Night of the Living Dead: The Official Story of the Film

Night of the Living Dead: The Official Story of the Film is the official retrospective of one of cinema’s most important films – Night of the Living Dead.

Released in 1968, George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead revolutionised horror, redefining the zombie subgenre and influencing filmmakers for generations. This official retrospective tells the full story of how the film was made by a small group of people at the outset of their filmmaking careers.

Interviews with cast and production company members explore the genesis of the movie, from persuading friends and family to become investors, finding the perfect run-down farmhouse in rural western Pennsylvania for the central location, and assembling a cast of extras to portray “flesh-eating ghouls”. It includes the ground-breaking casting of a black actor in a leading role—Duane Jones as Ben—and examines the rough-and-tumble guerilla-style shoot.

The book explores how Night of the Living Dead went from controversial to iconic over the years, gaining critical acclaim and a hardcore cult following. It also discusses how zombies—as envisioned by Romero and his co-creators—have permeated everything from video games to literature, all tracing back to the unparalleled original.

Illustrated with movie stills, memorabilia, and unpublished on-set photos never previously seen, and including analysis of the original shooting script annotated by George A. Romero, this book is a must-have for horror fans.