George A. Romero’s ‘THE AMUSEMENT PARK’ (1973) – Retro Review

There is not one horror fan in the world who doesn’t know the name George A. Romero. It’s common knowledge that he is a legend. However, he wasn’t just the king of the Zombies; George was so much more, from working with Mr. Rogers to pandemics that make people stone-cold killers before becoming a legend in horror movies. We all know where George started, but what about the films he made without flesh-eating ghouls or creepy vampires? Let’s see if we can answer that. The Amusement Park was thought to be long gone into the abyss. However, in 2021, Shudder, with the help of the George A Romero Foundation, released it to the world.

It Begins

In the mid-70s, George was approached about an opportunity to film a short PSA about the elderly and how we shouldn’t forget them. What they got was a terrifying hour-long film. It starts immediately, and there is no buildup; it is a flowing watch that keeps going. The movie even features an actor from George’s early days, none other than the “graveyard ghoul” S. William Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead 1968). There are plenty of other actors George worked with. It happened quite a few times in his career like Gypsies waiting for the message to move.

What happens when we get old? Do we lose everything? It’s a bold statement to make, especially in the 1970s. If you can follow along, it could make you angry about how the elderly are treated. You may say it’s unfair, and now is your time to volunteer to help them or keep them company. Even today, there are thousands of retirement homes, and no one ever wants to be there; this movie proves that the world can be scary and unfair as you learn more about it.

Synopsis

We watch a beat-up old man (Lincoln Maazel, Martin 1977) taking a rest in a cozy white room. White seemed to be the color they wanted to use most here. Another version of the man comes in fresh, new, and talkative. He is ready to take on the outside world at the amusement park. As he tries to explain that the man is overeacting and its not that bad.

Once outside in the sunlight, the man is ready to enjoy his day. It starts to dawn on him that something wasn’t right here at all. Along with screaming children and loud screams coming from the rides, the man tries to stay unphased while put through various odd situations.

He starts to realize that they treat old people here like a plague. Maybe its their last ride as they thoughtlessly take their donations from the park, like a food pantry, but you have to give them all your earnings and whatever else you could pawn off such as watches and trinkets to eat.

The man starts to descend into madeness as he was put through various situations that the elderly should not be subjected to. From bikers, to rude park employees and customers, the man starts to wear down. As the face of death comes in small glimpses, but always watching. After being put through several tests that prove he’s just a scared old man, he retreats into the white room where the cylce just keeps going.

Pulling no punches, the movie never stops on this freight train of uncomfortable feelings.

In The End

This film will make you call your grandparents or cry over remembering those you may have lost. Reality is rampant throughout this film. Even though it is not quite an hour long, it’s a very uncomfortable watch. You may even need to turn the lights on after it, not because you’re scared, but because you feel older by the day. What happens if you turn out like our friend here? These thoughts are constantly on your mind. The setting, story, and originality are what make this movie memorable. You won’t be able to shake off the goosebumps, and there are no monsters other than the face of death always watching.

The Amusement Park was a Shudder exclusive, but now it is available on almost all streaming platforms with premium subscriptions, such as Prime Video, Philo, and more. Give it a try and see what makes it so unsettling. The Amusement Park will always make your skin crawl. It’s not the horror setting; it’s the reality of the issue. The elderly have never really done anything to anyone, and it proves that getting old sucks.

This movie only takes 51 minutes to get through, and it will leave you completely disturbed.