Unraveling the Horror: Impact of Night of the Living Dead
Any movie genre has classics and horror is no different. To quickly name a few off the top of my head, I would list Nosferatu (1927), Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), Saw (2004), Halloween (1978), The Evil Dead (1981), and Night of the Living Dead (1968) among many others as classics. The list really is too long for me to record. Recently, I watched and blogged on Day of the Dead by George Romero, and you can read this blog here. Watching Romero’s work got the taste in my mouth (not for human flesh) to watch his original series again so, I revisited Night of the Living Dead with my pen and notebook in hand so I could write a blog on this film I so dearly enjoy. Let’s run to the nearest farmhouse and board it up in this week’s blog.
Night of the Living Dead's Opening Sequence: A Masterclass in Horror Suspense
Two things have always stood out to me regarding Night of the Living Dead. First, I will say that there are few horror movies that really give me the creeps. Night of the Living Dead does, at least in the beginning. I don’t know why but, the opening sequence has always given me chills. As Johnny and Barabra are in the cemetery and the first zombie is slowly approaching, it’s creepy to me. He’s getting closer and closer, and they have no idea what is about to happen. I guess it’s the outside-looking-in perspective that I have as a viewer. Then, it happens. That quick. About 3.5 minutes into the film, you are shoulder-deep in the plot with no explanation. It’s amazing! Night of the Living Dead’s introduction is the best I’ve ever seen, period.
Behind the Scenes: Meeting the Icons of Night of the Living Dead
I’m repeating myself here because it’s one of my favorite stories to tell. Me and my wife met Judith O’Dea in Atlanta at a convention. In the stall beside hers, was Russell Streiner who played her character Barabara’s brother Johnny in Night of the Living Dead. Essentially, we met the brother and sister from the film. Judith O’Dea explained that Duane Jones, who played the lead role of Ben, had passed away several years prior. She spoke very highly of him as a person. I stacked her and Russell’s autographs on my poster, finished our conversation, and moved on. If I could have gotten Romero’s autograph and the young girl that turns, I would be happy. John Russo signed it years later too. From my recent rewatch, I learned it is the face of the young girl who turns on my poster.
Putting It into Context: Night of the Living Dead in Horror History
I think it’s important to put this movie in perspective. It’s 1968 and up to this point in horror history, zombies have been creatures rooted in voodoo lore that are controlled by a voodoo priest. Watch White Zombie (1932) that features Bela Lugosi (IMDB Info). This film was the first zombie movie with sound. Anyway, Night of the Living Dead was a curveball to fans of the genre. 60’s television advertising wasn’t like today’s. Most people going to the theatres had no idea what they were walking into. In other words, you go to the theatres and expect voodoo magic, but instead reanimated dead people are trying to eat living people. Romero’s creation of the modern zombie reshaped the genre as we know it today. You can watch the original movie trailer here. I encourage you to see the difference.
Time Traveling Reactions: Witnessing the Birth of Modern Zombies
I would love to travel back in time and see people’s reactions to Night of the Living Dead’s new twist on the zombie. It would be like my experience when Jigsaw gets up at the end of Saw – I’m still bewildered. This is the closest cinematic event that I’ve experienced to what I imagine seeing Night of the Living Dead would be like. It seems like zombies regressed in intelligence from Night of the Living Dead forward though, apart from Bub in Day of the Dead. I mean that zombies seem to get dumber. In Night of the Living Dead, zombies know to try to open car doors with the handle, to go to the other door and try it, to try to smash windows with rocks, and even actively murder people with garden tools. Later movies seem to suggest that they have lost this intellect.
Exploring the Setting: The Rural Charm of Night of the Living Dead
While the time machine is landed let’s have a look around. Night of the Living Dead was filmed outside of Pittsburg, PA in Butler County. You can read more specifics here. In 1968, the area was very rural and may still be. There are open fields, forests, old roads, and a secluded farmhouse. If I could live anywhere, a rural farming community without zombies would be it for me. Inside the farmhouse, where most of the film takes place, you can see interior decorations for the time and demographic. There is an old lever action rifle, an old piano, an old radio and television set, old trucks, gas pumps, and even a helicopter. You can read more about vehicles used here. Another quick but fun feature is the use of German Shepherds as tracking dogs. Even in the 60s, it seems, mankind was using these animals for their noses.
Night of the Living Dead's Not So Happy Ending
It’s odd to say this, but I’m excited that Night of the Living Dead does not have a happy ending. I somewhat get tired of seeing the good guys always win because it’s not reality. In the case of Night of the Living Dead, the not-so-happy ending seems fitting. Ben is the last one left alive in a rural farmhouse. He hears the gunfire and dogs of the rescue team, removes the boards from the cellar door, and rushes to be back amongst the living. When the rescue teams see him, they assume he is a zombie, shoot him, and then drag him into a field to burn with the others. You survive the undead zombie creatures and are killed by the living who are supposed to be coming to help you. It’s ironic, fitting, and a fantastic ending to an equally fantastic story.
Join the Conversation: Share Your Horror Classics List!
There’s trivia on Night of the Living Dead. White Zombie samples the radio transmission in this movie in “Thunder Kiss ‘65.” The film is black and white, so they did not need red blood. Chocolate syrup was used instead. This made acting like you were eating people a little easier, I’m sure. If you are a fan of the zombie creature and you haven’t seen Night of the Living Dead, you need to watch it because it is the roots. You can watch free on YouTube here. I have and wear the t-shirt for this movie and have a poster complete with 3 autographs so, I’m a fan. What is your list of horror classics? Let me know in the comments. While you’re on my page, read more blogs here, view my art here, follow me on social media and buy art here. Peace.