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Scott Reiniger, Ken Foree, David Emge, Gaylen Ross, Tom Savini ... see more see more... , Ted Bank , Tony Buba , Sharon Ceccatti , Pan Chatfield , Jim Christopher , David Crawford , Jese del Gre , Daniel Dietrich , David Earle , Christine Forrest , Richard France , Randy Kovitz , Patrick McCloskey , Clayton McKinnon , Howard K. Smith , Rod Stouffer , Jay Stover , James A. Baffico , Fred Baker , Pasquale A. Buba , George A. Romero , Taso N. Stavrakis , John Harrison , Marty Schiff , John Rice , Scott H. Reinger , Scott H. Reiniger , David Crawford (I)

Director George A. Romero's epic sequel to his legendary Night of the Living Dead has firmly established itself as the equal of its ground-breaking predecessor. Though shot in 1978 -- ten years after ... read more read more...the first films' release -- Dawn's story begins as if the events in Night had happened only a few months before: after shambling armies of the recently-dead take over every major city -- seeking warm human flesh for food -- the U.S. government imposes a state of martial law, sending in special National Guard units to attack and destroy zombie infestation where they find it. Two members of one such unit, Peter (Ken Foree) and Roger (Scott Reiniger) have been tasked to overthrow a nest of zombies in a Pittsburgh housing project (one of the film's most explicitly gory scenes). When the job turns ugly and Peter is forced to terminate his own berserk, racist commanding officer, the pair decide to split the outfit with the help of his friend Stephen (David Emge), a traffic pilot for WGON-TV, and the station's floor manager, Stephen's girlfriend Frances (Gaylen Ross). Together they steal the station's helicopter and head for less-populated areas, but after some narrow scrapes with flesh-hungry redneck ghouls in the country outside Harrisburg, they opt for a more secure hideout. Eventually they find the perfect solution: a massive, sprawling shopping mall. After the lengthy process of purging the building of zombies is complete, the four secure themselves snugly in the miniature city, consigned to live out their lives in a dull but cushy consumer's paradise... but the arrival of a menacing gang of nomadic bikers proves that this is not to be. With their survival instincts weakened by a mallful of toys and trinkets, the crew are again forced to face grim reality as they face both living and undead foes in a final battle. Romero's excellent, multi-layered story combines high-adventure heroics, three-dimensional characters and explicit gore (by the always masterful Tom Savini, who plays a small role as a leering biker) to excellent effect. The subtext comparing the glassy-eyed behavior patterns of the ghouls to those of American consumers is clear, but not overdone: "It's some kind of instinct," Stephen comments, observing the zombies' attraction to the mall; "This was an important place in their lives." Despite the glimmer of hope offered by the film's closing scene, the outlook for humankind is grim. Perhaps it is Frannie who best expresses Dawn's outlook for humanity: "We're not gonna make it, are we?" Several versions of this film are available on video, including a faster-paced European version edited by overseas distributor Dario Argento and a "Director's Cut" with a great deal of exposition restored (though Romero is quoted as having preferred the unrated cut released initially to U.S. theaters). The shooting script also contains a more downbeat ending, which was never filmed. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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84% liked it

179,817 ratings

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94% liked it

36 critics

R, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: George A. Romero

Release Date: May 24, 1979

Keywords: action, horror, zombie

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DVD Release Date: September 7, 2004

Stats: 9,681 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (9,681)

  • samoriley
    May 10, 2012
    samoriley
    Once again, George A.Romero has made another successful masterpiece towards the zombie genre. It may not have kicked off a new generation of horror like its predecessor, but it creates a better, more efficient entry to this genre. With a combination of intense horror and comedy, ... read morethis is the greatest zombie film of all time.
  • blkbomb
    March 17, 2012
    blkbomb
    Stephen: We're still pretty close to Johnstown. Those rednecks are probably enjoying this whole thing. 

    "When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth."

    Dawn of the Dead is often regarded as the best of the zombie genre. It's the best traditional zombie movie ... read moreI have seen. What it lacks now, in scares and true terror, it makes up for in awesomeness and humor. The ideas have stayed true all these years later and although when viewed today it looks ridiculous, it is a true classic in any sense.

    It's dated, that's for sure. The zombies look, umm... not that great. The special effects, make up, and all that type of stuff, while good for the time it was made, looks completely ridiculous now. Honestly though, the movie being extremely dated adds to the appeal. It's a well made movie, and all of the ridiculousness just adds to the fun experience. 

