10 Most Influential Zombie Films

When Cryptshow.Net creator Ron McLellen asked me to do an article of the ten most influential zombie films I was beside myself. I’m a huge admirer and follower of the genre from countries all across the world so choosing only ten films out of the hundreds available was going to be a daunting task. Which films to choose whether they are just plain excellent verses whether or not they’ve had an impact of the genre, this was going to be the hardest choice for me but I hope that the ten films I’ve chosen will suffice it for the most diehard of zombie fans, and if not, I invite criticism of all kinds.

The zombie genre would not be what it is today without the success and influence of director George A. Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead (1968). Considered the grandfather of zombie films (although Romero considers his creature ghouls and not zombies) NOTLD gave cinema a true monster in the returned from the dead and walking around aimlessly craving human flesh creation. The zombie had appeared in cinema prior to this film but was never more popular until after the success of this film. In fact, many zombie films prior to NOTLD were played for humor while Romero’s film is played 100% straight with a growing sense of dread throughout. There is no zombie film produced today that does not owe a debt of gratitude to the influences that NOTLD has had on the genre.

Romero would again change the face of the zombie genre with his next zombie film Dawn of the Dead (1978). Whereas NOTLD was played straight, DOTD had its tongue played firmly in cheek. Romero has repeatedly maintained that this film was a live comic book which is evident from it’s over the top violence (the beginning massacre and following moments) and comic overtones (displayed especially at raiding of the mall montage and the climax of the film). Although the film has its comic moments it’s also a very polarizing film due to the film’s themes and political commentary throughout which is something that the zombie genre (and for that matter horror films in general) are not known for. Another influence that this film had on the genre is its international success. Because the film was co-produced by the Italian director Dario Argento, an international version (simply titled Zombi or Zombi, Dawn of the Dead) broke all kinds of Box Office records and opened the doors for other zombie films to be produced all over the world.

On the opposite spectrum of the zombie genre there was crafted Return of the Living Dead (1985) which took Romero’s zombie and turned it on its head. This film created the talking and sometimes intelligent zombie and gave them a purpose – “brains.” Played for laughs as well as scares this cult favorite gave future zombie productions a different type of zombie from the one that Romero made popular. This film also had a huge influence of the music for the zombie film (and horror films in general). Although the international version of Dawn of the Dead had the rock music of Goblin, it was ROTLD that made rock music popular in zombie films. Its album was a huge success at the time. The debate over talking or non-talking zombies would never be the same after the success of this film.

Due to the international success of DOTD, the Italian film market would forever change. To follow in the footsteps of that film was the in-name-only sequel Zombi 2 (aka Zombie) (1979) from acclaimed director Lucio Fulci. Returning to the original zombie from voodoo folklore this film has nothing to do with DOTD but it acts as somewhat of a prequel to the events in that film. Fulci’s film was brutal and gory with no limits and uncompromising in every way. This success of this film not only mad Fulci and international name to genre fans everywhere but also influenced the entire Italian horror film industry. After this film there were a plethora of zombie films that assaulted the international market under all types of relevant (and sometimes irrelevant) names. Fulci himself would direct three more highly influential cult favorites in City of the Living Dead (1980), The Beyond (1981), and House By the Cemetery (1981). The Italian film industry would never be the same again.

I would have to say that the most influential “traditional” zombie film would have to be director Wes Craven’s The Serpent & the Rainbow (1988). Based on the non-fiction book by Wade Davis is as psychological thriller on the origins of zombification, magic, voodoo, and an entire culture of people who “believe.” There has been no other film like it and I doubt there will be another. Although the film was a modest success at the Box Office its cult status is undeniable. Many of the more low-key and indie films borrow a lot more from the zombie conventions of this film rather than the more spectacular elements of all the films thus far mentioned. Although the film White Zombie (1932) has the distinction of being one of the first zombie films to feature “traditional” zombies its influences on the genre in no way out way those of Craven’s film.

