“Dawn of the Dead”, which is also known as “Dawn of the Living Dead” and “Zombie: Dawn of the Dead” or “Zombie”, was issued in 1978. The director George A. Romero added to the title the tagline “When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth”. It is hard to match this movie with only one genre because there are aspects of horror, drama, thriller and
splatter in it (this applies also for the remake). The movie originally was part of Romero’s zombie-series including “Night of the Living Dead”, that appeared in 1968, “Dawn of the Dead” and “Day of the Dead” from 1985. A forth movie “The Land of the Dead” is in preproduction.
Apart from “Dawn of the Dead” another movie from this series was remade in 1990, namely “Night of the Living Dead” by Tom Savini, who also took part in the more famous movie “Dawn of the Dead”, both in the original movie and the remake.
Table of Contents
1. Remakes - Analysis
1.1 “Dawn of the Dead” by George A. Romero (1978) and “Dawn of the Dead” by Zack Snyder (2004)
Objectives and Topics
This work aims to conduct a comparative analysis between George A. Romero’s 1978 horror classic "Dawn of the Dead" and Zack Snyder’s 2004 remake, focusing on stylistic evolution, character changes, and the shifting societal critique of consumer culture across the decades.
- Evolution of zombie characterization and behavior from 1978 to 2004
- Technical advancements in film production and their impact on horror aesthetics
- The role of the shopping mall as a socio-cultural setting and metaphor
- Comparison of directorial intentions regarding consumerism
- Shifting audience expectations and horror viewing habits
Excerpt from the Book
Remakes - Analysis
“Dawn of the Dead”, which is also known as “Dawn of the Living Dead” and “Zombie: Dawn of the Dead” or “Zombie”, was issued in 1978. The director George A. Romero added to the title the tagline “When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth”. It is hard to match this movie with only one genre because there are aspects of horror, drama, thriller and splatter in it (this applies also for the remake). The movie originally was part of Romero’s zombie-series including “Night of the Living Dead”, that appeared in 1968, “Dawn of the Dead” and “Day of the Dead” from 1985. A forth movie “The Land of the Dead” is in pre-production. Apart from “Dawn of the Dead” another movie from this series was remade in 1990, namely “Night of the Living Dead” by Tom Savini, who also took part in the more famous movie “Dawn of the Dead”, both in the original movie and the remake.
The original movie is about some kind of plague that has come over the world. The dead people are not dying but instead become zombies, which chase the few remaining living people to eat their flesh and blood. A group of survivors, beneath them S.W.A.T. team members Peter and Roger, pregnant anchorwoman Francine, and chopper pilot Stephen, seek refuge in a big shopping mall and defend themselves at this place against the attacking zombies. They encounter not only the problem of fighting for their lives against the zombies but also the problem of co-existing with each other for a long period of time since they are cut off from the rest of the world and a group of bikers threatens their refuge.
Summary of Chapters
1. Remakes - Analysis: This chapter introduces the historical context of the "Dawn of the Dead" films and establishes the fundamental differences in narrative and style between the original 1978 version and the 2004 remake.
1.1 “Dawn of the Dead” by George A. Romero (1978) and “Dawn of the Dead” by Zack Snyder (2004): This section provides a detailed comparison of the portrayal of zombies, the impact of technological advancements on film aesthetics, and the varying degrees of social critique regarding consumer culture embedded in each film.
Keywords
George A. Romero, Zack Snyder, Dawn of the Dead, Horror Film, Remake, Zombies, Consumer Culture, Shopping Mall, Film Techniques, Gore Effects, Cinematic Evolution, Socio-cultural Satire, Horror Aesthetics, Media Comparison, 1978 vs 2004
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this analysis?
The paper examines the 1978 horror film "Dawn of the Dead" by George A. Romero and compares it to the 2004 remake directed by Zack Snyder.
What are the central themes explored in this work?
The work focuses on the evolution of horror cinema, specifically comparing zombie behavior, filmmaking techniques, and the symbolic representation of consumer culture in shopping malls across two different decades.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The primary goal is to analyze how technological and societal changes over 24 years influenced the stylistic and thematic realization of the same core story in two different films.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes a comparative film analysis, looking at plot structures, character portrayals, and secondary literature to evaluate the shift in directorial intentions.
What content is covered in the main section?
The main section covers the differences in zombie speed and "pack mentality," the change in gore effects, and the loss of the original film's satirical critique of consumerism in the remake.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include "Remake," "Consumer Culture," "Zombie Aesthetics," and "Cinematic Comparison."
How does the author describe the difference between the zombies of 1978 and 2004?
The author highlights that Romero’s zombies are slow and pale, allowing for easier evasion, whereas Snyder’s zombies are fast, menacing, and demonstrate a "pack mentality" suited for modern audiences.
What shift in consumer critique does the author note?
The author argues that while Romero used the mall as a sharp critique of 1970s consumerism, the mall in Snyder's version lacks this weight because modern shopping culture has become a ubiquitous global phenomenon.
Does the author consider the remake as having a "cheap" look?
The author notes that while Romero's effects have a "touch of cheapness" by modern standards, they created a specific nightmarish atmosphere that the highly digitized, slick look of the 2004 remake replaces with a faster, video-clip aesthetic.
- Quote paper
- Anna Zafiris (Author), 2004, Original and Remake: “Dawn of the Dead” by George A. Romero (1978) and “Dawn of the Dead” by Zack Snyder (2004), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/143310
