Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 American independent horror film directed by George A. Romero. The movie follows a group of people who barricade themselves inside a farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania as they try to survive a zombie apocalypse. The film was a critical and commercial success and is considered a landmark in the horror genre. In this article, we will discuss the key aspects of the movie that make it a must-watch for horror enthusiasts.
Plot
The plot of Night of the Living Dead revolves around a group of people who are trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. The movie begins with siblings Barbara and Johnny visiting their father's grave in a rural Pennsylvania cemetery. However, they are attacked by a strange man who seems to be in a trance. Johnny is killed, but Barbara manages to escape and seeks refuge in a nearby farmhouse.
There, she meets a group of survivors who are also trying to stay alive. As the night progresses, the group faces several challenges, including attacks by the undead and tensions within the group. The movie's ending is a shocker and is considered one of the most iconic endings in horror film history.
Characters
The characters in Night of the Living Dead are a diverse group of people who are thrown together by circumstance. The lead character, Ben, is a strong and resourceful African-American man who takes charge of the group. Barbara starts off as a traumatized and helpless victim but later shows her strength and resilience. The other characters include a married couple, a teenage couple, and an older man who is holed up in the basement.
Cinematography
The cinematography in Night of the Living Dead is raw and gritty, which adds to the movie's sense of realism. The movie was shot on a low budget, which forced Romero to be creative with his camera angles and lighting. The black and white cinematography gives the movie a timeless quality and adds to its eerie atmosphere.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Night of the Living Dead is minimalistic and mostly consists of ambient sounds and dialogue. The lack of a traditional music score adds to the movie's sense of realism and makes the scenes more unsettling.
Horror Elements
Night of the Living Dead is a classic zombie movie, and it set the template for the genre that followed. The movie's zombies are slow-moving and have a shambling gait, but they are also relentless and determined. The scenes of the zombies attacking the farmhouse are intense and gruesome, with plenty of blood and gore.
Themes
Night of the Living Dead explores themes of race, class, and the breakdown of society. The character of Ben, played by Duane Jones, was a rare example of an African-American lead character in a horror movie in the 1960s. The movie also deals with the idea of the breakdown of society, as the characters struggle to survive in a world where the dead are coming back to life.
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Conclusion
Night of the Living Dead is a classic horror movie that set the template for the zombie genre that followed. Its well-crafted plot, memorable characters, gritty cinematography, minimalistic soundtrack, and exploration of themes make it a must-watch for horror enthusiasts. Our team of experts highly recommends this movie and suggests using the following diagram to enhance your article:
