Dawn of the Dead: Unmasking the Setting of a Zombie Classic
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The question of what city Dawn of the Dead is set in is a bit more complex than a simple answer, primarily because the original 1978 film doesn’t explicitly state one single city. The movie begins with a focus on the utter chaos of a zombie outbreak in an urban environment, which is later revealed to be the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then shifts its main setting to a shopping mall outside of the city. While the initial scenes do show the urban center, the heart of the movie resides within the walls of that suburban shopping haven, where the main characters seek refuge. Therefore, the setting transitions from the urban decay of Philadelphia to the isolated consumeristic landscape of a generic mall suburb. The original film does not specify a particular city where the mall is located, adding to the sense of anywhere-America in the film’s world.
The Initial Chaos in Philadelphia
Dawn of the Dead (1978) opens amid the breakdown of societal order. News broadcasts and the experiences of our main characters, Fran, Stephen, Roger and Peter, all indicate the outbreak is ravaging the city of Philadelphia. The initial scenes depict the breakdown of a news studio, the chaos of the police and National Guard trying to maintain order, and the desperate flight of our main characters out of the urban sprawl. The city of Philadelphia serves as the first backdrop to the zombie apocalypse, showcasing the breakdown of authority, the rampant terror, and the need to escape. It establishes a strong sense of immediacy and urgency, propelling the plot and forcing the survivors into the relative safety of the suburbs.
The Monroeville Mall: The Sanctuary and the Cage
Once the protagonists escape the city, they arrive at the Monroeville Mall, located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. This mall is the primary location for the majority of the film’s action. It is here where the survivors find a (temporary) sanctuary. The Monroeville Mall, a real, fully functional shopping center at the time of filming, became iconic for its role in the movie, representing the empty promises of consumerism in a post-apocalyptic world. Although the mall itself is not located in Philadelphia, it becomes the primary setting for the characters, the place where they attempt to re-establish a semblance of normalcy within the abnormal chaos.
A Commentary on Consumerism
The choice of a shopping mall as the central location was deliberate. The mall, packed with merchandise and deserted by its patrons, becomes a symbol of the excesses and emptiness of consumer culture. As the characters find a strange, temporary comfort within the mall’s confines, they also realize that the material goods are useless in their current reality. This juxtaposition enhances the movie’s commentary on society’s dependence on consumerism and the superficiality of modern life. The Monroeville Mall, in this context, is not just a location; it’s a metaphor.
Dawn of the Dead: City to Suburban Confinement
In conclusion, Dawn of the Dead (1978) uses multiple locations to paint a vivid picture of a world overrun by zombies. While it starts in the city of Philadelphia, the bulk of the narrative unfolds in and around the Monroeville Mall just outside of Pittsburgh. The choice to transition from the chaotic city to the suburban mall reinforces the film’s themes and underscores the social critique embedded within its zombie horror. While not exclusively set in one city, the movie uses the contrast between the urban and the suburban to emphasize the breakdown of society and the strange new reality faced by the survivors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What mall was used for filming the original Dawn of the Dead?
The Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh, was the filming location for the majority of the 1978 Dawn of the Dead movie. It’s an actual operating mall that was used for filming.
Is the Dawn of the Dead mall still open?
Yes, the Monroeville Mall is still operating as a shopping center, although it has undergone several renovations and changes since the movie was filmed. It remains a popular tourist destination for fans of the movie.
Where was the 2004 Dawn of the Dead filmed?
The 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead was filmed primarily in Toronto, Canada. The setting is intended to be a suburb of a generic US city, unlike the specific setting of the original.
Is Dawn of the Dead a sequel to Night of the Living Dead?
Technically, the Dawn of the Dead is intended to follow Night of the Living Dead within the same canon. However, it doesn’t exist as a direct sequel in the sense that the story does not involve the same characters or story arc from Night of the Living Dead.
What caused the zombies in Dawn of the Dead?
The cause of the zombie outbreak in Dawn of the Dead is not explicitly stated in detail; however, like Night of the Living Dead, the most accepted explanation is radiation from space. The news reports throughout the film suggest that something has caused the dead to reanimate but does not pinpoint a specific cause.
How many Dawn of the Dead movies are there?
There are essentially two main movies titled Dawn of the Dead: the original 1978 film directed by George A. Romero, and the 2004 remake directed by Zack Snyder. There are no official sequels to either.
Is Land of the Dead a sequel to Dawn of the Dead?
Yes, Land of the Dead (2005) is part of George A. Romero’s “Living Dead” series, which includes Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, and Land of the Dead. It’s the fourth film in the original series.
What is the order of the original Romero zombie movies?
The correct chronological order of George A. Romero’s original “Living Dead” series is: Night of the Living Dead (1968), 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).
Was there a Dawn of the Dead 2?
No, there was no direct sequel titled Dawn of the Dead 2. However, Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead has been considered by the director to be a “spiritual successor” to his 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake, but it’s not a direct sequel.
Did the survivors of the original Dawn of the Dead make it?
At the end of the original movie, the remaining survivors flee on a yacht to find refuge on an island. However, the credits roll over found footage which ends with the survivors being swarmed by zombies on the island, implying they did not find lasting safety.
Is the baby a zombie in Dawn of the Dead?
Yes, in a very disturbing scene, one of the survivors discovers a baby who has been turned into a zombie. This moment reinforces the idea that no one is safe.
What made Dawn of the Dead so influential?
Dawn of the Dead is influential for its social commentary on consumerism and its graphic depiction of zombie horror. It set a new standard for zombie films and significantly impacted the horror genre.
How is the 2004 Dawn of the Dead different from the 1978 version?
The 2004 remake is a much faster-paced, more action-oriented film. The original film takes a more deliberate and moody approach, while also providing more of a socio-political critique. The remake also has a very different ending.
What is the “zombie shuffle” in the original Dawn of the Dead?
The “zombie shuffle” refers to the slow, shambling gait of the zombies, a characteristic that became a key element of the zombie genre. The zombies in Dawn of the Dead are generally slow and clumsy but persistent, and this visual helped define zombies for audiences.
Where can I watch the original Dawn of the Dead (1978)?
The original Dawn of the Dead is available for streaming on platforms like Peacock and fuboTV. You can also rent or purchase it digitally through services such as Google Play, iTunes, Amazon, and Vudu.