A landmark horror film with a deceptively simple premise, NOTLD seems to get better and better with the passing years. Maybe it’s the charmingly low-budget atmosphere that so greatly adds to the chill that gives it its timeless allure. Maybe it’s the all-to-convincing amateur cast that lends such believability to the goings-on. Or maybe it’s the assured direction of a young George A. Romero. Whatever the cause, NOTLD proves to be an enduring and classic horror film still retaining its primary mission to chill after all these years.

Visiting their mother’s grave, Barbara and Johnny (Judith O’Dea and an unbilled Russel Streiner) soon happen upon a strange man (Bill Hinzman) shambling about the cemetery. Wobbling uncomfortably close to Johnny, the man frantically grabs at him and the struggle ends in a terrible outcome of Johnny’s certain death. Literally running for her life, Barbara soon finds refuge in a seemingly abandoned farmhouse not far from her terrifying encounter. Once inside, she has only a precious few seconds before another seemingly hostile stranger, Ben (Duane Jones), bolts through the door in search of safety from the increasing troupe of living dead. Ben soon proves to be the leader of the situation, diligently nailing up the farmhouse as best he can into a makeshift fortress (with a terrifyingly dubious impregnability). What follows are all-out survivalistic tactics and personal confrontations to survive a NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.

No doubt, NOTLD wouldn’t be half of its scares without a game group of actors. And leading the pack is Duane Jones. Few actors in modern horror come to mind that are as thoughtful, sensitive, brave and intelligent as the young Jones was in what would become his landmark role. Jones is truly the element that allows NOTLD to rise above. In a standout scene, Jones asserts his ground by fighting for his ownership of the first floor of the farmhouse, and any possessions (including a radio and a TV) that may be included herein. Although it has often been noted, it is no less astonishing to see a black man single-handedly fight for what he so desperately believes in, in a film over thirty years old. Although Romero openly admitted that he never set out to cast Jones as a springboard for social criticism, (in fact, Jones was simply the best for the role), the director was never one to miss an opportunity. Subsequently, the core element of human drama is allowed a myriad of ironic and bittersweet vignettes. And the final outcome (which this reviewer wouldn’t dare spoil) is indeed intensified quite nicely by Romero’s shrewd, analytic eye.

And the modern viewer’s equally shrewd and analytic eyes will find little to cry afoul about in the makeup and gore work. While they obviously can’t hold a bloodied femur to Tom Savini’s groundbreaking work in Romero’s Day of the Dead, the zombies in NTOLD continue to hold their own, well, whatever, quite well despite the substantial passage of time. Romero and his crew worked effectively within their budget (no doubt a lesson learned in their "Image Ten" commercial work). The makeup is remarkably self-sufficient, with simple face paint the only give-away to the viewer of a member of the living dead. And Romero may indeed have been the first director to have to work with "squibs"- those moist, graphic exit wounds that fans of Hong Kong action cinema know so well. And finally, the shocking organ tearing and "feasting" of the zombies is in full force here, still looking as grisly and unpleasant as it did undoubtedly on its opening night.

Sure, NOTLD shows its age and its low-budget origins (there are quite a few continuity gaffes and more than a few glitches, not too mention the cheap film stock being somewhat unkind to the film), but viewers new to the film should be obliged not to sweat the small stuff. Because no matter the technological fumbles, NIGHT keeps on walking…

DVD SPECIFICATION
Original Year of Release: 1968
Approximate Running Time: 96 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Full Screen 1:33:1
System: NTSC (Black And White)
Rating: Unrated
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono
DVD Release: Elite Entertainment
Region Coding: Region 0 (Region Free)

DVD EXTRAS

-Theatrical Trailer
-Television Spots
-"Night Of the Living Bread"-a film parody
-Original "Image Ten" commercials
-Two audio commentaries

MAIN CAST

Duane Jones....Ben
Judith O’Dea....Barbara
Marilyn Eastman....Helen. Cooper
Karl Hardman....Harry Cooper
Keith Wayne....Tom
Judith Ridley....Judy
Kyra Schon....Karen

MAIN CREW

Directed by....George A. Romero
Produced by....Karl Hardman, Russel Streiner
Written by....George A. Romero, John A. Russo
Cinematography by....George A. Romero

DVD RATINGS (out of 5)

Picture 4/5

Spectacular. Never has this important film looked so good. Elite did a great job of re-mastering the original negatives, and it shows. Crisp, detailed compositions and deep, fathomless blacks. Gone is the fuzziness and print damage of all previous SP and EP tape editions. No longer is NIGHT a victim of an inexperienced telecine operator. My only (minor) quibbles are that in some scenes there are a few frames missing (no doubt damaged beyond repair), and there is the rare rough splice blemishing the screen with print damage and lab marks. Really though, Elite should be commended for this incredible job.

Sound 5/5

As forceful and dynamic a Dolby mono soundtrack as I’ve ever heard, this dvd also takes the film into new boundaries. The soundtrack is so crisp and clear, I had trouble remembering it was only one channel! Ben’s footsteps are thunderous, the nails driven into the boards sound piercing, and that great library music sounds as good as ever. There is minor hiss and a few pops in the soundtrack at times, but you’ll barely notice.

Extras 5/5

Undoubtedly, the most exciting extra is two full commentaries by practically everyone involved in the film! The first track has George Romero, John Russo, Karl Hardman and Marilyn Eastman. This is a more technical commentary, and the participants have many funny and often fascinating anecdotes to share about the film’s production. The second track is a more traditional commentary with the key actors, Bill Hinzman, Judith O’Dea, Keith Wayne, Kyra Schon, Russell Streiner and Vince Survinski. Also included is a great, original trailer and a few tv spots. Also quite fascinating are the "Image Ten" commercials. Even in these early commercials, it is easy to spot Romero and crew’s visual imagination and enthusiasm (even if they are selling fabric cleaner!). Least satisfying is the "Night Of The Living Bread" parody. It’s fun, but it seems oddly out of place.

Overall Rating 5/5

To date, this is, hands down, the best home release of NOTLD. Elite have outdone themselves here, presenting a landmark film with the respect and class it so richly deserves.

FILM TAGLINES

"They Won’t Stay Dead!"
"They Keep Coming Back in a Bloodthirsty Lust for HUMAN FLESH!"
"Pits the Dead Against the Living In a Struggle for Survival!"

Movie Facts

Bill "Chilly Billy" Cardille (the Field Reporter in the film) is the father of Lori Cardille, the heroine of Romero’s third dead entry, DAY OF THE DEAD.

AKA

NIGHT OF THE ANUBIS
NIGHT OF THE FLESH EATERS

Official Site

Not sure if this is official, but this is the best site I’ve seen on the "living dead" trilogy:
www.homepageofthedead.com

***UPDATE*** 8/30/02: NOTLD has been released on dvd AGAIN! Elite has released it in a revamped "Millennium Edition." This dvd (pictured below) has more extras than the older Elite version (which is still available and recently reduced in price), but only a minimal, barely noticeable improvement in image quality. Bottom line: if you already own the older Elite disc, there's no need to upgrade. However, if you haven't purchased NOTLD on dvd yet, go with the Millennium edition release.