this film be kind of interesting in a number of way . the second adaptation of richard matheson i be legend and it star charlton heston a the title character and a scientist who have build himself a fortress . the portrayal of the monster be interest . matheson write them a classic vampire and include in his narrative scientific explanation a to why they would be repel by cross and garlic . vincent price version ( the last man on earth ) keep it in that vein . the more recent wil smith vehicle make the zombie more of a cross between orcs and zombie and with a hint of cgi in them . in heston version and the creature be more like the mutant of beneath the planet of the ape and take on the quasi religious nature of the latter group . very dare and especially for 1971. even more daring be the interracial sex scene between heston and rosaling cash . ( would never get past the censor today and but it only merit the film a pg rating . ) the violence be also very graphic for the time . there be a period in the early 70 where producer could show blood and breast and and enjoy the heck out of it for a few year before the mpaa clamp down . some part of the film be definitely dated and like the zombie with afro haircut ( which quickly fell out of fashion after this film . co incidence . i think not . ) .