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Movie Reviews:

Night of the Living Dead - 40th Anniversary Edition

Dimension Home Entertainment – 2008

Directed by George A. Romero
Screenplay John A. Russo and George A. Romero

Starring
Judith O'Dea
Duane Jones
Marilyn Eastman
Karl Hardman
Judith Ridley
Keith Wayne

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (NOTLD) is easily one of the greatest horror films of all-time, one of the most recognizable movie titles and certainly a gigantic inspiration for filmmakers ever since 1968.  Just sitting down to write a review of this classic film put heavy weight on my shoulders because of my admiration of the film and it's importance to the genre.  I always feel this way when I try to tackle such a masterpiece.

I don't think I need to tell anyone the story of this movie as it's probably been seen or heard by everyone over the past four decades.  Not to mention that you've seen it in countless other films that have carbon copied the NOTLD storyline or taken aspects of it.

NOTLD is a stark film that moves at a brisk pace, features stunning beautiful black & white photography, sharp editing, pretty good performances across the board, has music and sound FX which add immensely to the film's texture and Pennsylvania locations are something you'll remember.

The movie title would make you think that this film is a gorefest but that's really not the case.  It's a moody low-budget film that helped set the standard for not only horror films but all independent films.

George A. Romero says this film is the only one in his career that he tried to make scary.  He easily succeeds as the idea of people returning to life after death to eat flesh is not only disgusting but terrifying.  Seeing the zombie in the beginning chasing after Barbara (Judith O'Dea) through the cemetery, then breaking the window in the car is a sequence that has probably burned into the consciousness of the entire genre.

The only weakness I see in the film now is the over-the-top performance of Judith O'Dea, who is either really loud and talky or mute & unresponsive in the film.  Her reactions don't seem natural but that's being nitpicky.

Dimension Home Entertainment has put together a fantastic DVD package that includes the original film that's been restored and re-mastered, which looks and sounds sensational.  The Bonus Features alone make this DVD worth purchasing.  This includes: Audio Commentary with George A. Romero, Producer/Actor Karl Hardman, Actress Marilyn Eastman and Co-Writer John A. Russo which is very informative as the people involved have great memories from the shoot and they don't try to talk over each other or hog the mic time.

The second Audio Commentary has Producer Russell W. Streiner, Production Manager Vince Survinski, Actors Judith O'Dea, Bill Hinzman, Kyra Shon & Keith Wayne all speaking their recollection of the production and it's a pretty easy going track that is kind of fun and still informative.  

One For The Fire is a feature length documentary does a marvelous job of informing how this movie was made.  What I really loved was how this documentary crew goes back to shoot the same shots seen in the beginning of the film using Judith O'Dea and Russell Streiner how they look today.  They are brought back to the Evans City Cemetery retracing their steps exactly how they happened in the movie.  This opening will bring a smile to your face and get you into this awesome doc.   Numerous cast & crew who were involved in the production speak about their work and their memories.  I liked seeing Russell W. Streiner and John A. Russo go back to the basement of where their company the Latent Image resided in downtown Pittsburgh, the same basement that was used as the basement of the farmhouse in NIGHT.

Speak To The Dead is a question and answer session with George A. Romero.  Ben Speaks is the last Interview with Actor Duane Jones..  It's pretty interesting to hear Jones' hard stance view of the importance (not very) of the film in his life.  Though when he does talk about the film he has a good handle on what made it work so well.

Theatrical Trailer, Still Gallery and Original Script in DVD-ROM form round out the supplements.

NOTLD is one of the treasures in the genre and this 40th Anniversary Edition is a most have for anyone.

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