Night of the Living Dead (1968) | La nit dels morts vivents | 活死人之夜 | Colorized Movie

Night of the Living Dead (1968) is a seminal horror film directed by George A. Romero, renowned for its groundbreaking approach to horror and social commentary. Set in rural Pennsylvania, the film follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in an isolated farmhouse as they struggle to survive an onslaught of the undead. After Barbra and her brother Johnny are attacked by a zombie in a graveyard, Barbra escapes to the farmhouse, where she encounters Ben, a resourceful man who becomes the group's de facto leader. As more survivors join them, including a family and a young couple, tensions rise within the group, leading to conflicts as dangerous as the undead horde outside.

The zombies in Night of the Living Dead are portrayed as slow-moving but relentless, driven solely by a desire to consume human flesh. Although Romero never uses the term "zombie" in the film, it redefined the undead in popular culture, establishing the modern interpretation of zombies as reanimated corpses with an insatiable hunger. The film's stark black-and-white cinematography enhances its unsettling atmosphere, lending it a gritty, documentary-style realism that adds to the sense of impending doom. The use of unrelenting close-ups and shadows creates an oppressive, claustrophobic feeling, mirroring the tension and fear within the farmhouse.

Beyond its horror elements, Night of the Living Dead serves as a social critique. Romero's decision to cast Duane Jones, an African American actor, as Ben was unprecedented for a horror film at the time and added layers of meaning to the film's narrative. Ben's calm and rational demeanor contrasts sharply with the irrational fears and prejudices exhibited by other characters, making the film an implicit critique of racism and social division. The brutal, shocking ending further reinforces the film’s themes of distrust and societal breakdown, resonating with audiences amid the political turmoil of the 1960s.

Night of the Living Dead was made on a limited budget of approximately $114,000, and yet it became one of the most influential horror films of all time, grossing over $30 million globally. The film’s public domain status, due to a copyright oversight, contributed to its widespread distribution and cult following, allowing it to be broadcast on television and distributed freely, which helped solidify its place in horror history. This public access also inspired countless filmmakers, musicians, and artists, who could reference or remake the film without legal restrictions.

The film's legacy endures, as it set the standard for zombie cinema and paved the way for subsequent horror classics. Its impact is visible in everything from Romero’s own sequels, like Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, to modern zombie phenomena, including The Walking Dead and 28 Days Later. With its blend of horror and social commentary, Night of the Living Dead remains a touchstone in American cinema, a powerful statement on fear, survival, and human nature that continues to captivate audiences over half a century later.