Night of the Living Dead (1968) - Dawn of the (modern) genre

Even though possibly today's 'youth' may think that zombies started with TV's 'The Walking Dead,' those of us who have been around slightly longer will be aware of film-maker George A Romero and his culturally-significant 1968 film 'Night of the Living Dead.' Yes, the 'zombie genre' has been around in Hollywood prior to this movie, but this was the one that really brought it into the 'mainstream.'

The premise is pretty simple - the dead return to life and have a hankering for human flesh.  Now a band of survivors have to figure out a way of escaping a remote farmhouse before they end up as 'lunch.'

There's probably two ways of looking at this film these days.  If you're just into 'modern' horror, you may well find it a little tame.  Yes, it's in black and white (although there is a 'coloured' version out there, but, with all the good will in the world, it looks a little grainy) and there's not a lot of gore and violence, compared to what you might now be used to when it comes to the genre.  The zombies (or 'ghouls' as they're referred to on screen) are the 'slow moving type.' I know these were also used in 'The Walking Dead,' but the budget for that show meant they could appear more menacing that you see in 'The Night of the Living Dead.'

However, if you put yourself in the shoes of a horror fan of the time, you really will begin to understand how shocking and different this film was for its time.  If you care to do the research you'll find all sorts of debates and online essays about its deeper meaning and political subtle messages.  You can certainly read a lot more into it than just an excuse for blood and guts, but I won't go into it as it's really up to the viewer what they take away from it.

I would advise anyone who hasn't seen it should try to imagine what it would be like if this was the first ever zombie movie they ever saw - especially if they were living in sixties America.  And, even if you don't want to read anything more than 'it's an old zombie film' into it, you should appreciate the creepily dark and foreboding atmosphere, the excellent use of limited budget and characters who have more depth than ninety per cent of today's on screen ensemble.

Often copied, rarely bettered.  

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one