Night of the Living Dead: transcript

← Night of the Living Dead

Subtitles by Wikimedia Commons contributors. Select a time to watch from that moment.

Find in the transcript

Chapters

0:00 The cemetery
9:47 The farmhouse
13:45 Ben arrives
21:52 Boarding up the house
25:02 Ben's story
28:03 Barbra remembers
32:05 The emergency broadcasts
40:47 The people in the cellar
49:06 Down in the cellar
53:59 News on the television
1:00:00 A plan to escape
1:08:11 The run to the gas pump
1:12:59 Locked out
1:15:42 Waiting for three o'clock
1:20:51 The last stand
1:26:19 Ben alone
1:30:28 Morning
1:34:04 End titles

0:00 The cemetery

2:19 They ought to make the day the time changes the first day of summer.

2:22 What?

2:24 Well, it's eight o'clock and it's still light.

2:26 A lot of good the extra daylight does us.

2:29 Now we've still got a three-hour drive back.

2:31 We're not going to be home until after midnight.

2:32 Well, if it really bugged you, Johnny, you wouldn't do it.

2:35 You think I wanna blow Sunday on a scene like this?

2:38 You know, I figure we're either gonna have to move mother out here,

2:40 or move the grave into Pittsburgh.

2:43 She can't make a trip like this.

2:45 I don't know that she can't.

2:48 - Is there any candy left? - No.

2:52 Look at this thing. "We still remember. "

2:54 I don't. You know, I don't even remember what the man looks like.

2:57 Johnny, it takes you five minutes.

2:59 5 minutes to put the wreath on the grave and 6 hours to drive back and forth.

3:04 Mother wants to remember, so we trot 200 miles into the country

3:06 and she stays at home.

3:08 Well, we're here, John, all right?

3:17 Radio: Testing... back on... Ah, ladies and... We're coming back

3:20 on the air after an interruption due to technical problem...

3:35 There's nothing wrong with the radio. Must've been the station.

3:38 Which row is it in?

4:01 There's no one around.

4:03 Well, it's late. If you'd gotten up earlier...

4:06 Oh, look, I already lost an hour's sleep in the time change.

4:09 I think you complain just to hear yourself talk.

4:12 There it is.

4:29 I wonder what happened to the one from last year.

4:33 Each year we spend good money on these things.

4:36 We come out here, and the one from last year is gone.

4:38 Well, the flowers die,

4:40 And the caretaker or somebody takes them away.

4:43 Yeah, a little spit and polish,

4:47 he can clean this up sell it next year.

4:49 Wonder how many times we bought the same one?

5:08 Hey, come on, Barb, church was this morning, huh?

5:30 Hey, I mean, praying's for church, huh? Come on.

5:35 I haven't seen you in church lately.

5:39 Well, there's not much sense in my going to church.

5:42 Do you remember one time when we were small, we were out here?

5:46 It was from right over there.

5:48 I jumped out at you from behind the tree

5:50 And Grandpa got all excited, and he shook his fist at me, and he said,

5:53 "Boy, you'll be damned to hell!"

5:56 [chuckles] Remember that? Right over there.

5:59 Boy, you used to really be scared here.

6:01 Johnny.

6:03 - Hey, you're still afraid. - Stop it now. I mean it.

6:10 [imitating Boris Karloff] They're coming to get you, Barbra.

6:14 Stop it. You're ignorant.

6:17 They're coming for you, Barbra.

6:20 Stop it. You're acting like a child.

6:22 They're coming for you.

6:24 Look! There comes one of them now.

6:28 - He'll hear you. - Here he comes now. I'm getting out of here!

6:31 Johnny!

6:43 Johnny!

6:44 Help me!

9:47 The farmhouse

Nothing is said in this chapter.

13:45 Ben arrives

13:54 It's all right.

13:59 Don't worry about him. I can handle him.

14:01 Probably be a lot more of them as soon as they find out about us.

14:08 Truck is outta gas.

14:09 This pump out here is locked. Is there a key?

14:13 We can try to get out of here if we can get some gas. Is there a key?

14:26 I suppose you've tried this.

14:38 Do you live here?

15:02 We've gotta get out of here.

15:04 We have to get where there are some other people.

15:10 Maybe we better take some food.

15:13 I'll see if I can find some food.

15:59 - What's happening? - I'll be just a second.

16:04 What's happening?

16:18 Two of them.

16:25 There are two of them out there. Have you seen any more around here?

16:28 I can take care of those two.

16:30 - I know you're afraid, but we have to... - I don't know! I don't know!

16:33 What's happening?

18:56 They know we're in here now.

19:13 Don't look at it.

20:27 Get some more lights on in this house.

21:07 Why don't you see if you can find some wood, some boards,

21:11 something there by the fireplace, Something we can nail this place up?

21:17 Well, goddamn...

21:21 Look. I know you're afraid. I'm afraid too.

21:26 But we have to try to board the house up together.

21:29 Now, I'm going to board up the windows and the doors. Do you understand?

21:32 We'll be all right here.

21:35 We'll be all right till someone comes to rescue us. But we have to work together.

21:38 You'll have to help me.

21:39 Now I want you to go in and get some wood so I can board the place up.

21:44 Ok?

21:46 Ok?

21:52 Boarding up the house

24:27 They're not that strong.

24:28 Here, I want you to pick out some nails. Pick out the biggest ones you can find.

24:37 There, this room looks pretty secure.

24:41 If we have to, we can run in here and board up the doors.

24:47 Won't be long before those things'll be back, pounding their way in here.

24:51 They're afraid now.

24:56 They're afraid of fire. I found that out.

25:02 Ben's story

25:11 You know a place back down the road called Beekman's? Beekman's diner?

25:22 Anyhow, that's where I found that truck I have out there.

25:27 There's a radio in the truck.

25:30 I had jumped in to listen to it,

25:33 When a big gasoline truck came screaming right across the road.

