The classic George Romero zombie film is iconic to say the least. Unlike modern zombies, the undead here were different in many respects. For one, they were legitimately scary in their mannerisms and design. Today, zombies are just fodder for the protagonists to fill with gunshots. George Romero set the bar quite high for zombies and unfortunately, hardly anyone has even attempted to pass it since. There is a ton of gore so be prepared for that. With that out of the way, let’s get on with the review of the 1968 version of Night of the Living Dead. I know you are dying to read a few hundred words on this classic (minus puns like that, I promise).
The film starts with a brother and sister, Johnny and Barbara are visiting the cemetery where their father is buried. This is not the first time they have made this trip as evidenced by the snide remarks of Johnny over the cost of the flowers and his thoughts on where last years flowers went. You get a real sense for the cheapness of Johnny here.
We also find out Johnny is kind of a jerk to his sister when he starts flaunting her religious beliefs as he is in a hurry. He also berates her over a game he played on her many years ago, that still bothers her. Chanting “They’re coming to get you, Barbara!” which visibly bothers his sister, Johnny doesn’t notice the shambling undead in the distance.
Johnny goes to get in the car when the first zombie, portrayed by S. William Hinzman, attacks Barbara leaving Johnny to fight it off. Sadly, Johnny doesn’t survive the fight, but Barbara is able to, after a few horror movie tropes are explored, get away and find “safety” somewhat. Too bad the undead creature is hot on her trail and he is not alone.
I am not going to ruin the rest of the movie for you but suffice to say, no one makes a movie quite like George Romero. Just look at the opening scenes in the cemetery. No blood, no guts, no gore. Yet, this opening act some how conveys more horror than most recent horror movies could muster in two hours.
The foreshadowing in this opening scene is awesome. As Johnny is messing with his sister we see in the background, out of focus, the shambling undead make his appearance.
Unlike zombies of more recent movies, this undead creature is smart enough to bide his time. He doesn’t just run up and attack the people nearby. No, he waits till they separate so that he can attack one at a time.
Don’t believe me that the zombies are smarter here than any other horror movie that uses them as the antagonist? More proof is just a few minutes away.
After the zombie disposes of Johnny it doesn’t bother with eating his flesh right then and there. The zombie goes after Barbara and attempts to take her down. Why wouldn’t it? Johnny is dead and not going anywhere.
Besides, I believe this zombie is placing food strategically for other undead creatures to come later. Like bread crumbs in the old Hansel and Gretel story.
Romero’s zombies are smart. Romero's zombies are dangerous.
More proof they are not as stupid as they are made out to be in other movies is shown in how this first zombie handles getting Barbara.
Barbara can get to Johnny’s car and lock the doors. The zombie bangs on the windows attempting to get in. It even goes to the passenger side and tries the door handle.
That not working, it looks around and finds a rock and walks over, picks it up, and begins using it to smash the window.
That takes smarts. That is not simply “undead” walking again levels of problem solving. That is intelligence. That is something that is explored in later sequels, a bit.
We would be screwed as a species if zombies did walk the Earth. We would not make it very long if they were smart like those presented in George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.
The rest of the movie is full of events like this where the zombies are using deductive reasoning to figure out the best way to get to the people. That makes this movie so much scarier than just overwhelming the survivors by sheer numbers. No, these are not just shambling idiots wanting brains.
These are undead creatures that can plan and figure out a process that results in them getting the food they desire. That makes them infinitely more dangerous than just shambling brainless creatures.
That makes it hard to sleep at night after watching this film a little too late in the day.
George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead is public domain due to a copyright placement error, well, lack of placement.
With that in mind, it makes this movie one of the few that the original creator can rework and do whatever they wish with without having to get permission from a studio. See, there is a silver lining.
There have been remakes, sequels, edits, and more for Night of the Living Dead. Go ahead and watch it where ever you can find it. Just keep in mind, only the original black and white edition is 100% public domain – though later edits are probably freely distributed as well, I cannot attest to their legal standing.
For your convenience, the original is embedded above.