blood begins to flow.
George A. Romero and John A. Russo's script is truly a thing of beauty. It is taunt, tight and terrifying. Unlike most horror films of the day, Night Of The Living Dead is grounded in reality. There is no supernatural aspect to the events, indeed, the in-fighting among the group repeatedly emphasises human weakness and moral decay. A ploy which, at the time, must have seemed ground breaking. Their decision not to explain the zombie epidemic is a great one. In fact, my only real complaint about the script is the minor subplot about the Venus probe. It is the only example of the film losing its grounding and falling foul of its bulletproof mythology. Romero and Russo keep their biggest shock for the conclusion and closing credits, which remain an unparalleled reality check for the viewer. Night Of The Living Dead broke the mold and then re-constructed it. The film's sense of realism is further heightened by the wonderful gore effects, Romero's no non-sense approach to direction, the eerie black and white photography and the riveting acting performances.
The film's gore and make-up effects still hold up well. Back in the day they must have been absolutely breathtaking. Romero places great emphasis on realism and the scenes of zombies chewing on entrails and flesh are expertly handled. The black and white photography helps to mask the most dated effects and contributes to the film's documentary feel. Romero's direction is incredibly self-assured for a debut. His camera is like a fly on the wall, observing the action. The stillness of the scenes inside the house expertly balances the manic action that takes place outside it. Romero is aided by a fine cast, particularly Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman. Judith O'Dea's Barbara is somewhat useless as far as modern heroines are concerned but the sense of shock and hysteria conveyed is convincing, while Karl Hardman's Harry is superbly slimy. The acting standout is Duane Jones as Ben. Duane is simply exemplary. Today, this performance would have shot the actor into superstar territory.
Night Of The Living Dead is one of the earliest examples of the modern horror film. It is a link between the more theatrical approach of early horror and the intensity of modern genre films. Night Of The Living Dead's influence can not be overstated - it has been used a blueprint for countless movies. However, very few of them come close to matching this masterpiece.