Night of the Living Dead

Night of the Living Dead. The classic. The one movie that is mainly responsible for my love of the horror genre. There is no way I can do it justice but I certainly wanted to give it deserved space and respect.

"It has been established that persons who have recently died have been returning to life and committing acts of murder. A wide investigation of reports from funeral homes, morgues and hospitals has concluded that the unburied dead are coming back to life and seeking human victims..." (-original script excerpt)


George A. Romero boldly stepped up to the plate in 1968 and changed the genre of horror forever. Adapted from John Russo’s novelette, the entire story takes place over the course of one night. It follows the predicament of a group of seven people who take sanctuary in a farmhouse as the horrifying phenomenon of the living dead begins. As they battle against the increasing number of the walking dead outside, their situation slowly becomes more dire. Finally they even begin turning on themselves.


One of the factors that make this film so impressive is understanding that is done on a very low budget, something like $112,000. As it was shot crudely in black and white, the overall impression seemed intent on a B-movie status. However, this film quickly garnered a cult following and is one of the most classic horror movie to date.

Fairly good acting for the time period as they create some believable characters bringing Russo's story to life. The movie starred a little known cast which featured a performance from then 9 year old Krya Schon. I had the privilege of meeting Kyra on-line, and she is awesome!!. She is now a 40 something adult and has her own websiteThe Ghoul Next Door. Of course there is not much more to say about the plot (unless of course you have never seen this movie and do not understand the quote "They're coming to get you Barbara."). Somewhere on the East coast, a community is terrorized by the recently deceased, and these slow stumbling zombies crave human flesh.

A little gore (created by special effect genius Tom Savini), a lot of moaning, and precarious moments make for a sensational movie. The earliest form of defense is to shoot and then burn. (Of course now we know more about Surviving the Zombie Plague.) A group of people thinks they have found safety in a farmhouse near a cemetery. Hammers, nails, shotguns, kerosene and fruit jar cocktails are the methods of the day to try and stop the zombie horde.

This movie was inducted into the National Film Registry on November 16, 1999. Woo Hoo, way to go Romero! You are now a part of national film history!!

There was also a remake in 1990. Tom Savini returns, this time behind the camera to direct the re-telling of this classic. The plot is the same, but the budget has increased and so have the special effects. A very well done story with a couple of new twists.

• Today's Cure song is Wrong Number from the Galore CD-(1997) A great addition to the Cure's reportiore. Jumpy with solid drum rhythms and quirky lyrics!

"You've got to make up your mind and make it soon. Is there room in your life for one more trip to the moon?"

CJ