No one knew what to expect when Night of the Living Dead debuted in 1968. More than five decades later, this low-budget independent movie still hasn't lost its power or influence: Night of the Living Dead became the prototype for how to make a modern horror masterpiece. This was the film that proved the genre could deliver much more than goofy monsters, bad special effects, and a few cheap thrills. It was as thought-provoking as it was gruesome. Its story reflected the turmoil filled 1960s, but was also simple to understand. And—in the end—it tapped into the deep fears of the audience like no horror film had ever done before, and every such movie has aspired to do since.
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD • 55TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
THE BIRTH OF MODERN HORROR • NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD INVENTED THE NEW STANDARD
SCARY MOVIES • A BRIEF HISTORY OF CINEMATIC HORROR UP TO THE MID - 1960s
GEORGE A. ROMERO • FROM MAKING CHILDREN’S TELEVISION TO CREATING THE LIVING DEAD
A DEVELOPING STORY • ROMERO’S PLAN BEGAN AS A HORROR COMEDY CALLED MONSTER FLICK
BRINGING LIVING DEAD TO LIFE • MADE ON THE FLY, THE FILM USED CREATIVITY TO PRODUCE SOMETHING SPECIAL
THE CAST • NOT MUCH EXPERIENCE WAS NECESSARY, EXCEPT WHEN IT CAME TO ONE IMPORTANT ROLE
WHAT IS THIS? • THE REACTION TO LIVING DEAD UPON ITS RELEASE WAS SHOCK
UNFINISHED BUSINESS • LIVING DEAD CHANGED GEORGE ROMERO’S CAREER AND SPAWNED A FRANCHISE
SPAWN OF THE LIVING DEAD • ZOMBIE STORIES HAVE ONLY MULTIPLIED. WITH NO END IN SIGHT
POST APOCALYPSE • HORROR IS WHAT IT IS TODAY BECAUSE OF GEORGE ROMERO
Night Of The Living Dead - 55th Anniversary Celebration
PHOTO CREDITS
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD • Five decades later, this low-budget independent movie still hasn’t lost its influence. From the violence to the social commentary to the shocking fate of the characters, Night of the Living Dead became the prototype for how to make modern horror.