If it’s splatter you want than it’s splatter you’ll get in director Peter Jackson’s over the top film Braindead (aka Dead Alive) (1992). Not only did this film introduce the world to Jackson but it also introduced to the world a more over the top and comedic approach to the zombie film which offered not only laughs and buckets of gore but a “real” plot and story to what could have easily become another throwaway zombie film. It’s also a “love affair” for not only zombie fans but horror fans in general as it was a film that openly paid homage to many of the films that came before it (long before Scream made it “cool” to do so). This film made it possible for other low budget films to be made. With the success of this film came a flood of low budget zombie splatter films (now a genre all its own) from all over the world (most notably from the shores of Japan whose films were way over the top and the zombie genre seemed to be everywhere) some for better and some for the worse.

In 2002 the zombie genre would again be changed forever with the release of 28 Days Later. Although now traditionally a zombie film, this film features the infected who are every bit a zombie except for the fact that they aren’t dead. This film also introduced the fast moving zombie, or more appropriately made them popular. This film broke all types of taboos in regards to the mainstream zombie genre not to mention the fact that it was shot on digital video giving the film a gritty and almost realistic aesthetic. This film also made “infected” people popular to include in the zombie genre when every other similar film before this one separated the two sub-genres. After this film became an international hit the shores were consumed with digital video filmed zombie films some of which have developed their own cult following.

Mentioning the popularity of fast zombies cannot be discussed without mentioning the most influential one of them all which is the remake of Dawn of the Dead (2004). Whereas 28 Days Later introduced the fast running infected, it was this film that introduced the real fast moving…no running zombie. This remake, at the time, was a rarity as it had many name actors attached (Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, and Jake Webber, to name a few) in what could have been a Box Office dud considering that there had not been many zombie films that actually made a profit in years. This was a suspenseful and terror filled horror film that, while it paid homage to the original, was an original film all its own (the mark of how a remake should be made). The film was a huge Box Office success that not only made the zombie genre popular again but ushered in a new era of horror remakes (now all the rage over the past few years). The success of this film also made it possible for Romero to finally get financing for his next zombie film Land of the Dead (2005), which in my book was an excellent thing. There was no turning back now, the debate over fast verses slow moving zombies would forever change the face of the genre.

Despite what mainly people may think Resident Evil (2002) is one of the most popular and successful zombie franchises ever. It also happens to be based on one of the most popular horror video game series ever despite the fact that this first film in the franchise bares little resemblance to any of the games. A lot of the film’s popularity is due to the presence of star Milla Jovovich because at the time zombie films still weren’t as popular as they would become after the release of 28 Days Later and the remake of Dawn of the Dead. Despite the horror and terror of the film (which was slight) audiences loved the action and this film had plenty of it. Zombie films didn’t just have to be horror films but they could also be action films as well. Borrowing from the experience of playing the video game audiences had action and violence and loud music which brought the film to life. The success of this film has thus far spawned three sequels (the latest one due out in just a few months) as well as made it popular again to adapt video games for the big screen. There has also been an animated feature length film – Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008).

The final film on my list is Shaun of the Dead (2004). This hugely popular film introduced the world to the rom-com-zombie film (romantic-comedy-zombie). This loving homage to zombie films from Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg (who co-wrote the film) not only has all the requirements of the “Romero” zombie film but also throws in a dash of the romantic comedy as the main character Shaun (played by Pegg) is trying to fix his love life with his girlfriend while the events of the zombie apocalypse is just the background by which the film is played. There have been a few films of this nature (Zombie Honeymoon being the most well known and released the same year) but none have become as popular or as well loved as this film. There have been plenty of zombie comedies in the years following this film but none have been able to fuse the horror elements with those of comedy and the romantic comedy as well as this film (even though many films continue to try).

All of the zombie films discussed in this film have had a hand in shaping the zombie genre and many have even become cult classics. There are many other films that have had just as much an influence on the genre as these films and should be included on this list but these films are the ones that every self respecting zombie fan should be well versed in. Other notable films that could be included are The Evil Dead, Dead & Buried, Creepshow, Dead & Breakfast, Night of the Creeps, Lifeforce, Slither, Masters of Horror episode “Homecoming,” Prince of Darkness, White Zombie, The Beyond, [REC], Tombs of the Blind Dead, The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue, Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things, Shockwaves, Dead Snow, Fido, Planet Terror, and Poltrygeist, to name a few.

