George A. Romero was a horror revolutionary. Not only is his work an example of quality filmmaking and storytelling, but he pushed the horror genre into new territory, bridging the gap between the ‘50s horror icons like the Universal Monsters and the more modern, politically charged thrillers of the ‘70s and ‘80s. But between the work done on two iconic horror films, “Night of the Living Dead” and “Dawn of the Dead,” Romero actually shot a feature, “Amusement Park,” that has never been released. Well, until now.
Nearly 50 years after its production, George A. Romero’s “lost” film, “Amusement Park,” has been lovingly restored in 4K and will be released on the genre streaming platform, Shudder. As seen in the trailer for the film, “Amusement Park” is peak Romero, with terrifying visuals and a deep theme that transcends its genre trappings. The film focuses on the story of an elderly man that is disoriented and seemingly trapped at an amusement park. The film tackles issues of aging in America and the isolation that comes with it. And unlike the more straightforward ‘Dead’ films, it’s clear that Romero was utilizing a bit more experimentation with “Amusement Park,” showcasing a different side to the master filmmaker.
“Amusement Park” debuts on Shudder on June 8. You can watch the new trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
Recently discovered and restored 46 years after its completion by the George A. Romero Foundation and produced by Suzanne Desrocher-Romero, The Amusement Park stars Martin’s Lincoln Maazel as an elderly man who finds himself disoriented and increasingly isolated as the pains, tragedies and humiliations of aging in America are manifested through roller coasters and chaotic crowds. Commissioned by the Lutheran Society, the film is perhaps Romero’s wildest and most imaginative movie, an allegory about the nightmarish realities of growing older, and is an alluring snapshot of the filmmaker’s early artistic capacity and style and would go on to inform his ensuing filmography. The “lost” film was restored in 4k by IndieCollect in New York City.
