Night of the Living Dead

“Night of the Living Dead” is a seminal horror film directed by George A. Romero, released in 1968. It is credited with being one of the first films to depict zombies as reanimated, flesh-eating creatures, thereby laying the groundwork for the modern zombie genre. The film has gained a cult following over the years and is revered for its influence on horror cinema.

Overview

• Release Date: October 1, 1968
• Director: George A. Romero
• Writers: George A. Romero and John A. Russo
• Genre: Horror

Plot

The film opens with siblings Barbara and Johnny visiting their father’s grave in a remote Pennsylvania cemetery. They are attacked by a strange man; Johnny is killed, and Barbara flees to a nearby farmhouse. There, she and a group of survivors barricade themselves inside to defend against an ever-growing number of the undead, who are inexplicably reanimating and seeking to consume the living. The film focuses on the dynamics among the survivors, including Ben, a resourceful man who takes charge of the group’s defense, as they struggle to understand and survive the escalating nightmare outside.

Themes and Impact

“Night of the Living Dead” is not just a horror story about survival against a mysterious undead threat; it is also a commentary on social issues of the 1960s, including racial tensions and the breakdown of family units. The film’s ending, especially, is noted for its bleak and shocking conclusion, serving as a poignant critique of societal norms.

The casting of Duane Jones, an African American actor, as the lead protagonist Ben was groundbreaking at the time and added a layer of complexity to the racial dynamics and interpretation of the film, especially given the social context of the United States in the late 1960s.

Legacy

“Night of the Living Dead” revolutionized the horror genre with its graphic depiction of gore and its development of the zombie archetype as we know it today—slow-moving, flesh-eating undead. The film’s success spawned a series of sequels and numerous remakes, establishing a long-lasting franchise. It also inspired countless filmmakers and contributed to the popularity of zombie themes in movies, television shows, books, and video games.

Despite its low budget and being shot in black and white, the film received critical acclaim for its atmosphere, social commentary, and innovative horror elements. It has since been preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

“Night of the Living Dead” remains a powerful and influential work in cinema history, demonstrating the potential of the horror genre to explore deep and unsettling aspects of human nature and society.