THE SEEKERS: ISH Screening at Gwinnett Center

My new company The SWIFF sponsored the first screening of the new Southlan-Films documentary THE SEEKERS: INVESTIGATING SOUTHERN HAUNTS, the pilot episode of a proposed series that was filmed over the last two years in multiple different locations. Being a skeptic of the whole paranormal phenomena I was aprehensive when I showed up on the set of the first shoot which was at a graveyard on Halloween night 2006.

I can honestly say that to me there was nothing present to indicate to me that there was any paranormal activity at the location.

The film and series in general, as produced by Ron McLellen, is meant to be an exploration of the Georgia Ghost Society as they go to various alledged haunted locations to see if they can prove or disprove the claims. Lead investigator Bob Hunnicutt, whom you may remember from several of my previous blog entries, is a devout believer in the paranormal and honestly wants to prove in its existence. Whether or not there is any "real" proof is second to experiencing "something." On the other hand producer/director Ron McLellen believes in the paranormal whether there is evidence or not. To parlay their enthusiasm about the subject matter and thelocations is investigator Drew Hester who seems to be a good moderator between the two.

All of these people were present at the screening which took place at the Gwinnett Center as part of The SWIFF's first Movie Event leading up to the actual film festival later this year. Although I do not believe in anything that was filmed or happened on set during the production of the film, the audience members who screened the filmed seemed to have liked and enjoyed the film regardless as they had many questions for Hunnicutt, Hester, McLellen, and Tim Beacham (also part of the team but whom was late).

The screening went over well with the audiences as well had about seventy people in attendance (out of eighty seats) and the Q&A session went longer than anticipated because of all the questions; Hunnicutt continued to answer questions long after the event had concluded.

As the Movie Event Coordinator there were many things that I needed to address, before, during, and after the screening, much to my surprise but this was our first screening/Movie Event and I will know better for next time. This was a learning event and we will know better for the next event.

I wasn't all that surprised that this event was going to cost me money in the end because I just wasn't prepared enough and this is after thinking that I was more then prepared. For the next Movie Event (which I hope will be a Cast & Crew screening of BAD LAND) there will be a different and more effeciant strategy and hopefully it will help shed more light on that which I am try accomplish with the Movie Events and the film festival itself.

THE GAITHER'S PLANTATION Pt. 3

That night of our most recent visit to the alledged haunted Gaither's Plantation did not, for me at least, seem to yield anything worth a damn but then again maybe I was just looking in the wrong place. As I've said before lead investigator Bob Hunnicutt and producer/director Ron McLellen were on location at the church while guest investigator David Vinson was in the slave quarters. Our production team of Vernon Mui and his friend Justin in addition to Charles (who was a friend of Georgia Ghost Society member Drew Hester) were also present.

Mui is a budding young filmmaker with an interest and curiosity in the paranormal. On the previous investigation at this location he engaged in his own private session with our guest psychic investigator to no avail so he was determined to try his luck once more in this house by use of an EVP session. If you are familiar with an EVP session then you know it is meant to be a way in which paranormal investigators try to illicit a response from ghostly spirits within an isolated room or domain. Since EVPs are electronic voice phenomena you are unable to hear the responses of ghostly spirits during the actual session; you must replay the session through your voice recorder or video camera in order to hear what a possible ghostly spirit is saying or would have said. It's a very shaky way in which to try to prove the existence of the paranormal (which is why it is not accepted in many corners) but it is a curiosity that begs to be investigated.

After I had my isolated session in Cecelia's room Mui wanted to conduct an actual EVP session in this very room. There was Mui and Justin and myself although point of fact I was nothing but an empty vessel and/or observer while they proceeded to ask the questions. We closed the door and turned off the lights and sat in total silence for a long spell before one of them decided to ask the "room" questions. The questions were very predictable at first which is to be expected by two people who had never been privy to an EVP session but were rather going off instinct with what they had seen on television. I, on the other hand, paid little attention to thing as I closed my eyes and sat back in one of the benches in the room.

