Night of the Living Dead
1968  NR  HORROR  1h 36min
CAST— Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Russell Streiner, Karl Hardman, Keith Wayne
MUSIC— Various  DIRECTOR— George Romero

     Chills and thrills abound within this classic super-shocker from the last days of the atomic age. When an American space probe starts its descent back into the Earth’s atmosphere, high levels of a mysterious radiation emit from the probe. Although the military is able to destroy the dangerous probe before it touches down, the radiation still reaches earth… with catastrophic results. The radiation somehow reanimates the bodies of the recently dead, bringing them into the state of the undead. As these zombies roam the country they attack every living person they see, killing the person and, shockingly, eating the flesh of their victims. In a secluded farmhouse seven frightened people fight for their lives, fending off these reanimated corpses at all costs, praying that they’ll make it through the night, praying that help will come soon. Although over forty years have passed and although many imitators have tried to leave their mark in the annals of zombie legend, this film is still the original, and it’s definitely one of the all time best. Colorized version also available. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— ***
FOLLOWED BY— Dawn of the Dead (1978), Day of the Dead (1985), Land of the Dead (2005), Diary of the Dead (2007), Survival of the Dead (2009)
REMADE AS— Night of the Living Dead (1990), Night of the Living Dead 3D (2006)