One for the Fire: The Legacy of 'Night of the Living Dead'

One For the Fire (2008)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Documentary on the 40th Anniversary of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead features most of the main folks behind the movie as well as a few of the lesser known people who had minor roles in the movie. Romero, John Russo, Russell Streiner, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman are among those interviewed but if you've listened to their commentaries over the years or listened to any interviews then you're not going to learn too much here. A few opinions have changed including Romero's opinion of having a black actor in the lead and how he should have handled it. In the film there's no mention or special move made to exploit it but now Romero wishes he would have done that. The most interesting parts of the documentary are going back to the original filming locations including the cemetery and the basement. Another fun thing happens at the start of the film with O'Dea and Streiner reenact their Johnny and Barbara sequence. Several famous fans of the film, including Alice Cooper, show up at the end to talk about it.

I saw this on the new Weinstein Version of NOTLD and I got to say this might be the best of any Making-of doc I have ever seen. Everyone who is still alive and had something to do with the film talks about their memories and how much of a joy it was to work on the film. The reason why I give this 9 out of 10 is because the doc is split into sections and is somewhat slow but it is still highly enjoyable. The doc is also in memory of Karl Hardman due to his passing this past During his interviews you can tell he is very weak. There is also a great tribute to Duane Jones as the Cast and Crew remember him fondly. This doc is essential for all Romero and or zombie fans!