Night of the Living Dead remakes
Numerous Night of the Living Dead remakes have adapted and reimagined the seminal 1968 horror film. It has been remade more than any other movie.[1] The distributor mistakenly released it without a copyright and directly into the public domain.[1] When changing the title from Night of the Flesh Eaters, The Walter Reade Organization also removed the only copyright notice in the film. This absence of copyright protection allowed filmmakers to adapt the original work without permission from the film's production company.[2] A protracted court case found that the creators, Image Ten, did not hold the copyright,[2] and the film's creators received little of its millions in revenue.[1] Bill Hinzman, who played the cemetery zombie in the original film, directed Flesheater in 1988. Flesheater has similarities but is considered an homage rather than a direct remake.[3] The first official remake in 1990 roughly followed the original film's script and involved members of the original crew. They were partly motivated by the missed revenue from the original film.[3] The 1990 version was atypical for a Hollywood remake in having the support of the original film's director, George A. Romero, and other creators.[4] Rumors of another studio planning to remake the public domain film without his involvement spurred Romero into action. In the following years, there were many unofficial remakes.[4] The film has seen an official color remake, an unofficial 3D version, and many independent remakes.[2]
Night of the Living Dead (1990)[edit]
Night of the Living Dead, also known as George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead, is the official 1990 remake directed by Tom Savini (in his feature directorial debut) and starring Tony Todd and Patricia Tallman.[5] Savini had planned to work on the 1968 film before being drafted into the Vietnam War.[6][7] After the war, Savini worked with Romero on the sequels.[8] The 1990 remake was filmed in color with a much larger budget.[2] The film grossed $5.8 million against a $4.2 million budget.[9][10] Columbia Pictures released Night of the Living Dead in the United States on October 19, 1990.[5]
Like the original, the film follows seven strangers as they meet and survive in a rural farmhouse following the awakening of cannibalistic zombies.[5] It received negative reviews upon initial release, but modern reviews have been more positive.[11] The remake was based on the original screenplay but included a revised plot that portrayed Barbra (Patricia Tallman) as a capable and active heroine.[12] Barbara's narrative arc in the remake subverts the final girl trope in horror films.[13] Film historian Barry Grant interprets the new Barbara as a reversal of the original film's portrayal of feminine passivity.[14]
List of independent remakes[edit]
Due to its public domain status, many producers have created remakes of Night of the Living Dead. In the United States, the film was mistakenly released into the public domain because the original distributor failed to replace the copyright notice when changing the film's name.[15][16] Several years after the film's release, its creators discovered that the original prints distributed to theaters had no copyright protection.[16] The themes of the original film have had broad appeal, and its titular "living dead" have been used as an allegory for racial tension, terrorism, nuclear war, and beyond.[1]
- The second remake, after Savini and Romero's official adaptation, was Night of the Living Dead 3D released in September 2006.[3] Directed by Jeff Broadstreet and starring Sid Haig, the project was not affiliated with Romero.[17] Broadstreet's film was followed in 2012 by a prequel, Night of the Living Dead 3D: Re-Animation.[18]
- On September 15, 2009, it was announced that Simon West was producing a 3D animated retelling of the original film, originally titled Night of the Living Dead: Origins 3D and later re-titled Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn.[19][20] The movie is written and directed by Zebediah de Soto. The voice cast includes Tony Todd as Ben, Danielle Harris as Barbra, Joseph Pilato as Harry Cooper, Alona Tal as Helen Cooper, Bill Moseley as Johnny, Tom Sizemore as Chief McClellan and newcomers Erin Braswell as Judy and Michael Diskint as Tom.[21][22][23][24][25][26]
- Director Doug Schulze's 2011 film Mimesis: Night of the Living Dead relates the story of a group of horror film fans who become involved in a "real-life" version of the 1968 film.[27][28]
- Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection (2012): British filmmaker James Plumb directed this Wales-set remake.[29]
- A Night of the Living Dead (2014): Shattered Images Films and Cullen Park Productions released a remake with new twists and characters, written and directed by Chad Zuver.[30]
- Rebirth (formerly Night of the Living Dead: Rebirth) (2021):[31] Rising Pulse Productions' updated take on the classic film was released in June 2021 and brings to light present issues that impact modern society such as religious bigotry, homophobia and the influence of social media.[32]
- Night of the Animated Dead (2021): Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced in June 2021 that they were in production of an animated adaptation. Directed by Jason Axinn (To Your Last Death) and featuring the voices of Dulé Hill (Ben), Katharine Isabelle (Barbra), Josh Duhamel (Harry Cooper), James Roday Rodriguez (Tom), Katee Sackhoff (Judy), Will Sasso (Sheriff McClelland), Jimmi Simpson (Johnny) and Nancy Travis (Helen Cooper), it was released via video on demand on September 21, 2021.[33]
- Night of the Living Dead II: In June 2021, director Marcus Slabine debuted his secretly filmed sequel.[34] The film stars Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander and Jarlath Conroy of Day of the Dead.[35]
- A Night of the Undead (2022) was released to select theaters in October 2022.[36] In January 2023, the film saw wider release. Directed by Kenny Scott Guffey, Jake C. Young and stars Denny Kidd, Briana Phipps-Stotts, and Mason Johnson.[37]
- Festival of the Living Dead: In May 2023, the Soska sisters announced an in-universe followup taking place half a century after the events of the 1968 film, starring Ashley Moore and Camren Bicondova. It was set to be released on Tubi in fall 2023.[38][39]
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b c d Ramella, Brynne (2020-11-19). "Why There Are So Many Night of the Living Dead Remakes". Screen Rant.
