# Dawn of the Dead

> 1978 American horror film by George A. Romero

**Wikidata**: [Q219155](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219155)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_of_the_Dead_(1978_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dawn-of-the-dead-q219155

## Summary
Dawn of the Dead is a 1978 American horror film directed by George A. Romero, serving as a sequel to his 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. The film is a seminal work in the zombie horror genre and is considered one of the most influential horror films of all time.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1978, directed by George A. Romero
- American independent horror film and splatter film
- Sequel to Romero's 1968 film Night of the Living Dead
- Followed by Romero's 1985 film Day of the Dead
- Also known by the aliases "Zombi" and "Zombie"
- Official website: http://www.homepageofthedead.com
- Has 34 sitelinks on Wikidata
- Wikipedia title: "Dawn of the Dead (1978 film)"
- Multiple release dates: September 2, 1978; April 13, 1979; June 1979; August 2, 1979

## FAQs
What genre is Dawn of the Dead?
Dawn of the Dead is primarily a horror film and splatter film, but it also incorporates elements of action, science fiction, thriller, and drama genres.

Is Dawn of the Dead part of a series?
Yes, Dawn of the Dead is the second film in George A. Romero's "Living Dead" series, following Night of the Living Dead (1968) and preceding Day of the Dead (1985).

What is the film's official website?
The official website for Dawn of the Dead is http://www.homepageofthedead.com.

## Why It Matters
Dawn of the Dead is a landmark film in the horror genre that revolutionized zombie cinema and social commentary in film. Romero used the zombie apocalypse setting to critique consumerism and societal breakdown, with much of the film taking place in a shopping mall. The film's graphic violence and gore helped establish and popularize the splatter film subgenre. Its influence extends beyond horror, inspiring countless filmmakers, artists, and writers, and it continues to be studied in academic contexts for its cultural and political commentary.

## Notable For
- Pioneering the modern zombie film genre
- Graphic violence that helped define the splatter film subgenre
- Social commentary on consumerism and American culture
- Influence on subsequent horror and zombie films
- Being part of George A. Romero's influential "Living Dead" series
- Inspiring the 2004 remake and numerous other adaptations

## Body
### Film Details and Classification
Dawn of the Dead is classified as an American horror film, specifically a splatter film and zombie film. It falls under multiple genres including action, science fiction, thriller, and drama. As an independent film, it was produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. The film is notable for its graphic violence and gore, which helped establish and popularize the splatter film subgenre.

### Release and Distribution
The film had multiple release dates across different regions: September 2, 1978, April 13, 1979, June 1979, and August 2, 1979. This staggered release strategy was common for independent films of the era. The film's distribution was handled by various companies in different territories, contributing to its international cult status.

### Place in Romero's "Living Dead" Series
Dawn of the Dead is the second installment in George A. Romero's influential "Living Dead" series. It follows the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead and precedes Day of the Dead (1985). This trilogy, along with later entries, forms a significant body of work in horror cinema, with each film exploring different aspects of societal collapse and human nature in the face of a zombie apocalypse.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The film's impact on popular culture cannot be overstated. It has inspired countless other works in the horror genre, particularly zombie films and television series. The concept of survivors taking refuge in a shopping mall has been referenced and parodied in numerous other media. The film's critique of consumerism remains relevant, with the shopping mall setting serving as a powerful metaphor for societal values.

### International Reception
Dawn of the Dead was particularly successful in Italy, where it was released under the title "Zombi." This success led to the creation of several unofficial Italian sequels, most notably Lucio Fulci's "Zombi 2" (1979), which was marketed as a sequel despite having no connection to Romero's film. This international reception highlights the film's global impact on horror cinema.

### Technical and Artistic Merits
Romero's direction, combined with Tom Savini's groundbreaking special effects work, created a film that was both viscerally shocking and intellectually engaging. The film's use of bright, almost garish colors contrasted with its dark themes, creating a unique visual style that has influenced horror aesthetics for decades.

### Academic and Critical Reception
Dawn of the Dead has been the subject of extensive academic analysis, particularly in film studies and cultural criticism courses. Critics have praised its blend of visceral horror and social commentary, with many considering it Romero's masterpiece. The film frequently appears on lists of the greatest horror films of all time and continues to be screened at film festivals and retrospectives.

### Related Works and Adaptations
The success of Dawn of the Dead led to a 2004 remake directed by Zack Snyder, which updated the story for a new generation while paying homage to Romero's original. The film has also inspired numerous other works, including the British comedy horror film "Shaun of the Dead" (2004), which serves as both a parody and a loving tribute to Romero's work and the zombie genre in general.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077402/)
2. [Source](http://www.ofdb.de/film/136,Zombie)
3. [Source](http://www.cinemarx.ro/filme/Dawn-of-the-Dead-Dimineata-mortii-17073.html)
4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363547/fullcredits)
5. [Source](http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Dawn-of-the-Dead-(1979))
6. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077402/fullcredits)
7. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
8. The Movie Database
9. MusicBrainz
10. Dawn of the Dead. Rotten Tomatoes
11. Freebase Data Dumps
12. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077402/releaseinfo)
13. [Source](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/38107/zombie)
14. Dawn of the Dead
15. [The Numbers](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Dawn-of-the-Dead-(1979)#tab=summary)
16. Kinopoisk
17. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/dawn-of-the-dead/)
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. [Décret n°90-174 du 23 février 1990 pris pour l'application des articles 19 à 22 du code de l'industrie cinématographique et relatif à la classification des oeuvres cinématographiques - Légifrance](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000000531243/)
20. Cineplex
21. Bechdel Test Movie List
22. mymovies.it
23. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
24. TheTVDB
25. Trakt.tv
26. FilmVandaag.nl