George A. Romero, cult director and the Godfather of horror, has passed away at the age of 77…
The legendary horror director’s death was confirmed by his manager Chris Roe in a statement on behalf of his family…
“Legendary filmmaker George A. Romero passed away on Sunday July 16, listening to the score of ‘The Quiet Man,’ one of his all-time favorite films, with his wife, Suzanne Desrocher Romero, and daughter, Tina Romero at his side. He died peacefully in his sleep, following a brief but aggressive battle with lung cancer, and leaves behind a loving family, many friends, and a filmmaking legacy that has endured, and will continue to endure, the test of time.”
Famous for his wry wit and large glasses in later years, Romero was a talented and clever helmsman and many a modern-day director has cited him as an influence – particularly in the genre in which Romero made his distinctive mark…
After 1968’s Night of the Living Dead he continued the zombie theme with Dawn of the Dead (1978), Day of the Dead (1985), Land of the Dead (2005), Diary of the Dead (2007) and Survival of the Dead (2009) . He also helmed the likes of Martin (1978), Knightriders (1981), Monkey Shines (1988) and The Dark Half (1993).
I met Romero and had the chance to interview him several years ago and he was very generous with his time and answers. He had little truck with modern-day torture-porn and I remember asking him how he felt about his own status and the high esteem with which his particular brand of horror was held – the fact that they had something to say beyond JUST ‘Braaaaains!‘
“ Maybe…just that my things are a snapshot of the times. They are more based on what is happening in life. People have called them political. I’m not sure they ARE always political but they do have a social observation. I get away with that. An anarchist within the system? I don’t know… am I the Michael Moore of horror?” he chortled at the thought. “ I hope not!”
The Walking Dead and World War Z may have given us bigger budgets and faster undead cadavers but Romero’s legacy lives on…