Night of the Living Dead

"Night of the Living Dead" is a 1968 horror film directed by George A. Romero and written by Romero and John A. Russo. The film follows a group of people who barricade themselves in a farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania to escape a zombie attack. The film was made on a shoestring budget, with many of the actors and crew members working for little or no pay, but it became a critical and commercial success and has since become a seminal work of horror cinema.

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What sets "Night of the Living Dead" apart from other horror films of its time is its subversion of traditional horror tropes and its commentary on social and political issues. The film was released during a time of great social upheaval in America, with the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War both causing deep divisions in society. The film's portrayal of a group of diverse people coming together to survive in the face of a common threat can be seen as a commentary on these issues, and the ending of the film, with the lone survivor being mistaken for a zombie and shot by the authorities, has been interpreted as a statement on the indiscriminate violence of the time.

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The impact of "Night of the Living Dead" on popular culture cannot be overstated. The film has inspired countless imitators, spin-offs, and an entire genre of zombie films and television shows. The film's low budget and guerrilla-style filmmaking techniques have also inspired independent filmmakers and helped to pave the way for the democratization of cinema. "Night of the Living Dead" remains a seminal work of horror cinema and a testament to the power of creative ingenuity in the face of limited resources.