Night of the Living Dead is a low budget independent film first released in 1968, which has since become a horror cult classic and prototype for zombie genre films. George A. Romero co-wrote, directed, edited and filmed his original masterpiece with John Russo assisting in the writing. The picture was controversial and hated by many for its gory violent content, but that did not stop it earning more that 250 times profit, by grossing US$ 30 million in the combined US and International markets. This black and white picture is considered by many critics among the greatest movies ever made.
Woke audiences won’t enjoy the damsel in distress portrayal of women, that was rampant during the era, but they may be appeased by the heroic portrayal of Ben by actor Daune Jones. Jones an African American, is not only the lead character, but also the voice of calm reason among a panicked population. His cool leadership is juxtaposed against cowardly and irrational white male counterparts and screaming or comatose women, who are all holed up in a Pennsylvania farmhouse fending off an increasing onslaught of un-dead cannibals.
The movie opens with Barbra, played by Judith O’Dea, and her brother Johnny making an annual drive to visit their father’s rural grave site. Barbra is freaked out by the cemetery and Johnny clowns around trying to scare her. When a pale faced man wearing a ripped suit suddenly attacks her. Johnny is killed trying to come to her defense and she runs off looking for help. She runs into the first house she finds, and discovers the home owner’s partially eaten dead body. Looking outside she sees the ghoul from the cemetery has been joined by several others and they are headed her way. Our hero Ben arrives, and starts fortifying the farmhouse, shooting zombies that get too close with a rifle he found in the home. Others arrive until there are seven refugees taking shelter in the home. Night falls and the zombie attack is held off by fire and guns.
The group is informed by radio announcements that there is a wave of mass murder across the countryside and un-dead corpses. In response, armed men are organizing into posses and sweeping the area shooting ghouls on sight. They are warned that bodies discovered should be burned to prevent reanimation and that bullets or severe bows to the head, seem to be the only other way to stop these relentless cannibals. The gov’t has set up rescue centers and a plan is made, by the disagreeable housemates to get there, but the zombies are between their safe house and escape route.
