Night of the Living Dead Ending Explained, Plot, Summary, and Cast
by Janani
Updated May 02, 2023
Night of The Living Dead 1990
Tom Savini's 1990 horror film, Night of the Living Dead (also known as George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead), features Tony Todd and Patricia Tallman in starring roles. The film is a remake of George A. Romero's 1968 movie of the same name. Romero rewrote the screenplay, which he had originally co-authored with John A. Russo. Just like the original film, the story follows seven strangers who meet and try to survive in a farmhouse in the countryside after cannibalistic zombies awaken.
This film is the only "official" remake of the 1968 classic. Other "unofficial" remakes have been made since the source material is not copyrighted and is therefore in the public domain. Columbia Pictures released Night of the Living Dead on October 19, 1990, in the United States. The film received unfavorable reviews at first and was a commercial failure, generating only $5.8 million in box office revenue against a production budget of $4.2 million.
Night of The Living Dead Ending Explained
Cooper shoots Ben, who then seeks refuge in the basement. The only survivor, Barbara, returns with the militia the following morning and discovers that Ben has turned into a zombie. In the remake, the concept of eradicating zombies is taken to a new level, leading to a unique and intriguing finale. The militia is portrayed as using zombies for target practice, forcing them to fight each other, and hanging them from trees for their own entertainment. Barbara's statement, "They're us. We're them, and they're us" is prompted by this depiction of the brutal treatment of the undead.
In the Night of The Living Dead 1990 film, Cooper survives the ordeal but mistakenly believes that Barbara has returned to rescue him. However, Barbara unexpectedly shoots him in the head, ending his life. Harry is portrayed as a highly domineering character who insists on keeping Helen locked up in the basement with him. While Helen in the original version merely seems exasperated with her husband's behavior, in the remake, she harbors a deep antipathy towards him. Moreover, Harry's conduct is even more oppressive and violent towards her.
Night of The Living Dead Where to Watch?
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Night of The Living Dead Cast
Tony Todd
Ben
Tom Towles
Harry Cooper
Patricia Tallman
Barbara Todd
William Butler
Tom Bitner
McKee Anderson
Helen Cooper
Katie Finneran
Judy Rose Larson
Bill Moseley
Johnny Todd
Heather Mazur
Sarah Cooper
Russell Streiner
Sheriff McClelland
Bud Koffler
Zombie Hunter
Greg Funk
Cemetery Zombie
Pat Logan
Uncle Rege
Albert Shellhammer
Cousin Satchel
Bill "Chilly Billy" Cardille
Himself
Cast Name
Character Name
Night of The Living Dead Plot
Siblings Barbara and Johnny visit their mother's grave in a remote Pennsylvania cemetery, where they encounter an elderly man with blood on his forehead who is in shock and being pursued by a zombie. Johnny is killed in the attack, while Barbara manages to flee to an abandoned farmhouse, which is also overrun with zombies. There, she meets Ben, who had escaped from a diner attack, and they decide to fortify the house against the zombies. Later, they discover other survivors in the house's cellar, including the Coopers, Harry, Helen, and their daughter Sarah, and teenage lovers Tom and Judy.
The survivors have different opinions on the best course of action. Harry insists on retreating to the cellar, while Ben wants to fortify the house, and Barbara suggests leaving the house. Ben and Harry argue, with Harry ultimately taking his family to the cellar while the others reinforce the doors and windows upstairs. The noise from the construction attracts a large mob of zombies, and the group's plan to escape using Ben's truck goes awry when the fuel ignites, killing Tom and Judy.
Harry wrestles Barbara's gun away from her, while upstairs, Sarah has turned into a zombie and bites her mother. When Sarah makes her way upstairs, a shootout ensues, and both Ben and Harry are injured. Barbara shoots Sarah, while Harry retreats to the attic and Ben makes his way to the cellar.
Helen, who had also turned into a zombie, attacks Ben, and he shoots her. Ben, realizing that the gas key had been in the cellar all along, dies from his injuries. Barbara manages to escape the house and joins a group of locals who are clearing the area of zombies. She later returns to the farmhouse, only to find Ben reanimated and Harry still alive in the attic. Barbara kills Harry and watches as the bodies of the dead are burned.
Night of The Living Dead Summary
Barbara and Johnny visit their mother's grave in a remote Pennsylvania cemetery and are attacked by a zombie. Johnny dies, while Barbara flees to an abandoned farmhouse, where she meets Ben. They decide to fortify the house and later discover other survivors hiding in the cellar. In one instance, Harry overpowers Barbara and takes her gun. Upstairs, Sarah turns into a zombie and bites her mother. Barbara shoots Sarah, while Harry retreats to the attic and Ben goes to the cellar.
Helen, who had turned into a zombie as well, attacks Ben, and he shoots her. Ben realizes that the gas key was in the cellar all along, but he dies from his injuries when Sarah makes her way upstairs, a shootout erupts, and both Ben and Harry are wounded. Barbara eventually escapes and joins a group of locals who are clearing the area of zombies.
Night of The Living Dead Ending Explained - FAQs
Night of the Living Dead is a 1990 American horror film.
Tom Savini directed Night of the Living Dead.
Night of the Living Dead was released on October 19, 1990.
Patricia Tallman played the role of Barbara Todd.
Tom Towles played the role of Harry Cooper.