Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Dan S

  
  A phenomenally versatile, heavily influential zombie-apocalypse film from the master of the subject, George A. Romero, who tells the story of four random people who group together in a shopping mall in order to try to survive the onslaught of chaos after zombies start taking over the… More
  A phenomenally versatile, heavily influential zombie-apocalypse film from the master of the subject, George A. Romero, who tells the story of four random people who group together in a shopping mall in order to try to survive the onslaught of chaos after zombies start taking over the earth. What separates this from your typical zombie film is Romero's wickedly clever use of setting, in this case the mall, which allows him to make a few points concerning consumerism, which is a huge added bonus for the film in the end. The character development could be better, but it is still enough to make us care for these four survivors, as well as openly criticize some of their actions in the process. Romero's hurried, sometimes incomprehensible plotting surprisingly fits the film's tone perfectly, fully capturing the chaotic Hell that is unleashed if a situation like this would ever arise. The last half hour is tremendous, where the blood and gore get turned on full-throttle, and the character's actions of surviving no matter what come across as very realistic, including a last minute switch-ero that caught me off guard.

• Mike S

  
  Dawn of the not-so-scary-looking zombies. I realise it was made in 1978 and everything, but it looks like they've just splashed some cheap theatre make-up on a bunch of underpaid extras. What it lacks in the make-up department, however, it makes up for with superb action,… More
  Dawn of the not-so-scary-looking zombies. I realise it was made in 1978 and everything, but it looks like they've just splashed some cheap theatre make-up on a bunch of underpaid extras. What it lacks in the make-up department, however, it makes up for with superb action, engaging characters and a nice dose of humor. Incredibly well-made for its time, it does a perfect job at illustrating the fear and panic of the entire situation. And even though having a running length of nearly 2 1/2 hours, it doesn't ever slow down or lose its grip on you. Psychologically, it also works as a fascinating commentary on human and societal behavior. Despite being full of braindead flesh-eaters, it has an intelligence to it that is very rare within the horror realm. It gives it an edge, which sets it high above the median of its competitors. For all it's great attributes, however, I do like the re-make somewhat better. They're both great films, but the 2004 version has one thing this one doesn't: zombies that look like zombies are supposed to. I still give it an "A" for effort though, for making the best out of the film-making tools available at the time. Normally, films from the 70's don't interest me that much, unless they have the word "Alien" or "Wars" in the title, but this was so fantastically enjoyable, that it goes straight to my Top 10 list of the greatest films of the decade. And best of all, you don't need to leave your brain at the door. That is, unless you're afraid it might get chewed upon by certain hungry ex-humans. Then it might not be such a bad idea.

• Graham J

  
  One of my favorites for sure. Scary and funny. Beautiful cinematography, I love the greenish blue faces of the zombies.

• Tim S

  
  Whether you're in it for its social commentary or just simply for the story, Dawn of the Dead is THE zombie movie for anyone. It tends to lean more on horror, with a bit of slapstick thrown in for good measure. It's basically a living comic book of a movie, with a heavy… More
  Whether you're in it for its social commentary or just simply for the story, Dawn of the Dead is THE zombie movie for anyone. It tends to lean more on horror, with a bit of slapstick thrown in for good measure. It's basically a living comic book of a movie, with a heavy emphasis on social satire. That could prove disasterous in other instances, but as much as fun as the story itself is, it doesn't really matter. Some of the effects don't hold up and the zombie make-up is very weak compared to what the series would do with later films (not to mention other zombie films), but it helps to make it fun instead of just out-and-out horrifying. This is one of my favorite movies and I never get tired of popping it in for a good time. :)

• AJ V

  
  I wasn't sure if this movie was trying to be a bit of a spoof on Romero's first movie Night of the Living Dead or if it was supposed to be a serious sequel to it. It seemed to be a combination of the two, which I'm not sure was a good idea. Plus, the story has the… More
  I wasn't sure if this movie was trying to be a bit of a spoof on Romero's first movie Night of the Living Dead or if it was supposed to be a serious sequel to it. It seemed to be a combination of the two, which I'm not sure was a good idea. Plus, the story has the same plot line as every other zombie movie, so it didn't have any surprises for me, especially in the end. There are a couple of suspenseful scenes, and some scenes that made me laugh, but overall, it could have been better.

• Carlos M

  
  In this excellent sequel, Romero exchanges the ghastly, oppressive black and white of the original film for some very entertaining and gruesome gore in color, with plenty of humor and clever social satire. A classic zombie horror film that stands out as a really intelligent allegory.

