George A. Romero's "lost" film, The Amusement Park, premiered on Shudder nearly 50 years after its completion. Dubbed the "Father of the Zombie Film," Romero carved out a name for himself with the iconic Dead series. His film debut, Night of the Living Dead, earned acclaim for its progressive casting of a Black lead and its larger societal commentary. Romero's films have been known to always include a bigger thematic message. 1978's Dawn of the Dead served as a metaphor for mass consumerism. 1985's Day of the Dead questioned the need for massive military power. Romero's 1973's The Amusement Park is no exception, offering audiences a haunting analysis of aging in America.
Produced by Romero's widow, Suzanne Desrocher-Romero, The Amusement Park stars Lincoln Maazel as an elderly man who finds himself at a bustling amusement park. However, what he expects to be an enjoyable outing quickly turns into hell as he is emotionally, spiritually and physically beaten down. Within its first minutes, the film clarifies this isn't any ordinary amusement park -- it's a metaphor for life. The process of aging in American society is manifested through hectic crowds, roller coasters and park tickets.
The horror film opens with what can only be described as a Public Service Announcement by Maazel, explaining there are many joys that certain groups of people are denied access to in life. He remarks that "perhaps the saddest cause of denial and rejection is, very simply, old age." While encouraging others to take action against this injustice, Maazel also states that the film's supporting players aren't actors but volunteers involved with the senior citizens. Before the opening sequence, he cautions the audience, particularly the young, to impart empathy to the elderly.
While Maazel's lengthy PSA-style monologue is jarring, it's effective. The Amusement Park transitions into a sterile, white room. There, a fresh-faced, optimistic Maazel briefly converses with his disheveled, broken alter ego, who -- when asked about the outside world -- warns, "You won't like it out there." This opening scene is likely to contort audiences' faces with confusion. However, it successfully sets viewers up to embark on this mysterious journey with Maazel, starting the moment he steps outside.
After entering the park, the protagonist is clearly out of his element and in a society that is too busy and fast-paced for seniors. Despite the thick crowds, he's ignored and preyed upon, with no one stepping up to help. Audiences experience the man's fear rather than watching it play out. While the film's overall feel is reminiscent of an episode of The Twilight Zone, Romero delves in further, making every scene symbolic. Although some obscure moments might be more challenging to grasp for casual audiences, the artistry is certainly impressive.
The Amusement Park's aesthetic is vastly different from Romero's other work. Going against typical horror tropes, the film is set in daylight. Bustling crowds and loud chatter replace the expected quiet and creaking doors. Restored in 4k by IndieCollect, the film boasts lots of fun colors. While it's clear it was shot in the '70s, it only adds charm, especially for genre fans fond of vintage movies. However, despite its obvious era, the societal commentary still holds up, making it all the more terrifying.
The Amusement Park is not a horror movie in the traditional sense and differs dramatically from Romero's most well-known work -- Romero is praised for his zombies. However, one could argue The Amusement Park features a different type of zombie -- elderly people so cast aside and beaten down, they become shells of their former selves. As such, it serves as a nefarious reminder for younger generations. Even Maazel says so himself when closing the film with another PSA.
This is not a movie for those seeking gore, scares or zombies. However, those searching for a "smart" horror film are sure to be delighted, or at the very least impressed, with Romero's lost film. Not to mention fans of Romero will enjoy seeing a different side of his craft and intellect. The volunteer extras give The Amusement Park an authentic feel while Maazel's performance elevates the movie to the next level. The horror of being alone despite being surrounded by people is on full display. With a relatively short running time of 52 minutes, The Amusement Park is a must-see for horror/George Romero enthusiasts.
Directed by George A. Romero, written by Wally Cook, produced by Suzanne Desrocher-Romer and restored by the George A. Romero Foundation, The Amusement Park stars Lincoln Maazel. The film releases June 8 on Shudder.