Night of the Living Dead (1968)
About the Movie:
Night of the Living Dead (1968) is a groundbreaking independent horror film directed by George A. Romero, which redefined the zombie genre and became a cornerstone of modern horror cinema. Set in rural Pennsylvania, the film follows a group of strangers who take refuge in an abandoned farmhouse as the dead inexplicably come back to life and begin attacking the living. As the survivors struggle to protect themselves from the hordes of flesh-eating zombies outside, tensions rise among them, leading to internal conflict as the night progresses.
The film is notable for its stark, black-and-white cinematography, which enhances its eerie, documentary-style realism and grim atmosphere. With its low-budget production and shocking scenes of violence, Night of the Living Dead stunned audiences upon release and has since become a cultural landmark. Its portrayal of social breakdown and human survival in the face of an inexplicable threat has been widely interpreted as a commentary on 1960s American society, touching on issues of racism, war, and fear of the unknown.
Director:
George A. Romero
Main Actors:
Duane Jones as Ben
Judith O'Dea as Barbra
Karl Hardman as Harry Cooper
Marilyn Eastman as Helen Cooper
Keith Wayne as Tom
Did you know?
Night of the Living Dead (1968) was made on a shoestring budget of around $114,000 but went on to earn over $30 million worldwide. The film broke new ground by casting Duane Jones, an African-American actor, in the lead role of Ben, which was a bold and unusual choice for the time. Jones’ performance is particularly powerful, as his character emerges as the level-headed leader of the group, challenging societal norms of the 1960s. Despite the film not explicitly addressing race, the sight of a Black man fighting both the living and the undead during the volatile Civil Rights era made the film resonate even more with contemporary audiences.
Impact on Cinema:
Night of the Living Dead is widely regarded as the birth of the modern zombie genre, establishing many of the tropes that would define the genre for decades to come. Prior to this film, zombies in popular culture were usually depicted as mindless slaves under the control of a master. However, Romero’s vision turned zombies into relentless, flesh-eating monsters driven by a primal urge to feed, a concept that has since become a staple of horror films, TV shows, and video games. Romero’s film also established the idea of survivors barricading themselves against an overwhelming threat—a theme that has been revisited in countless horror stories.
The movie also revolutionized the horror genre by introducing unprecedented levels of gore and violence, which shocked audiences at the time. Night of the Living Dead was one of the first films to depict graphic dismemberment and cannibalism, helping to push the boundaries of what could be shown on screen. Its open-ended conclusion, with the shocking death of the protagonist, Ben, added to its bleak, nihilistic tone and left a lasting impact on viewers.
Cultural Legacy:
Night of the Living Dead has become one of the most influential horror films of all time, inspiring generations of filmmakers, writers, and artists. Its impact on pop culture is immeasurable, as it laid the foundation for countless zombie films, from Dawn of the Dead to 28 Days Later and The Walking Dead franchise. The film’s legacy also extends beyond the horror genre, as it has been studied and analyzed for its political and social themes, particularly regarding race relations and the chaotic, often violent nature of society.
Despite being made independently and outside the Hollywood system, Night of the Living Dead achieved massive success, both critically and commercially, proving that low-budget, independent films could have a major cultural impact. The film has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and continues to be celebrated for its revolutionary approach to horror filmmaking.