• xGary X

  
  A disparate group of survivors from a zombie holocaust hole up in an abandoned shopping mall that becomes beseiged by an ever-increasing horde of the dead. The performances may not be of the highest calibre and dated as some of the effects may be, Dawn Of The Dead is still THE zombie… More
  A disparate group of survivors from a zombie holocaust hole up in an abandoned shopping mall that becomes beseiged by an ever-increasing horde of the dead. The performances may not be of the highest calibre and dated as some of the effects may be, Dawn Of The Dead is still THE zombie movie. It may not have the visceral impact of Night Of The Living Dead, but the sly social commentary on consumerism and greed combined with humour and observations on the human condition (you just KNOW that the countryside would become like a fairground attraction for packs of roaming rednecks using the walking corpses as target practice) makes for one of the most influential horror films ever made. The rather cheap looking photography detracts a little bit (I still think Night is the best looking of the series) but the sheer weight of the concept and brilliant writing more than makes up for any technical weaknesses. One of the true classics.

• Chris W

  
  Some say this is Romero's best work. Me, well, I'm undecided. This is an excellent film though, and not just in horror circles. You can never go wrong with intelligent social commentary and satire, especially when mixed with great (albeit somewhat dated) gore effects.… More
  Some say this is Romero's best work. Me, well, I'm undecided. This is an excellent film though, and not just in horror circles. You can never go wrong with intelligent social commentary and satire, especially when mixed with great (albeit somewhat dated) gore effects. Despite coming out a decade after Night of the Living Dead, this seque treats things as if only a few days or so have passed. In that time, the zombie outbreak has become incredibly widespread. A group of survivors (a diverse lot professionally, racially, and genderwise) take refuge in a shopping mall where they barricade themselves in and kick all zombies (and others) out. This is where the film gets interesting. The mall is a larger setting than the previous film's farmhouse, but is still a great place full of all sorts of possibilities and claustrophobia. What I find really interesting is how this film is a satire/social commentary railing against malls, consumerism, and greed, and came out at a time when shopping malls were really new to the world. I love that this films is a brilliant blend of humor, satire, gore, and zombies. Humor is not the focus, but the levity is a necessary element that provides a unique spin on the zombie apocalypse stuff. I can't really think of anything this film gets wrong. The direction, performances, makeup/sfx, music, and camerawork are all terrific. I did say that the effects are dated, but in a way, their garishness actually adds to the atmosphere and enhances the mood, satire, and 70s decor. This is an essential film in multiple categories, so don't hesitate to check it out.

• Cassandra M

  
  Dawn of the Dead is concrete proof that extreme gore and violence doesn't always equal a dumb movie and that the two can make very nice bedfellows indeed. This film is a rare thing in that it will please both gorehounds and fans of art cinema, and there isn't a vast amount… More
  Dawn of the Dead is concrete proof that extreme gore and violence doesn't always equal a dumb movie and that the two can make very nice bedfellows indeed. This film is a rare thing in that it will please both gorehounds and fans of art cinema, and there isn't a vast amount of films that do that. Aside from doing what I've just mentioned, this follow up to Night of the Living Dead established George Romero as a household name in many a gore fan's home and his trilogy of zombie films will ensure for ever more that the name 'Romero' and the zombie film will always go hand in hand. The plot of this film follows four survivors of the zombie apocalypse that has ensued after the events of Night of the Living Dead as they hold up in a shopping mall to try and hide from the events going on in the outside world. However, this poses another problem, as once their home has been built up in the midst of the atrocities; will our hero's be able to give up all that they have built? The commentary on society and the trappings of consumerism that Romero appears to be keen to implement in his film come off as being somewhat muddled, due to the fact that it's lost under the reality that what we see our hero's doing makes absolute perfect sense. This, however, is where the genius behind the commentary comes into play; it's a depiction of what people within a consumerist society would do in this situation, which makes the commentary all the more potent. Despite it being a film about zombies, Romero implements a sense of realism into the proceedings, which works due to the fact that he never overindulges in anything. Sure, the gore towards the end is over the top; but even that is realistic as it is what you would expect a zombie massacre to be. Because of his sense of realism, we are able to care for the characters that Romero has presented us with, even though we really know little about them. The audience is able to put themselves into their situation and we are constantly given the feeling that we are actually involved in the events on screen. This makes the ending of the movie more potent by way of the sense of security that Romero has lulled you into throughout the movie, and at the end; we really feel for what is happening to our characters and even though we want to see the massacre happen (as that's why we're watching the film at the end of the day), we sort of don't want to see it at the same time. This kind of mind-game isn't carried off successfully very often, but Romero has it down to an art form here. The movie benefits massively from a great score by Dario Argento's house band, Goblin. In fact, with the obvious exception of Suspiria; I would even go as far as to say that this is their best work ever. The score blends so well with the happenings on screen that it's impossible to have one without the other. Some films have a superfluous score, or one that doesn't add anything to the film; but it's undeniable that the score of Dawn of the Dead not only adds to what we're seeing, but 'makes' it. As many people will be tuning in to see gore, I am pleased to tell you that this film doesn't disappoint in that respect. It's one of the goriest films ever made, with many sequences reaching a level of disgustingness that is rarely seen in cinema (intestine dinner, anyone?). As you are probably aware, Tom Savini did the make-up effects for Dawn of the Dead and it is the film that made his career and established him as the gore guru that he is often seen as today. The film is also notable for a certain line that has been quoted more times than any other line uttered in any other horror movie. I am of course talking about the fabulous; "When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the Earth". Dawn of the Dead is undoubtedly one of the most important films ever made. It inspired a barrage of rip-off's that are still being made today and it stands tall on many a horror fan's list of favourite horror films. Dawn of the Dead is one of the most recent films to inspire a remake and, unfortunately, it turned out to be terrible. Not that it matters, as the original is where it's at; and this film is an undeniable masterpiece.

