Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Directed by: George A. Romero
Release Date: October 1, 1968
Genre: Horror
Plot Overview
The film follows a group of strangers trapped in a rural farmhouse, struggling to survive against an onslaught of flesh-eating zombies. As panic and paranoia escalate, the survivors' trust in each other begins to fray, leading to internal conflict that proves as deadly as the monsters outside.
Cast & Characters
Although the cast was mostly composed of unknown or local actors, their performances contributed to the film’s raw, realistic feel.
Duane Jones as Ben
- A resourceful and determined man who takes charge of the group. Jones' performance was groundbreaking, as he was one of the first Black actors cast in a heroic leading role in a horror film, during a time when racial tensions in America were high.
Judith O’Dea as Barbra
- A woman traumatized after witnessing her brother’s death, struggling with fear and shock throughout the film.
Karl Hardman as Harry Cooper
- The stubborn and confrontational patriarch of the Cooper family, who believes hiding in the basement is the best survival strategy.
Marilyn Eastman as Helen Cooper
- Harry's wife, who becomes increasingly disillusioned with her husband’s domineering behavior.
Keith Wayne as Tom
- A young man trying to help others, despite the chaos.
Judith Ridley as Judy
- Tom's girlfriend, caught up in the nightmare.
Kyra Schon as Karen Cooper
- The Coopers' young daughter, who falls victim to the zombie infection — resulting in one of the film’s most shocking scenes.
Production Problems & Challenges
Budget Constraints
- The film’s budget was incredibly low — around $114,000 — which forced Romero and his team to get creative.
- Many of the crew members doubled as actors, makeup artists, and set designers.
- Cost-cutting decisions, such as shooting in black and white, ended up enhancing the film’s eerie, documentary-like atmosphere.
Independent and Guerrilla Filmmaking
- Filmed around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, using friends’ properties and local talent.
- The cast and crew were mostly amateurs, some coming from Romero’s commercial film work.
- The special effects were improvised — for example, the "flesh" the zombies ate was mostly roasted ham and chocolate syrup for blood.
Distribution Issues
- The film was initially released without copyright protection (a clerical error removed the copyright notice), which allowed it to fall into the public domain immediately.
- This led to widespread, unauthorized screenings — helping the movie gain a cult following, but also meaning Romero and his team never saw the profits they deserved.
Racial and Social Commentary
- Duane Jones’ casting was not originally intended to be political — Romero has said Jones was simply the best actor they found — but the choice had profound implications.
- The sight of a Black hero being gunned down by a white posse at the end resonated deeply in 1968, a year marked by the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, as well as heightened racial unrest.
Legacy & Impact
- Night of the Living Dead redefined horror films, effectively creating the modern zombie genre.
- Its unflinching violence and bleak ending broke taboos, paving the way for more graphic and socially conscious horror films.
- Despite the low budget and lack of professional polish, it is now considered one of the most influential horror films ever made.
- It inspired countless sequels, remakes, and spin-offs, and its commentary on human nature under pressure still resonates today. Full movie classic...
