A gaggle of zombies led by rapist and serial killer Abbot Hayes (A. Barrett Worland sporting laughable make-up) terrorize a small town. Man, does this stupendously schlocky stinkeroonie strike out something rotten in almost every possible way: flat (non)direction by Tor Ramsey, draggy pacing, shoddy zombie make-up, zero tension or creepy atmosphere, lousy acting from a lame no-name cast, poorly staged zombie attack set pieces, a plodding narrative, ham-fisted attempts at humor, plain cinematography by S. Willian Hinzman, painfully obvious post-production looping, ghastly tin-eared dialogue ("Die you freaks from hell!"), annoying characters, a generic hum'n'shiver score by Alan Howarth, slapdash editing, a pitiful main undead villain who projects not a jot of scary menace, a terrible script by Karen L. Wolf, a hilariously inept climactic battle between the zombies and a bunch of gung-ho construction workers, and even a groan-inducing "it ain't over yet!" sequel set-up ending. Tom Savini's regrettably brief vigorous turn as rough'n'tumble survivalist par excellence Deputy Hughs provides the sole bright spot in this otherwise seriously dim clunker. A total wash-out.
Review of Children of the Living Dead