• danny d

  
  romero's loose sequel to his classic "night of the living dead" is a slight step back in fright and subtle effectiveness, but this is still a solid zombie film. the design of the zombies was awful and the plot thinned at points, but for the most part the second stage… More
  romero's loose sequel to his classic "night of the living dead" is a slight step back in fright and subtle effectiveness, but this is still a solid zombie film. the design of the zombies was awful and the plot thinned at points, but for the most part the second stage in the progression that we see in romero's films is highly entertaining, and the stage of a mall is a perfect setting. solid film.

• Michael G

  
  Too clever to be a horror movie. The first act is incredibly enjoyable and hysterically silly. But once the second 2 acts have the 4 survivors holing up in a shopping mall and succumbing to a commercially materialistic instinct that should no longer exist in a world overrun by… More
  Too clever to be a horror movie. The first act is incredibly enjoyable and hysterically silly. But once the second 2 acts have the 4 survivors holing up in a shopping mall and succumbing to a commercially materialistic instinct that should no longer exist in a world overrun by zombies, its not only gold, but its classic George A. Romero social commentary. Dawn of the Dead is incredibly smart (even if it doesn't seem like it would be) and at times (usually unintentionally) funny. Easily one of the best zombie movies ever made. It doesn't hold that same place in my heart that Night of the Living Dead does but they're parked pretty damn close to one another.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth."</i> Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter, and his television-executive girlfriend seek… More
  <i>"When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth."</i> Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter, and his television-executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> If proof were ever needed that the 1970's was the golden age of horror movies, 'Dawn Of The Dead' is it. A decade after his groundbreaking 'Night Of The Living Dead', George A.Romero returned to zombies with this, arguably the greatest film of its kind. Low budget horror films were all the rage in those days. Strangely, the lack of money worked in their favour as film makers such as Cronenberg, DePalma, Carpenter, Lieberman and Hooper had to rely on their imaginations. Instead of big-name Hollywood stars, 'Dawn' presents us with four ordinary people - one woman and three men - struggling to survive in a nightmarish world. The documentary look lends weight to the horror, as at times you feel that what you are watching is real! Romero comes up with some stunning set pieces such as S.W.A.T. troopers invading a house full of the living dead, a zombie's head being sliced off by the rotor blades of a helicopter, and Hells Angels storming the shopping mall where our heroes are holed up. Tom Savini provided the gruesome make-up ( even Peckinpah never used so much blood! ) and appears as one of the Hells Angels. Great soundtrack by Dario Argento and The Goblins! 'Dawn Of The Dead' was a worldwide box-office hit whose success provoked dozens of imitations, mostly from Italy, such as Lucio Fulci's 'Zombi 2' ( 'Zombie Flesh Eaters' ).

• Coxxie M

  
  im sorry but im one of the few that dont think this is a classic. I think its very very stupid and not scary at all... also if ppl could come back from the dead, they would not just have blue skin. they would be rotting and decaying. They probably would not have much skin at all, but… More
  im sorry but im one of the few that dont think this is a classic. I think its very very stupid and not scary at all... also if ppl could come back from the dead, they would not just have blue skin. they would be rotting and decaying. They probably would not have much skin at all, but if they did, it would never, ever be eye-shadow blue.

• Jeff "

  
  Romero's second Zombie offering, Dawn Of The Dead is a definitive classic. This time, the action takes place in a shopping mall where a small band of survivors are under siege by an army of the undead. Romero's 2nd attempt at the Zombie pays off in spades, from the well… More
  Romero's second Zombie offering, Dawn Of The Dead is a definitive classic. This time, the action takes place in a shopping mall where a small band of survivors are under siege by an army of the undead. Romero's 2nd attempt at the Zombie pays off in spades, from the well crafted characters to the awesome gore, Dawn Of The Dead is a masterful film to embrace. Tom Savini created some awesome effects for this film, and also has a small part in the film. Actor Ken Foree does a great job as Peter. Dawn Of The Dead is a solid follow up to Night and definitely will please fans of the first. The Ultimate Edition contains three versions, U.S theatrical, European Cut, and Director's Cut. All Cuts of the film are awesome, and should please any Horror fan.

