This early film of George Romero is about a small town in Pennsylvania that is infected by a virus created by the U.S. Army. The virus produces one of two results; violent rage or a dementia like state. We initially see the violent side as the film opens with a man killing his wife and burning down his home. The military acts quickly in an effort to quarantine the town and prevent the spread of the virus. This goes fairly smoothly at first, with the residents cooperating as the soldiers herd the townsfolk into the school gymnasium. Problems arise, as the infection prompts many residents to shoot the soldiers. And, of course, the soldiers shoot back. At the army command center, a local doctors office, no one can quite agree on the proper course of action to take. There are even some scenes with the higher ups in Washington, DC gravely agreeing that, if need be, the town will be destroyed via bombardment. The main crux of the story centers on a small group of townspeople who decide to try and break out of the quarantine and are pursued by government forces. The group consists of David, an ex Green Beret and his pregnant wife, Judy, followed by Clank, an old army buddy, and Artie and Kathy Bolman, father and daughter. Things go from bad to worse as some members in the group exhibit signs of the virus and the film follows on from there.
This was Romero's third film, and he made it before his first film, Night of the Living Dead, was to make him a horror legend. The Crazies is similar to Dead in many ways, it was shot in Pennsylvania, centers on an invading "army," and the chaotic breakdown of society.
The Crazies is definitely a cheapie. Romero would be the first to admit that. However, the film is effective in its execution despite its low budget. There is a clear storyline and the film is competently shot. The acting ranges from awful to convincing and Romero relied on stock footage and cut-aways to keep the movie rolling. To me, the editing seems choppy and appears as if the director, who also edited the film amongst other duties, was attempting to salvage some scenes. Oddly, this enhances The Crazies charm. It is truly a low budget film and illustrates what a creative spirit and some teamwork can achieve. It is watchable and a perfect example of how films got done back in the 70s without studio support. I really believe this is the glory years of independent movies especially as it pertains to the horror genre. Also, amazingly, these folks, Craven, Romero all had to shoot and edit with film. There were no fancy digital cameras and Final Cut Pros back then, just creativity. It makes me wonder why we aren't seeing more gems from today's filmmaker. Unfortunately, I just haven't seen any real leap with all the opportunity that is out there with this new equipment and I've seen A LOT of low budget films. Anyway, I digress.
Some of the aspects of The Crazies that I don't think work so well were in some of Romero's directorial choices. As he was to later employ to ill effect in Day of the Dead, Romero seems to think that having characters simply shout at each other is enough to illustrate drama. The scenes at the military headquarters are the best examples of this. I realize the characters are supposed to be handling a crisis, but, at times, it appeared that they could communicate by no other means then yelling. It got very wearing.
Also, ineffective and wearing was the drum roll music used throughout the film for scenes that involved the military on the move, which was most of the movie. It sounded a little too cheap and since it was repeated so often became distracting.
The costumes the soldiers wore were white biological warfare type gowns with army issue gas masks. For the budget Romero had, these were perfectly acceptable and worked. However, not the filmmakers fault, but I couldn't help but think of the white clad storm troopers from the Star Wars series and not just in resemblance. The soldiers were about as effective as the buffoonish space soldiers in shooting and chasing after the renegade townspeople. I imagine this was Romero's own view of the American army as there are also many scenes of the soldiers stealing.
As a film, on its own, The Crazies isn't the greatest film you'll see, even in it's genre, but it is often engaging and with the right nostalgic frame of mind entertaining. It's chief value, so many years later though, is its illustration of an early filmmakers creativity and independent spirit.
George Romero, as he did with many of his other early films, got the money together and went out and, for better or worse, got it done.
There is a lot to learn and appreciate from that.
This was Romero's third film, and he made it before his first film, Night of the Living Dead, was to make him a horror legend. The Crazies is similar to Dead in many ways, it was shot in Pennsylvania, centers on an invading "army," and the chaotic breakdown of society.
The Crazies is definitely a cheapie. Romero would be the first to admit that. However, the film is effective in its execution despite its low budget. There is a clear storyline and the film is competently shot. The acting ranges from awful to convincing and Romero relied on stock footage and cut-aways to keep the movie rolling. To me, the editing seems choppy and appears as if the director, who also edited the film amongst other duties, was attempting to salvage some scenes. Oddly, this enhances The Crazies charm. It is truly a low budget film and illustrates what a creative spirit and some teamwork can achieve. It is watchable and a perfect example of how films got done back in the 70s without studio support. I really believe this is the glory years of independent movies especially as it pertains to the horror genre. Also, amazingly, these folks, Craven, Romero all had to shoot and edit with film. There were no fancy digital cameras and Final Cut Pros back then, just creativity. It makes me wonder why we aren't seeing more gems from today's filmmaker. Unfortunately, I just haven't seen any real leap with all the opportunity that is out there with this new equipment and I've seen A LOT of low budget films. Anyway, I digress.
Some of the aspects of The Crazies that I don't think work so well were in some of Romero's directorial choices. As he was to later employ to ill effect in Day of the Dead, Romero seems to think that having characters simply shout at each other is enough to illustrate drama. The scenes at the military headquarters are the best examples of this. I realize the characters are supposed to be handling a crisis, but, at times, it appeared that they could communicate by no other means then yelling. It got very wearing.
Also, ineffective and wearing was the drum roll music used throughout the film for scenes that involved the military on the move, which was most of the movie. It sounded a little too cheap and since it was repeated so often became distracting.
The costumes the soldiers wore were white biological warfare type gowns with army issue gas masks. For the budget Romero had, these were perfectly acceptable and worked. However, not the filmmakers fault, but I couldn't help but think of the white clad storm troopers from the Star Wars series and not just in resemblance. The soldiers were about as effective as the buffoonish space soldiers in shooting and chasing after the renegade townspeople. I imagine this was Romero's own view of the American army as there are also many scenes of the soldiers stealing.
As a film, on its own, The Crazies isn't the greatest film you'll see, even in it's genre, but it is often engaging and with the right nostalgic frame of mind entertaining. It's chief value, so many years later though, is its illustration of an early filmmakers creativity and independent spirit.
George Romero, as he did with many of his other early films, got the money together and went out and, for better or worse, got it done.
There is a lot to learn and appreciate from that.