Night of the Living Dead

They ought to make the day the time changes the first day of summer.

-What?

-It's eight o'clock and still light.

We've still got a three-hour drive back. We won't be home till midnight.

If it bugged you, you wouldn't do it.

You think I want to blow Sunday on this?

We'll either have to move Mother out here or move the grave.

She can't make a trip like this.

-I know she can't. Is there any candy left?

-No.

Look at this. "We still remember".

-I don't even remember what the man looks like.

-It takes five minutes.

Yeah, and six hours to drive back and forth.

-Mother wants it, so we go 200 miles into the country and she stays home.

-Well, we're here, John, all right?

RADIO SQUEALS

'Ladies and gentlemen,

'we're on air after an interruption due to technical problems.'

There was nothing wrong with the radio. It must have been the station.

Which row is it in?

There's no-one around.

It's late. If you'd got up earlier.

I already lost an hour's sleep when the time changed.

I think you complain just to hear yourself talk. There it is.

I wonder what happened to the one from last year.

Each year we spend good money on these. We come here and the last one's gone.

The flowers die and the caretaker takes them away.

A little spit and polish, you can clean this up. Sell it next year.

I wonder how many times we've bought the same one.

THUNDER RUMBLES OVERHEAD

Come on. Church was this morning.

I mean, praying's for church, huh? Come on.

I haven't seen you in church lately.

There's not much sense in my going to church.

Do you remember one time when we were small?

Over there, I jumped out at you from behind a tree

and Grandpa got all excited.

He said, "Boy, you'll be damned to hell."

Remember that? You used to really be scared here.

-Johnny!

-You're still afraid!

Stop it! I mean it.

They're coming to get you, Barbra!

Stop it! You're ignorant.

They're coming for you, Barbra.

-Stop it! You're acting like a child.

-They're coming for you.

Look! There goes one of them now.

-He'll hear you!

-Here he comes!

-I'm getting out of here!

-John!

SHE SCREAMS

Johnny! Help me!

HEAVY ROLL OF THUNDER

Arghhh!

Ohh!

THUNDER RUMBLES OVERHEAD

CLATTERING OUTSIDE

It's all right.

Don't worry about him.

But there'll be a lot more of them when they find out about us.

My truck's out of gas. The pump's locked - is there a key?

We could try to get away - is there a key?

I suppose you've tried this.

Do you live here?

Jesus.

We've got to get out of here.

We have to get where there's other people.

We'd better take some food.

I'll see if I can find some food.

FOOTSTEPS FADE

DRIPPING

BOTTLES AND JARS CLATTER

What's happening?

What's happening?!

GLASS SHATTERS

Two of them.

Have you seen any more?

-I don't know.

-I can take care of those two. I know you're afraid...

I don't know! I don't know! What's happening?

GROANING

They know we're in here now.

Don't look at it!

Get some more lights on!

Why don't you see if you can find some wood or boards

so we can nail this place up.

Do it, goddammit...

Look. I know you're afraid. I'm afraid too.

We have to board the house up together - the windows and doors.

Do you understand? We'll be all right.

We'll be fine until someone comes to rescue us. You have to help me.

Go and get some wood so I can board the place up. Do you understand?

OK?

MUSIC BOX PLAYS

That's enough. That's strong. Pick out the biggest nails you can find.

There. This room looks pretty secure.

If we have to, we can run in here and board up the doors.

Won't be long before they're back, pounding their way in.

They're afraid of fire. I found that out.

Do you know a place down the road called Beekman's Diner?

Anyhow, that's where I found that truck I have out there.

There's a radio in the truck.

I jumped in to listen to it.

A big gasoline truck came screaming right across the road,

with 10 or 15 of those things chasing after it...

grabbing and holding on.

I didn't see them at first.

I could just see that the truck was moving in a funny way.

Those things were catching up to it.

The truck went right across the road.

I slammed on my brakes to keep from hitting it.

It went through the guard rail.

I guess...I guess the driver must have cut off the road

into that gas station by the diner.

It went right through the billboard,

ripped over a gas pump and never stopped moving.

By now, it was like a moving bonfire.

Didn't know if the truck was going to explode or what.

