Night of the Living Dead: 30th Anniversary Edition

Rating:
Summary: A terrifying, pessimistic, and claustrophobic classic.
Review: With Night of the Living Dead, Romero has made one of the few horror films that works not only as a effective frightfest (which is rare enough), but also a disturbing analysis of our culture. If you don't know what to do this Halloween, turn off all the lights and settle down for one of the five greatest horror films ever made. It'll keep you glancing over your shoulder for hours.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad!
Review: Today I purchased the 30th Anniversary Edition of Night of the Living Dead.I watched it this evening fearing the worst.I was actually suprised that, it held up very well with the inclusion of newly filmed scenes and, a new score.I have owned a public domain Blockbuster label copy of the original for several years and estimate I have seen it about 20 times over the years.The enhanced (some would say tampered) version features Bill Hinzman performing the role of the 'Cemetary Zombie' over 30 years after his initial debut.The make up was done very well, yet Hinzman is clearly older now.This is probably the major weakness of the film.Make up, good as it is, cant erase 30 years of aging.Hinzman looks at least 15 years older and, it's obvious that his 1968 scenes and, late 90s ones were shot at different times.While James Stewart, near 50 in real life, was able to convincingly play a 24 year old Charles Lindbergh in The Spirit of St Louis due to expert make up, Hinzman does not not look enough like the same man from the first film to make it very convincing.The new score was very well done and, there was enough of the original stock soundtrack from the 1968 version that, it never seemed as though I was bearing witness to a major tampering.The new scenes deal primarily with the origin of Hinzman's Cemetary Zombie.We learn that he is a executed child killer/rapist.This is totally irelevent to the story.He could have been a Starbucks Barrista for all that it mattered plotwise.The new scenes matched up very well with the original footage and, the new sub plots and, characers never detracted from the story.All things considered, I would prefer this version over the 1990 remake which, was never scary.The new scenes, music and, expert editing have given the film a more modern feel and, greatly improved the pace of the film,I am still going to view the original yet, I can enjoy this as a respectful, well executed alternate version.A real horror is presented after the end titles.A very brief clip from the Hinzman directed Flesh Eaters features Hinzman (as an eratz Cemetary Zombie) murdering and, devouring a little girl who went to the front door expecting trick or treaters.This pointless and, disturbing scene only exemplifies why Hinzman and, John Russo have never come anywhere near George Romero, in terms of being successful film-makers.

Rating:
Summary: The ultimate grandaddy of all horror films
Review: Night of the Living Dead, the original, blows it's remake away. This movie, along with Psycho, proves that you don't need red blood, or overgory effects to make a good movie. I was privileged to be one of the cast members of the first-ever stage production of Night of the Living Dead. Cathedral Prep high school in Erie Pa made the first ever stage adaptation of this brillant movie and put it on the stage. If that doesn't call for a good movie, then I don't know what does.

Rating:
Summary: A cult classic that gets better with each viewing.
Review: Night of the Living Dead was the first film from independant fillmaker George A. Romero and still stands today as one of the greatest examples of horror. The story is one we're all familiar with: several people holed up in a house, trying despretely to survive against an army of the living dead. Simple, huh? Well, on the surface, yes. But on the inside, the story is so much more then a horror film. It is about the rising of a new culture, one which can't be stopped and, in the end, we will all conform to. It's Romero's brilliant handling of irony, social commentary, and humor that makes this film so amazing to watch. His direction is a little choppy and the editing could be better, but it doesn't matter. The great story and taut premise make this one well worth your time. An amazing film.

Rating:
Summary: the cult classic that will leave you wanting more
Review: WHEN I SAW NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD IT LEFT ME WATCHING IT AGAIN. I WAS 10 WHEN I SAW IT IN 1972 AND I BOUGHT IT AND I TOLD MY FRIENDS AND THEY WERE LIKE THATS COOL. THIS MOVIE IS WORTH SEEING/RENTING/BUYING.

Rating:
Summary: the deifntive horror masterpiece of all-time
Review: shocking, ground-breaking, bloodly and never a dissapointment this is undoubtley a perfect example of just how scary and powerful movies can get. nothing short of a masterpiece. left unrated-not intended for young audiences or those with weak stomachs(though it is b&w it still has that power of any color movie now).

Rating:
Summary: Slightly Overrated ("Carnival of Souls" is better)
Review: There is no doubt in my mind that this is a superior horror flick. The quality and vision of the filmmaking was not affected by the budget. There are a couple of scares a long the way, and the last twenty minutes are brilliant. There is also a good amount of valid social commentary. Who can you trust in the age of radiation? How are race relations affected in "emergency" situations? Where are our heros, are they all dead? While all of this stuff is good, I was still a little dissapionted. There is not one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. It didn't live up to its reputation for me. A much better, and earlier movie, is Herk Harvey's "Carnival of Souls." There are attacking zombies in this movie, too. But it has a frightening atomosphere that "Night of the Living Dead" seems to lack. "Souls" has also has the same amount of social commentary. The movie seems to imply that we are all souless zombies. This is a much more dire stament about humanity than "Night" offers. "Carnival of Souls" is also the only movie that gave me nightmares, which is the ultimate measure of any horror flick for me. "Carnival of Souls" deserves the reputation that "Night of the Living Dead" has.

Rating:
Summary: A movie that will scare you silly.
Review: I have seen both the black-and-white, and color versions of this movie, not the 1990s version. When I first saw this movie it scared me to death, well not quite. This is one movie that you will enjoy. After I saw that movie, I dreamt that the entire world was infected by zombies and the only way to survive was to board up all of the windows and doors and have a ring of salt and fire around your house.

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Good for it's time
Review: This movie was a classic if I may say so for it's time. It was unlike the other movies being produced in the 60's. I was especially surprised with the naked zombies though. It kept me on the edge of my seat a few times. The ending was for some people predictable (me) and for some people shocking, yet though predictable I though the ending was brilliant but I can't give it away.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: This movie is the best horror flick ever. It vividly portrays the fear and hopelessness of our "living" guys and gals. I can't wait until the 30th aniversary edition where new footage is to be blended into the old. Don't know how it will be accomplished but it sounds promising to all us "living dead" lovers.