- ^ a b c d O'Brien, Jon (2020-10-19). "Why George A. Romero remade his biggest hit, Night of the Living Dead". SYFY Official Site. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
- ^ a b c Carter, Alex (2019-10-01). "Night of the Living Dead: The Many Sequels, Remakes, and Spinoffs". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
- ^ a b Kennedy, Michael (2020-02-15). "Why George Romero Remade Night of the Living Dead". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ a b c Skal 1993.
- ^ Skal 1993, pp. 307–309.
- ^ James, Caryn (October 19, 1990). "The Zombies Return, in Living (or Is It Dead?) Color". The New York Times.
- ^ Grant 2015, p. 230.
- ^ Steigerwald, Bill (1990-08-05). "The Zombie Movie That Won't Die : George Romero and company are remaking their classic 'Night of the Living Dead' because they've got a score to settle". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
- ^ "Night of the Living Dead". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
- ^ Kane 2010, pp. 163–164.
- ^ Grant 2015, pp. 228, 230–231.
- ^ Bachman, Mara (2020-11-08). "Night Of The Living Dead: All 4 Remake Movies Ranked, Worst To Best". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ Grant 2015, p. 228.
- ^ Boluk & Lenz 2011, p. 5.
- ^ a b Kane 2010, pp. 93–94.
- ^ "Night of the Living Dead 3-D". Archived from the original on July 29, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2006.
- ^ "Night of the Living Dead 3D: Re-Animation – New Stills and L.A. Premiere Details". Dread Central. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- ^ "Night of the Living Dead in 3D Again?". Dread Central. September 16, 2009. Archived from the original on September 23, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ "'Night of the Living Dead' Origin Story Told in 3D CGI". Bloody-disgusting.com. September 16, 2009. Archived from the original on September 22, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ "Terror Tweets: NOTLD: Origins Casting News and Area 51 Update". Dread Central. September 25, 2009. Archived from the original on September 29, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ "Casting for NOTLD: Origins Coming Together". Dread Central. Archived from the original on October 7, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ Miska, Brad (September 25, 2009). "Danielle Harris to Topline 'Night of the Living Dead: Origins'". Bloody-Disgusting. Archived from the original on September 28, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ dorkydude (October 20, 2009). "Exclusive: First Look at Night of the Living Dead: Origins". Dread Central. Archived from the original on October 1, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ "BD Horror News – Awesome First Look at 'Night of the Living Dead: Origins'". Bloody-Disgusting. February 11, 2010. Archived from the original on February 16, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ "Exclusive: First Look at Tony Todd as Ben – Night of the Living Dead: Origins | Horror Movie, DVD, & Book Reviews, News, Interviews at Dread Central". Dread Central. February 11, 2010. Archived from the original on February 15, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ "Director Talks Mimesis: Night of the Living Dead". Shocktillyoudrop.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
- ^ ""MIMESIS": Night of Living the Dead". Fangoria.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
- ^ Nelson, Michael Curtis (May 6, 2013). "Apocalypse is Trending: 'Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection". PopMatters. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ Wells, Mitchell (April 18, 2014). "Night of the Living Dead Getting Another Remake". Horror Society. Archived from the original on November 18, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ^ Gelmini, David (May 28, 2021). "Exclusive Interview: Director And Star Roger Conners Discusses His NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Adaptation REBIRTH". Dread Central. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
- ^ DeFellipo, Michael (March 23, 2015). "Shambling Forward – Night of the Living Dead: Rebirth nearing May 2015 wrap date". Horror Society. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- ^ Aaron Couch (2021-06-30). "'Night of the Animated Dead' to Adapt Zombie Classic (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ^ Gingold, Michael (June 29, 2021). "Exclusive photo and comments: Zombies arise again in "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD II"". Rue Morgue. Archived from the original on July 4, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ Millican, Josh (July 4, 2021). "David Howard Thornton is a Zombie in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD II". Dread Central. Archived from the original on July 4, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ Harris, Christopher (October 6, 2022). "Local 'Living Dead'-inspired film in national film festival". Commonwealth Journal. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ Teal, Josiah (January 16, 2023). "A Night of the Undead". Film Threat. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ Scott, Ryan (May 12, 2023). "Festival of the Living Dead Coming To Tubi". Fangoria. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ Squires, John (May 12, 2023). "'Festival of the Living Dead' – Soska Sisters Directing Horror Movie Inspired by 'Night of the Living Dead'". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
References[edit]
- Boluk, Stephanie; Lenz, Wylie (2011). "Introduction: Generation Z, the Age of Apocalypse". In Boluk, Stephanie; Lenz, Wylie (eds.). Generation Zombie: Essays on the Living Dead in Modern Culture. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-6140-0. Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- Grant, Barry Keith (2015) [1996]. "Taking Back the Night of the Living Dead: George Romero, Feminism and the Horror Film". The Dread of Difference: Gender and the Horror Film (2nd ed.). University of Texas Press. ISBN 9780292771376.
- Kane, Joe (2010). Night of the Living Dead: Behind the Scenes of the Most Terrifying Zombie Movie Ever. Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0-806-53331-5.
- Skal, David (1993). "Scar Wars". The Monster Show: A Cultural History of Horror (revised ed.). New York: Faber and Faber, Inc. ISBN 0571199968.