10 Movie Characters Who Should Never Have Died
9. Ben - Night Of The Living Dead
The hero of George Romero's classic Night of the Living Dead, Ben is one of the most competent and likeable characters to have emerged from the world of horror. Having led the defence of the farmhouse and taken charge of the film's collection of would-be zombie victims, Ben's life slowly crumbles around him as his survivor counterparts all fail to listen to his instructions and are eventually all picked off.
The morning sunshine and radio broadcast that the zombies have been taken down by the local residents should Ben's triumphant moment, and his movement towards the front door looks to be the perfect ending shot for the film.
Instead, a small band of locals approach the house and, mistaking Ben for one of the zombies surrounding the building, open fire on the film's main man. It's a powerfully sombre moment and definitely adds to the film's themes of marginalisation and race, however when it comes to a character as brave and resourceful as Ben, there's no viewer in the world that would have wanted to see him end up on the wrong end of gunshot.