(US Steelbook) Night of the Living Dead 1990 (4K UHD / Blu-Ray)

DAY 19

In 1990, 36 years ago to the day, Savini's Night of the Living Dead was released. I didn't have the pleasure of watching it on the big screen but I was lucky enough to catch it on TV during a free weekend trial of premium cable (probably HBO).

It was also my introduction to Tony Todd.

A classically-trained actor like fellow horror icons Robert Englund and Christopher Lee, Todd's performance in this movie haunted me as a child. So visibly committed to this role, so convincing in his acting in Savini's NOTLD, I refused to see Candyman for years because I didn't want him to be a bad guy. His modern approach to Ben (the character originally, famously played by Duane Jones) is worth watching, as is Patricia Tillman's updated, nuanced, zombie-ass-kicking version of Barbara.

The seriousness of this movie created an almost paralyzing fear in me, a genuine terror only replicated upon playing the original Resident Evil on the original Playstation. If there are moments of comic relief, I do not remember them.

Alas, Savini did not receive enough credit for this film and he finished the last hump of his directorial debut in the midst of a divorce, making it a painful time to revisit. Although, it seems he has come to enjoy the fruits of his labor in recent times and has since remarked how proud he is of it, as he should be!

While I initially watched this at the tender age of way-too-young, it really has become a Top 10 Horror Movie for me. Maybe it's nostalgia, maybe it's the lasting influence Tony Todd had on me, but, I'm happy to recommend it to movie fans and see what their takes are on it.

There are enough differences and realistic effects in this film to make it stand on its own two feet, despite living under the shadow of a very revered, very prolific original. It is currently on Tubi, if you'd like to watch it, even if just to compare the film to its predecessor.

If you dare, watch in total darkness!