Night of the Living Dead

Name: Night of the Living Dead
Genre: Horror
Released: October 1, 1968
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 89
Cast: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea

1968

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Universal acclaim based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 96 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 96 Ratings

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Night Of The Living Dead (Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Continental Distributing | Release Date: October 1, 1968 | Unrated

Starring: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea

Summary: There is panic throughout the nation as the dead suddenly come back to life. The film follows a group of characters who barricade themselves in an old farmhouse in an attempt to remain safe from these flesh eating monsters.

Director: George A. Romero

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 96 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Roffman

This is the great American nightmare, in which neither families, friends, neighbors, nor lovers can save you, and no matter what you try and no matter where you go, it won’t stop until you do. There is nothing more terrifying than that. Read full review

100

Time Out London Staff (Not Credited)

Whenever it seems there might be a glimmer of hope, Romero cruelly reverses our expectations. The nihilistic ending, in particular, has to be seen to be believed. Chuckle, if you can, during the first few minutes; because after that laughter catches in the throat as the clammy hand of terror tightens its grip. Read full review

100

Empire Kim Newman

Part of its strength is that it’s not a glossy, predictable Hollywood horror and so it has a grainy, semi-amateur, black and white look which gives it a dread sense of conviction. Read full review

Pauline Kael

It would be fun to be able to dismiss this as undoubtedly the best movie ever made in Pittsburgh, but it also happens to be one of the most gruesomely terrifying movies ever made.

Amos Barshad

Witness as the African-American protagonist (who has kept the panicked survivors alive) meets a fate that has more to do with prejudice than carnivorous appetites. Sometimes reality can be as brutal as any nightmare alternative in celluloid. Read full review

Roger Ebert

The movie had stopped being delightfully scary about halfway through, and had become unexpectedly terrifying. There was a little girl across the aisle from me, maybe nine years old, who was sitting very still in her seat and crying. Read full review

Vincent Canby

Night of the Living Dead is a grainy little movie acted by what appear to be nonprofessional actors, who are besieged in a farm house by some other nonprofessional actors who stagger around, stiff-legged, pretending to be flesh-eating ghouls. Read full review

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User Reviews

TimophersGames

Aug 29, 2020

Great classic a movie I can come back to and a movie I can recommend to everyone I know

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Computey18

Dec 24, 2022

A Classic and the classic Zombie Movie which everyone should see once in their life.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TheQuietGamer

Jul 22, 2017

The movie that started it all. Every piece of popular zombie fiction, from movies to TV shows and comics and video games, owes there existence to this film. George Romero's innovative and groundbreaking vision laid the framework for countless years of undead entertainment. Every trope, idea,The movie that started it all. Every piece of popular zombie fiction, from movies to TV shows and comics and video games, owes there existence to this film. George Romero's innovative and groundbreaking vision laid the framework for countless years of undead entertainment. Every trope, idea, rule, and moral conundrum you'll see in all of the zombie content that has come out over the years and has yet to can be found here. It's amazing to watch this, think of when it came out, and still see how all zombie fiction is using the exact same ideas. So next time you are watching an episode of The Walking Dead or playing some Zombies Mode in Call of Duty, just know that they wouldn't exist were it not for "Night of the Living Dead."

Of course it wouldn't matter that Romero did it first if he hadn't done it well. Night of the Living Dead holds up remarkably well after all these years. If anything, with the exception of (maybe) the low budget and some inexperienced acting, time might have actually improved this movie. It's black and white visuals, retro soundtrack, and to the basics approach add a tone and atmosphere to this that the refinements of the modern age can't always capture. I will admit that there is a lot of what I guess you could call empty space in the movie. The majority of the time is just watching the characters (mostly just Ben) board up the house they are trying to survive in. It isn't until the cast expands that the action really starts to get going. Like most zombie movies, the struggle survivors find between each other as the result of differing backgrounds and personality is just as large and dangerous to them as that of the undead hoards gathering just outside their defenses. One of the many examples I could cite to show you just how influential this movie was to the countless others of it's ilk that followed in suit.

