Well folks, there you have it. The entire “Dead Series” review

It’s been tons of fun looking back over this franchise.

You can’t talk about these films without mentioning the social commentary that’s abundantly evident in each film. It’s the driving point of each of the releases and if you have no idea what I’m talking about then go back and watch them again. The satire on mass consumerism from “Dawn Of The Dead” is as relevant now more than ever.

It’s well known the original trilogy has been remade with “Dawn Of The Dead” being the most popular with fans, even I admit that it wasn’t too bad. However “Night Of The Living Dead” has been remade countless times and continues to do so, yet it has never been bettered, thogh the 1990 version was close.

Did you know that originally Romero didn’t want to do any sequels to “Night Of The Living Dead”, but I’m really glad he did as are many, many others. Talking of “N.O.T.L.D.”, Readers Digest tried to warn people away from watching the film in 1968 by claiming if it’s ever watched, it will inspire cannibalism. True story.

Also According to the George A. Romero, the original working print and working elements and materials for the film no longer exist – they were destroyed as a result of a flood that filled the basement where the materials were stored (which was the same basement used in the movie). So what we see is all we will ever have.

I love the fact that fans of the film are still split over Cooper’s plan vs Ben’s after all these years. Debates have been waged for decades over it, I’d love to hear your view. It’s inspired so many film-makers and people in the business and still continues to do so to this day and hopefully will do for future generations.

People often ask about why “N.O.T.L.D.” is in the public domain, well here’s the story. The Walter Reade Organization agreed to show the film uncensored but changed the title from the original title of “Night Of The Flesh Eaters” to “Night Of The Living Dead” because of an existing film with a similar title. While changing the title, the copyright notice was accidentally deleted from the early releases of the film. Thus it became public domain and people lost out on a lot of money.

As stated in my review I really enjoyed his later work, especially “Diary Of The Dead”. Romero himself actually stated that “Diary Of The Dead” was a modern “Night Of The Living Dead” with it even starting on the same day just updated. It was supposed to be a “Living Dead” tv series directed by him but instead was made into a film. This would’ve been interesting to see, especially with the likes of “The Walking Dead” being released three years later, a series he turned down.

You can’t talk about these films without mentioning the social commentary that’s abundantly evident in each film, it’s the driving point of each of the releases and if you have no idea what I’m talking about then go back and watch them again. The satire on mass consumerism from “Dawn Of The Dead” is still relevant now, if not more than ever.

The sad thing is, is that Romero wasn’t done. George A. Romero had plans to make two more sequels which he would film back-to-back, starting with “Road Of The Dead”. In 2021 there were reports of a film that he penned with his co-writer Paolo Zelati depicting a conclusion to the series that explains the fate of the zombie protagonists from “Land Of The Dead” and an ending where humanity has become virtually extinct.

All those plans stalled once Romero sadly passed, then it was announced in April 2021 that the film had been put back into development under the supervision of Suzanne Romero, with Zelati finishing the script with screenwriters Joe Knetter and Robert L. Lucas. Suzanne told The Hollywood Reporter, “This is the film he wanted to make. And while someone else will carry the torch as the director, it is very much a George A. Romero film.” In August 2023, the film was announced to start production in fall 2023. A month later, it was announced that the film would be directed by Brad Anderson. There’s been no further news as of yet.

Romero’s “Dead Series” is legendary, no, it’s iconic and for very good reasons. Do yourself a favour and have a marathon and relive those amazing moments once again.