Five Reasons to Love George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead”

As a cinephile with over four decades of film viewing under my belt, I wholeheartedly concur with the sentiments expressed about George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead.” This masterpiece has left an indelible mark on me since my youthful introduction to its chilling tale.

Instead of letting Halloween go by without revisiting what I consider the best horror film ever made – George Romero’s original “Night of the Living Dead” – seems like a missed opportunity for me. Although categorizing the extensive and varied horror genre into a single uncontested favorite can be challenging, if not a tad absurd, this movie has left an indelible impression on me since I first watched it as a teenager.

For Halloween this year, here are five compelling reasons (there are plenty more) that explain my affection for “Night of the Living Dead”.

#5 – The Music and Sound

Five Reasons to Love George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead”

A significant element that sets “Night of the Living Dead” apart is its exceptional audio design, including music, which significantly contributes to the movie’s unsettling mood. Remarkably, this music had been used in other projects beforehand; however, it was skillfully adapted to suit the film. Various tracks underwent minor adjustments to enhance their relevance, while live sound effects were economically recorded by Richard Lococo. Techniques such as echoes and distortions were employed to intensify the eerie ambiance, with numerous subtle sound decisions contributing to the tense environment. For instance, the recurring television newscast throughout the film plays a crucial role in creating an overall sense of discomfort, along with the entire audio design.

#4 – Duane Jones

Initially unrecognized on stage, Duane Jones found himself cast in George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,” a role that would later become iconic within the horror genre. His portrayal of the composed and resourceful character Ben was instrumental to the film’s success. Though his character’s background remained sparse, his cool, calm, and collected demeanor revealed much about him. Without Jones’ steady performance, the story likely would have quickly unraveled. Jones’ casting was remarkable considering the scarcity of leading roles for African Americans, especially alongside an all-white cast. However, he seamlessly fit into the role of Ben, and the movie wouldn’t have been the same without his powerful acting.

#3 – The Setting

The initial time I viewed “Night of the Living Dead” was on a borrowed VCR, and my parents graciously allowed me to stay up late for the screening. Ever since then, I’ve been captivated by it. One particular aspect from that very first viewing that has left a lasting impression is the film’s primarily single-location setting. As a child, the thought of being trapped in an isolated farmhouse with swarms of undead gathering outside was absolutely terrifying, and even today, it still gives me chills. The combination of survivalist elements and the sense of being stuck nowhere to escape from remains effective, and it has served as inspiration for numerous movies since. Regardless of how many times I rewatch “Night of the Living Dead”, I always find myself drawn back into that remote Pennsylvania farmhouse.

#2 – George Romero

George Romero’s ‘Night of the Living Dead’ stands out for numerous pioneering aspects and opening up fresh avenues. One of its most remarkable achievements is serving as George Romero’s first directorial feature film. With a modest budget of $114,000, he crafted something extraordinary. Despite financial constraints, Romero demonstrated exceptional creative ingenuity through his clever manipulation of sound, the camera, and limited special effects. He also opted to film it in 35mm black-and-white, a decision initially driven by budget considerations. However, as time passed, this choice has been recognized as the ideal way to experience the movie.

#1 – The Zombie Craze

Zombies have found permanent homes in media of all kinds including comics, video games, movies, and television. And to think it all started with Romero’s vision. “Night of the Living Dead” wasn’t the first film to deal with the dead coming back to life. But it was the first to truly develop zombies into what they they are known as today. It would be impossible to list everything that has drawn inspiration from Romero’s classic. It’s influence goes beyond cinema and into the culture as a whole. So the next time you see a zombie movie, rewatch an episode of “The Walking Dead”, or play “Plants verses Zombies”, just remember that it can all be traced back to 1968 and “Night of the Living Dead”.

2024-10-31 22:56