The nexus of modern Zombie movies, Night of the Living Dead (1968), was the culmination of ingenuity, borrowed ideas and borrowed money. It was also a beacon for the concept of Independent Film. Director George A. Romero was getting tired of filming TV commercials in the late 1960's, so he and some friends decided it would be interesting to make a horror movie. Romero based his idea on Richard Matheson's novel, "I Am Legend", twisting the story around a bit. Further claustrophobic elements in the visual sense were inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's The Bird's. Starting with their own money, it was soon apparent that they would need more. The borrowed sum totaled $114,000 and the creative and frugal use of the funds led to the unique aesthetic of the film. Bad business deals quickly and tragically led to the loss of the film rights, however, and it has long since entered Public Domain. Romero has produced two remakes in an effort to gain some financial benefit from it's success. Nevertheless, Night of the Living Dead is a true classic, and perhaps the most influential of all films in the zombie genre.
Barbara (Judith ODea) and her brother Johnny's visit to the cemetery turns horrific, when they are attacked by a zombie and Johnny is killed... |
| Night of the Living Dead. 1968 |
Scared and frantic, Barbara runs to a nearby farmhouse, where she soon encounters Ben (Duane Jones), who has also fled from the zombies and is attempting to get help...
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| Night of the Living Dead. 1968 |
The zombies, brought back to life by radiation, are still coming...
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| Night of the Living Dead. 1968 |
and trying to smash their way in...
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| Night of the Living Dead. 1968 |
Ben does his best to board up and secure the house...
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| Night of the Living Dead. 1968 |
It is soon discovered that they are not alone in the house. Another group of people has been hiding in the basement all along...
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| Night of the Living Dead. 1968 |
conflicts amongst themselves still prevail, even as they work to fend off the ghouls...
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| Night of the Living Dead. 1968 |
All they can do is fight to survive...
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| Night of the Living Dead. 1968 |
