Analysis
While
looking at the formal elements, the most obvious is the use of black and white
film stock. When Night of the Living Dead was released in the 60s, most
films were shot in color. The choice to use black and white stock was not
an aesthetic one, but an economical one. According to Lee Roberts, Romero
chose black and white because it was cheaper, keeping the budget down (Roberts Night
of the Living Dead).
Whether he intended it or not, this choice added a great deal to the
atmosphere of the film. The lack of color emphasizes the emotions of the
characters; they are scared and running out of options.
Another important
element was the use of camera angles. Romero constantly uses a Dutch
angle. Many of the shots of Barbra running from the cemetery to the
farmhouse employ this angle. After Barbra watches her brother’s murder
and is subsequently chased by his attacker, her world is turned upside down.
The dutch angle is also effectively used when Barbra tries to use the
telephone to call for help and discovers that it has been disconnected.
She is trapped without a form of communication. The unnatural tilt
of the camera captures the unnatural events taking place outside the farmhouse.
While Romero
uses the Dutch angle as it is customarily used, he does the opposite with
another angle--the low angle. Normally, a low angle shot represents power
and authority and a high angle conveys vulnerability. But, Romero makes
little use of the high angle shot (which would have normally heightened the
character’s weakness), instead, filming many scenes from a low angle. One
particular scene has Barbra standing in front of a fireplace while Ben gathers
wood to secure the house. She is filmed from a low angle. Normally,
this angle would depict her own strength. But, in this context, it seems
more to emphasize her fear. As Ben boards up the house, low angles are also
used. This does not focus on his power over the zombies, but rather his
determination. Rather than affirming the characters’ themselves, the low
angle strengthens their emotional states. Barbra looks more afraid from a
low angle than a high one.
Another
element successfully used is the lighting. The whole movie uses low key
lighting. This creates high contrast. The contrast between light
and dark alludes to the contention in the film. The people in the
farmhouse struggle to survive the invading zombies. These two forces
battle against each other, just as the light and dark do in the lighting.
Another contention occurs between Ben and Harry. Ben
wants to stay and fight while Harry wants to descend into the basement to hide.
The contrast between their plans is accentuated by the low key lighting.
Low key
lighting is also exploited to achieve a different effect. When Barbra and
Ben first enter the house, there are no lights on. The house is completely
black save a few blotches of light. It is not until they have been in the
house for about 10 minutes that Ben turns on the lights, eliminating the
darkness. In this first part, the blackness represents the unknown.
They do not know who the zombies are or where they came from. Ben
and Barbra do not know what they are going to do. But, Ben eventually has
an idea and turns on the lights. He begins looking for tools to fortify
the house. Turning on the lights and eliminating the shadows symbolizes
their turn of action. Ben realizes the gravity of the situation and now
knows what they must do. He makes a plan and follows it. This plan
guides them just as the lights do.
At the end
of the film, the power goes out, throwing the house into the same darkness it
was in at the beginning. But, this time the shadows coincide with the
impending doom. Right after the lights go out, the zombies break through
the boards and enter the house. Just as the shadows surround the
characters, likewise do the zombies. This can most easily be seen in the
last shot of Ben that night, before the next day. The zombies have
invaded the house and Ben has locked himself in the basement. He is
trapped; there is only one way in and one way out. Ben is last seen
crouching in the middle of the frame, with shadows on either side, occupying
about two thirds of the shot. The shadows are on the verge of collapsing
on Ben. Upstairs, the zombies are on the brink of reaching him as well.
An
additional element that is used (though to a lesser degree) to create a sense
of helplessness is the use of a frame within a frame. At first, the only
connection to the outside world was the radio. Eventually, the group
finds a television set. Now, they can watch the news and learn any
updates about the events. But, all the scientists and police are framed
by the television. They are the people who know and have the power to
help. However, by framing them in the television, they are removed one
step from Ben and the group. It distances them, placing help beyond
reach. Towards the end of the film, after the night has passed, the
police and his posse are seen for the first time without the frame. They
are now close enough and able to help; although it is too late.
Personal
Response
I found this to be a really fun
film. While I enjoyed it, I also feel torn by it. Some aspects of
the film have aged quite well. At the same time, others have not. I
thought the cinematography was quite good. Camera angles, movement,
lighting all contributed to create an effective atmosphere. However,
other aspects of the film seem outdated. There are many instances where
it cuts to the group of zombies outside. They stand there for a split
second, then they start walking. It is almost as if the director gave
them their cue one second too late. I would assume that they would have
been able to cut that first part out. But either way, it looks a little
funny and distracts from the film. In another scene, Ben tackles a zombie
and begins to punch it in the face. But, it is obvious that he is
punching off to the right, to avoid hurting the other actor.
However, no
film is perfect. Even with its flaws, the overall film is a good watch.
Some parts are genuinely creepy; such as when the zombies eat Tom and
Judy and when the Cooper girl, Karen, kills her mother. The story is well
written and the actors act as one would logically expect. While not as
fast paced or gory by today’s standards, this classic will always be a great
one to watch.
Works Cited
Linder,
Brian, and Scott Collura. "Top 10 Zombie Movies - Movies Feature at
IGN." IGN Movies: Trailers, Movie Reviews, Pictures, Celebrities, and
Interviews. 11 Feb. 2008. Web. 04 Mar. 2011.
<http://movies.ign.com/articles/851/851230p2.html>.
