Barbara's visit to her father's grave along with her brother turns into a nightmare when a zombie kills Johnny. Barbara panics and flees. She ends up in a safe house where Harry, his wife and daughter are already hiding from the mysterious ghouls. Confusion is compounded by panic as everybody tries to figure out the best route of escape. Ben's suggestion that they remain upstairs wins over proud Harry's plan to barricade themselves in the cellar.

Despite Harry's stubborn streak, Ben and he have to work together. News of nearby shelters spurs Tom, his girlfriend and Ben to drive Ben's truck to a nearby gas pump. The couple never reaches it. Only Ben escapes. The ghouls eat Harry, a "sinner". The same fate meets all the others -except Ben who manages to survive. Finally a group of men who subscribe to the adage " kill the brain, you kill the ghoul" arrive and shoot the ghouls. Unfortunately Bill loses his life as well.

Romero's wonderful direction and the use of black and...