Is ‘Amusement Park’ George A. Romero’s Creepiest Film?

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As a passionate cinephile, I can confidently say that George A. Romero’s “The Amusement Park” (1974) is the genuine article – a horrifying masterpiece that leaves an indelible impact, far beyond its graphic violence.

In fact, by Romero’s standards, it’s fairly tame. The presentation is everything.

This short movie, barely lasting an hour, could have been labeled a “super horror spectacle” by Alex DeLarge from “A Clockwork Orange.” Apart from “Night of the Living Dead” (1968), this is George A. Romero’s most impactful work.

In this rephrased version, I aimed to keep the original meaning while making it more accessible and natural for easy reading.

Incredibly, the film was lost for decades and only resurfaced a few years ago.

The brief movie titled “The Amusement Park” functions much like a public service announcement. Created by Romero specifically for the Lutheran Services, this short film serves to increase visibility for their Meal on Wheels initiative. Seizing the chance, Romero put his creative touch into it.

Instead, consider this rephrased version: The movie he created was intensely unsettling, featuring scenes that would make anyone jumpy. At first, it follows traditional storytelling, but soon transforms into an abstract portrayal of the hardships faced by the elderly.

Lincoln Maazel, a thespian from Pittsburgh, portrays an elderly man dressed in a simple white suit who purchases a ticket and ventures into an amusement park that appears cheerful and inviting at first. However, both literal and symbolic warnings hint at unsettling events lurking on the horizon.

The movie plunges both our main character and viewers into a chilling reflection on mortality. It’s additionally a contemplation of how the elderly frequently find themselves without an ally, not to mention compassion and aid, in a society that’s always rushing ahead and leaving them behind.

The people at the amusement park are harsh and frightening, giving off a witty yet grim impression. However, it quickly turns depressing as one encounter after another becomes increasingly dismal. Unlike some of Romero’s earlier and later works that can be classified as satire or dark comedy, this one is not.

In a public service announcement-style manner, yet reminiscent of an intense episode from “The Twilight Zone,” Romero takes us on a harrowing journey to underscore the challenging reality that individuals face when they lose autonomy, assistance, healthcare, and empathetic companionship – then as well as now.

1973 saw the completion of “The Amusement Park,” a film penned by Wally Cook. However, it remained untouched and undistributed due to the strong disapproval of its content by the Lutheran Services organization upon viewing.

It’s intriguing to envision the initial reaction being similar to how the Baptist group must have felt upon seeing the version of “Plan 9 from Outer Space” (1957) that Edward D. Wood Jr. produced, a film they financed and which gained notoriety as a cinematic turkey.

Indeed, while “Plan 9 from Outer Space” charms us with its poor quality, “The Amusement Park” excels by surpassing even the highest expectations. It’s like a grant-funded religious organization backing an anti-drug public service announcement, only to receive “Requiem for a Dream” (2000) instead!

George Romero was 33 when he created “The Amusement Park,” a 54-minute production initially meant for television broadcasts that unfortunately never happened. This marked his first partnership with producer Richard Rubinstein, and together they produced “Dawn of the Dead” and “Martin” in 1978, as well as “Creepshow” in 1981, among other projects throughout the following years.

In 2001, a screening apparently occurred, and during this event, a 16mm film was found and forwarded to Romero prior to his death in 2017. This film was then restored, and it became accessible to the general public in 2021.

There are a lot of reasons to subscribe to the Shudder channel and this is a big one.

Shudder is unique in broadcasting “The Amusement Park,” and they provide exclusive, hard-to-find, and out-of-print films for their subscribers too. It’s a pity that George Romero didn’t live long enough to witness the enthusiasm of the audience and fans towards the restored version of his work brought back to the public eye.

RELATED: GEORGE A. ROMERO’S ‘CREEPSHOW’ PAVED WAY FOR COMIC-CON NATION

Due to its shortened length, many people may consider this more as a novelty or supplementary piece within Romero’s overall collection, rather than a genuine standalone work. However, that is not accurate.

The Amusement Park” serves as a sharp critique on society (much like many of Romero’s other works, including his zombie movies), and it stands out as one of the director’s most powerful artistic and personal expressions.

For decades, “Night of the Living Dead” has been one of my favorite films. I was also quite fond of “Land of the Dead” released in 2005, and I must admit that George Romero’s underappreciated adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Dark Half” (1993) holds a special place in my heart too.

Viewing “The Amusement Park” offers a chance for dedicated followers to grasp the unique style that Romero used in his most impactful films. These films may tackle significant themes, but they are cloaked within the horror genre, making them all the more thrilling for those who dare to watch.

If you’re familiar with Romero but haven’t experienced “The Amusement Park” yet, now is the moment to move towards the edge, fasten your seatbelt, and stay alert throughout the whole journey.

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2025-06-08 16:03