The session lasted almost an hour and I recall absolutely nothing of what happened. This is not because I wasn't interested in the whole thing but rather my mind was fixated on the fact that my uncle had just died a day prior and I was trying to recall all the memories of him locked within my head.

What I do know is that Mui and Justin had now had a partial taste of what it was like to be a paranormal investigator but they soon wanted a full course meal.

We all went down stairs where Hester and his friend Charles made their presence known. The house now had actual bodies within it so it no longer seemed like a cold and lonely place (which is how I picture plantations in which slaves were used as manual labor). Although this hinted at the end of the evening, it would only be the start of Mui's investigations for the night in which I would find myself even more enraptured.

To Be Continued...

THE GAITHER'S PLANTATION Pt. 2

In the upstairs bedroom of Cecilia Gaither I decided to see if I could illicit my own paranormal experience.

At the time Ron McLellen and Bob Hunnicutt were at the church continuing that investigation or conducting interviews that coincide with the night's proceedings while David Vinson was at the slave quarters experiencing his own personal enlightenment in the haunted attic. That left the house empty except for me and our production assistants Vernon Mui and his friend Justin. While Mui and Justin were downstairs I walked upstairs to Cecilia's room.

Now this isn't first time I've been up in this room as it was one of the key locations for our previous investigations of which I participated (I was the camera op for that investigation with an IR camera). This time I decided to lie back on Cecilia's bed and stare into the darkness of the room. The room was extremely dark as it had no working overhead lighting. The only lighting that illuminated the room came from the moonlight streaming through the windows and the headlights of a passing car (fellow GGS investigator Drew eventually arrived with his assistant Charles).

I laid back upon the soft bed and all I could think about was the death of my uncle which I had only been told about a day earlier. I couldn't think of the paranormal investigation nor any other aspect of what I was physically there at the location to do. My mind was in a land-lock. As I lay back on the bed allowing the thoughts to stream through my consciousness I eventually realized that my thoughts began to manifest themselves out loud until they were no longer just thoughts but a conversation with Cecilia herself. As if her spirit was actually in the room I began to foretell all my personal thoughts about the paranormal, ghosts, death, and my uncle. She was my psychiatrist as feelings and thoughts that I've never told anyone else began to ooze out of me like the simplest of exercises.

I sat up in that room talking to Cecilia for a good hour and a half, if not more, before someone realized I had even disappeared. By the time I was done speaking with Cecilia my consciousness was calm were once it was a volcano about to erupt. Now I have no accertions that Cecilia was actually in the room hearing me although it is a confront to think that maybe she was. I don't believe that anyone or anything was actually in the room but for that moment in my life I wanted to believe that maybe there is another life out there just on the cuspe of our own. That maybe there was someone or something in that room with me.

Never on any of these investigations have I ever wanted to believe in what we were filming. I've been on several of these investigations with two separate groups and not once have I seen or experienced anything that would give me the inclination that there is an alternate or afterlife beyond our own. It is easier for me to believe that we are not the only intelligent species in the universe and that there may be EBEs, extra-terrestrials, or aliens, then it is for me to believe that ghosts inhabit and roam the Earth after death.

That night I not only settled several personal issues that was plaguing me but I also had an alternative experience that as of right now I cannot explain. Upon breaking from my personal experience in Cecilia's bedroom I was more open to the possibilities present out in the world. So, I became more involved with the production and what better way to open up to this production then to volunteer for some seperate investigations.

While McLellen, Hunnicutt, and Vinson were off in their own little world, Mui and his friend Justin and myself decided to do couple EVP sessions. This is an area of the paranormal that Mui has found himself very interested in and he invited me to conduct one in Cecilia's room - one of the most haunted of the location's of the Gaither's Plantation.

Everything was about to change...

TO BE CONTINUED...