RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Found a Bug? Squash It! Report Bugs Here
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / Dawn of the Dead
Dawn of the Dead

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
95 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:37

Fresh:35

Rotten:2

Average Rating:8.4/10

Consensus: One of the most compelling and entertaining zombie films ever, Dawn of the Dead perfectly blends pure horror and gore with social commentary on bourgeois society.

Runtime: 6 hrs 25 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: Picking up where NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD left off, and still offering no explanation of why the dead are walking the earth, DAWN OF THE DEAD plunges headlong into one of the most violent and... Picking up where NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD left off, and still offering no explanation of why the dead are walking the earth, DAWN OF THE DEAD plunges headlong into one of the most violent and original horror films ever made. After securing an apartment building overcome with flesh-eating zombies, two Philadelphia area SWAT team members, Peter (Ken Foree) and Roger (Scott Reiniger), flee to a television station, where they escape in the station's helicopter with Francine (Gaylen Ross) and Stephen (David Emge), two station employees. Seeking refuge from the zombies and the ensuing hysteria, they land on top of a Pittsburgh area shopping mall, despite the fact that the undead seem to be flocking there. What begins as a stop for supplies becomes a longer stay as the four become embroiled in a futile war within the mall to keep their flesh to themselves and remain alive. The film's relentlessly disturbing and innovative gore effects are one reason to see DAWN OF THE DEAD, but those who can stomach the endless barrage of blood and gnarled zombie faces will be rewarded--and possibly surprised--by what the film says about human nature and life within a consumer-based culture. Any aficionado of horror is likely to place the film high on their list of revered cinema. [More]

Starring: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Gaylen Ross

Starring: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Gaylen Ross, Tom Savini, David Crawford, George A. Romero, David Early, Richard France

Director: George A. Romero

Director: George A. Romero
Screenwriter: George A. Romero
Producer: Richard P. Rubinstein
Composer: Goblin

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Dawn of the Dead

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Upon a second viewing, Dawn of the Dead is still just as scary and just as relevant (more so than the remake).

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
03/29/04
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

This sequel to Night of the Living Dead (1968) abandoned the shadowy black-and-white creepiness of its progenitor in favor of a brightly lit color canvas that was bigger, broader, and bloodier.

Full Review Source: Cinefantastique | comment Comment
07/23/08
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
Cinefantastique

Dawn has a decidedly bleak, almost nihilistic worldview -- one that encompasses all of mankind, not just certain geographical regions.

Full Review Source: ToxicUniverse.com | comment Comment
02/13/01
Mike Bracken
Mike Bracken
ToxicUniverse.com

For my money, John Carpenter's Halloween, released the same year, is smarter, sharper, and more influential.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment 3 Comments
03/18/04
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

Dawn of the Dead is one of the best horror films ever made -- and, as an inescapable result, one of the most horrifying. It is gruesome, sickening, disgusting, violent, brutal and appalling.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment 2 Comments
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is both a fine straight-up horror and an archly sly comment on consumer society.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/24/07
Daniel Etherington
Daniel Etherington
Channel 4 Film

An unsettling and unforgettable snapshot of life among the zombies.

Full Review Source: Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

Romero, who was his own editor this time out, keeps the scenes clipped and purposeful.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
07/29/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

As a blend of horror, action, tension, and humour, it stands in a class of its own.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
04/17/01
Almar Haflidason
Almar Haflidason
BBC

Dawn of the Dead’s most unsettling aspect is in how it shows us how little we’ve changed as a culture.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
08/30/04
Eric Henderson
Eric Henderson
Slant Magazine

An effort which redefines the genre.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
06/20/01
Andrew Howe
Andrew Howe
eFilmCritic.com

Grim, gruelling but beautifully shot, this is intelligent, sophisticated horror.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
11/10/04
David Hughes
David Hughes
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Romero's framing of social ills via his rotting, walking metaphors is ingenious but it's the more subtle, unspoken statements that register with the greatest force.

Full Review Source: Projection Booth | comment Comment
10/29/07
Rob Humanick
Rob Humanick
Projection Booth

Romero's sensibility approaches the Swiftian in its wit, accuracy, excess, and profound misanthropy.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 1 Comment
03/29/07
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

An epic among horror films.

