11. Epic Gore Moment: The Helicopter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G94NOyLF7U
12. Quote: By The Ass
"We got this man. We got this by the ass !" - Roger
13. David Emge as Stephen
Despite trying to be a protective hero to his girlfriend Fran, Stephen spends much of Dawn of the Dead playing second fiddle to the action heroics of Peter and Roger. He even adopts the less than flattering nickname of Flyboy thanks to his single useful ability to fly the chopper. Its clear though that Stephen is actually the everyman of the picture. We all like to think wed kick ass during a zombie apocalypse like Ken Foree, when in fact most of us would also drop a gun while trying to reload it, or fall over shambolically while taking a swing at a zombie with a wrench. David Emge portrays Stephen with a likable vulnerability, and we clearly see his character evolve throughout the movie. Sadly, Stephen only begins to fully takes charge of the situation when its far too late. David Emges excellent performance as Stephen leads us to .
14. David Emge's Quintessential Zombie Walk
Easily one of the best portrayals of a zombie ever seen on screen, David Emges epic transformation into a limping hunk of death was only arguably later topped by Howard Shermans portrayal of Bub in follow-up Day of the Dead. Given added poignancy by the fact that Stephen manages to survive up until the penultimate moments of the film, Fly-Boy zombie has the added knowledge of where his compadres are hiding and proceeds to lead the zombies to them. Sadly, after a final glance at his girlfriend/dinner, Stephen is greeted with a messy death courtesy of Peter's rifle.
15. Scene: The Apartment Raid
Echoing the racial undertones of Night of the Living Dead, the sequence sees a group of gung-ho SWAT members invading a zombie infested apartment block which is also heavily populated by ethnic minorities. Rather than protecting the inhabitants, renegade racist Wally decides to mindlessly kick down doors and blow the heads off innocent people with his shotgun.
16. Epic Gore Moment: Exploding Head
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4UWLwEx590
17. The Argento Touch
In many ways Italian horror master Dario Argento would become the catalyst for Dawn of the Dead's production, agreeing to produce and finance the film after it was turned down by numerous investors in the US. Argento was already a huge fan of Romero after seeing Night of the Living Dead, and quickly flew Romero to a luxury apartment in Rome to finish work on the script. In return for financing the film, Argento would receive international distribution rights and the right to re-edit the film for international audiences. Despite simply acting as a producer on the film, Argento's touch can be felt throughout the film, such as the soundtrack by frequent collaborators Goblin. Romero and Argento allegedly butted heads over necessity of Dawn of the Dead's satire (of which Romero claims Argento never really understood) but their collaboration would result in an enduring friendship between the pair. In 1990 they would team up once again to work on the underrated Edgar Allen Poe adaptation Two Evil Eyes.
18. Score: Zombi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSs7lwwvkaY
19. Hare Krishna Zombie
Unsettling and amusing in equal measure, Hare Krishna zombie has an especially vacant look in his eyes which is rather disconcerting. During a particularly suspenseful moment, he manages to find his way through the barricades and attacks a lonesome Francine. Hare Krishna zombie has become such an iconic aspect of Dawn of the Dead that he even spawned his own action figure - complete with tambourine and cardboard box accessories.
20. The Escalator Slide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-emmrmUksE