Night of the Living Dead

Plot

Night of the Living Dead follows siblings Barbra and Johnny who visit their father's grave in a rural Pennsylvania cemetery when they're suddenly attacked by a strange, shambling man. After Johnny is killed, Barbra flees to an abandoned farmhouse where she meets Ben, a resourceful man who boards up the house against increasing numbers of flesh-eating ghouls. They discover other survivors hiding in the cellar: Harry Cooper, his wife Helen, their sick daughter Karen, and young couple Tom and Judy. Tensions rise as the group argues about strategy while the undead surround the house, leading to tragic consequences as their sanctuary becomes a death trap and the zombies breach their defenses. The film ends with the shocking fate of Ben, the sole survivor who is mistaken for a ghoul and shot by a posse, while news reports suggest the zombie outbreak may be caused by radiation from a space probe returning from Venus.

Historical Background

Night of the Living Dead emerged during one of the most turbulent periods in American history. Released in 1968, the same year as the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, the film reflected the era's social upheaval and growing disillusionment with authority. The Vietnam War was escalating, with graphic images of violence appearing nightly on television news. The civil rights movement was transforming American society, while the counterculture challenged traditional values. The film's bleak tone and subversive elements resonated with an audience increasingly skeptical of happy endings and simple solutions. The radiation explanation for the zombie outbreak tapped into Cold War fears of nuclear annihilation and the space race anxieties of the era. The film's critique of authority figures and institutions mirrored growing public distrust of government following the Pentagon Papers and other revelations. The casting of Duane Jones as a competent, resourceful Black protagonist who ultimately falls victim to white violence was particularly poignant in the aftermath of the civil rights struggles and urban riots of the 1960s.

Making Of

Night of the Living Dead was created by a group of friends who had previously worked together on commercial and industrial films in Pittsburgh. George Romero, John Russo, Russell Streiner, and Karl Hardman formed Image Ten Productions with the goal of making a profitable horror film. The script was written by Romero and Russo during weekends while they maintained their day jobs. The film was shot in black and white not only for budgetary reasons but also to create a stark, documentary-like feel that Romero believed would make the horror more believable. The farmhouse location was rented for $500 and the owners lived there during filming, often serving as background extras. The famous zombie makeup was created using simple techniques - grayish face paint, dark circles under the eyes, and occasionally fake blood. The gore effects were achieved using practical effects including chocolate syrup for blood, roasted ham for flesh, and animal entrails from a local butcher shop. The film's controversial decision to cast Duane Jones as the lead was groundbreaking for 1968, as it marked one of the first times an African American actor played a leading role in a mainstream horror film without the character's race being central to the plot.

Visual Style

The black and white cinematography by George A. Romero (credited under the pseudonym 'Johnny Strong') creates a stark, documentary-like realism that enhances the film's horror. The decision to shoot in black and white was both economic and artistic, allowing Romero to create high-contrast images that emphasize the film's themes of light versus darkness and life versus death. The handheld camera work during chaotic scenes creates a sense of immediacy and panic, while static shots during tense moments build unbearable suspense. Romero uses deep focus to keep multiple threats visible in the frame, constantly reminding viewers of the danger surrounding the characters. The cinematography employs unusual angles and compositions to create unease, such as low shots that make the zombies appear more menacing and high angles that emphasize the characters' vulnerability. The film's most iconic shot - the final image of Ben's body being burned on a pyre - is composed to resemble a news photograph, reinforcing the film's commentary on media sensationalism. The cinematography also makes effective use of shadows and silhouettes, particularly in the sequences where zombies first appear at the farmhouse windows, creating images that have become deeply embedded in popular culture.

Innovations

Despite its minuscule budget, Night of the Living Dead achieved several technical innovations that would influence filmmaking for decades. The film pioneered the use of news report footage within a horror narrative to create verisimilitude, a technique now common in disaster and zombie films. Romero's use of gore effects, while relatively simple by modern standards, was groundbreaking for its time and pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in mainstream cinema. The film's editing, particularly during the climactic zombie attack sequences, creates a sense of chaos and panic through rapid cuts and overlapping action. The practical effects for the zombie makeup were innovative in their simplicity, using basic materials to create iconic and terrifying designs. The film's use of real locations rather than studio sets gave it an authenticity that was unusual for horror films of its era. The decision to cast Duane Jones as the lead without making his race a plot point was a technical and social innovation in casting practices. The film's sound design, particularly the creation of zombie vocalizations, influenced how undead creatures would be portrayed in subsequent films. The movie's public domain status, while accidental, became a technical innovation in distribution, allowing for widespread availability and influence that would have been impossible under normal copyright restrictions.