Can still hear the man...screaming.

These things just backing away from it.

I looked back at the diner to see if anyone there could help me.

That was when I noticed that...

the entire place had been encircled.

There wasn't a sign of life left, except...

By now, there were no more screams.

I realised that...

I was alone with 50 or 60 of those things,

just standing there, staring at me.

I...I started to drive.

I just ploughed right through them.

They didn't move. They didn't run or...

..Just stood there, staring at me.

I just wanted to crush them.

Then they...scattered through the air, like bugs.

We were riding in the cemetery, Johnny and me.

Johnny.

We... We came to put a wreath on my father's grave.

Johnny and me.

And he said, "Can I have some candy, Barbra?"

And we didn't have any.

And...

..Oh, it's hot in here.

Hot!

Er...and he said, "Oh, it's late! Why did we start so late?"

I said, "Johnny, if you'd gotten up earlier,

"we wouldn't be late."

Johnny asked me if I were afraid.

And I said, "I'm not afraid, Johnny."

And then this man started walking up the road.

He came slowly. Johnny kept teasing me and saying,

"He's coming to get you, Barbara."

I laughed and said, "Johnny, stop it."

And then Johnny ran away and I went up to this man.

I wanted to apologise.

Why don't you just keep calm?

I looked up and said, "Good ev..."

He grabbed me.

He grabbed me and he ripped at me!

He held me and he ripped at my clothes.

Just calm down!

I screamed, "Johnny!

"Johnny, help me, oh, help me!"

He wouldn't let me go, he ripped.

And then Johnny came and he ran and he fought this man.

And...I got so afraid, I ran.

I ran!

I ran.

And Johnny didn't come.

We've got... We have to wait for Johnny.

We better go out and get him.

We have to go and get Johnny.

He's out there.

Please! Don't you hear? We've got to get him.

Please!

We have got to go and get Johnny! Please help me!

-Please!

-Don't you know what's going on? This is no Sunday school picnic.

-My brother is alone!

-Your brother is dead.

No! My brother is not dead.

'Because of the threat to untold numbers of citizens

'and because of the developing crisis,

'this station will remain on the air, day and night.

'This station and hundreds of other radio and TV stations

throughout this part of the country

'are pooling their resources to keep you informed of all developments.

'These are the facts as we know them.

'There's an epidemic of mass murder by an army of unidentified assassins.

'The murders are taking place in villages, cities and rural homes

'with no apparent reason or pattern.

'It seems to be a sudden, general explosion of mass homicide.

'We have some descriptions of the assassins.

'Eyewitnesses say they are ordinary-looking people.

'Some say they appear to be in a trance...'

'There's no way we can say what to look for and guard yourself against.

'Misshapen monsters.

'Reaction of law-enforcement officials is one of bewilderment.

'We currently don't know

'if any investigation is under way.

'Police and ambulances are literally deluged with calls for help.

'The scene is mayhem.

'Mayors of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Miami and state governors

'have indicated the National Guard may be mobilised at any moment.

'The only advice we've got from official sources

'is for citizens to stay in their homes, behind locked doors.

'Do not go outside until we can advise what course of action to take.

'Keep listening to radio and TV for any instructions as this crisis develops further.

'Thousands of people are being encouraged to stay at their offices,

'not to attempt to get home.

'However, in spite of this, streets are packed

'as frantic people try to reach their families.

'The safest course of action at this time is to stay...'

THEY SCREAM

'We've just heard that the President has called a meeting of his Cabinet

'to deal with the sudden epidemic of murder in the east of the nation.

'It's due to convene within the hour.

'The Cabinet will be joined by the FBI, behind closed doors.

'A White House spokesman, in announcing this conference,

'says there will be an official announcement as soon as possible.

'Latest word from national press services in Washington DC

'tells us that the conference will include high-ranking scientists

'from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration...'

'All radio and TV stations, including this one,

'have joined in an emergency network to bring you news as it develops.

'We urge you to stay tuned to radio and TV and to stay indoors.

'Late reports tell of people seeking refuge in churches and schools,

'demanding shelter and protection from the murder engulfing the nation.