• Conner R

  
  Still one of the most enjoyable zombie movies and the arguably the best in the "of the dead" series. The zombies were never quite the scary ones, but it's the brutality and actions of the normal people is what's unsettling. It's an amazing movie and one of the… More
  Still one of the most enjoyable zombie movies and the arguably the best in the "of the dead" series. The zombies were never quite the scary ones, but it's the brutality and actions of the normal people is what's unsettling. It's an amazing movie and one of the greatest sequels of all time. It is just as powerful and socially aware as the original, if not, more so. It is also the best Zombie genre movie in existence. Only the 70s could produce such a bizarre kind of movie. The campy acting is probably one of my favorite elements to the film, Ken Foree is the ultimate zombie killing machine. George A. Romero formed a complete masterpiece in cinema, one that is so unique and specific that it will most likely never be matched in style.

• Randy T

  
  Every time I pop this one in the DVD player I'm reminded of two things: 1)the acting is really bad and 2)this is still a fun film to watch. The second of director George Romero's zombie trilogy, it's apparent that the effects, and the budget, keep getting better.… More
  Every time I pop this one in the DVD player I'm reminded of two things: 1)the acting is really bad and 2)this is still a fun film to watch. The second of director George Romero's zombie trilogy, it's apparent that the effects, and the budget, keep getting better. This film, along with <i>Night of the Living Dead</i> and <i>Day of the Dead</i>, make a great triple feature if you've got the time (and the nerve).

• Tsubaki S

  
  Still to this day, this is "THE" zombie movie. A bit dated, but still very effective.

• Anthony L

  
  Ten years after making the groundbreaking Night of the living Dead, Romero follows it up with, not so much a sequel, more of a continuation of a theme, with Dawn of the Dead. It is hands down the best Zombie movie ever and is also in the top 10 best horror films ever made. Hell,… More
  Ten years after making the groundbreaking Night of the living Dead, Romero follows it up with, not so much a sequel, more of a continuation of a theme, with Dawn of the Dead. It is hands down the best Zombie movie ever and is also in the top 10 best horror films ever made. Hell, it's one of the best films ever made full stop!!

• Derek D

  
  Nothing like a good zombie movie and here, romero delivers his follow-up to the classic Night of the Living Dead about a group of people holed up in a mall surrounded by them. It's fun to see the mindless walking dead window shopping, playing hockey, riding escalators and just… More
  Nothing like a good zombie movie and here, romero delivers his follow-up to the classic Night of the Living Dead about a group of people holed up in a mall surrounded by them. It's fun to see the mindless walking dead window shopping, playing hockey, riding escalators and just generally running each other over as they head from one end of the mall to the other, going store-to-store without any real destination. And that there lies the central premise of the film: consumerism. It targets the basic consumer, wandering around from store to store with disregard to each other or even themselves. The film is a bit overlong, but it's fun to watch so you don't really mind that much.

• Chris G

  
  Eleven years after Night of the Living Dead stormed onto drive in theater screens George Romero gave us the incredible Dawn of the Dead, which is the first epic horror film. The zombie epidemic is sweeping the nation as society slowly descends into chaos. Two SWAT team members and two… More
  Eleven years after Night of the Living Dead stormed onto drive in theater screens George Romero gave us the incredible Dawn of the Dead, which is the first epic horror film. The zombie epidemic is sweeping the nation as society slowly descends into chaos. Two SWAT team members and two employees of a television devise a plan where they'll steal a traffic helicopter and fly to "safety". Where they end up is a shopping mall that on the surface seems like a paradise: everything you could ever want. But it soon turns into a hell as they continually have to deal with the living and the living dead throughout their ordeal. Romero's main comment with DotD is about commercialism. I've often walked through stores, usually at Christmas time and had the hokey tune from the end credits pop into my head. Even as zombies we wnat to go to the mall. It also examines what happens when you get what you want. Are material goods enought to make you happy? Romeros answer is a big, dead no. DotD features some of the goriest effects of its time, delivered by effects guru Tom Savini. This film is not rated, so if you're easily gagged tread with caution as Romero goes balls out '70's style. It's a potent film. If David Lean had directed a horror movie this would have been it. Dawn of the Dead is a legendary film that sealed Romero's legacy even more so than Night of the Living Dead. The tag line says it all: When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings