Dawn of the Dead

Name: Dawn of the Dead
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Released: May 24, 1979
Duration: 127 min
Rating: 71
Cast: David Emge, Ken Foree

1979

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 51 Ratings

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7.1

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 51 Ratings

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Dawn Of The Dead

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Movie Details & Credits

United Film Distribution Company (UFDC) | Release Date: May 24, 1979 | Unrated

Starring: David Emge, Ken Foree

Summary: Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia S.W.A.T. team members, a traffic reporter, and his television executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.

Director: George A. Romero

Genre(s): Thriller, Horror

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 127 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Time Out London Staff (Not Credited)

Undoubtedly the zombie movie to end 'em all... The horror/suspense content is brilliant enough to satisfy the most demanding fan, and the film uses superb locations like a huge shopping mall to further its Bosch-like vision of a society consumed by its own appetites. But take no munchies. Read full review

100

Mike Bracken and Christopher Monfette

Where Night of the Living Dead was a straight up horror film (with some minor social commentary buried beneath the ever-present threat of the shambling undead), Dawn is something a bit more intriguing. Sure, much of Dawn's first thirty minutes or so has the same unrelenting feel of the earlier film, but once our heroes arrive at their final destination, the tone changes. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

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. It is also (excuse me for a second while I find my other list) brilliantly crafted, funny, droll, and savagely merciless in its satiric view of the American consumer society. Nobody ever said art had to be in good taste. Read full review

Dave Kehr

A grisly extravaganza with an acute moral intelligence. The graphic special effects (which sometimes suggest a shotgun Jackson Pollock) are less upsetting than Romero's way of drawing the audience into the violence. Read full review

Gene Siskel

Usually I am so turned off by mayhem that I turn away from the screen during knife attacks and the like. But for some strange reason I wasn't sickened by the violence in Dawn of the Dead. Even when one zombie gets his head lopped off by a helicopter blade...Dawn of the Dead has some staying power. [4 May 1979, p.3-3]

Gary Arnold

Witty as they sometimes are, Romero's ironies aren't subtle or devastating enough to justify lengthy comtemplation. "Dawn" seems like a good 80-minute horror premise stretched out at least half an hour too long. Moreover, the excess running time appears to be filled by repeated shootings, clubbings, stabbings and munchings, always vividly depicted, rather than further character exploration or mordant strokes of humor. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Dawn pummels the viewer with a series of ever-more-grisly events - decapitations, shootings, knifings, flesh tearings - that make Romero's special effects man, Tom Savini, the real 'star' of the film - the actors are as woodenly uninteresting as the characters they play. Romero's script is banal when not incoherent - those who haven't seen Night of the Living Dead may have some difficulty deciphering exactly what's going on at the outset of Dawn. Read full review

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User Reviews

Steven1981

Jun 20, 2021

George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead, this was made in 1978 or 79... It's a horror but there's a bit of silliness in it too and there was a remake but avoid it. Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero is the original version and quite possibly the best zombie film ever made and certainly one ofGeorge A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead, this was made in 1978 or 79... It's a horror but there's a bit of silliness in it too and there was a remake but avoid it. Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero is the original version and quite possibly the best zombie film ever made and certainly one of the best horror films ever made hands down. Zombies are everywhere and 4 people get into a shopping mall on the roof by landing a chopper on it and getting into the shopping centre up top but have to survive at all costs and avoid getting bitten by the zombies downstairs in the shopping centre. If you like blood, guts and a bit of action then Dawn of the Dead delivers and doesn't disappoint. Beautifully directed by George A.Romero and has many fun moments even the actors have fun here running round the shopping centre shooting up zombies and looking in the stores and playing video games and grabbing supplies. There's a scene when bikers break into the shopping centre too but most becoming prey to zombies and only two of the original 4 of the chopper crew getting out alive at the end. A must watch and this isn't all dark atmospheric horror because some of it's pretty light hearted but it has some dark moments and when it comes to the crunch Dawn of the Dead delivers with blood and some shocks. Stars Ken Foree and a load of other actors and actresses, rated 18 for violence and bad language.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

NickTheCritick

Nov 6, 2021

This the best movie by George A. Romero. Or let's say at least, this is the Romero's movie I like the most, and definitely one of the best zombie movies ever made. I suggest you to watch it because you won't be disappointed. A lot of horror and action here under Romero's directing.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

HellHoleHorror

Jan 12, 2023

This is the seminal masterpiece of zombie films. On the face of it, it seems to have a low production value compared to more recent movies but countering this is the depth and complexity of the story and the powerful undertones indicating an end to civilisation from within. The violence isThis is the seminal masterpiece of zombie films. On the face of it, it seems to have a low production value compared to more recent movies but countering this is the depth and complexity of the story and the powerful undertones indicating an end to civilisation from within. The violence is only one part of this film that excels (especially for the time that it was made), the acting and the ambiance pull together with the phenomenal script to produce a masterpiece of epic zombie proportions. The zombie master makes his second film with astronomical success, arguably the best in the whole series. Personally I chose to watch the remake over this one, mostly because I find it slightly more entertaining as it benefits from a larger budget and better pacing. Occasionally though I do go back to this classic and always enjoy it, whilst struggling to relate to it as much as the remake. Maybe I just prefer slightly more modern films, that doesn’t stop this being a classic that any horror fan should watch. I will be watching it again!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

amheretojudge

Dec 6, 2019

As far as the scares are concerned, I am not scared. Lucky for George, he has plenty of other colors to paint this wall with something else.

Dawn Of The Dead If Night Of The Living Dead is confined, specific, Dawn Of The Dead is all over the place. Showcasing all the repercussions andAs far as the scares are concerned, I am not scared. Lucky for George, he has plenty of other colors to paint this wall with something else.

Dawn Of The Dead

If Night Of The Living Dead is confined, specific, Dawn Of The Dead is all over the place. Showcasing all the repercussions and boasting all the showcased scenarios. For the second one, the writer and director, George Romero is pushing himself along with the storyline. The social satire, just like and unlike the previous chapter, has aged well. Though the previous chapter didn't value what is currently prioritised, it surely on the other hand whips what we shouldn't value. That analysis or theory of the film is represented visually and is stated with an isolated personality which is personified as a part of a branch of a structure. If not character driven, these scenarios in its world wouldn't hold any place. But this is where George takes his time. He enjoys these moments. And this idea is scary. Something that translates to the filmmaker itself. If there is no joy, you are not emotionally attached, you are not tapping to their beat and not bobbing your head to their plans, you will never survive. And to survive is to be gifted in this film. The very thought of an escape is celebrated. And just like the franchise always does, the humans are the troubled bodies bouncing inside these walls. Them taking things for granted, overconfidence in their capabilities and exploitation of the gifts of nature. You see even after we are dead, we are a slave to that cycle. It keeps spinning and is eating us alive or even dead in this case. There are similar patterns in their behaviour, heavily armoured or numbingly defensive, it's eventually the same thing.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Toasty87

Jul 17, 2020

Aged not so good but is still a Halloween favourite although it's not very scary nowdays.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DMLYxCritic

Mar 23, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead is as dull as bad horror films come. Sure, it is considered a classic, making zombies entities of pop culture. But the fact remains that this film has no other redeemable qualities when it comes to the plot. It is just a bunch of survivors running around the mall, with no apparent intention, other than the fact that they are seeking refuge inside the building. All other things they do are unclearly implied or not even mentioned at all. The acting is so wooden; it is impossible for me to connect with any of the characters. The editing is also a problem, as it jumps in time more often, leaving the viewers guessing what the two-dimensional characters are doing or about to do. The dialogue is also sleepily dull, making the characters even more wooden than they already are. The only takeaway of this film is the cinematography, which was handled amazingly, and the makeup, although it needs more work. This is a far cry from the previous film, Night of the Living Dead, which perfectly stands alone on its own. Maybe they should rename this "Dull of the Dead." Just saying.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

johnnyboy53

Jan 21, 2023

"Dawn of the Dead" is a complete and utter waste of time. The acting is wooden, the special effects are laughable, and the story is about as original as a broken record. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to make a movie about zombies, but they should probably stick to their day"Dawn of the Dead" is a complete and utter waste of time. The acting is wooden, the special effects are laughable, and the story is about as original as a broken record. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to make a movie about zombies, but they should probably stick to their day job. The only thing this film has going for it is its ability to put me to sleep faster than a warm glass of milk. Save yourself the agony and skip this cinematic disaster.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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