Music

The film's soundtrack was composed by William Loose, who used library music under various pseudonyms to create the score. The main theme is a minimalist, repetitive piano piece that creates an atmosphere of dread and inevitability. The score eschews traditional horror music in favor of a more subtle approach that builds tension through repetition and dissonance. Sound design plays a crucial role in the film's effectiveness, with the moans and groans of the ghouls created by the actors themselves using various techniques. The film makes effective use of silence, particularly in the early scenes, to create unease before the attacks begin. Radio and television broadcasts are incorporated into the soundtrack, providing exposition and creating a sense of realism by placing the events within a broader context. The sound of breaking glass, gunshots, and screaming are mixed to create a cacophony during the film's climax, overwhelming the viewer just as the characters are overwhelmed by the zombie horde. The film's most famous sound effect - the repeated phrase 'They're coming to get you, Barbara' - echoes throughout the film, tying together the narrative and emphasizing the inescapable nature of the threat. The soundtrack's minimalist approach has influenced countless horror films, demonstrating that less can often be more when creating atmospheric tension.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening cemetery sequence where Johnny and Barbra are attacked, establishing the film's tone and featuring the iconic line 'They're coming to get you, Barbara!' The scene's sudden violence and Johnny's death immediately subvert audience expectations.
• The first zombie appearance at the farmhouse window, where a ghoul slowly approaches the glass and begins breaking through, creating an image of home invasion that has been endlessly imitated.
• The tense board-up sequence where Ben methodically secures the house while Barbra remains catatonic, showcasing Ben's competence and establishing the farmhouse as both sanctuary and potential tomb.
• The tragic truck explosion scene where Tom and Judy attempt to escape for gas but are killed when the truck catches fire, demonstrating the futility of escape and the brutal consequences of mistakes.
• The cellar confrontation where the group argues about strategy, revealing how human conflict and ego become as dangerous as the external threat.
• The final shocking sequence where Ben, having survived the night, is mistaken for a ghoul and shot by the posse, followed by the grainy news footage of his body being burned, creating one of cinema's most bleak and politically charged endings.

What Critics Said

Initial critical reception to Night of the Living Dead was mixed to negative, with many mainstream critics dismissing it as exploitative and excessively violent. The New York Times called it 'a junk film that shouldn't have been made,' while Variety criticized its 'amateurish production values.' However, some critics recognized its significance; Roger Ebert wrote a famous defense of the film, acknowledging its power despite its graphic content. Over time, critical opinion has shifted dramatically, and the film is now widely regarded as a masterpiece of horror cinema. Modern critics praise its technical innovation, social commentary, and lasting influence. The film currently holds a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it 'a bona fide classic of low-budget horror that continues to inspire and terrify audiences.' Critics now recognize the film's subversive elements, particularly its commentary on race relations and its critique of authority figures. The film's influence on cinema has been acknowledged by directors ranging from John Carpenter to Edgar Wright, and it is frequently cited in lists of the greatest horror films ever made.

What Audiences Thought

Night of the Living Dead was a surprise box office success, grossing millions against its tiny budget and becoming a midnight movie phenomenon. Initial audiences were shocked by its graphic violence and bleak tone, with some reportedly fleeing theaters during particularly gruesome scenes. The film developed a strong cult following, particularly among young audiences who appreciated its subversive nature and rejection of Hollywood conventions. Word-of-mouth spread quickly about this terrifying new film that broke all the rules. The film's public domain status meant it could be shown widely and cheaply, exposing it to generations of horror fans. Over the decades, audience appreciation has only grown, with the film now considered a classic that transcends the horror genre. Modern viewers often express surprise at how well the film holds up, praising its tension, character development, and social commentary. The film has inspired countless fan conventions, academic studies, and even pilgrimages to its filming locations. Its influence on popular culture is evident in everything from Halloween costumes to political cartoons, proving that audiences continue to connect with its themes and imagery more than fifty years after its release.

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