'Law enforcement officials are at a loss to explain

'or even to theorise on the reasons for this wave of murder...

'TK Dunmore of North Carolina is quoted as saying,

'"Tell the people, for God's sake, to get off the streets.

'"Tell them to go home and lock the doors and windows up tight.

'"We don't know what kind of murder-happy characters these are."'

'..So far, the only clues anyone has, come from frightened witnesses.

'These eyewitness accounts describe the murderers as ordinary-looking,

'and misshapen monsters, people who look like they're in a trance

'and people who act like animals.

'Some witnesses tell of seeing victims who look as though they've been torn apart.

'This began two days ago

'with the report of the slaying of a family of seven in their home.

'Since then, reports have snowballed in a reign of terror...'

'A placing of markers on a map

'seems to indicate a general spreading from the extreme south upwards towards northern areas.

'Officials in other cities

'have determined that no mass murders have been reported west of the Mississippi river,

'except for the south-east part of Texas.

'Similar killings have been reported around Houston...'

I found a gun and some bullets out there.

Oh, and these.

'..some kind of national emergency.

'When reports began filtering in...'

This place is boarded up pretty solid now.

We ought to be all right for a while.

We've got a gun, bullets, food and radio.

Sooner or later, someone's bound to come and get us out.

'..Again, we join law enforcement agencies, urging you to seek shelter.

-'Lock the doors...'

-See? We're doing all right.

'..any suspicious strangers.

'Keep tuned for instructions and further details of this story.'

I don't know if you're hearing me but I'm going upstairs now.

If anything tries to break in, I'll hear and be down to take care of it.

It's all right now. I'll reinforce the windows and doors later.

You'll be all right for now, OK?

OK?

'Civil defence officials have told us

'that murder victims show evidence of having been partially devoured.'

'Witness reports to the effect that people acting as if in a trance

'and were eating their victims

'prompted authorities to examine some of the bodies.

'Medical authorities have concluded that in all cases,

'the killers are eating the flesh of the people they've murdered.

'This report from Cumberland, Maryland says that murder victims

'show evidence of having been partially devoured.

'Medical examination shows that the killers are eating the flesh.

'This story becomes more ghastly with each report.

'It's difficult to imagine such a thing happening,

'but these are the reports we've received, that have been verified

'as completely as is possible in this situation.

-'It is happening. No-one is safe...'

-Arghhh!

SHE SCREAMS

-Don't shoot! We're from town.

-A radio.

'The sheriff has verified that

-'no further details are...'

-How long have you been there?

-I could have used some help.

-The cellar's the safest place.

Didn't you hear the racket up here?

How could we know? Could have been them.

You must know how a girl screaming sounds. Those things make no noise.

It's hard to hear what's going on from down there.

We thought we heard screams but it could have meant they were inside.

-You wouldn't come and help?

-If there were more...

It sounded like the place was being ripped apart.

Wait a minute. You just said you couldn't hear it from down there.

Now you say that! Get your story straight, man.

Now you tell me. I'm not going to take that chance when we're safe.

You're saying we should risk our lives because someone may need help?

-Yes, something like that.

-Let's settle this.

We came up! Now let's go downstairs before those things find us.

-They can't get in here.

-You've got the whole place boarded up?

Mostly. All but a few spots upstairs.

-The cellar's the best place.

-They can't get in.

Those things turned over our car! We were lucky to get away at all.

You think they can't get through this?

His wife and kid's downstairs. The kid's hurt.

Well, I still think we're better off up here.

We could strengthen everything up, Mr Cooper.

We can fix it up in no time. We have everything we need.

We can take all that downstairs. You're really crazy.

There's a million windows up here. You think you can keep them out?

They're weak. I smashed three and pushed another out the door!

-I told you they turned over our car!

-Any five men could do that!

There's not going to be five. There'll be 20, 30, maybe 100 of those things.

Soon this place will be crawling.

If there's that many, they'll get us wherever we are.

Look, the cellar. It has one door - that's all we have to protect.

We can fix it with locks and boards on the inside.

Up here, we'd never know where they were coming from.

You've got a point, but in the cellar, there's no place to run to.

-If they did get in, we'd be done for.

-Bah!