25:37 Well, there must have been 10-15 of those things chasing after it.

25:42 Grabbing and holding on.

25:48 Now, I didn't see them at first.

25:51 I could just see that the truck was moving in a funny way.

25:55 And those things were catching up to it.

26:00 Truck went right across the road.

26:04 Slammed on my brakes to keep from hitting it myself.

26:07 It went right through the guard rail.

26:16 I guess... I guess the driver must have cut off the road,

26:20 into that gas station by Beekman's diner.

26:23 It went right through the billboard. Ripped over a gas pump,

26:27 and never stopped moving.

26:28 By now it's like a moving bonfire.

26:34 Didn't know if the truck was going to explode or what.

26:41 I can still hear the man, screaming.

26:49 This thing is just backing away from it.

26:54 I look back at the diner to see

26:57 If there was anyone there who could help me.

27:02 That was when I noticed that

27:04 The entire place had been encircled.

27:09 Wasn't a sign of life left, except...

27:16 by now, there were no more screams.

27:20 I realized that...

27:23 I was alone.

27:25 With 50 or 60 of those things.

27:28 Just standing there,

27:31 staring at me.

27:35 I started to drive. I...

27:38 Just plowed right through them.

27:40 They didn't move.

27:42 They didn't run, or... just stood there, staring at me.

27:50 Just wanted to crush them.

27:57 They... scattered through the air, like bugs.

28:03 Barbra remembers

28:03 We were riding in the cemetery.

28:07 Johnny and me.

28:10 Johnny.

28:17 We... we came to put a wreath on my father's grave.

28:24 Johnny and... and he said,

28:29 "Can I have some candy, Barbra?"

28:35 And we didn't have any.

28:39 And...

28:46 Oh, it's hot in here.

28:48 Hot...

28:56 And he said, "Oh, it's late. "

28:58 "Why did we start so late?"

29:01 And I said, "Johnny,

29:04 "if you'd gotten up earlier,

29:06 "we wouldn't be late. "

29:09 Johnny asked me if I were afraid.

29:13 And I said, "I'm not afraid, Johnny. "

29:18 And then this man started walking up the road.

29:23 He came slowly, and Johnny kept teasing me and saying,

29:27 "He's coming to get you, Barbra. "

29:30 And I laughed at him, and said, "Johnny, stop it. "

29:36 And then Johnny ran away.

29:38 And I went up to this man,

29:40 and I was going to apologize,

29:44 Why don't you just keep calm?

29:46 And I looked up, and I said, "Good eve... "

29:51 And he grabbed me!

29:54 He grabbed me! And he ripped at me!

29:58 He held me and he ripped at my clothes!

30:02 I think you should just calm down.

30:05 Oh, I screamed, "Johnny! Johnny, help me! Oh, help me!"

30:09 And he wouldn't let me go. He ripped...

30:16 And then Johnny came and he ran

30:19 And he... he fought this man,

30:22 And I got so afraid I ran.

30:25 I ran... I ran...

30:31 And Johnny didn't come.

30:35 We've got... we have to wait for Johnny.

30:44 Maybe... we'd better go out and get him.

30:47 We have to go out and get Johnny.

30:50 He's out there.

30:53 Please, don't you hear me? We've got to go out and get him.

30:58 Please! We have got to go get Johnny!

31:02 Please help me!

31:06 Look, don't you know what's going on out there? This is no Sunday school picnic.

31:09 Don't you understand? My brother is alone.

31:12 - Your brother is dead. - No! My brother is not dead!

32:05 The emergency broadcasts

32:10 Radio: Because of the obvious threat to untold numbers of citizens,

32:13 and because of the crisis which is even now developing,

32:16 this radio station will remain on the air, day and night.

32:19 This station and hundreds of other radio and TV stations

32:21 throughout this part of the country are pooling their resources

32:23 Through an emergency network hookup to keep you informed of all developments.

32:29 At this hour, we repeat, these are the facts as we know them.

32:32 There is an epidemic of mass murder

32:34 being committed by a virtual army of unidentified assassins.

32:37 The murders are taking place in villages, cities,

32:40 Rural homes and suburbs with no apparent pattern or reason for the slayings.

32:45 It seems to be a sudden, general explosion of mass homicide.

32:48 We have some descriptions of the assassins.

32:51 Eyewitnesses say they are ordinary looking people.

32:54 Some say they appear to be in a kind of trance.

32:57 Others describe them as being...

33:08 So, at this point there is no really authentic way for us

33:15 to say who or what to look for and guard yourself against.

33:16 ...reaction of law enforcement officials

33:20 is one of complete bewilderment at this hour.

33:26 Police, sheriffs' deputies, and emergency ambulances

33:30 are literally deluged with calls for help

33:32 The scene can best be described as mayhem.

33:35 Mayors of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Miami,

33:37 Along with the governors of several eastern and midwestern states

33:40 have indicated the national guard may be mobilized at any moment,

33:44 but that has not happened as yet.

33:45 The only advice our reporters have been able to get from official sources

33:49 is for private citizens to stay in their homes behind locked doors.

33:53 Do not venture outside, for any reason,

33:56 until the nature of this crisis has been determined

33:58 and until we can advise what course of action to take.

34:01 Keep listening to radio and TV

34:04 for any special instructions as this crisis develops further.

34:07 Thousands of office and factory workers are being urged

34:10 to stay at their places of employment,

34:12 not to make any attempt to get to their homes.

34:15 However, in spite of this urging and warning,

34:18 streets and highways are packed with frantic people

34:20 trying to reach their families, or apparently to flee just anywhere.

34:24 Repeat: The safest course of action at this time is simply to stay where you...

34:48 Ladies and gentlemen, we've just received word

34:50 that the president has called a meeting of his cabinet

34:53 to deal with the sudden epidemic of murder

34:55 which has seized the eastern third of this nation.

34:58 The meeting is scheduled to convene within the hour.

