Over the last few years there's been a revival of one of my favourite horror sub-genres, the Zombie movie, so i thought i'd go back through the annals of Undead filmic history and put together what i believe are the 10 Best Zombie movies of all time.
No.10
The Plague of the Zombies (1966)
From the home of classic British horror Hammer, this was one of their finest films regardless of genre. Similar in theme to earlier Zombie flick
White Zombie with regards to the living dead being used by a nefarious baddie to do his bidding. 'Plague' was most notable for its depiction of colonialism, exploitation and tyranny.
No.9
Dead Alive(Brain Dead)The now infamous Zombie comedy from Peter Jackson is firmly planted in my top 10 because of the shear amount of flesh ripping and blood letting in the second half of the film. It's a film that almost implodes under its own loonacy but keeps its head above the mountains of gore by continually outdoing itself on the Living dead/monster front culminating in an almost prophetic finale atop a buildings roof with a gigantic zombie creature.
No.8
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Romero's original Zombie film can still hold its own in the sub-genre after all these years. With it's none too subtle references to the war in Vietnam, graphic violence and stark black and white photography, it caused a humongous stir on its initial release and while the violence may seem a little watered down by todays standards it remains a classic entry into Zombie history.
No.7
Planet TerrorIt’s not the best example of the sub-genre but it’s the best example of the modern glut of Zombie films that’s washed over us for the most part in a wave of disappointment. What it does do is bring the cliché’s front and centre, it offers nothing new but then it doesn’t pretend to, just sit back and enjoy the mayhem.
No.6
Beyond Re-animatorJeffrey Combs reprises his role of Dr. Herbert West in Brian Yuzna's H. P. Lovecraft inspired film that continues the theme of one man's obsession. Yuzna pulls off an almost perfect mix of scares chuckles in this well-paced dark comic movie which takes the man messing with nature theme to a rather satisfying level.
No.5
28 Days LaterDanny Boyles Rage infected vision in 2002 woke an unsuspecting audience up with a jolt. While not Zombies in the true sense of being woken from the dead, they were nonetheless still removed of all human abilities to think beyond attacking and feeding.
The speed and ferocity that the infected attacked when woken from an almost catatonic slumber was genuinely frightening and the ending left a bitter taste in your mouth for days after. This was the film that dusted off the old preconceptions and re-launched the Zombie film for a new breed of audience.
No.4
White Zombie(1932)
Although not the first film to feature the undead, White Zombie was one of the early pioneers of the sub-genre with its innovative use of camera, sound and lighting techniques, which, for an independently produced movie was an achievement in itself.
Starring Vampire sub-genre favourite Bela Lugosi and boasting the effects talents of Jack Pierce the make-up genius behind Universals Frankenstein’s Monster, the Mummy and the Wolf Man, it was no wonder that the film opened to commercial if not critical success.
No.3
Evil DeadEverything from Bruce Campbells scenery chewing turn as Ash to the flying eyeball to the tree 'rape and back again marked this out as one of the first of the UK's 'Video nasties'. Shot over a period of 4 years its a miracle it was ever completed but with its firecracker pace and surreal FX this is a must see and buy for your Zombie catalogue.
No.2
Shaun of the DeadThis entry brings the Zombie flick bang up-to-date with a smack round the face with a cricket bat.
The
Spaced boys brilliant take on the Zombie-like state that we British tend to adopt when commuting to and from work integrated superbly with the mysterious rise of the undead, climaxing in a genuinely tense finale that brought the love ‘em/hate ‘em relationships of family and friends to a tears of laughter and tears of sadness conclusion
And here it is my number 1 all time favourite Zombie movie
No.1
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
This is widely considered to be the best of Romero’s ‘Dead’ series which it is but damn it, it’s the best Zombie movie period. With its wickedly accurate portrayal of American consumerism that’s still relevant today, combined with the assured hand of Romero who you can tell really believes in his film with the gruesome FX from Tom Savini that still hold up, this is the daddy of all living dead flicks. Of all the Directors that have entered the genre Romero stands tall with a genuine love for all things Zombie and has kept moving forward with each ‘Dead’ film resulting in 2008’s ‘reality’ handheld style ‘Diary of the Dead’. When all is said and done if you ever want to introduce some fresh blood to the gory delights of the Zombie sub-genre then Dawn of the Dead (1978) is most definitely where you start.
So, that's it, agree with me? disagree with me?
October 31, 2010, 04:22:48 PM
