We’re very sad to report that George Romero has passed away.
George Romero was one of the great horror filmmakers, and indeed a great filmmaker generally. He was a visionary who saw zombie films as social commentary, using them to explore issues of race in films like Night of the Living Dead (1968) or issues like mass consumerism and conformity in others like Dawn of the Dead (1978).
Romero’s work also extended beyond horror: Knightriders (1981) concerned a group of, well, knights, jousting on motorbikes instead of horses. It’s a strange, absurd, and enjoyable film.
He also had a great sense of humour about his work, notably casting Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, who created Shaun of the Dead, in Land of the Dead (2005) after their loving satire of his work.
Romero passed away after a “brief but aggressive” battle with lung cancer. His wife Suzanne and daughter Tina were by his side. He was 77.
Farewell, Mr. Romero. Few as talented as you come along.
