Dawn of the Dead (1978)

With plenty of spectacle and a message that just won't die, Dawn of the Dead remains an enduring part of zombie cinema and horror in general. Despite the guerrilla filmmaking that produced it, Dawn of the Dead excels in every way that counts.

The gore effects provided by Tom Savini have slimy heft made all the more noticeable by the vibrant 3M stage blood, which contrasted well with the nearly blue zombies which otherwise are diverse in costuming, size, and race.

All four of our leads deliver standout performances. Gaylen Ross and David Emge, who play Fran and Stephen respectively, are convincing as a couple who were already on the rocks before the world came to an end. Ken Foree and Scott Reiniger, as Peter and Roger, effectively sell the image of rugged SWAT members, especially in their restless and reckless disposition which is seen in moments such as when Roger and Peter go on a two-man raid to the lower levels of the mall.

The setting is superb, made possible by a unification of multiple sets. The first was located at Romero’s company, The Latent Image, where filming for the mall apartment and elevator scenes took place. The second was, of course, the Monroeville Mall itself. The mall is the perfect entryway for the film's true point of discussion: consumerism.

The allure to acquire, to hoard; resources as security; these ideas are central to the story and thematic intent of Dawn of the Dead.

There's no shortage of commentary on human nature in general, as we see the array of reactions to the unraveling of society. Most pointedly, Romero positions our survivors against a group of hedonistic and destructive bandits, who provide a grim look into what crisis can do to humanity. There is also a message of adaptability; Fran and Peter's characters survive as a result of their ability to be dynamic in the face of catastrophe. This is seen in Peter’s ability to keep calm and collected while Scott Reiniger's character gets bit while acting reckless. In Fran, we see her go from a meek passenger, to someone who can fire a gun and fly a helicopter.

The supreme foundational work in zombie fiction, Dawn of the Dead comes bearing as much carnage as commentary, which will delight fans of horror everywhere. Humanity, take notice: “When there is no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth.”