We can get out of here, if we have to.

Down there with no windows, if a rescue party came, we wouldn't know.

-The cellar's the strongest place.

-It's a death-trap.

I don't know, I think he's right.

You know how many's out there?

-Maybe six or seven.

-Look.

You two can do whatever you like.

I'm going to the cellar and you'd better decide.

I won't unlock the door, no matter what.

-Wait a minute...

-No! I've made my decision. You make yours.

Wait! We could make it to the cellar if we have to.

If we stay there, we'll need things from up here.

Let's at least consider this a while.

You hide in the cellar and they get in the house, you've had it.

Up here, you have a fighting chance.

-There's ten of them.

-That's more than before. They're out back too.

GUNSHOT

WOMAN: Harry, what's happening?

It's all right!

GUNSHOT

I'll take him.

GUNSHOT

CRICKETS CHIRP

We've got to fix these boards.

They'll be in every window and door! We've got to get down in the cellar.

We're not hiding in a damned cellar! Get outta here!

Then I'm taking the girl with me.

Leave her. Keep your hands off her

and everything else, because I'm fighting for the radio and the food. If you're going to the cellar, get!

The man's insane. He's insane! We've got to have food down there!

Is this your house? You going with him?

-Well...

-Yes or no? No beating around the bush!

Listen, I got a kid down there. I couldn't bring her up here.

She can't take the racket of those things smashing windows.

You're her father. If you want to die in that trap, fine.

I am not stupid enough to follow.

It is tough on that kid that her old man is so stupid.

Get in the cellar - you can be the boss down there. I'm boss up here.

You bastards.

I won't open this door. I mean it.

-With your help, we could...

-My help?!

Let him go. His mind is made up. Let him go.

Wait a minute!

Judy? Come on up here, honey.

-Gonna let them get her too, huh?

-It's all right.

If we stick together, we can fix it up real good!

There's places we can run to.

Mr Cooper? We'd be a lot better off if all three of us worked together.

Hey!

Hey, kid!

He's wrong, you know. I'm not boxing myself in down there.

'..This radio station remains on the air, day and night...'

Well, we're safe now. Boarded up tight.

-What about Tom and Judy?

-They want to stay up there, let them!

There are two other people upstairs.

-A man and a girl.

-We heard the screaming.

I didn't know who they were and I wasn't about to take any chances.

Of course not, Harry.

Is she all right?

She feels warm. Maybe it's shock.

Where'd you get the bandage?

There's some laundry in a basket and I tore a sheet.

Let them stay upstairs.

Let them!

Too many ways those monsters can get in up there.

We'll see who's right, when they beg me to let them in down here.

That's important, isn't it? To be right, everybody else to be wrong?

What do you mean by that?

Does anyone up there know why we're being attacked?

Whatever it is, it isn't just happening here.

It's a mass murder - it's going on everywhere.

-The radio said...

-Radio?

-I heard the news bulletin.

And you boarded us in down here? What did the radio say?

Nothing! They don't know anything yet.

There's mass murder everywhere and people are supposed to hide.

-Take the boards off that door!

-We are staying here!

That radio is some kind of communication!

If the authorities know what's happening, they'll help us.

How will we know what's going on if we lock ourselves down here?

We may not enjoy living together, but dying together solves nothing.

Those people aren't our enemies.

TOM: Mr Cooper! Ben found a TV set upstairs! >

Let's go up! Tom!

If Judy comes downstairs for a few minutes, we could come upstairs!

Right away! >

-Will you do it?

-Do I have to?

Nothing's going to get done with them down there and us up here.

Do this, for me.

OK.

OK! Open up!

I'll take good care of her, Helen.

She's all I have.

Why don't you go upstairs now?

Her brother was killed.

-<

-Hey! Give me a hand here!

I'll go help Ben with the television.

Don't be afraid of me. I'm Helen Cooper, Harry's wife.

This place is ridiculous. Look!

There's a million weak spots up here!

Give me one of those.

Her brother was killed.

They talk about these windows. I can't see a damn thing.

There could be 15 million of those things out there - that's how much good these windows are!

Why don't you do something to help somebody?

Drag a couple of chairs together.

