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The City of the Dead

Name: The City of the Dead
Director: John Llewellyn Moxey
Released: 1960
Duration: 78 min

Representation Score

1.6/10

Minimal

1960

Director

John Llewellyn Moxey

Runtime

78 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The City of the Dead is a product of its 1960 historical context, prioritizing genre-standard clichés over identity-based subversion. The narrative relies on traditional social hierarchies and conservative cinematic standards of the era. While the film functions effectively as a supernatural thriller, it lacks character development that reflects multiple aspects of identity. The cast and story structures reinforce the demographic and social homogeneity typical of mid-century horror productions.

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Category Breakdown

Does The City of the Dead have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows mid-century assumptions where everyone is assumed to be straight and cisgender. There are no representations of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.

How does The City of the Dead portray gender?

Limited

Male characters have significant control over the plot, while female characters follow traditional roles within societal norms.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The City of the Dead?

Minimal

The cast is primarily white, reflecting the demographics of its time period. There are no characters of color to challenge the social landscape.

How does The City of the Dead represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story focuses on classic supernatural horror clichés rather than cultural critiques. It operates within a framework of isolation and the unknown.

Does The City of the Dead include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. Characters are defined by standard physical capabilities expected in the genre.

Present on Screen

The film uses established genre conventions of isolation and the unknown to build tension.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks racial and ethnic diversity, maintaining a predominantly white cast.
Gender roles are limited to traditional hierarchies with male-centric control over the plot.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or neurodivergent experiences.
The narrative does not engage with diverse cultural or secularist critiques.

Official Synopsis

In Whitewood, Massachusetts, a presumed witch places a curse on the town before she is burned at the stake. 300 years later, a college student arrives and checks into the mysterious Raven's Inn to research the town's history with witchcraft.

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