35:00 Members of the presidential cabinet will be joined

35:03 by officials of the FBI and the joint chiefs behind closed doors.

35:07 A White House spokesman, in announcing this conference,

35:09 says there will be an official announcement

35:11 as soon as possible following that meeting.

35:13 This is the latest dispatch just received in our newsroom.

35:16 Latest word also from national press services in Washington, D.C.,

35:21 that the emergency presidential conference which we've just mentioned

35:25 Will include high-ranking scientists from NASA.

35:40 Radio and TV stations across the eastern part of the country

35:43 including the one to which you are listening

35:45 have joined their facilities in an emergency network

35:48 to bring you this news as it develops.

35:50 We urge you to stay tuned to radio and TV

35:53 and to stay indoors at all costs.

35:56 Late reports reaching this newsroom

35:59 tell of frightened people seeking refuge

36:01 in churches, schools and government buildings.

36:03 Demanding shelter and protection

36:05 from the wholesale murder which apparently

36:06 is engulfing much of the nation.

36:08 Law enforcement officials are at a loss to explain or,

36:11 even at this hour, even to theorize

36:13 about the reasons for this wave of murder...

36:17 Chief T.K. Dunmore of Camden, North Carolina, is quoted as saying, quote,

36:23 "Tell the people, for God's sake, to get off the streets. "

36:27 "Tell 'em to go home and lock their doors and windows up tight. "

36:31 "We don't know what kind of murder-happy characters we have here. " End quote.

36:36 That's Chief Dunmore of Camden, North Carolina.

36:39 So far the only descriptions, the only clues,

36:42 anyone has of the killers come from frightened witnesses.

36:46 These eyewitness accounts variously describe

36:48 the murderers as "ordinary looking people,"

36:50 "Misshapen monsters. "

36:52 "People who look like they're in a trance. "

36:54 And "things that look like people but act like animals. "

36:58 Some eyewitnesses tell of seeing victims

37:00 who look as though they had been torn apart.

37:03 This whole ghastly story began developing two days ago

37:08 with the report of the slaying of a family of seven...

37:12 Since then, reports of some senseless killings

37:14 began snowballing in a reign of terror

37:16 which has hopscotched...

37:21 ...keep track of the murder reports

37:23 by the placing of markers on a map

37:25 seem to indicate a general spreading

37:27 from the extreme southeastern and states north and west.

37:31 Our newsmen, who have been on the telephone

37:33 talking with officials of other cities

37:35 have determined that none of this kind of mass murder

37:38 has yet been reported west of the Mississippi river,

37:41 except in the extreme southeastern portion of Texas.

37:45 Similar killings have been reported

37:46 around the Houston and Galveston areas

37:48 but nothing like the...

37:49 I found a gun and some bullets out there.

37:54 Oh, and these.

38:03 This place is boarded up pretty solid now.

38:06 We ought to be all right here for a while.

38:10 We have a gun and bullets,

38:12 Food and the radio,

38:16 Sooner or later, someone's bound to come and get us out.

38:21 So again, we join with law enforcement agencies

38:24 in urging you to seek shelter in a building.

38:26 Lock the doors and windows securely.

38:28 Hey, that's us. We're doing all right.

38:30 Be cautious of any suspicious strangers,

38:32 and keep tuned to your radio and television

38:34 for survival instructions

38:35 and further details of this continuing story.

38:38 Look, I don't know if you're hearing me.

38:40 But I'm going upstairs now.

38:44 If anything should try to break in, I can hear it from up there.

38:47 I'll be down to take care of it.

38:51 Everything is all right for now.

38:52 I'll be back to reinforce the windows and doors later.

38:56 But you'll be alright for now, ok?

39:01 Ok?

39:05 Radio: Civil defense officials in Cumberland

39:07 have told newsmen that murder victims

39:08 show evidence of having been partially devoured by their murderers.

39:53 Consistent reports from witnesses to the effect that people

39:55 who acted as though they were in a kind of trance

39:58 were killing and eating their victims

40:00 prompted authorities to examine the bodies of some of the victims.

40:04 Medical authorities in Cumberland, Maryland have concluded that in all cases

40:07 the killers are eating the flesh of the people they murdered.

40:12 Repeating this latest bulletin just received moments ago from Cumberland.

40:16 Civil defense authorities have told newsmen

40:18 that murder victims show evidence

40:20 of having been partially devoured by their murderers.

40:23 Medical examination of victims' bodies shows conclusively that

40:27 the killers are eating the flesh of the people they kill.

40:31 And so this incredible story becomes more ghastly with each report.

40:35 It's difficult to imagine such a thing actually happening

40:37 but these are the reports we have been receiving and passing on to you,

40:41 Reports which have been verified as completely as is possible

40:45 in this confused situation.

40:47 The people in the cellar

41:00 - Hold it! - Don't shoot. We're from town.

41:02 A radio!

41:04 Radio: The Butler county sheriff has verified that reports

41:07 of murder victims being partially eaten by their slayers is true.

41:14 How long you guys been down there? I could've used some help up here.

41:17 That's the cellar. It's the safest place.

41:18 You mean you didn't hear the racket we were making up here?

41:20 How were we supposed to know what was going on?

41:22 Could've been those things for all we knew.

41:24 That girl was screaming.

41:26 Surely you must know what a girl screaming sounds like.

41:28 Those things don't make any noise.

41:29 Anybody would know somebody needed help.

41:32 Look, it's kind of hard to hear what's going on from down there.

41:34 We thought we could hear screams, but for all we knew,

41:36 that could have meant those things were in the house after her.

41:40 - And you wouldn't come up and help? - Well, if there were more...

41:43 The racket sounded like the place was being ripped apart.

41:45 How were we supposed to know what was going on?

41:47 Now wait a minute.

41:48 You just got finished saying you couldn't hear it from down there.

41:51 Now you say it sounded like the place was being ripped apart.

41:53 It would be nice if you'd get your story straight, man.

