The 1968 George A. Romero indie film has become a cult classic. We have Romero’s debut project to thank for the spawn of zombie films and fifty-plus years of sequels and spinoffs.
But does the original hold up?
The film is undeniably simple. A group of people are barricaded in a rural farmhouse as a gang of undead ghouls tries to break in. It’s impossible not to know the plot, so no surprises there. I was however, shocked at how effective the terror truly is.
Filmed in a grisly black and white, the story is ripe with chilling moments. I love how the mayhem starts devoid of any explanation. Barbara (Judith O’Dea) is at a cemetery visiting her father’s grave. The setting itself is one of obvious chills. A storm begins to brew. There’s a strange man walking slowly closer.
Judith O’Dea is a perfect Scream Queen pioneer. She plays Barbara with an intensity that, at times, outdoes the film itself. We understand the hopelessness of the situation. And the confusion as to what is going on as related through her character. And damn is she cute.
Duane Jones co-stars as Ben. He’s the level-headed leader of the “normal” folk. Ben has some knowledge of the situation but not enough to keep everyone at ease. Like the plot itself, Ben is simple and straight to the point.
“Night of the Living Dead” has a cheap feel to it. And that’s what makes it work so well. There’s an amateur vibe to the scenes, similar to “The Blair Witch Project.” It make us squirm as we watch. The anticipation that an unruly horde of zombies can break into the less than solid walls of the house at any moment is the definition of creepy.
There are some criticisms.
The film clocks in at 96 minutes. That’s not too long, but perhaps a trim of 3-5 minutes could make it sharper. And while I loved the score playing amidst the films open, it ruins the rest of the movie. Scenes would have been tenfold more terrifying had the sound been turned off. Zombie attacking is scary. I don’t need a circus-like orchestral note to accompany it.
31 Days of Halloween is upon us. You can watch “Night of the Living Dead” for free on a bevy of platforms. I would urge any and all who love horror to check it out. It’s a simple, early entry into the genre of horror.
“Night of the Living Dead” is currently available in a lot of places. Just Google it.
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