Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Raiting: 
7,9 /10
Genre: Horror
Director: George A. Romero
Stars: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman
Country: United States
Release date: 4 October 1968
Length: 96 minutes
"Night of the Living Dead" (1968), directed by George A. Romero, is a groundbreaking horror film that established the modern zombie genre. The film begins with siblings Barbara and Johnny visiting their father's grave in a rural Pennsylvania cemetery. Their visit takes a terrifying turn when Johnny is attacked and killed by a strange, reanimated corpse. Barbara flees to a seemingly abandoned farmhouse, pursued by the relentless zombie.
Inside the farmhouse, Barbara is joined by Ben, who fortifies the house against the growing number of the undead outside. They discover other survivors hiding in the cellar: the Cooper family, including Harry, Helen, and their sick daughter Karen, and a young couple, Tom and Judy. The group is divided on the best course of action. Harry insists that they remain hidden in the cellar, while Ben believes they should defend the house and find a way to escape.
As the night progresses, the tension among the survivors rises, and the situation outside worsens. The house is surrounded by an increasing horde of "living dead", creatures who are reanimated after death and seek to consume the flesh of the living. Television and radio broadcasts reveal that the phenomenon is widespread and that the reanimation is due to radiation from a fallen satellite.
Despite their efforts to protect themselves, the group's sanctuary is breached. In the ensuing chaos, the zombies break into the house. Tom and Judy are killed when a plan to refuel Ben's truck goes awry, resulting in an explosion. The zombies attack and kill Helen and Harry, and Karen, who has turned into a zombie after being bitten earlier, murders her own mother.
By dawn, Ben is the sole survivor, having fought off the zombies and taken refuge in the cellar. However, the film ends in tragedy. A rescue posse, which has been hunting down and destroying the zombies, arrives at the farmhouse. Mistaking Ben for one of the undead, they shoot him through the window and add his body to the pyre of corpses being burned to prevent further reanimation.
"Night of the Living Dead" is not just a horror story but a film that reflects the social tensions of its era, including race relations and distrust of authority. Its graphic content, bleak tone, and shockingly downbeat ending broke new ground in the genre, making it a cult classic and a seminal work in horror cinema.
Top cast - Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Trailer - Night of the Living Dead (1968)
"Night of the Living Dead" (1968), directed by George A. Romero, is a film that not only redefined the horror genre but also became a cultural landmark. Shot in black and white on a shoestring budget, Romero's masterpiece introduced the concept of zombies as flesh-eating creatures, laying the groundwork for an entire sub-genre of horror. Beyond its surface-level scares, the film is imbued with social commentary, reflecting the tumultuous era during which it was made.
The film's opening sequence, set in a desolate cemetery, immediately sets the tone for the relentless tension that follows. The introduction of the zombie threat is abrupt and terrifying, effectively plunging the audience into the nightmare experienced by the characters. The claustrophobic setting of the farmhouse, where the survivors barricade themselves, serves as a potent metaphor for societal breakdown and the fragility of human cooperation under stress. Romero brilliantly utilizes the setting to ramp up the suspense and horror, as the characters' sanctuary becomes their prison.
One of the most remarkable aspects of "Night of the Living Dead" is its casting of Duane Jones, an African American actor, as Ben, the lead character. In an era fraught with racial tensions, the casting was progressive and added an additional layer of complexity to the film. Jones delivers a powerful performance, embodying both the physical and emotional resilience required to combat the unrelenting threat. The dynamics among the survivors, marked by conflict and collaboration, mirror the broader societal issues of the time, making the film resonate on multiple levels.
The low-budget aesthetic of "Night of the Living Dead" contributes to its raw, unsettling effect. The black and white cinematography enhances the eerie atmosphere and the sense of immediacy. Romero's direction is masterful, employing tight framing, claustrophobic shots, and effective use of shadows to amplify the horror. The film's makeup and special effects, though modest by today's standards, were innovative at the time and remain effective in conveying the ghastliness of the zombies.
In conclusion, "Night of the Living Dead" is a seminal work that transcends its genre. It is not merely a horror film but a piece of cinematic history that reflects and critiques its time. Romero's film has endured as a classic because it speaks to the primal fears of isolation, the unknown, and societal collapse, while also engaging with the specific anxieties of its era. Its influence is immeasurable, spawning countless imitators and sequels, yet it remains unmatched in its raw power and profound impact.