There's a socket over here.

You'll watch this and try to understand what's going on.

I don't want her life in my hands!

-Is there anything I can do?

-I don't want to hear any more from you! Leave the girl alone!

-It's on, it's on!

-There's no sound. Play with the rabbit ears!

'..incredible as they seem are not due to mass hysteria.'

-Do they think we're imagining all this?

-Shut up!

'..in all parts of the country. The murders sweeping the eastern seaboard are being committed by creatures

'who feast upon the flesh of their victims.

'First eyewitness accounts of this came from people who were frightened and almost incoherent.

'Officials and newsmen at first discounted eyewitness descriptions as being beyond belief.

'As reports persisted, medical examinations of some victims showed they had been partially devoured...

'We have some late news arriving.

'We interrupt to bring this to you.

'This is the latest from the National Civil Defence HQ in Washington:

'It has been established that persons who have recently died have returned to life to murder.

'An investigation of reports from funeral homes and hospitals

'has concluded that the unburied dead are coming back to life and seeking victims.

'It's hard for us to believe what we are reporting, but it seems true.

'When this emergency began, radio and TV advised people to stay inside behind locked doors for safety.

'But that situation has changed.

'We can report a definite course of action.

'Civil defence machinery has been organised to provide rescue stations

'with food, medicine and armed protection.

'Stay tuned to your local TV station

'for this list of rescue stations.

'It will be repeated during our news.

'Look for the station nearest you.

'Make your way there quickly.'

-We can get some gas and get out.

-There's a pump out by the shed.

-I know, but it's locked.

'..a meeting called by the President.

'This conference between the Cabinet,

'the FBI, the chiefs of staff and CIA

'has produced no information.

'Why are space experts being asked about an earthbound emergency?

'So far, the answer to that question centres on the Explorer satellite,

'which was shot to Venus.

'The satellite started back to Earth,

'but never got here.

'It was destroyed by NASA

'when scientists discovered it carried a high level of radiation.

'Could that radiation be somehow responsible for these murders?

'Don Quinn in Washington posed those questions...'

-Our best move is to get out of here!

-How will you get to that pump?

-Look!

'You're coming from a meeting regarding the Venus probe?

-'Yes, that was the subject.

-Is there a connection here?

'There's a definite connection.

-'Is the radiation on the Venus probe responsible?

-There was a high degree of radiation.

-'I don't think that has been proven.

-That's the only explanation we have.

'Does the military think the radiation is not the cause?

'I can't speak for the military.

'I must disagree with these gentlemen until this is proved.

'Everything possible is being done.

'We have to hurry for a meeting.

-'Professor, you feel there is a connection.

-Yes, Dr Keller and I...

'Doctor, we agreed that is not proved.

-'When the satellite was exploded...

-..high radiation.

-'Enough to cause mutations?

-Under certain circumstances.

'It does seem to have a bearing on it.

-'Will there be a...?

-Later!

-What will be the reply?

-'There will be a report this afternoon?

-Yes, yes.

'We are doing everything possible to solve the problem.

'Some further explanation of this...'

-We've heard enough. We must get out of here.

-There are rescue stations.

We must get Karen there!

'..one of the world's authorities on space science and technology...'

Willard? I saw a sign for Willard.

TOM: It's only 17 miles from here.

-Are you from around here?

-Yes. Judy and I were on our way to the lake.

Judy had a radio and we heard about this.

We came to this old house and found the lady upstairs dead.

Then these others came. We went down into the basement. The door's strong.

How can we get away from here? We have a sick child,

two women, one out of her head,

and the place is surrounded.

'Dr Grimes, your entire staff has been working very hard

'to find some solution to these things that are happening.

-'Do you have any answers yet?

-Yes, some.

'Let me stress the importance of seeking medical attention.

'We don't know yet what complications might result.'

How bad was your kid hurt?

You go down there and tell...Judy?

You tell Judy to come up here and you stay with the kid, all right?

'In the cold room at the university, we had a cadaver,

'from which all four limbs had been amputated.

'This morning, it opened its eyes and began to move its trunk.

'It was dead, but it tried to move.'

You're wanted upstairs. Did she ask for me?