41:56 All right, now you tell me.

41:59 I'm not going to take that kind of a chance when we've got a safe place.

42:02 We luck into a safe place, and you're telling us

42:04 we've gotta risk our lives just because somebody might need help, huh?

42:08 - Yeah. Something like that. - All right, why don't we settle this...

42:11 Look, mister!

42:12 We came up, ok? We're here.

42:14 Now I suggest we all go back downstairs

42:16 before any of those things find out we're in here.

42:18 They can't get in here.

42:20 You got the whole place boarded up?

42:22 Yeah, most of it.

42:23 All but a few spots upstairs. They won't be hard to fix.

42:26 You are insane. The cellar's the safest place.

42:29 I'm telling you, they can't get in here.

42:31 And I'm telling you, those things turned over our car.

42:34 We were damned lucky to get away at all.

42:36 Now you tell me those... things can't get through this lousy pile of wood?

42:40 His wife and kids downstairs. The kid's hurt.

42:46 Well, I still think we're better off up here.

42:49 We could strengthen everything up, Mr. Cooper.

42:51 With all of us working, we could fix this place up in no time.

42:54 We have everything we need up here.

42:55 We can take all that stuff downstairs with us.

42:58 Man, you're really crazy, you know that?

43:00 You got a million windows up here.

43:01 All these windows. You're gonna...

43:03 You're gonna make 'em strong enough to keep these things out, huh?

43:05 I told you, those things don't have any strength.

43:07 I smashed three of them and pushed another one out the door.

43:10 Did you hear me, what I told you? They turned over our car.

43:13 Oh hell, any good five men can do that.

43:15 That's my point...

43:16 Only there's not going to be five, or even ten.

43:19 There's gonna be twenty, thirty, maybe a hundred of those things.

43:21 And as soon as they know we're here,

43:23 this place is gonna be crawling with them.

43:24 Well, if there're that many, they'll probably get us wherever we are.

43:28 Look, the cellar.

43:31 The cellar. There's only one door, right?

43:32 Just one door. That's all we have to protect.

43:35 Tom and I fixed it so it locks and boards from the inside.

43:39 But up here, all these windows,

43:40 Why, we'd never know where they were gonna hit us next.

43:42 You got a point, Mr. Cooper.

43:44 But down in the cellar, there's no place to run to.

43:47 I mean, if they did get in, there'd be no back exit. We'd be done for.

43:52 We can get out of here if we have to.

43:53 And we got windows to see what's going on outside.

43:57 But down there, with no windows,

43:59 if a rescue party did come, we wouldn't even know it.

44:01 But the cellar is the strongest place.

44:04 The cellar is a death trap.

44:05 I don't know, Mr. Cooper. I think he's right.

44:09 You know how many's out there?

44:11 I don't know, I figure maybe six or seven.

44:13 Look. You two can do whatever you like.

44:17 I'm going back down to the cellar and you better decide,

44:21 'cause I'm gonna board up that door,

44:23 and I'm not gonna unlock it again no matter what happens.

44:25 Now wait a minute, Mr. Cooper.

44:26 No, I'm not gonna wait! I've made my decision, now you make yours.

44:30 Now wait a minute! Let's think about this.

44:32 We can make it to the cellar if we have to.

44:35 And if we do decide to stay down there, We'll need some things from up here.

44:38 So let's at least consider this a while.

44:45 If you box yourself in the cellar

44:46 and those things get in the house, you've had it.

44:49 At least up here, you have a fighting chance.

44:55 Yeah, looks like about eight or ten of them now.

44:57 That's more than there were. There're a lot out back, too.

45:44 Harry? Harry, what's happening?

45:47 It's all right!

46:03 Now take it.

46:44 We've gotta fix these boards.

46:46 You're crazy!

46:48 Those things are gonna be at every window and door in this place!

46:50 We've got to get down into the cellar.

46:52 Go down into your damn cellar and get out of here!

46:57 - I'm... I'm taking the girl with me. - You leave her here.

46:59 Keep your hands off her, and everything else that's up here too.

47:02 Because if I stay up here, I'm fighting for everything up here,

47:05 and the radio and the food is part of what I'm fighting for.

47:08 Now if you're going down in the cellar, get.

47:09 The man's insane. He's insane.

47:12 We've... we've got to have food down there. We've got a right.

47:15 - This your house? - We've got a right.

47:17 You going down there with him?

47:20 Yes or no? This is your last chance. No beating around the bush.

47:24 Listen, I got a kid down there.

47:26 She can't possib... I couldn't bring her up here.

47:28 She can't possibly take all the racket from those things

47:31 smashing through the windows.

47:32 Well, you're her father.

47:34 If you're stupid enough to go die in that trap, that's your business.

47:37 However, I am not stupid enough to follow you.

47:40 It is tough for the kid that her old man is so stupid.

47:43 Now, get the hell down in the cellar.

47:46 You can be the boss down there. I'm boss up here.

47:51 You bastards!

47:54 You know, I won't open this door again. I mean it.

47:57 - Mr. Cooper, with your help... - With my help.

48:00 Let him go, man. His mind is made up.

48:06 Wait a minute.

48:09 Judy? Come on up here, honey.

48:18 You're gonna let them get her too, huh?

48:20 It's all right, honey. Go ahead.

48:32 If we stick together, man, we can fix it up real good.

48:36 There's lots of places we can run to up here.

48:39 Mr. Cooper? We'd all be a lot better off

48:42 if all three of us were working together.

48:48 Hey. Hey, kid.

48:58 He's wrong, you know.

49:00 I'm not boxing myself in down there.

49:06 Down in the cellar

49:09 Well, we're safe now. It's boarded up tight.

49:14 What about Tom and Judy?

49:15 They wanna stay up there. Let 'em.

49:21 There are... two other people upstairs. A man and a girl.

49:26 We heard the screaming.

49:28 Yeah, but I didn't know who they were,

49:31 and I wasn't about to take any unnecessary chances.

