This is NOT the “first” zombie movie. That being said, it IS the movie without which NONE of the zombie/undead/infected/parody/etc… movies that followed would have been possible. However, that alone doesn’t make it worthy of anything except a high-five and a footnote.
It doesn’t make it worthy of viewing or analysis.
What makes it worthy of viewing/analysis is the fact that even 40+ years after its release, it’s still creepy and interesting, if not quite scary. The script is a bit lacking, it’s a bit cheezy sure, the running woman falls down yeah, and the “FX” and scary soundtrack are horribly dated.
But it’s amazing that it’s STILL a legitimate horror movie today, unlike the vast majority of the 60’s B movies (And this is a B movie, like it or not) that are just dull, boring, stupid, and/or completely irrelevant and worthless except as MST fodder.
The basement scene involving a sharp object is a lot more disturbing/shocking than Hitchcock’s shower scene it obviously draws from. And the ending says more about Humanity than every Romero-wannabe collectively has, ever.
I take back my ‘Survival’ comment…you really did have something(s) to say, George. But you should have stopped at ‘Land’.
Inspirational Quote: “They’re coming to get you, Barbara…”
Grade: B