Night of the Living Dead straddles the line, exhibiting elements of exploitation cinema due to its graphic violence and low-budget origins, yet transcending the label with its social commentary and enduring impact on horror. While the film certainly leveraged shocking content for effect, its artistic merit and cultural significance complicate a simple categorization.
Defining Exploitation Cinema: A Crucial Distinction
To understand whether Night of the Living Dead (NOTLD) qualifies as exploitation, we must first define the genre. Exploitation films are typically low-budget movies aiming for shock value through the explicit or sensational portrayal of sex, violence, and other taboo subjects. They often lack artistic merit or deeper meaning, primarily designed to titillate and generate profit through lurid content. Exploitation films capitalize on trends, anxieties, and societal taboos to attract viewers. Elements frequently associated with exploitation include excessive gore, nudity, and scenes of torture.
The Case for Exploitation: Gore, Budget, and Intent
The argument for labeling NOTLD as exploitation rests on several key points. Firstly, the film’s graphic violence was undeniably shocking for its time. The raw depiction of zombies tearing apart human flesh and consuming their entrails was unprecedented in mainstream cinema, pushing the boundaries of acceptable on-screen gore. Secondly, the film was undeniably low-budget. Shot on a shoestring budget in Pennsylvania, it lacked the resources and polish of bigger studio productions. This contributed to its gritty, realistic aesthetic, which further amplified the impact of its violence. Finally, some argue that the film’s creators, George A. Romero and John A. Russo, intentionally exploited the prevailing anxieties of the era—the Cold War, racial tensions—to create a commercially viable product.
Transcending Exploitation: Social Commentary and Lasting Impact
However, categorizing NOTLD solely as exploitation overlooks its significant artistic and cultural merit. Unlike many exploitation films that are purely sensationalistic, NOTLD offers a potent social commentary. The film can be interpreted as an allegory for the Civil Rights Movement, with Duane Jones’s portrayal of Ben, a strong black protagonist facing prejudice and ultimately being shot by a white posse, resonating deeply with the societal anxieties of the late 1960s. Furthermore, the film critiques the failure of societal institutions in the face of crisis, showcasing the breakdown of communication and the inherent dangers of mob mentality.
Moreover, NOTLD’s influence on the horror genre is undeniable. It established the modern zombie trope as we know it – flesh-eating hordes brought back from the dead, driven by an insatiable hunger. The film’s low-budget success paved the way for countless independent horror filmmakers, inspiring generations to explore the genre with limited resources. The film’s themes of societal collapse and the fragility of humanity continue to resonate with audiences today, demonstrating its lasting power and artistic depth. Few pure exploitation films achieve this level of enduring influence.
Conclusion: A Complex Legacy
Ultimately, Night of the Living Dead is a complex film that defies easy categorization. While it undeniably contains elements of exploitation, such as its graphic violence and low-budget origins, its powerful social commentary and enduring cultural impact elevate it beyond the realm of purely sensationalistic entertainment. It’s a film that utilized exploitation tactics to deliver a surprisingly sophisticated and thought-provoking message. It is a film that is debated to this day, showing how important it is as a cult classic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further explore the topic:
H2 Frequently Asked Questions
H3 1. What specifically makes a film “exploitation”?
Exploitation films prioritize profitability through sensationalism. They often feature graphic violence, explicit sexuality, and other taboo subjects. The artistic merit or deeper meaning is usually secondary to exploiting current trends or anxieties for commercial gain. The production values are typically low, adding to the feeling of it being exploitation cinema.
H3 2. How did Night of the Living Dead bypass censorship in its time?
The film cleverly bypassed strict censorship primarily through its independent distribution. It wasn’t subjected to the same scrutiny as studio-backed films. The lack of copyright also meant it circulated widely, further circumventing traditional control. While the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating system didn’t yet exist in its current form, the film was still deemed controversial by many.
H3 3. Did Romero consider Night of the Living Dead an exploitation film?
While Romero acknowledged the film’s shocking content, he often spoke of its social and political subtext. He didn’t explicitly categorize it as exploitation, emphasizing his intent to explore deeper themes of societal breakdown and human nature. In numerous interviews, Romero has spoke against the exploitation genre as a whole.
H3 4. How does the lack of a copyright affect the film’s legacy?
The accidental lack of copyright on Night of the Living Dead allowed it to be widely distributed and reproduced without royalties. This contributed to its accessibility and helped cement its place in popular culture, but also deprived the creators of potential profits. It also led to numerous remakes and sequels of varying quality, some of which arguably veered further into exploitation territory.
H3 5. What were the primary societal anxieties Night of the Living Dead tapped into?
The film reflected anxieties surrounding the Cold War, the Vietnam War, racial tensions, and the perceived breakdown of social order. The fear of nuclear annihilation, the ongoing struggle for civil rights, and the questioning of authority all found expression in the film’s apocalyptic scenario.
H3 6. How does the film’s black protagonist, Ben, contribute to its social commentary?
Ben’s character, played by Duane Jones, was a groundbreaking portrayal of a strong, capable black man in a leading role during a period of significant racial segregation. His competence and leadership challenged racial stereotypes, and his tragic death at the hands of a white posse offered a powerful critique of racial injustice.
H3 7. What distinguishes Night of the Living Dead from other zombie films that followed?
NOTLD established the core zombie tropes that define the genre: the flesh-eating horde, the need for headshots to kill them, and the societal breakdown caused by the outbreak. It also introduced the concept of zombies being reanimated corpses, rather than magically controlled beings. The most important factor, however, is the social commentary injected into the film.
H3 8. How did the low budget impact the film’s aesthetic and impact?
The low budget gave the film a raw, gritty, and realistic aesthetic that heightened its impact. The lack of special effects polish made the violence seem more visceral and disturbing, contributing to its shock value. This aesthetic also contributed to its feeling of authenticness and realism.
H3 9. What is the significance of the family dynamic in the film?
The dysfunctional family trapped in the farmhouse represents the breakdown of traditional family structures and the inability to cooperate in the face of crisis. Their internal conflicts and inability to work together contribute to their downfall, mirroring the societal divisions and failures the film critiques.
H3 10. How does the film critique media representation and the role of news in society?
The constant news reports in the film highlight the limitations and potential inaccuracies of media coverage during a crisis. The reliance on unconfirmed information and the sensationalistic reporting contribute to the panic and confusion, reflecting a broader critique of the media’s role in shaping public perception.
H3 11. Has the meaning of Night of the Living Dead changed over time?
The film’s meaning has evolved with changing societal contexts. While originally interpreted as a commentary on the Cold War and racial tensions, it has also been seen as a reflection of environmental anxieties, economic inequality, and the fear of pandemics. Its adaptability speaks to its enduring relevance.
H3 12. What are some other films that successfully balance exploitation elements with social commentary?
Films like They Live (1988) and RoboCop (1987) also blend elements of exploitation with sharp social commentary. These films use graphic violence and sensationalism to deliver critiques of consumerism, corporate greed, and government corruption. All of these films are cult classics that stand the test of time.