49:33 Of course not, Harry.

49:48 - Is she all right? - I don't know what it is.

49:52 She feels warm. Maybe it's shock.

49:54 Where'd you get the bandage?

49:56 Some laundry in the basket. I tore a sheet.

50:07 Let them stay upstairs.

50:10 Let them.

50:13 Too many ways those monsters can get in up there.

50:17 We'll see who's right.

50:19 We'll see, when they come begging me to let them in down here.

50:23 - That's important, isn't it? - What?

50:25 To be right. Everybody else to be wrong.

50:27 What do you mean by that?

50:33 Does anyone up there know why we're being attacked?

50:36 Whatever it is, it isn't just happening here.

50:39 It's some kind of mass murder. It's going on everywhere.

50:43 - The radio said to stay inside... - Radio?

50:46 Radio, upstairs. I heard the news bulletin.

50:47 There's a radio upstairs and you boarded us in down here?

50:50 - I know what I'm doing. - What did it say?

50:53 Nothing! Nothing. They don't know anything yet.

50:55 The... there's mass murder everywhere, and

50:57 people are supposed to look for a safe place to hide.

51:00 Take the boards off that door.

51:03 We are staying down here, Helen.

51:05 Harry, that radio is at least some kind of communication.

51:08 If the authorities know what's happening,

51:10 Well, they'll send people for us, or they'll tell us what to do.

51:13 How are we going to know what's going on,

51:15 if we lock ourselves in this dungeon?

51:27 We may not enjoy living together...

51:31 But dying together isn't going to solve anything.

51:34 Those people aren't our enemies.

51:36 Mr. Cooper!

51:40 Mr. Cooper? They found a television set upstairs.

51:45 Let's go up.

51:47 Tom?

51:48 Yes?

51:50 If Judy would come downstairs for a few minutes,

51:53 Harry and I could come upstairs.

51:56 Ok. Yeah. Right away.

52:00 Will you do it?

52:02 Do I have to?

52:03 Look, honey. Nothing's gonna get done with them down there and us up here.

52:08 - Do this. For me. - Ok.

52:13 Ok, open up.

52:36 I'll take good care of her, Helen.

52:41 She's all I have.

52:45 Why don't you go upstairs now?

53:14 Her brother was killed.

53:17 Hey... give me a hand with this thing.

53:20 I gotta go help Ben with the television.

53:59 News on the television

54:05 Don't be afraid of me.

54:07 I'm Helen Cooper. Harry's wife.

54:19 This place is ridiculous. Look at this.

54:22 There's a million weak spots up here.

54:26 Give me one of those.

54:32 Her brother was killed.

54:42 And they talk about these windows.

54:45 I can't see a damned thing.

54:47 There could be 15 million of those things out there.

54:49 That's how much good these windows are.

54:55 Why don't you do something to help somebody?

55:03 Here, I have it. Drag a couple of those chairs together.

55:06 There's a socket over here.

55:13 Now, you'd better watch this and try to understand what's going on.

55:18 I don't want anyone's life on my hands.

55:19 Is there anything I can do to help?

55:21 I don't want to hear any more from you, mister.

55:23 If you stay up here, you take orders from me!

55:25 And that includes leaving the girl alone.

55:27 It's on! It's on!

55:29 There's no sound.

55:31 Play with the rabbit ears.

55:33 <i>Reports, incredible as they seem,</i>

55:36 <i>are not the results of mass hysteria.</i>

55:38 "Mass hysteria. " What do they think, we're imagining all this?

55:41 Shut up.

55:42 In all parts of the country.

55:44 The wave of murder which is sweeping the eastern third of the nation

55:48 is being committed by creatures

55:50 who feast upon the flesh of their victims.

55:53 First eyewitness accounts of this grisly development

55:56 came from people who were understandably frightened and almost incoherent.

56:00 Officials and newsmen at first discounted

56:04 those eyewitness descriptions as being beyond belief.

56:07 However, the reports persisted.

56:09 Medical examinations of some of the victims

56:12 bore out the fact that they had been partially devoured.

56:18 I think we have some late word just arriving

56:20 and we interrupt to bring this to you.

56:24 This is the latest disclosure in a report

56:26 from National civil defense headquarters in Washington.

56:29 It has been established that persons who have recently died

56:33 have been returning to life and committing acts of murder.

56:38 A widespread investigation of reports from funeral homes, morgues & hospitals

56:43 has concluded that the unburied dead are coming back to life

56:47 and seeking human victims.

56:50 It's hard for us here to believe what we're reporting to you,

56:53 but it does seem to be a fact.

56:56 When this emergency first began,

56:58 radio and television was advising people to stay inside,

57:01 behind locked doors, for safety.

57:04 Well, that situation has now changed.

57:06 We're able to report a definite course of action for you.

57:09 Civil defense machinery has been organized to provide

57:12 rescue stations with food, shelter,

57:15 medical treatment and protection by armed National Guardsmen.

57:19 Stay tuned to the broadcasting stations in your local area

57:22 for this list of rescue stations.

57:24 This list will be repeated throughout our news coverage.

57:27 Look for the name of the rescue station nearest you,

57:30 and make your way to that location as soon as possible.

57:34 So we have that truck. If we can get some gas, we can get outta here.

57:37 - There's a pump out by the shed. - I know. That's why I pulled in here.

57:40 But it's locked.

57:41 ...called this afternoon by the president.

57:43 Since convening, this conference of the presidential cabinet,

57:47 The FBI, the joint chiefs of staff, the CIA

57:50 has not produced any public information.

57:53 Why are space experts being consulted

57:56 about an earthbound emergency?

57:59 So far, all the betting on the answer to that question

58:02 centers on the recent explorer satellite shot to Venus.

58:05 That satellite, you recall, started back to Earth,

58:09 but never got here.

58:10 That's the space vehicle which orbited Venus

58:13 and then was purposely destroyed by NASA,

58:15 when scientists discovered it was carrying

58:17 a mysterious, high-level radiation with it.

