George A. Romero’s first film would revolutionize horror movie making forever. Night of the Living Dead, shot in straightforward black and white, brought gore and despair to the screen in a manner never before attempted: as blunt a representation as possible. Not the first film to utilize gore, Night of the Living Dead was the first film to present weird, bloody carnage as an existential terror that had no meaning and no resolution. This concept was embraced by youth who were disillusioned with the Vietnam War and thus the no-budget zombie flick became a cult success. Shot with a stark feel, the mindless zombies descend upon the completely innocent. This simple structure has lead many to interpret the film as political allegory meditating upon white people’s fear of minorities. But for its political significance, rebellious filmmaking, and historical importance, Night of the Living Dead is a definitive classic.
