A George A. Romero Retrospective: ‘Survival of the Dead’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

‘In an us versus them world, someone puts up a flag, another person tears it down and puts up their own. Pretty soon no one remembers what started the war in the first place, and the fighting becomes all about those stupid flags.’
- The Sarge

​Growing up, we are taught that America’s sustained success and outright positive image, is a direct result of good old-fashioned hard work and elbow grease, with some unity thrown in for good measure. For our history classes are rife with lessons about Americans that came together with a common goal in mind and that uniquely unified vision allowed for us form the greatest nation in all the land, and overcome our mistakes when it comes to racial and societal injustice, all while providing incredible opportunities for everyone that lives here. To the point where anyone can be the next superstar or mogul, provided they are willing to put in the work and be a team player, and hearing that message in our youth, leaves us eager to conquer the world so we too can take part in the wonder of America.
 
But a funny thing happens as we grow into adulthood, in that, we come to realize that this particular view of America isn’t exactly correct. For the harsh reality of the matter, is that we are a nation whose citizens are very rarely on the same page. Because we the people believe that its ‘every man for himself’ in America, and also that our personal beliefs matter more than someone else’s and if by chance that seems out of line or cynical, well then just turn on the news. Because the twenty-four-hour news cycle will be happy to remind us of the fact that someone went to jail today for screwing over other people financially or that Congress is gridlocked once again over a simple issue that would benefit everyone, if one party could just get their heads out of their asses and use some common sense. Plus, you’ll also enjoy a snippet of people endlessly debating issues that have been settled, simply because their belief in God and country matters more than a woman’s right to make decisions for her own body.
 
Yet while that is frustrating in its own right, those are problems that we can write off as a result of other root causes. Such as the generational divide that this country often suffers from, or from putting the wrong people in positions of power since politicians are renowned for promising the world in order to get a seat at that congressional table. Which means that in order to get proof positive that our nation is divided, we simply need to take a solid look at current events and the fights that are happening right now over simple science, since that really does help to remind us of how Americans draw lines in the sand and refuse to step over them. Which is a harsh reality for certain, one that leaves all of us to wonder, if there will ever come a day where we are actually unified and what it would actually take to make that happen and oddly enough, these are notions that George A. Romero takes the time to ponder upon in the final film of his storied career; Survival of the Dead. 
 
Which makes this quite frankly, George’s most complex and ambitious ‘Dead’ film. Because people in our modern world, really don’t like acknowledging that there is anything wrong with modern society, and we know how it goes when that kind of truth is put on display. But George refused to sugar coat this topic, and opted instead for an outright direct and bold commentary on the current state of modern America, and the end result of this brave examination is one angry motion picture. One that was poorly received upon its release because of its sour nature. But that is something that also happened with Day of the Dead, and time allowed for that film to become regarded as one of Romero’s best. Something that this reviewer believes will eventually happen with Survival, once its messages and analysis are embraced. 

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​But that really will take time, since everything in this film features a scathing observation on American life. Such as how the system has failed so many, something that is embodied by Sarge and his troupe. Because they were supposed to be the heroes, the ones that would rush in and save the day. But instead, they turned into fodder for the dead, and felt it was best to forge their own path. One free from a losing side that would sacrifice them and countless others in a vain attempt to spin a narrative that spoke to how humanity was winning its war against the dead. Which echoes the modern world to a tee since so many have little faith in the government and the police and the military because they aren’t quite standing up for what they were founded upon anymore, and that harsh observation is further compounded by Romero’s dissection of modern American politics.
 
Because the Muldoons and the O’Flynns more or less represent Republicans and Democrats respectively and their interactions in this film, are a perfect reflection of how these two parties interact in America. Because they’re constantly at one another’s throats, and they firmly believe their plan is the only correct course of action and disagreeing with that is a personal attack or an assault on their ideals and much like their real-life counterparts, they bicker and scheme while real disasters surround them, the kind where people suffer. And all it would take to end the emotional and physical toll, would be to combine forces and figure out a solution that is grounded in logic and fact. But instead, the two heads of these families never once deviate from their notions of ‘party’ and it costs Plum Island everything, allowing for this film to end in bleak and devastating fashion for certain, complete with a powerful closing image that will forever haunt the viewer. 
 
But while we’ve talked at length about Romero’s observations of what’s wrong with the country and how these issues cause us more harm than good, this movie does try to examine what it would take to change the course of this unfortunate behavior and surprisingly; Romero offers up some simple solutions. Such as the fact that we all need to recognize, that we are all in this together. And that in a time of crisis, we should be worried more about one another over anything else, and if we stuck to the facts and focused on an outcome designed to keep people healthy and safe, a lot of our problems would be eliminated, especially the ones America is facing in this moment. Plus, he also asks us to be better people integrity wise, and that we take the time to listen and understand where others are coming from and find genuine common ground. The kind that would allow for everyone to get something out of compromise and if we could do those things, then perhaps we could immediately point our nation in a different direction. One where being mindful became the norm. 
 
But does that sound like too easy of a fix? Well you bet it does. But why not think simple in regard to big problems? Because thus far the complex solutions we’ve come up with have done little, or they’ve galvanized the ignorant into thinking they are in fact, right. If anything, these observations and messages simply speak to the frustrations of a man who had seen and heard 'enough' and felt the need to use a platform that he revolutionized to shout that word in loud and gory fashion. Either way, this really is quite the phenomenal way to close out a movie career, since Survival holds nothing back with what it has to say. But what matters more, is that this motion picture has new life now, largely due to the fact that it is no longer the final and incomplete word from George Romero. Because ending the saga on an angry note, without closure, just didn’t feel right and watching this one again with The Living Dead about to hit bookstores everywhere, suddenly makes this movie feel as though it is just another piece of an incredible puzzle; one that we are finally about to complete.  

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