Writing through film- Night of the Living Dead
1. Who are the four main characters of this film?
2. What subgenre does this film fir under? Give 2 examples from the movie that share why it fits the chosen subgenre?
3. Why did the lady kick off her shoes?
4. What is her weapon of choice? Why do you think she chose that weapon?
5. What is the name of the third living character introduced?
6. What traits are unique about these zombies in comparison to new age zombies you would see in the Walking Dead or other zombie flicks? List 3 traits?
7. what is the new man's story about how he found the truck?
8. How are others describing the zombies? List 3 examples
9. What 3 items did he find in the closet?
10. What is the argument for why the cellar is safer and why upstairs is safer?
11. What is the reason Mrs. Cooper wants to go upstairs?
12. What are "rabbit ears''?
13. What did the news says created the zombies?
14. What did they suggest to do with the dead bodies and why?
15. Who is the second person to die in the film and how?
16. Why did the dude punch out Mr. Cooper?
18. Who is the last one living and why is that surprising?
19. What is unique about this film that makes it different than any other film of its time?
20. Any comments or opinions about the film?
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1. To find the four main characters of the film "Night of the Living Dead," you can either watch the film or refer to the cast list. The four main characters are Ben, Barbra, Harry Cooper, and Helen Cooper.
2. "Night of the Living Dead" falls under the subgenre of horror films known as the zombie apocalypse. Two examples from the movie that indicate it belongs to this subgenre are:
- The film features a group of people trapped in a farmhouse, surrounded by a horde of flesh-eating zombies, creating a sense of isolation and survival against overwhelming odds.
- The characters in the movie must navigate through a world where the dead have come back to life and are hunting the living, bringing a theme of societal collapse and the struggle for survival.
3. It is unclear why the lady kicks off her shoes in "Night of the Living Dead." It could be a reaction to stress and fear, or she may have felt her shoes were hindering her ability to move quickly or silently. Without further context, it's hard to provide a definitive explanation.
4. Barbra's weapon of choice in "Night of the Living Dead" is a small trowel (a handheld digging tool). It is possible that she chose this weapon because it was readily available and she could wield it effectively against the zombies. The trowel can be used for stabbing or slashing, making it a somewhat practical weapon in the given situation.
5. The name of the third living character introduced in "Night of the Living Dead" is Harry Cooper.
6. "Night of the Living Dead" introduced several unique traits about the zombies in comparison to new-age zombies in films like "The Walking Dead." Three traits include:
- Unlike modern zombies, these zombies were not infected by a virus but were revived due to radiation from a space probe that exploded.
- These zombies were slow-moving and lacked the ability to run or exhibit complex motor skills.
- The zombies in "Night of the Living Dead" were not limited to daylight hours and were active both day and night.
7. In "Night of the Living Dead," the new man tells a story about how he found the truck. He explains that he heard the truck's engine running and saw an overturned gas truck blocking the road. Taking advantage of the situation, he climbed over the truck and found the keys in the ignition.
8. In the film "Night of the Living Dead," others describe the zombies using various terms. Three examples include:
- "Ghouls"
- "Those things"
- "Monsters"
9. The three items found in the closet in "Night of the Living Dead" are a television set, a box of cigars, and a radio.
10. The argument for why the cellar is safer in "Night of the Living Dead" is that it is an enclosed space where the zombies cannot get in easily. On the other hand, some characters argue that upstairs is safer because it provides more escape routes and flexibility to defend against the zombies.
11. Mrs. Cooper wants to go upstairs in "Night of the Living Dead" because she believes it is safer for their daughter, who is hiding there. She hopes to protect her daughter by moving to an area that she perceives as more secure.
12. "Rabbit ears" refers to an antenna used to receive television signals. In the context of the film, it is mentioned as a way to improve the reception of television broadcasts.
13. The news in "Night of the Living Dead" suggests that the zombies have been created by radiation from an exploded space probe returning from Venus.
14. The news in "Night of the Living Dead" suggests that the dead bodies should be burned or buried to prevent them from returning as zombies. This is done to prevent further spread of the zombie contagion and to eliminate potential threats.
15. The second person to die in "Night of the Living Dead" is Tom. He is killed by the zombies while trying to refuel the truck.
16. The character punches out Mr. Cooper in "Night of the Living Dead" because Mr. Cooper had been reckless and caused the death of Tom. It was an impulsive act arising from the frustration and anger towards Mr. Cooper's selfish behavior.
17. Apologies, there doesn't seem to be a question numbered as 17.
18. Ben is the last one living in "Night of the Living Dead," which is surprising because he manages to survive the onslaught of zombies and outlasts the other characters. This is unexpected, considering the high mortality rate throughout the film.
19. "Night of the Living Dead" is unique for several reasons, setting it apart from other films of its time:
- It features an African-American character, Ben, in a leading role, which was groundbreaking for the 1960s.
- The film offered a realistic and gritty portrayal of the horror genre, deviating from the more stylized and campy horror films of the time.
- "Night of the Living Dead" challenged social norms and explored underlying themes of racism, social hierarchy, and human nature amidst a zombie apocalypse.
20. As an AI, I do not possess personal opinions or emotions. However, "Night of the Living Dead" is widely regarded as a classic within the horror genre and had a significant influence on subsequent zombie films. Its low-budget production, effective storytelling, and social commentary make it a notable and enduring piece of cinema.