If you haven't seen this one in awhile it is time to pull it off the shelf and review!

1985 was a long time ago yet I still vividly remember the whining that accompanied this films release. It always started the same way, a petulant whine followed immediately with an adjective fueled diatribe of babble about how much better Night and Dawn were, compared to this entry. My rebuttal was and is, always the same, it isn't Night or Dawn, it's a completely different film dealing with the same subject. To compare films is to negate their individualism. Romero very purposely tells an unrelated tale of a different group of survivors. Sure everyone wants to know what happened to 'Peter' (Ken Foree) and 'Fran' (Gaylen Ross) but the fact remains that to have told you would have spoiled the magic of the original story. Nothing Mr. Romero could have dreamed up would have satisfied everyone, it could never have mirrored whatever scenario one may have formulated regarding a favored characters fate. The old adage of been there done that comes to mind. I think it sums up what most filmmakers think when asked about revisiting storylines. Why go where you have already been? It may have worked for Monet and his fucking waterlilies but not everyone is obsessed with perfecting one subject!

After watching the film again for the purpose of this review, I find I like it more than ever! The characters are not as friendly and accessible as those in Dawn but with a ratio of 400,000 to one odds against, who would be? At this late stage the survivors are losers, and they know it. The world has succumbed to the dead, those unfortunate enough to still be alive must vainly attempt surviving one another as well as the shuffling hoard. Tension is understandably high as factions separate survivors into camps of disparate thought.

On one side is science embodied by Lori Cardille's 'Sarah', her forced optimism embodied by active philanthropy driving her to find a solution. This ideal is not shared by any of the other members of her group. But with the aid of helicopter pilot 'John' (Terry Alexander) and his sidekick 'William' (Jarlath Conroy), Sarah is able to remain sane and rational aided by copious amounts of alcohol. Also on Sarah's side yet not as stable, are 'Dr.'s Logan' ( Richard Liberty) and 'Fisher' (John Amplas) who spend days vivisecting the dead, searching for answers to an unattainable goal. And then there is Sarah's lover 'Miguel' (Anthony DiLeo Jr.) who has all but given up hope, sick and tired of Sarah's optimism, Miguel is checking out , slowly, praying to a rosary that will do him no good.

The other camp comprised of Military men reaching wits end, is led by the now legendary Joe Pilato who turns in a performance of unbridled rancor. Focusing his ire on Sarah and her group of civilians 'Captain Rhodes' (Pilato) takes out his aggressions on the very people he is supposed to be supporting. Faced with an enemy he does not understand he misdirects his authority to the point of disaster. Rhodes carries out this agenda with the assistance of Pvt.'s 'Steel' (Gary Howard Klar) and 'Rickles' (Ralph Marrero), both of whom boast I.Q.'s just slightly above that of the more aggressive walking dead.

As the endgame plays out, Romero treats his audience to some very well drawn characters reacting badly to a situation that can only become worse. The story is as bleak and unforgiving as the dead themselves. Filled with jaw dropping special effects from some of the best in the business including, Tom Savini, Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger, Everett Burrell, John Vulich, and Mike Trcic, and many more too numerous to list, the grue is delivered piping hot and shocking just the way gore hounds love it!

There are few if any technical deficiencies in the film and overall it looks slicker than both Night and Dawn. The big problem which thwarts many viewers is the unlikable characters and the honesty with which Romero handled them. There is no real heroic action in this story, only desperation, despair, and the knowledge that the end is truly nigh. This is a horror story that never ceases and will only get worse instead of better.

Watch it again and see if it doesn't strike you as a film deserving much more credit than it has gotten. Watch out for all the cameo's that you may have missed the first time around, some of which include stunt master Taso Stavrakis, effects artists Greg Nicotero and John Vulich, Director's J.R. Bookwalter and Donald Farmer, Fangoria guru Bob Martin, George himself as 'scarf zombie' and actor Jim O'Rear doing some of the uncredited stunts.

And be sure to pay attention to the excellent performances from the entire cast. Sure Rhodes, Steel, and Rickles are assholes, in fact put together this group embody the word asshole better than just about any antagonistic group of jerkoff's I have ever seen on the screen! Sadly enough Ralph Marrero ('Pvt. Rickles') passed away in 1991 as a result of a car accident, and 'Logan' (Richard Liberty) of a heart attack in 2000. Gary Howard Klar ('Pvt. Steel') and Joe Pilato ('Captain Rhodes') however can often be found on the convention circuit signing autographs and discussing with fans the roles that have made them famous. There is a lot of good stuff happening in this film, making it worth revisiting!