One of the most influential horror movies of all time started because a group of young people, often secretly sleeping in their office, decided to make the movie they wanted to see. In the new book Night of the Living Dead: The Official Story of the Film, writer Simon Braund takes readers through the initial idea of a small group of friends, their fundraising efforts through those closest to them, and into finding a rundown farmhouse in Pennsylvania where they would have to label boards and other items to make sure they put them back in place between takes. From friends and colleagues volunteering as “undead extras” to the incredible reception of an untested film that would birth a horror genre, the history of creation accompanies behind-the-scenes photographs, classic movie posters, and even and personal photos from the cast and crew.
Night of the Living Dead: The Official Story of the Film is the perfect book for the discerning horror fan. Though I spent several hours reading through the book in one day, I found the book naturally lingering on my couch so I could keep flipping back through it throughout the week. The book is designed as a coffee-table style hardcover with each photograph lovingly printed so that no matter what page you might flip to you’re going to see something interesting or discover a bit of horror history you might not have heard of before. Braund’s writing style is highly accessible, so whether you’re reading the book casually on the couch on a Saturday night or devouring every page for every detail, the book is worth the admission price.
Night of the Living Dead: The Official Story of the Film is available August 18th from Titan Books.