Full Review Source: Flipside Movie Emporium | comment Comment
10/24/01
Jeremiah Kipp
Jeremiah Kipp
Flipside Movie Emporium

Romero's apocalyptic vision looks more like prophecy than fiction.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
11/11/04
Marco Lanzagorta
Marco Lanzagorta
PopMatters

Perhaps horror-movie buffs will consider this an improvement.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment 13 Comments
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Hard to believe that they fired [Romero] from directing RESIDENT EVIL, after that entire franchise ripped off his movies to begin with

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
03/18/03
Brian Mckay
Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com

Widely considered that rare sequel which is better than the original.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
07/14/02
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

This is George A. Romero's best film.

Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | comment Comment
02/28/02
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Dawn of the Dead

May 19, 2008: Romero's Dawn of the Dead Rising in 3-D Opens in new window
Thanks to a process called "dimensionalization," George A. Romero's Dawn for the Dead will see re-release in 3-D. More...

March 13, 2008: Top Ten Death Proof Exploitation Films: the films that wouldn’t die.
Exploitation films are B-grade gold for those who like it rough, sleazy and thrill-packed. More...

March 07, 2008: Guide of the Dead - An RT Romero Retrospective
As Diary of the Dead hits cinemas, we sit down with George A. Romero to talk retrospectively about what has come from his zombie opus, the Dead series, and what the future has... More...

February 15, 2008: George A. Romero on Diary of the Dead: The RT Interview
With sequel talk already on the horizon, RT chats up horror legend George A. Romero about zombie movies and the latest addition to his Living Dead series. More...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon in Australia
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

68% 68% Sherlock Holmes 26/12
40% 40% The Lovely Bones 26/12
100% 100% The French Kissers 26/12
84% 84% Bright Star 26/12
86% 86% Nowhere Boy 26/12
18% 18% Alvin and the Chipmunk… 26/12
10% 10% Did You Hear About the… 26/12
05% 05% Old Dogs 26/12

What’s Hot On RT

New Alice Trailer

New Alice Trailer

Tim Burton returns to the rabbit hole

20 Must-See Films

20 Must-See Films

Your essential Summer Movie Guide

James Cameron

James Cameron

We look at the Avatar director's career

Golden Globes!

Golden Globes!

See who got nominated for the awards

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
102
  • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
1
  • How Avatar Happened: The Path to Innovation Source: CinemaBlend.com
19
  • Rob Marshall Says Pirates 4 Is Still a Maybe Source: ComingSoon.net
32
  • ET Teases Iron Man 2 Teaser Source: Collider.com
28
  • Tobey Maguire Refutes Hobbit Rumors Source: Hollywood Reporter
9
  • Prince of Persia Featurette Posted Source: Yahoo! Movies
4
  • Trailer Bulletin: Robin Hood Source: ComingSoon.net
61
  • Mel Gibson Plans a Mexican Vacation Source: Variety
8
  • New Iron Man 2 Clue Posted Source: Screen Rant
26
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Critics Consensus: Avatar Is Certified Fresh
169
  • Awards Tour 2009: Golden Globe Noms Here!
145
  • Total Recall: James Cameron Movies
85
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Girlpower Rules Again with Princess at #1
70
  • Awards Tour 2009: Inglourious Basterds Lead Critics Choice Noms
44
  • Awards Tour 2009: SAG Nominations Are In!
39
  • Awards Tour 2009: Avatar Best Picture at NYFCO!
38
  • Awards Tour 2009: The Hurt Locker Dominates Boston Society of Film Critics
18
  • Awards Tour 2009: LAFCA: The Hurt Locker Tops List
12
  • Weekly Ketchup: Bryan Singer Teaches X-Men: First Class
11
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
21
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
23
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • RT on DVD: Wassup, Bruno
3
  • Scott Hicks Talks The Boys Are Back
0
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Richard Kelly chats about The Box
2
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Dawn of the Dead at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Dawn of the Dead at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
40 Best Films of the 2000s
40 Best Films of the 2000s External Link

Last week, Moviefone offered us their worst films of the 2000s. Now see their 40 best!

Virtuoso Vistas of The Lovely Bones
Virtuoso Vistas of The Lovely Bones External Link

Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.

Worst Hollywood Remakes of the Decade
Worst Hollywood Remakes of the Decade External Link

Movieline gets bravely swept away with the recycled refuse of the 2000s.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter External Link

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.

Competitions
Win Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 prize packs
Win Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 prize packs External Link

We're giving away a bunch of stuff from the upcoming Squeakquel.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.