-She hasn't said anything.

-I don't understand.

Baby? It's Mommy.

I hurt.

I'll come back down after I find out what they want.

Thank you, Judy.

'The body should be disposed of, by cremation.

'How long after death does the body become reactivated?

-'It's only a matter of minutes.

-That's not much time.

'There's no time for funerals.

'The bodies must be carried to the street and burned.

'They must be burned. Soak them with gasoline and burn them.

'The bereaved will have to forego a funeral service. They're dead flesh

'and dangerous.'

I need you to find some sheets to tear into strips.

Is there a fruit cellar with jars?

We need to make Molotov cocktails.

-There's a can of kerosene down there.

-I'll see what I can find.

-I'll look for the box.

There may be the key for the gas pump down there.

I'll check.

Toss the cocktails from upstairs, while two of us get the gas.

-That'll leave a door open!

-It'd better be this door.

It's closer to the truck. We can put our supplies behind the cellar door. You can hide there.

I found some fruit jars and there's a key for the gas pump.

I'm not used to the truck. I found it abandoned.

I can handle the truck, no sweat.

You're it then. You and I will go.

We'll put whatever lumber we find behind the cellar door.

You can go upstairs and toss the cocktails.

You and I will have to unboard this door. You lock it after us.

Don't board it in case we have to get back in.

After we get the gas and get back in,

then we'll worry about getting into the truck. Let's move it.

'Before this is over, we will need many more rescue stations.'

You always have a smile for me. How can you smile?

How many do you have done?

Come on, we've got to move.

-Tom, are you sure about the phone?

-All you get is a recorded message.

If I could only call the folks. They'll be so worried.

Everything'll be all right.

When we get to Willard, we'll call them. They might even be there.

I know.

-Tom?

-Hmm?

-Are we doing the right thing?

-About getting out of here?

-Yeah.

The TV said we've got to get to a rescue station.

-I don't know.

-Come on. You sound like Mr Cooper.

-Why do you have to go out there?

-I know how to handle that truck.

Ben doesn't now about that stuff.

-But we're safe in here.

-For how long?

We are safe now. But there'll be more of those things.

I know all that.

Listen...

Remember when we had the flood, how difficult it was for you to leave?

Remember we had to go to Willard then?

This isn't a passing thing, honey.

It's not like a wind passing through. We've got to do something. And fast.

I just don't want you to go, that's all.

Hey. Smile.

Where's that big smile for me?

Boy, you're sure no use at all, are you?

We've got work to do, honey. And you...

We've got to get her downstairs.

We have to go downstairs now, Barbra.

She's right. You have to go downstairs. Just until we get back.

-Then we can all leave.

-Oh, I'd like to leave, yes.

-Good luck.

-Yeah...

-Are you ready upstairs?

-Yeah!

-OK. Toss 'em!

Go ahead! Go on!

-I'm going with him.

-Get in the cellar!

If you're coming, come on!

Get in!

-Come on!

-This key won't work!

Watch the torch!

Get away from the pump!

Hang on!

Get out of the truck!

HE BRAKES

Let's get out of here!

-Come on, come on!

-I can't.

Let me in!

Cooper! Cooper!

I ought to feed you to those things!

Isn't it three o'clock yet?

There's another broadcast at three o'clock.

-Ten minutes.

-Oh.

Only ten more minutes?

We don't have very long to wait.

We can leave.

Or we'd better leave soon.

It's ten minutes to three.

You know this area at all? Is Willard the nearest town?

I don't know.

We were...

..just trying to get to a motel before dark.

You say those things turned your car over? Can we use it? Where is it?

It seems like it was pretty far away. It seems like we ran.

Forget it. It's at least a mile.

-Johnny has the keys.

-You gonna carry that child a mile?

-Through those things?

-I can do it.

How'd she get hurt?

-One of those things grabbed her.

-Bit her on the arm.

-What's wrong?

-Who knows what kind of disease those things carry?

-Is she conscious?

-Barely.

-She can't walk. She's too weak.

One of us could try to get to the car.

-You gonna turn it over?

-You can't start it. Johnny has the keys.

You have a car? Where? Where is it?