    When comparing this to Night of the Living Dead, it is important to note that they have different feels. I believe Night is creepier and a better pure horror film. But you can't argue with just how cool and fun Dawn is. The setting(a mall) is great and the idea's on consumerism are right on and funny. 

    I wouldn't go into Dawn expecting a perfect movie, nor would I want you to believe it is at all scary, because it isn't. But Dawn is bizarre, well shot, and pretty fucking epic for a zombie movie. At times, I was thinking to myself, if Stanley Kubrick were to have made a zombie movie, it may have turned out somewhat like this. There's some really cool wide shots. Romero really outdid himself and the genre when he made this horror classic.
  • fb619846742
    November 29, 2011
    fb619846742
    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... read more 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.
  • CloudStrife84
    October 29, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    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, engagin... read moreg 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.
  • fb1664868775
    October 23, 2011
    fb1664868775
    One of my favorites for sure. Scary and funny. Beautiful cinematography, I love the greenish blue faces of the zombies.
  • FilmFanatik
    June 26, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    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 ... read moreon 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. :)
  • ajv2688
    March 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    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 li... read morene 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.
  • blacksheepboy
    February 19, 2011
    blacksheepboy
    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 alleg... read moreory.
  • garyX
    January 11, 2011
    garyX
    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 zo... read morembie 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.
  • cosmo313
    January 10, 2011
    cosmo313
    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 ... read morecoming 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.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
October 7, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Romero's script is banal when not incoherent. Full Review

Dave Kehr
March 29, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Romero's sensibility approaches the Swiftian in its wit, accuracy, excess, and profound misanthropy. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Dawn of the Dead is one of the best horror films ever made -- and, as an inescapable result, one of the most horrifying. It is gruesome, sickening, disgusting, violent, brutal and appalling. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Perhaps horror-movie buffs will consider this an improvement. Full Review

Steve Biodrowski
July 23, 2008
Steve Biodrowski, Cinefantastique

This sequel to Night of the Living Dead (1968) abandoned the shadowy black-and-white creepiness of its progenitor in favor of a brightly lit color canvas that was bigger, broader, and bloodier. Full Review

Rob Humanick
October 29, 2007
Rob Humanick, Projection Booth

Romero's framing of social ills via his rotting, walking metaphors is ingenious but it's the more subtle, unspoken statements that register with the greatest force. Full Review

Daniel Etherington
September 24, 2007
Daniel Etherington, Film4

This is both a fine straight-up horror and an archly sly comment on consumer society. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
July 29, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

Romero, who was his own editor this time out, keeps the scenes clipped and purposeful. Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.
July 10, 2007
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed

In a rare league of ingenious horror films that are utterly timeless... Full Review

March 29, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Dawn of the Dead abandons easy scare tactics in favor of a darkly satirical assault on bourgeois culture, traditional notions of masculinity, and rampant consumerism. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Peter: When there's no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the earth.
    • Dr. Foster: It gets up and kills! The people it kills get up and kill!
    • Francine: What are they?
    • Peter: They're us, that's all.
    • Peter: Ain't it a crime.
    • Stephen: What?
    • Peter: The only person who could miss with this gun is the sucker with the bread to buy it.
    • Francine: They're still here.
    • Stephen: They're after us. They know we're still in here.
    • Peter: They're after the place. They don't know why, they just remember. Remember that they want to be in here.
    • Francine: What the hell are they?
    • Peter: They're us, that's all, when there's no more room in hell.
    • Stephen: What?
    • Peter: Something my granddad used to tell us. You know Macumba? Voodoo. My granddad was a priest in Trinidad. He used to tell us, 'When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.'
    • Roger: [about to run a gauntlet of zombies] Whad'ya think? Bag it or try for it?
    • Peter: You game?
    • Roger: I need lighter fluid.
    • Peter: You got it.
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Dawn of the Dead Trivia

  • What film is this tagline from: When theres no more room in hell the dead will walk the Earth.  Answer »
  • Tom Savini had a cameo role in George Romero's LAND OF THE DEAD as a zombie. Which of Romero's "Dead" flicks did this character originally appear in?   Answer »
  • Which of the following had most of its action take place at a mall?  Answer »
  • Which Movie Was A British Knock-Off Of "Dawn Of The Dead?"  Answer »
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