Writer: George A Romero (Screenplay) John A Russo, George A Romero (Original Screenplay)
Starring: Tony Todd, Patricia Tallman, Tom Towles, McKee Anderson, William Butler, Katie Finneran, Bill Moseley, Heather Mazur
Plot: The unburied dead return to life and seek human victims.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Good Remake
Story: Night of the Living Dead starts when brother Johnnie (Moseley) and sister Barbara (Tallman) are visiting their mother’s grave when the get attacked by a zombie killing Johnnie and leaving Barbara running for her life. Running for her life Barbara finds herself in a house where mysterious stranger Ben (Todd) arrives to save her from the dead.
Cleaning up the house the two discover other survivors in the basement the Cooper’s Harry (Towles), Helen (Anderson) and Sarah (Mazur) along with Tom (Butler) and Judy Rose (Finneran). The group split into two as they both have different beliefs in how to survive the impending situation but the question remains can they survive the night against the living dead?
Night of the Living Dead is a remake of the classic, it does follow the very similar story until the end because we don’t need to see that ending again because it just won’t be as shocking. We have the survival from the undead which all works to bring us to the edge of our seats. There isn’t really anything bad apart from the fact it is pretty much the same story as the original, the story never really tries to be brave enough to be its own film.
Actor Review
Tony Todd: Ben is the stranger that finds and helps Barbara, he knows how dangerous the situation is and doesn’t freeze under pressure. He makes sure the house is boarded up and takes control of the situation clashing with Harry Cooper over his methods. Tony is great in this leading role dominating the screen every time he appears.
Patricia Tallman: Barbara is visiting her mother’s grave when along with her brother she gets attacked but the undead, she escapes finding shelter in a nearby house where she meets Ben. Along with Ben she has to work with the fellow survivors to fight off the undead. Patricia is good in this role showing her ability to play the leading lady for a famous stunt woman.
Tom Towles: Harry is the husband and father trying to protect his family from the outbreak, he clashes with Ben becoming very selfish in how he makes sure his family are safe. He comes off as the asshole of the situation which makes us cheer for Ben even more. Tom is good here making us not like his character through the situation.
McKee Anderson: Helen is the wife of Harry, she lets him control her early on but as the situation starts getting more dangerous she starts to stand up for herself and the protection of her child. McKee is solid in this role and of course is involved in the more iconic scene of the film.
Support Cast: Night of the Living Dead has a supporting cast that only includes a couple more survivors with most of the actors being the zombies involved in trying to kill our living characters.
Director Review: Tom Savini – Tom shows he knows how to make a good remake but doesn’t challenge us enough with a fresh take on it all.
Horror: Night of the Living Dead gives us a good horror element which includes the undead coming for the living.
Thriller: Night of the Living Dead keeps us guessing to what will happen but if does follow too many paths the original does.
Settings: Night of the Living Dead does what all good horror films does and creates isolation for our characters giving them nowhere to run from what is after them.
Special Effects: Night of the Living Dead has good effects to create the undead throughout.
Suggestion: Night of the Living Dead is one for all the zombie fans to enjoy. (Zombie Fans Watch)
Best Part: Tony Todd Shines.
Worst Part: Too similar to original
Favourite Quote: Johnnie ‘They’re coming to get you, Barbara!’
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: The Original
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $5.8 Million
Budget: $4.2 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 32 Minutes
Tagline: There IS a fate worse than death.
Overall: Worthy remake to an all-time classic bring it into the modern era of cinema
Rating