Night Of The Living Dead Essay

Night of the Living Dead

Night of the Living Dead, directed by George A. Romero, was released in 1968 and became a landmark film in the horror genre due to the film’s explicit violence and gore, which was unprecedented at the time. The film shocked audiences because of this and received widespread criticism and negative reviews. If this was the case, how is it possible that it is still remembered today when its initial reception was so negative? This is due to the film offering much more than just horror. Night of the Living Dead cemented itself as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made due to its subversion of traditional horror tropes, its commentary on societal issues, and its influence on subsequent horror films.

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First is the film's casting of a black actor in a leading role. This was a deliberate choice by director George A. Romero, who wanted to comment on the racial tensions of the time. The ending in particular highlighted this point when Ben was shot by the rednecks perhaps depicting white on black violence and the common nature of it. Second, the film features scenes of zombies attacking and devouring human flesh in a graphic and disturbing manner. This depiction of violence has been compared to the violent imagery of the war in Vietnam, which was broadcast on television and brought the reality of war into American homes. Lastly, the film's bleak ending, in which the zombies seemingly triumph, and the surviving characters are killed, can be interpreted as a commentary on the futility of the war in Vietnam. Like the war, the survivors in the film are unable to overcome the overwhelming odds against them, and their efforts to survive and escape are ultimately

The film's depiction of zombies as slow-moving, flesh-eating creatures has become a staple of the zombie genre. The film's influence can be seen in horror films and television series such as World War Z, The Walking Dead and Shaun of the Dead, which also feature zombies as the primary threat, among other things. Night of the Living Dead's graphic violence was controversial at the time of its release but has since become a defining feature of the horror genre. The film's uncompromising approach to depicting violence and gore paved the way for future horror films to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in terms of on-screen violence. This approach has become a hallmark of the horror genre, as filmmakers continue to explore and push the limits of what is considered shocking and terrifying. There’s certainly nothing like seeing someone get ripped apart and the pile of mush left behind. Thanks Night of the Living