It is hard to imagine George A. Romero writing the script for “Land of the Dead” without thoughts of revolution on his mind. In his other works, “Dawn of the Dead” in particular, viewers have observed Romero's zombies act out morality plays about the dangers of suburban life and consumer culture. “Land of the Dead” appears to be no different with its simple zombie narrative wrapped around a number of symbols of class struggle, segregation, and Marxist uprisings.
While “Land of the Dead” follows a number of characters through a series of events, the film's plot proves to be less important than its setting. Reilly's story of attempted escape before ultimately getting pulled in for one more job is far too familiar (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OneLastJob) and Cholo's quest for social advancement does little beyond underlining the film's theme.
“Land of the Dead” is a rare film that is defined by its geography. Perhaps the most telling and evocative aspect of the film is the clear social divisions that take place after the “zombie apocalypse.” Unsurprisingly, the rich remain protected in “Fiddler's Green,” the condo complex/fortress at the center of the city. The poor are also given some basic defenses, but live in a far harsher world, inhabiting slums and attending brutal events where zombies are made to fight over food (which is at the time of the film, a human woman).
In this scenario, the zombies take the place of the proletariat at the bottom rung of the social ladder. They live outside of the city walls and seem to be recovering some semblance of sentience. In the opening scene, a man remarks to Reilly that the zombies are trying to act human. “There is a big difference between us and them...its like they're pretending to be alive,” to which Reilly retorts that they really aren't that different. He suggests that the zombies are just “Learning how to be us again.”
The lines of class are clearly drawn and reinforced by walls and fences, with each group in their “proper place.” Reilly and Cholo both express a form of hostility to their society's structure. Cholo attempts to live out the “American Dream” after America has fallen by raising enough money to live in Fiddler's Green. He is told that “there is a long waiting list,” echoing the reasons given to lower class families attempting to move to suburban communities or exclusive condo complexes.
Unlike Cholo, Reilly decides to flee the city and its de facto segregation, hoping to live in the Northern section of Canada. When asked why he wishes to do this, he states, “We're all locked in...I'm looking for a world with no fences.”
The zombies are also looking to change the world, it turns out. As they regain their consciousness (as shown by “Big Daddy's” use of tools and his ability to blow up Dennis Hopper creatively), they begin to organize. Uniting behind Big Daddy's leadership, they travel in a pack (showing that zombies can be social animals if the writer/director wishes them to be) and attack Fiddler's Green. Unlike the uninfected poor, the zombies are not held in check by petty amusements and promises of the potential for social advancement.
The undead ultimately play the part of a revolutionary force better than any human social group in history, deposing the despotic aristocracy and walking away without taking power for themselves. Where Lenin's followers removed the Czar only to replace him with an equally repressive regime, the zombies are content to wander off, looking for their place in the world.
While “Land of the Dead” is not regarded as one of Romero's greatest works, it is clearly a film filled with ideas on issues ranging from segregation to social stratification. There is more to say (like how the zombie fights and the use of fireworks are symbols for the “circuses” that Marxists often claim that the upper classes use to distract the lower classes from their oppressed situation) but I believe that I've already said too much and that anyone who is still reading it probably wants me to stop, so with that I'll end this blog. Also, sorry for the pun at the start of this post. I couldn't help myself.
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