While the low budget, independent nature of the film is something of a two-edged sword, it's clear that one edge is much sharper than the other. Fortunately, it's the one the swordsman doesn't have to worry about cutting (or worse, impaling) himself on. Without a great deal of special effects to rely on, we actually get to see the cast really use tools like fire and such to survive. It's pretty amazing to see our lead use a legitimate torch indoors, smoke and all, on his was outside. It makes the situation more believable. Yes, he's not actually going out there to ward off zombies, but he is risking some burns with that flame. The movie might actually be even creepier due to this smaller scale as well. I particularly enjoyed how the zombies were portrayed without much makeup, making them look more like, well, people. It's their behavior that sets them apart. I also think the way Romero envisioned them is also neat. They are much smarter then what we normally see nowadays, as they have the gumption to do things use tools in basic ways. It's also worth noting how incredibly bleak things are. With it's unforgettable ending and disturbing basement scenes, this is a movie that will stick with you long after you've made it to the final screen. Unlike other zombie fiction, this one even gives us an idea as to what caused the dead to return to feast on the living. Night of the Living Dead is a piece of cinema history. A real game changer that is still influencing the world today. Even though the zombie craze has slowed down a bit as of recently, the undead are still dominating our world. Well, ladies and gentlemen this is where the outbreak started. The late, great George Romero has gone down in history for a reason. You really should check out this starting movie in a series that has still has the ability to enchant and chill even today. Zombie fan or not, horror fan or not, movie buff or not, if you consider yourself a fan of fine cinema then this a must watch. Not only is it historic, but it's also fantastic as well. One of the most important, influential, and just darn enjoyable horror movies ever created.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Onlyclassicvg1

Sep 26, 2022

The movie film is a government assigned project to broaden and enlight people and glory of nation. Cultural learning is emportant to follow on global basis. We make our nation a better and more convenient place for house and living. Kazakhs are progressive and asstonishing people that withThe movie film is a government assigned project to broaden and enlight people and glory of nation. Cultural learning is emportant to follow on global basis. We make our nation a better and more convenient place for house and living. Kazakhs are progressive and asstonishing people that with conclusion of project will have new optimistic… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

inaneswine

Nov 14, 2017

Night of the Living Dead owns its reputation as one of the most important horror films ever made. Most modern horror films go intensely overboard on both the gore and the pace, while forgetting to include any actual drama for characters to face. George A Romero proved with this film, almostNight of the Living Dead owns its reputation as one of the most important horror films ever made. Most modern horror films go intensely overboard on both the gore and the pace, while forgetting to include any actual drama for characters to face. George A Romero proved with this film, almost fifty years ago, that he knows how to scare an audience, and really make them think.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

drlowdon

Oct 6, 2017

When the dead come back to life a group of survivors find themselves trapped inside a farmhouse with no obvious means of escape.

Released in cinemas back in 1968 Night of the Living Dead was a critical and financial success and it has since gone on to become a cult favourite amongst horrorWhen the dead come back to life a group of survivors find themselves trapped inside a farmhouse with no obvious means of escape.

Released in cinemas back in 1968 Night of the Living Dead was a critical and financial success and it has since gone on to become a cult favourite amongst horror fans. Watching it today some aspects such as the unconvincing zombies, mediocre acting and constant musical score playing throughout most scenes show the films age, and lessen it's impact somewhat, but it remains an effective example of the genre and its influence on subsequent TV and film is undeniable.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Carrzinho

Jun 12, 2018

Seminal in so many ways. Genre defining and sets a darker blueprint than you'd expect. However, if you like this genre you'll have seen everything expanded upon even by Romero himself so it won't hold any surprises. Also despite being "restored' it's barely watchable with iffy sound andSeminal in so many ways. Genre defining and sets a darker blueprint than you'd expect. However, if you like this genre you'll have seen everything expanded upon even by Romero himself so it won't hold any surprises. Also despite being "restored' it's barely watchable with iffy sound and appaling lighting. While like Citizen Kane it's almost required watching for a buff, a casual will probably want their 96 minutes back.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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