58:20 Could that radiation be somehow responsible

58:23 for the wholesale murders we're now suffering?

58:26 Newsman Don Quinn in Washington

58:28 has posed those questions.

58:30 It's obvious. Our best move is to try to get out of here.

58:32 How're you gonna get over to that pump?

58:34 Look!

58:36 You're coming from a meeting regarding the explosion of the Venus probe,

58:39 is that right?

58:40 Yes, yes, that was the subject of the meeting.

58:42 Do you feel there is a connection between this and the phenomenon...

58:45 There's a definite connection. A definite connection.

58:47 In other words, you feel that the radiation on the Venus probe is enough

58:50 to cause these mutations?

58:51 It was a very high degree of radiation.

58:53 Well, just a minute. I'm not sure that that's certain at all.

58:56 I don't think that has been... It's the only logical explanation

58:59 that we have at this time.

59:00 In other words, it is the military's viewpoint that this...

59:02 the radiation is not the cause of the mutation.

59:04 I can't speak for the entire military at this time, gentlemen.

59:08 I must disagree with these gentlemen presently,

59:10 until we, until this is irrefutably proved.

59:13 Everything is being done that can be done.

59:15 We'll have to hurry for our next meeting.

59:19 Professor, you feel that there is a definite connection between...

59:22 A definite connection as far as Dr. Keller and myself...

59:25 Doctor, please. I thought we decided that is not proved yet.

59:28 Was it... was the satellite...

59:30 - When the satellite was exploded... - It was an unusual amount of radiation,

59:33 enough to cause mutation under certain circumstances.

59:36 Could have happened to have a bearing on it.

59:38 It does seem to have a bearing on it.

59:40 Will there be a reply for the...

59:44 - There will be a reply? - Yes.

59:45 Later this afternoon?

59:48 There will be a report this afternoon.

59:51 Perhaps there will be a report later...

59:53 Will you close the window?

59:54 We are doing everything possible to solve the problem.

1:00:00 A plan to escape

1:00:03 We've heard all we need to know. We have to try to get out of here.

1:00:06 He said the rescue stations have doctors and medical supplies.

1:00:09 If we can get Karen there, we can get help for her.

1:00:16 Willard. I saw a sign. That said Willard.

1:00:18 It's only about 17 miles from here.

1:00:20 You know this area. Are you from around here?

1:00:22 Judy and I are both from around here.

1:00:24 We were on our way to the lake to go swimming.

1:00:27 Judy had a radio, and we heard the first reports about this.

1:00:30 So we knew the old house was here and we came in,

1:00:32 And found the lady upstairs, dead.

1:00:34 Then these other people came. We went down into the basement

1:00:37 and put a bar across the door, and it is pretty strong.

1:00:40 How could we possibly get away from here?

1:00:42 We've got a sick child, two women, one woman out of her head,

1:00:46 three men, and the place is surrounded with these things.

1:00:49 For NASA. Dr. Grimes, your entire staff, I know,

1:00:53 has been working very hard to find some solution

1:00:57 to these things that are happening.

1:00:59 Do you have any answers at this time?

1:01:01 Yes, we have some answers. But first let me stress the importance

1:01:05 of seeking medical attention for anyone who's been injured in any way.

1:01:09 We don't know yet what complications might result from such injuries.

1:01:13 How bad has your kid been hurt?

1:01:20 Look. You go down there and tell... Judy?

1:01:23 Yeah, you tell Judy to come up here and you stay with the kid, all right?

1:01:26 Destructive action taken with regard to the Venus probe.

1:01:30 In the cold room at the university, we had a cadaver.

1:01:34 A cadaver from which all four limbs had been amputated.

1:01:39 Sometime early this morning,

1:01:40 it opened its eyes and began to move its trunk.

1:01:44 It was dead, but it opened its eyes and tried to move.

1:01:50 They want you upstairs.

1:01:51 - Did she ask for me? - She hasn't said anything.

1:01:55 I don't understand.

1:01:58 Baby? It's mommy.

1:02:03 I hurt.

1:02:05 I'll come back down as soon as I find out what they want.

1:02:08 Thank you, Judy.

1:02:11 The bodies should be disposed of at once, preferably by cremation.

1:02:15 Well, how long after death, then, does the body become reactivated?

1:02:19 - It's only a matter of minutes. - Minutes?

1:02:21 That doesn't give people time to make arrangements...

1:02:23 No, you're right. It doesn't give them time to make funeral arrangements.

1:02:27 The bodies must be carried to the street and burned.

1:02:31 They must be burned immediately. Soak them with gasoline and burn them.

1:02:36 The bereaved will have to forgo the dubious comforts

1:02:39 that a funeral service will give.

1:02:42 They're just dead flesh. And dangerous.

1:02:45 Judy, I need you to find some bedspreads or sheets

1:02:50 - Is there a fruit cellar here? - Yes.

1:02:52 We need some bottles or jars

1:02:54 to make Molotov cocktails to hold them off while we try to escape.

1:02:57 Hey! There's a big can of kerosene down there.

1:02:59 - I'll see what I can find. - I'll look for the bottles.

1:03:01 There's a big key ring down there.

1:03:03 There may be a key to the gas pump on it.

1:03:06 I'll check.

1:03:07 We can toss the cocktails from a window upstairs.

1:03:10 Meantime, some of us can go out and try to get the gas,

1:03:13 then we can come back for the rest of the people.

1:03:14 But that'll leave a door open someplace.

1:03:16 Yeah, that's right. It better be this door.

1:03:19 It's closer to the truck.

1:03:21 Before we go out, we'll put some supplies behind the cellar door.

1:03:24 While we're gone, the rest of you can hole up in there.

1:03:26 I found some fruit jars in the cellar.

1:03:28 And there's a key on here that's labeled for the gas pump out back.