-You won't be able to start it.

-I know, but where is it?

THEY MOAN

Good Lord...

'..being monitored closely by the radiation detection stations.

'They report the level of radiation continues to increase steadily.

'So long as this situation remains, spokesmen warn that dead bodies

'will continue to be transformed into ghouls.

'All persons who die during this crisis will come back to life

'to seek human victims, unless their bodies are disposed of by cremation.

'Our cameras have returned from covering a search and destroy operation against the ghouls.

'This one from Butler County, Pennsylvania. Let's see it.

'All law enforcement agencies and the military have been ordered to search out and destroy the ghouls.

'The survival command centre at the Pentagon has disclosed that a ghoul can be killed by a shot in the head

'or a heavy blow to the skull.

'Officials explain that the brain of a ghoul is activated by the radiation,

'so the plan is, kill the brain and you kill the ghoul.

-'Want anything from the supply wagon?

-No, we're all right.

'Put that thing in the fire! We don't want it getting up again!

'Chief? How's everything going?

'Not too bad. The men are taking it pretty good. Get on the other side!

-'Can we defeat these things?

-We killed 19 of them today.

'Those last three we caught clawing their way into an abandoned shed.

'We heard them making noise. We came over and blasted them down.

MAN SHOUTS OFF-CAMERA

'If I was surrounded by six of these things, would I stand a chance?

'If you had a gun, shoot them in the head.

'If not, get a club or a torch, beat 'em or burn 'em.

'Chief, how long until you get this situation under control?

'That's hard to say. We don't know how many of them there are.

-'Are they slow-moving?

-Yeah, they're dead. They're all messed up.

'Would you say you'll be able to wrap this up in 24 hours?

'We don't really know. We'll be into it probably until early morning.

-'We're going to Willard, where we'll team up with the National Guard.

-Thank you very much, Chief.

'This is Bill Cardille, WIIC-TV 11 News.

'Thank you. Spokesmen decline to speculate how long it will take to kill off the flesh-eaters.

'So long as the heavy rain...'

-Is the fuse box in the cellar?

-I don't know, I...

It isn't the fuse. The power lines are down.

Helen, I have to get that gun.

Haven't you had enough?

Two people are dead on account of that guy! Look out that window.

Get over here, man!

Come on!

Go ahead. Go ahead! You want to stay up here now? Helen, get in the cellar.

Get in the cellar! Move!

No!

Karen? Karen?

Karen?

Poor baby.

Baby...

SHE WHIMPERS

SHE SCREAMS

No! No!

No! Get out!

No. No!

NO! Johnny!

No!

No, oh, no! Help me!

Help me!

HE COCKS RIFLE

HE FIRES TWO MORE SHOTS

HE FIRES

GROANING AND BANGING INCREASES

TRANQUIL BIRDSONG

How you been, Sal? Get some men and a dog - there's a house over there.

We want to go and check it out.

-You still here?

-I'll stay until we meet the National Guard.

-Where did you get the coffee.

-One of the volunteers, you're doing all the work, you take it.

-Thank you.

We should be wrapped up here in three hours and get into Willard.

Nick, you and the rest of these men want to come with me?

-I'll check with the office.

-Tell them we'll stay with it and it all appears to be under control.

DOGS BARK

DOGS BARK IN THE DISTANCE

-They need you down there by the barn.

-OK.

Some of these guys can follow the wagon down.

I only need a few men to check out the house.

Somebody had a cook-out here!

Yeah, sure looks like it.

SIREN WAILS IN THE DISTANCE

GUNSHOTS

He's a dead one! Get up here!

Nick, Tony, Steve! Get out in that field and build me a bonfire!

-You, drag that onto the fire.

-Nothing down here.

-Give him a hand. Check out the house.

-I heard something in there.

Hit him in the head, right between the eyes.

Good shot. OK. He's dead. Let's go get him!

That's another one for the fire.

DISTORTED VOICES ON POLICE RADIO

'All right, send the wagons through. Over.

'Roger.'

'Get those dogs off of those things!'

Come quickly.

HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRR

'Come ahead with the motorcycle, please. Let's go!'

'Hey, Randy, light these torches over here.'