New Dawn of the Dead DVD details (1 Viewer)

[Damin J Toell]

And regardless, the limited edition set isn't the one that was made most available- the single disc edition that ONLY contains the new cut of the film is the one you'd be most likely to find.

Actually, the single disc version has the edited '68 version, too. Disc 2 of the LE set is just a soundtrack CD. Disc 1 of the LE is the same as the single-disc release.

DJ

 

[Drew Reiber]

The "30th Anniversary Edition" limited edition set of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD *DOES NOT* include the original 1968 release.

Really? I could have sworn it did at some point. I read some review of the release back when it first came out and thought the transfer problems were references to the original cut as well. Hmm, oh well, not that it matters. That Elite disc is wonderful. I just love being able to listen to the original, creepy mono with the pristine print.

On a side note, one of my friends accidently bought the 30th Anniversary Edition thinking it was the Milennium Edition and was horrified when he figured out what it was. He did everything he could to return it to Borders, but it was too late (he opened it, poor fool). Harry Knowles printed the most offended DVD review I think I've seen in the history of the Internet (related the experience to finding his mother dead). Pretty harsh, but then he's a pretty rabid fan.

Edited in: Oh, I forgot to mention. I was able to attend a party the artist Alex Ross was hosting for his Earth X limited edition comic book/CD set a few years ago. Believe it or not, but that awful composer of the new NOTLD cut (also portrayed the stereotypical redneck priest in the new scenes) did the soundtrack CD for the set. He was in attendance and I had to use all the will power I had not to walk over to say something about it. It was soooo tempting, but alas I was there representing other people.

Otherwise... still no comments on the tentative Dawn set list I put together? Shame, I was hoping somebody would have additional info by now.

 

[Kevin M]

Dawn of the Dead: Original Director's Cut / Cannes Film Festival Cut
(Anamorphic Widescreen, additional details pending)
Special Features:
Commentary by George Romero, Tom Savini and Mike Gornick (ported from the Elite disc)

Actually, if that last part is referring to the Elite LD box set commentary from 94/95, then that would be George Romero, Tom Savini and George's wife Chris Romero on the commentary, not Gornick.

 

[Drew Reiber]

Actually, if that last part is referring to the Elite LD box set commentary from 94/95, then that would be George Romero, Tom Savini and George's wife Chris Romero on the commentary, not Gornick.

Shoot, the IMDB supplement listing for the Elite LD must be incorrect. But then what does that mean for the commentary on the single disc? The Elite one was on the "Original Director's Cut", and this disc contains the theatrical edition. Did they record a second commentary with the three of them? Ugh, my head hurts...

 

[Damin J Toell]

Audio Commentary with Writer-Director George A. Romero, Special Makeup Effects Artist Tom Savini, and Assistant Director Chris Romero. Moderated by Perry Martin.

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Since Perry Martin did not moderate the LD commentary, this would have to be a new commentary.

DJ

 

[Drew Reiber]

Since Perry Martin did not moderate the LD commentary, this would have to be a new commentary.

Thanks for the correction, it's now fixed. Have you any idea if Gornick has ever participated on the earlier releases at all?

 

[Damin J Toell]

Thanks for the correction, it's now fixed. Have you any idea if Gornick has ever participated on the earlier releases at all?

I wouldn't know of any undisclosed participation by Gornick, and he hasn't done anything blatant like a commentary. For example, the Elite SE LD doesn't credit Gornick with being involved in their transfer (but other people are credited for the telecine process). On the other hand, Gornick is given a special thanks (along with Richard Rubenstein) on the chapter listing/credits sheet, so perhaps he had some manner of involvement in the transfer process.

DJ

 

[ChuckSolo]

Well, yes you are right. The sound track is different. An interview with George Romero once revealed that they had no money for an original soundtrack so they had to use a generic horror type soundtrack they found somewhere. Interestingly, I have viewed a couple of movies of the B horror variety that have the same soundtrack. When I said original 1968 version I was mostly talking about the actual video part, not the sound, as I am one of the few that absolutely hated the original soundtrack (music) to this classic. In any case, I still like the 30th Anniversary edition, no matter what the nit-picky purists say. I also own 3 copies of this on VHS, the best being the Media release. I don't mind the new music at all.

 

[Drew Reiber]

I still like the 30th Anniversary edition, no matter what the nit-picky purists say.

I like how you slap down our observations as "nit-picky" when we're taking the side of those who shot the film. The soundtrack material you're referencing is called "needledrop", which is where filmmakers with lower budgets purchase non-exclusive library themes and scores.

This was a standard practice for Romero all the way up to Creepshow or so. You may not prefer them, but these were the choices of the director and to this day, he still sticks by the versions he produced. If it wasn't for the fact that they forgot to put the copyright on the film when it was released, it would be the only music you would ever hear along with the feature.

These NOTLD DVDs with "new material", "new effects" or "new scores", are produced on a constant basis because anyone with a print and editing software can attempt to "improve" the film and sell it for as much as they want.

The 30th Anniversary score may have been produced in conjunction with John Russo, but it was NEVER endorsed (nor were any of the other changes) by George Romero. These differences are about as official as they would have been had I scored it myself.

Oh, and by the way... In case you weren't already aware, there's a thread somewhere on this forum about a new, colorized version of NOLTD. You should check that out, sounds right up your alley.

