Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Starring: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross

Directed by: George A. Romero

Review by: Conor Flynn








This is one of those films that fall into the category of virtually non-criticisable, such is the love for Romero’s zombie classic. In many ways it could be argued that it is as near to perfection as a horror film is likely to get, but it could as easily be argued that it is a wholly unnecessary sequel to a horrific, more culturally significant original. It’s debatable if this or ‘Night of the Living Dead’ is the greater, more influential zombie film ever made, but one thing is for sure, this sequel is the more gruesome and larger thrill-ride of the two…

Law and order through-out America has collapsed due to the spread of reanimated corpses attacking the living. Flight pilot Stephen (Emge) and his pregnant girlfriend Francine (Ross) are joined by Roger (Reiniger) and Peter (Foree), two SWAT team members, as they fly to a shopping mall for food and ammunition supplies. They discover the mall littered with zombies, but eventually manage to secure the area. Feeling they have found a safe haven, the group decide to stay, yet slowly become increasingly decadent and careless due to their surroundings. Complications arise when a band of bikers storm the mall…

‘Dawn of the Dead’ was and always will remain a hugely enjoyable classic. Maybe it isn’t quite as critic-proof as I suggested in the opening paragraph, some of the special effects have dated goofily (namely the helicopter zombie scene) and arguably the end is ridiculously cheesy and ham-fisted, but otherwise, every element to the film is near spot on. The script is compelling and dynamic through-out, with plenty socio-political commentary that isn’t heavy handed and the acting, when considering how difficult it would have been to attach actors to such material at this point in time, is fantastic. But were the film really stands out is through George Romero’s superbly paced directing.

There are a wide variety of cuts to this film, but thankfully this review is based on the U.S. theatrical version, supposedly Romero’s preferred cut of the film. The extended European cut is too longwinded whereas the producer’s cut (by Dario Argento) is not really comprehensible. The pacing in this version never really slows, yet significantly keeps the three dimensional characterisations intact. It’s brilliantly directed. Another element of brilliance is the sweeping and lively soundtrack by Goblin and Argento as are (most but not all) of the influential special effects by the legendary Tom Savini. This is all topped off by one of the single greatest poster tag-lines ever; “When there is no more room in HELL, the dead will walk the EARTH”.

‘Dawn of the Dead’ is a genuine masterpiece, plain and simple.