1:03:33 I'm not really that used to the truck. I found it abandoned.

1:03:37 I can handle the truck, no sweat.

1:03:42 You're it, then. You and I'll go.

1:03:50 We'll put whatever lumber we find behind the cellar door.

1:03:53 You can go upstairs and toss the cocktails from a window.

1:03:57 Tom, you and I will have to unboard this door.

1:03:59 After you toss the cocktails,

1:04:00 you hustle back down here and lock this door.

1:04:03 It's no good to board it up because we'll have to get back in quickly.

1:04:07 After we get the gas and get back into the house,

1:04:10 then we'll worry about getting everybody into the truck.

1:04:13 Now, let's move it.

1:04:15 No place to flee for safety, except for the rescue stations

1:04:18 which have been set up.

1:04:20 Indications are that before this emergency is over,

1:04:23 we will need many, many more such rescue stations.

1:04:36 You always have a smile for me.

1:04:38 How can you smile like that all the time?

1:04:43 How many do you have done?

1:04:48 Come on, honey, we gotta move.

1:04:51 Tom, are you sure about the phone?

1:04:52 The phone is dead out. All you get is a recorded message.

1:04:57 If I could only call the folks. They're going to be so worried about us.

1:05:01 Everything'll be alright.

1:05:03 As soon as we get to Willard, we'll call them. They might even be there.

1:05:07 I know.

1:05:13 Tom... Are you sure we're doing the right thing, Tom?

1:05:18 - What, about getting outta here? - Yeah.

1:05:21 Well, the television said that's the right thing to do.

1:05:23 We've got to get to a rescue station.

1:05:26 I don't know.

1:05:27 Come on. You're starting to sound like Mr. Cooper now.

1:05:30 But why do you have to go out there?

1:05:32 Look, I know how to handle that truck. And I can handle the pump.

1:05:35 Ben doesn't know anything about that stuff.

1:05:39 But we're safe in here.

1:05:41 For how long, honey? We're safe now.

1:05:43 But there's gonna be more and more of those things.

1:05:46 I know. I know all that.

1:05:52 Listen. Remember when we had the big flood?

1:05:57 Remember how difficult it was for us to convince you that it was right to leave?

1:06:01 Remember? Remember we had to go to Willard then?

1:06:04 This isn't a passing thing, honey.

1:06:07 It... it's not like just a wind passing through.

1:06:10 We've got to do something, and fast.

1:06:19 I just don't want you to go out there, that's all.

1:06:23 Hey... smile, honey.

1:06:26 Where's that big smile for me?

1:06:32 You sure are no use at all, are you?

1:06:35 We've got work to do, honey. And you... you...

1:06:56 We better get her downstairs.

1:06:58 We have to go downstairs now, Barbra.

1:07:02 She's right. You have to go downstairs now.

1:07:05 Just for a little while, until we get back.

1:07:08 - Then we can all leave. - Oh, I'd like to leave. Yes.

1:07:32 - Good luck. - Yeah.

1:08:11 The run to the gas pump

1:08:23 - You ready upstairs? - Yeah.

1:08:25 Ok, toss 'em!

1:09:07 Go ahead! Go on!

1:09:25 I'm going with him!

1:09:26 Get back in the cellar! It's too late. Too late!

1:09:38 Well, is she coming? Come on.

1:09:41 Get in!

1:10:55 - Come on! - This key won't work.

1:10:57 Watch it.

1:11:04 Watch the torch!

1:11:13 We've gotta get away from the pump!

1:11:26 Hang on!

1:11:29 Stop! I'm telling you guys to get outta the truck!

1:11:49 Let's get outta here!

1:11:53 Come on, come on!

1:11:54 My jacket's caught.

1:12:59 Locked out

1:13:04 Let me in!

1:13:06 Cooper!

1:14:12 I ought to drag you out there and feed you to those things.

1:15:42 Waiting for three o'clock

1:15:45 Isn't it three o'clock yet?

1:15:52 There's supposed to be another broadcast at three o'clock.

1:15:55 Ten minutes.

1:15:59 Oh. Only ten more minutes?

1:16:01 We don't have very long to wait.

1:16:05 We can leave.

1:16:08 Or we better leave soon.

1:16:10 It's ten minutes to three.

1:16:18 You know anything about this area at all?

1:16:20 I mean, is Willard the nearest town?

1:16:24 I don't know.

1:16:28 We were...

1:16:32 Just trying to get to a motel before dark.

1:16:36 You said those things turned your car over.

1:16:38 You think we can get it back on its wheels and drive it? Where is it?

1:16:41 Seems like it was pretty far away.

1:16:44 Seems like we ran.

1:16:46 Forget it. It's at least a mile.

1:16:49 Johnny has the keys.

1:16:51 You're going to carry that child a mile?

1:16:53 Through that army of things out there?

1:16:55 I can carry the kid.

1:16:57 What's wrong with her? How'd she get hurt?

1:17:00 - One of those things grabbed her. - Bit her on the arm.

1:17:05 What's wrong?

1:17:07 Who knows what kind of disease those things carry?

1:17:10 - Is she conscious? - Barely.

1:17:13 She can't walk. She's too weak.

1:17:18 Well, one of us could try to get to the car.

1:17:21 You gonna turn it over by yourself?

1:17:23 You can't start the car. Johnny has the keys.

1:17:30 You have a car? Where? Where is it?

1:17:33 - You won't be able to start it. - Yeah. I know. But where is it?

1:17:50 Good lord.

1:18:06 At this hour, they report the level of the mysterious radiation

1:18:10 continues to increase steadily.

1:18:13 So long as this situation remains,

1:18:15 government spokesmen warn that dead bodies

1:18:18 will continue to be transformed into the flesh-eating ghouls.

1:18:21 All persons who die during this crisis, from whatever cause,

1:18:25 will come back to life to seek human victims.

1:18:28 Unless their bodies are first disposed of by cremation.