 

[Kevin M]

As a matter of personal taste I think that the 30th Anniversary synthi-pop score by Scott Vladimir Licina is not only bad, but it actually sounds worse than low-rent saturday morning cartoon scores or cheap porn music. It's that bad IMO.

 

[ChuckSolo]

Well, to each his own Drew. I enjoy the movie, regardless of which version.....period, although I am not a fan of the new footage that was added. I prefer the version with no footage added, regardless of music score. Sorry to have ruffled so many "purists" feathers on this one. As for the insult about colorization, I have posted a few comments on these forums opposing colorization and would not watch one on principle. However, I enjoy the visual aspects of NOTLD a lot more than the music score. Sheesh, lighten up dude. Keep in mind, that John Russo has just as much right to the film as George Romero does. No slight to Romero inteded. I find it hard to swallow when a director like Dario Argento is allowed to change the music score in "Dawn of the Dead" and then is mostly applauded for his effort, and then a new score is added to NOTLD and Russo is panned.........Hmmmmm, interesting.

 

[Kevin M]

I find it hard to swallow when a director like Dario Argento is allowed to change the music score in "Dawn of the Dead" and then is mostly applauded for his effort, and then a new score is added to NOTLD and Russo is panned.........Hmmmmm, interesting.

....Hmmmmm, Dario did it with George's blessing at the time of the original release, Russo did not. Interesting.

(shrugs shoulders) I agree, "to each his own" and all that....but it's not like we haven't thought our complaints through, Chuck.

 

[Drew Reiber]

I find it hard to swallow when a director like Dario Argento is allowed to change the music score in "Dawn of the Dead" and then is mostly applauded for his effort, and then a new score is added to NOTLD and Russo is panned

And again, no offense, but I don't think you're working from any context on this. Every bit of Dario's input into Dawn of the Dead, *especially* the score, was part of the plan from day one. Dario even set George up with Goblin, who did the score for every version of the film. Russo only reworked Night of the Living Dead to get the interested parties for "Children of the Living Dead" into place.

He also did so without any involvement with George, even though Romero has reportedly had to defend himself constantly as having had nothing to with the 30th Anniversary Edition. The guy has been operating on and off for the past 30 years with what he can manage to scrape together from his portion of the franchise rights.

To emphasize my point, much like Richard Rubenstein and Universal's "Dawn of the Dead" remake (and following with "Day"), Russo is already trying to set up "Escape from the Living Dead". That would make his THIRD 'sequel' to the original film where his creative input was arguably negligible at best.

 

[MarcoBiscotti]

Off-topic, but I wonder if a 20th anniversary edition of "Return Of The Living Dead" will be released by MGM sometime next year?

 

[JeremySt]

I highly doubt it Marco. The current ROTLD DVD is quite nice. Then again, never underestimate a studio's willingness to repackage an existing DVD to remarket the film for something like an anniversary.

 

[Drew Reiber]

I highly doubt it Marco. The current ROTLD DVD is quite nice.

Yeah, I highly recommend the current edition. It's one of those wonderful 'Special Edition' type releases that aren't promoted as one. The extra features are so thorough to the point where it's unlikely there is anything left to use. Good film, great dvd.

 

[Damin J Toell]

Yeah, I highly recommend the current edition. It's one of those wonderful 'Special Edition' type releases that aren't promoted as one. The extra features are so thorough to the point where it's unlikely there is anything left to use. Good film, great dvd.

Well, there's one major thing left: O'Bannon's original cut of the film, which he would like to restore with MGM's help...

DJ

 

[Drew Reiber]

Well, there's one major thing left: O'Bannon's original cut of the film, which he would like to restore with MGM's help...

MGM hasn't been very reliable when it comes to the original materials for some of their library titles from absorbed studios (ex. Escape from New York). Assuming that they have a pretty decent selection of Orion prints, what are the odds they would have the complete cut of "Return"? Or that it would be in any servicible condition? I'm willing to wager the interest in a re-issue of this title isn't anywhere near the time/cost/effort it would take to prepare something like that.

Maybe if that was their specialty (like Anchor Bay, Blue Underground), but they probably put as much work into this title as they could while keeping it cost prohibitive. Heck, it was pretty affordable as soon as it hit the shelves. I'm very thankful for that much.

 

[Brian Kidd]

Yeah, Romero is playing nice about the 30th Anniversary debacle. I saw him back in October and when asked about it he gave his standard answer that Russo, Streiner, and co. were friends of his and he refused to bash them but that he didn't care for what they did to the film. He was a real class act.

 

[Damin J Toell]

MGM hasn't been very reliable when it comes to the original materials for some of their library titles from absorbed studios (ex. Escape from New York). Assuming that they have a pretty decent selection of Orion prints, what are the odds they would have the complete cut of "Return"? Or that it would be in any servicible condition? I'm willing to wager the interest in a re-issue of this title isn't anywhere near the time/cost/effort it would take to prepare something like that.

During HTF member Michael Allred's contacts with Mr. O'Bannon, I believe it became clear that MGM had access to the requisite materials for the restoration of the original cut. O'Bannon was also not able to get his color timing for the film used on the current disc, either (although he was able to get his preferred soundmix on the disc). Whether any of this is worthwhile to MGM is another matter entirely, and at the time, MGM indicated that they would see how sales of the ROTLD went. Anyway, the point is that while the currently-available ROLTLD is an extremely worthwhile purchase and while it may be the only DVD release we ever get, it does not represent all that there is to be had.

DJ