History Film / ShaunOfTheDead

--->''"First thing tomorrow, we'll have a Bloody Mary[[note]][[spoiler:Kill the girl in the garden, whose name ''is'' Mary]][[/note]], grab a bite at the King's Head [[note]][[spoiler:Go get Shaun's stepfather Philip, who then is bitten on his neck by a zombie]][[/note]], have a couple at the Little Princess [[note]][[spoiler:Couple=Dave and Dianne, little princess=Liz]][[/note]], stagger back, [[note]][[spoiler:Impersonate zombies]][[/note]], stab the monkey [[note]][[spoiler:yell at Ed]][[/note]] then come back to the bar for shots."[[note]][[spoiler:use The Winchester's rifle]][[/note]]''

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Several examples of this can be seen in the film; if this were set today, Shaun, Ed and everyone else would likely hear the news either via social media, or WhatsApp for example as opposed to exclusively TV/radio. The talk show 'Trisha' is also still on the air when this film is set, and Shaun and Ed frequently smoke cigarettes in the winchester; smoking was outlawed in UK pubs in 2007.

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Several examples of this can be seen in the film; if this were set today, Shaun, Ed and everyone else would likely hear the news either via social media, or WhatsApp for example as opposed to exclusively TV/radio. The talk show 'Trisha' is also still on the air when this film is set, and several high street shops in the background of scenes (like Shoe Zone for example) are now no longer in business.

* Unintentionalperiodpiece: Several examples of this can be seen in the film; if this were set today, Shaun, Ed and everyone else would likely hear the news either via social media, or WhatsApp for example as opposed to exclusively TV/radio. The talk show 'Trisha' is also still on the air when this film is set, and several high street shops in the background of scenes (like Shoe Zone for example) are now no longer in business.

* UnfoldingPlanMontage: Shaun and Ed devise a plan to collect Shaun's friends, mum, and stepdad, and find safety "until this whole thing blows over." [[ZigZagged Then the plan changes and a revised montage plays accordingly.]] *Unintentionalperiodpiece: Several examples of this can be seen in the film; if this were set today, Shaun, Ed and everyone else would likely hear the news either via social media, or WhatsApp for example as opposed to exclusively TV/radio. The talk show 'Trisha' is also still on the air when this film is set, and several high street shops in the background of scenes (like Shoe Zone for example) are now no longer in business.

* UnfoldingPlanMontage: Shaun and Ed devise a plan to collect Shaun's friends, mum, and stepdad, and find safety "until this whole thing blows over." [[ZigZagged Then the plan changes and a revised montage plays accordingly.]]

* AsianStoreOwner: Nelson. [[spoiler:He appears in his shop as a zombie at the outbreak, but Shaun doesn't notice him in the back.]]

** During times of emergency, do exactly what the authorities tell you to do. Shaun and Ed decide to stick it to the man and lead a group of people survive on their own, only to fail utterly [[spoiler: and have to be bailed out by the very-much-alive military in the end.]]

** During times of emergency, do exactly what the authorities tell you to do. Shaun and Ed decide to stick it to the man and survive on their own, only to fail utterly [[spoiler: and have to be rescued by the military in the end.]]

* AnAesop: No matter what else is going on in your life or how big a rut you're in, making empty promises will sour people's opinions of you and you'll have to work damn hard to regain that trust.

* ZombieGait: Parodied quite frequently. Zombies in the world of the film are ''slow'', to the point that characters [[CasualDangerDialog frequently get into arguments or lengthy conversations]] as the zombies shamble towards them in the background. In fact, Shaun is able to get through his whole morning routine without being attacked, as he simply treats the zombies like pedestrians and walks briskly while not making eye contact, which is enough to evade them completely.

** When the heroes are whaling on the bartender to the sound of Music/{{Queen}}.

* MockingMusic: "Who the 'ell put this on?" "It's on random... *sob*" "For [[PrecisionFStrike fuck's]] sake!" Used for IronicEcho value. The first time, the hero is bemoaning his girlfriend dumping him when the jukebox has the nerve to play Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now". The second time, the jukebox pipes up with Music/{{Queen}}'s "Don't Stop Me Now!"... as the pub the characters are in is being surrounded by zombies and a loud, fast, pumping rock track seemingly designed to attract their attention is the ''last'' thing the characters want.

'''Shaun:''' David! Kill [[Music/{{Queen}} the Queen]]! \\

** Philip, despite having been bitten on the neck by a zombie after already being bitten on the hand, is more concerned with Ed recklessly speeding and driving like a maniac while blasting heavy metal music st full volume. To be fair, he thought the zombies were actually drug addicts and did not know that their bites are fatal.

* SkewedPriorities: Ed, who even casually answers a phone call ''while surrounded by zombies.'' And not even to talk to a friend. No, he's selling drugs.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome:
** The film pulls no punches in showing how ''screwed'' most people would be if a zombie outbreak happened in modern London. Strict UK law means firearms are illegal and anything that could be used as a weapon is tightly-controlled, so ImprovisedWeapon is the order of the day. [[spoiler:And when the heroes manage to get their hands on a working Winchester rifle, they barely know how to operate it and [[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy can't shoot for shit]].]] The thing that saves them is the UK is a very small country, [[spoiler:and once the British Army rolls into town, [[CurbStompBattle the outbreak is more or less put down within the span of a day]].]]
** The beginning of the film [[spoiler:has Shaun and Ed treat [[MercyKill mercy-killing infected Phillip]] as a lighthearted joke ([[BlackComedy "Sorry Phil!"]]). But when they actually have to do the deed (and much later when Shaun's mother is also infected and has to be staked in the same way), it's treated very seriously.]]

* TheMeanBrit: Given this is a British movie, David, Pete, Ed and Philip would all qualify.
** David speaks with a posh Dublin accent, so it can be assumed that he, like his actor, is Irish and not British.

* DwindlingParty: By the end of the movie, [[spoiler:only two [[note]] three thanks to AllThereInTheManual [[/note]] of the eight team members are still alive]].

* TastesLikeDiabetes: Invoked InUniverse: when Shaun and Liz are professing their love for each other while hiding from the zombies, a bitten Ed mutters, "That's it. I'd ''like'' to be shot, please."

* BigNo: First yelled by both Shaun and Liz when they see Ed [[NiceJobBreakingItHero win the jackpot on The Winchester's slot machine]]. Later screamed by Shaun in dispair as [[spoiler: he sees Ed get bitten by Zombie!Pete]].

* RaeBreakingPoint: After constantly sticking up for Ed and making excuses for his oafishness and stupidity, Shaun finally snaps when Ed answers his cell phone ''in the middle of a zombie horde'', blowing their cover. Made all the funnier because he delivers the rant ''while still in the middle of the zombies,'' who look rather nonplussed.