1:18:32 Our News cameras have just returned

1:18:35 from covering such a search and destroy operation against the ghouls.

1:18:38 This one conducted by sheriff Conan McClellan

1:18:40 in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

1:18:42 So now let's go to that film report.

1:18:45 All law enforcement agencies and the military

1:18:48 have been organized to search out and destroy the marauding ghouls.

1:18:52 The survival command center at the Pentagon

1:18:54 has disclosed that a ghoul can be killed

1:18:58 by a shot in the head or a heavy blow to the skull.

1:19:02 Officials are quoted as explaining

1:19:04 that since the brain of a ghoul has been activated by the radiation,

1:19:08 the plan is, kill the brain and you kill the ghoul.

1:19:13 - Want anything from the supply wagon? - No, we're all right.

1:19:18 Hey, Cass, put that thing all the way in the fire.

1:19:21 - We don't want it getting up again. - All right, I gotcha.

1:19:23 Chief McClellan, how's everything going?

1:19:25 Oh, things aren't going too bad. Men are taking it pretty good.

1:19:29 You want to get on the other side of the road over there.

1:19:32 Chief, do you think we'll be able to defeat these things?

1:19:34 Well, we killed 19 of them today, right in this area.

1:19:37 Those last three we caught trying to claw their way into an abandoned shed.

1:19:40 They must have thought somebody was in there. There wasn't, though.

1:19:43 We heard 'em making all kind of noise.

1:19:45 We came over and beat 'em off, blasted 'em down.

1:19:47 Chief, as soon as you're finished, can I see you here?

1:19:49 Yeah, ok.

1:19:50 Chief, if I were surrounded by six or eight of these things,

1:19:53 would I stand a chance with them?

1:19:55 Well, there's no problem. If you had a gun, shoot 'em in the head.

1:19:57 That's a sure way to kill 'em.

1:19:59 If you don't, get yourself a club or a torch.

1:20:01 Beat 'em or burn 'em. They go up pretty easy.

1:20:03 Well, Chief McClellan, how long do you think it'll take

1:20:06 until you get the situation under control?

1:20:08 Well, that's pretty hard to say. We don't know how many of 'em there are.

1:20:11 We know when we find 'em, we can kill 'em.

1:20:14 Are they slow-moving, chief?

1:20:15 Yeah, they're dead. They're all messed up.

1:20:18 Well, in time, would you say you'd be able to wrap this up in 24 hours?

1:20:23 Well, we don't really know.

1:20:26 We know we'll be into it most of the night, probably into the early morning.

1:20:29 We're working our way toward Willard

1:20:31 and we'll team up with the National Guard over there,

1:20:33 and then we'll be able to give a more definite view.

1:20:35 Thank you very much, chief McClellan.

1:20:37 This is Bill Cardille, WIC-TV 11 news.

1:20:41 Thank you, Bill, for that report.

1:20:43 Official spokesmen declined to speculate

1:20:46 just how long it may take to kill off all the flesh-eaters

1:20:49 so long as the heavy ra...

1:20:51 The last stand

1:20:57 Is the fuse box in the cellar?

1:20:59 I don't know. I...

1:21:05 Is... isn't the fuse...

1:21:07 The power lines are down.

1:21:11 Helen? I have to get that gun.

1:21:16 Haven't you had enough?

1:21:18 Two people are dead already, on account of that guy.

1:21:22 Take a look out that window. Look at...

1:22:22 Get over here, man!

1:22:25 Come on!

1:22:44 Go ahead. Go ahead. You wanna stay up here now?

1:22:49 Helen, get in the cellar.

1:22:53 Get in the cellar now! Move!

1:24:39 Karen?

1:24:50 Oh, baby.

1:24:53 Baby.

1:24:59 [Helen gasping]

1:25:07 [shrieking distorts, reverberates]

1:25:51 BARBRA: Get out! Get out!

1:25:54 No... no... No! Johnny!

1:26:02 No! Oh, help me, help me!

1:26:19 Ben alone

Nothing is said in this chapter.

1:30:28 Morning

1:30:39 Hey, Vince, Bill,

1:30:41 you wanna get about four or five men and a couple dogs?

1:30:44 There's a house over here behind those trees. We wanna go check it out.

1:30:47 You still here, Bill?

1:30:48 Yeah, chief, we're going to stay with it

1:30:50 till we meet up with the National Guard.

1:30:52 - Where'd you get the coffee? - One of the volunteers.

1:30:54 - You're doing all the work, take it. - Thank you.

1:30:56 We should be wrapped up here. About three or four more hours,

1:30:58 we'll probably get into Willard's end.

1:31:00 I guess you can go over there and meet the national guard.

1:31:02 Nick, you and the rest of these men wanna come with me?

1:31:05 Bill, I'm checking the office to see what's happening.

1:31:07 All right, Steve, tell 'em we're going to stay with it

1:31:10 and everything appears to be under control.

1:32:02 They need you down there by the barn.

1:32:09 You guys can follow the wagon down.

1:32:11 I only need a few men to check out the house.

1:32:16 - Somebody had a cookout here, Vince. - Yeah, sure looks like it, Con.

1:32:59 He's a dead one. Get up here!

1:33:02 Nick! Tony! Steve!

1:33:04 You wanna get out in that field and build me a bonfire?

1:33:19 You. Drag that out of here and throw it on the fire.

1:33:22 Nothing down here.

1:33:23 All right. Go ahead down and give 'em a hand.

1:33:25 Let's go check out the house.

1:33:27 There's something there. I heard a noise.

1:33:34 All right, Vince. Hit him in the head. Right between the eyes.

1:33:40 Good shot. Okay, he's dead. Let's go get him.

1:33:43 That's another one for the fire.

1:34:04 End titles

1:34:06 Alright, send a wagon through...

1:34:17 Keep those dogs back off of those things.

1:35:20 Come ahead with the motorcycle, please. Let's go!

1:35:28 Hey Randy, light these torches over here.