Night of the Living Dead

Rating:
Summary: Johnny has the keys
Review: I always thought that "Night of the Living Dead" was one of the scariest and most original horror films of the 1960s. The idea is so primal: humans cornered by predators (in this case, the living dead) with no real hope for rescue. Even worse, the group breaks down even faster due to a heartbreaking rescue attempt gone wrong.

Many feel that the poor quality of the prints usually available reduces the impact. I didn't necessarily agree with this view, and I thought that NOTLD had a newsreel feel to it. Until one kind soul sent me a copy of the Elite version.

Toss your previous VHS, 20th and 30th anniversary monstrosities and prepare to be reintroduced to "Night". It's so CLEAR, and even the sound is improved. You can see details like the calendar in the living room (1966), and even the infamous continuity-numbered boards used to block off the front door. It's just stunning, and it's a treat for those who love this film.

But wait! There's more! Not one but TWO commentary tracks by Romero, Russo and many of the actors. A pity they couldn't be together...but I think that personal differences over rights, compensation, Return of the Living Dead have probably strained relations over the years. But it just gives this DVD even more replayability, and all of the participants have something to add. Judy O'Dea, who I never have heard from in TV or print, adds much to the commentary that is new. You get the impression that she hasn't done a lot of acting since that roel (and she even says as much). Karl Hardman and Marilyn Eastman are great as commentators and professional filmakers/editors. A pity that Duane Jones has passed on, I would have loved to hear him speak about this experience.

It's worth getting, if for no other reason than to support creating DVDs with this many extra features.

Rating:
Summary: What were they thinking?
Review: (...) Let's face it, if you're reading this review chances are, you are a NOTLD fan... good for you. I don't have to waste my any of my 1,000 words saying what an amazing film the original version was. But if you haven't seen this "updated" version and are considering purchasing it, don't. I can type all day about the offenses this film spewed upon its viewers, but let's narrow it down to a few:
1. When a movie's done, it's done. Don't add to it, don't punch it up. It's done. You want to continue to ride on the success of a film, make a sequel, or if you're lazy enough make a remake. Lucas almost killed Star Wars, these knuckleheads should have learned their lessons.
2. What was with that bald priest? Did they have auditions or did Russo lose a bet?
3. Bill Hinzman: You've AGED!
4. What was with that bald priest?
5. Part of the alure of the original was the graininess, the grittiness of the film. Having that removed was no more than pure idiocy.
6. I can't believe they changed the score. Granted it was stock music, but like the graininess of the film, it added to the atmosphere. To make matters worse, they let the bald priest write the new Music... Which quite frankly, I could have written if someone had lent me their keyboard from 1987.
7. What was with that ending? I mean come on! What did it mean? That only bald, buck-toothed priests will be saved. If that's the case, sprinkle me with salt and feed me to the zombies.

I can go on, but the truth is is that this film had no redeeming qualities whatsover and I felt that after reading the other reviews posted, this was not clearly stated. I thank you for your time and have a great day.

Rating:
Summary: A Classic Zombie Film
Review: I was very impressed with this film. It looked great in black and white, and the score wasn't bad. Barbara (Judith O'Dea) and her brother travel to their father's grave, and soon after they arrive, Johnny the brother is killed. Then Barbara flees to a nearby house, and takes refuge with some other people including Keith Wayne, Duane Jones, Karl Hardman, Judith Ridley, and Marilyn Eastman. Then, one by one, they are killed by zombies obsessed with eating their flesh. Disturbing film, and unhappy ending. The zombies are scary, and the daughter-turned-to zombie sequence is frightening. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Avoid this particular version
Review: I picked up NotLD in the "Hollywood Classics" packaging, and I just have to say it is the WORST quality presentation of this movie I've ever seen. Granted the original isn't crystal clear, either, but this version is jumpy and rife with static. I returned it for an extra copy, and had the same problem. Perhaps "Hollywood Classics" uses cheap equipment, or perhaps the masters they have are on their last leg, who knows? I would, personally, recommend you seek out one of the better versions.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Scariest Horror Films Ever
Review: It is by now a familiar plot: Due to the bizarre radiation emitted from a returning NASA space probe, dead bodies are reanimated throughout the Eastern United States, and they awaken with a craving for human flesh! A motley group of uncontaminated humans take refuge in an abandoned farmhouse, only to spend a terrifying night battling against an inexorable mob of these ravenous zombies--as well as against each other.

That story line may seem less plausible than those of the many great horror films that have been released since, but George A. Romero's original 1968 edition of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD still stands as one of the scariest movies ever made. Romero's aesthetic use of black-and-white photography, on-location shooting in grim and austere settings, ingenious use of dime-store props, and casting of unknown actors all lend to the film a sense of documentary-like realism, and he masterfully milks from this an atmosphere of gut-wrenching terror and unrelenting despair that is in no way secondary to the gruesomeness of the titular ghouls. Even after multiple viewings, the disturbingly ironic ending can still unnerve even the most hardened horror aficionado. And all of this without the graphic gore of today's horror fare.

If at all possible, serious viewers should get hold of the Special Collector's Edition of the DVD (Elite Entertainment). In addition to a beautifully remastered copy of the film, it contains two optional running commentaries--one with Romero and his technical crew, and the other with surviving actors Judith O'Dea, Russell Streiner (who also co-produced), Kyra Schon, et al. Both commentaries offer humorous anecdotes and interesting insights into the making and interpretation of the movie. A recent DVD release by Goodtimes also contains a remastered print, but sans commentaries and other extras. Avoid the so-called 30th Anniversary edition, as it contains obviously incongruous footage that was not a part of the original production.

Rating:
Summary: Best of all Zombie films
Review: "Night of the Living Dead" is the original zombie movie. The start of a not a new genre, but a new "boogeyman/bad guy" type in the horror movie genre.
Due to something weird in the air, the recent dead are coming back and feasting on the flesh of the living. Then those killed come back within minutes to feast on others...
Enter Barbara and her brother, Tom. They have come to visit their Father's grave and are unsuspectingly attacked by one of the walking dead. Her brother is killed and she must get away from the fleshhungry ghoul. She finds a house.
Enter Ben, a black gentleman who also finds the house, also the Cooper family finds this abandoned house(The owner is now one of the zombies). The Cooper's daughter was bitten by one of the zombies, and no one yet knows what will happen to her.
There is also a young couple.
The movie pretty much all takes place in the house, aside from seeing the zombies come at the place in slow motion.
I won't give away what happens but most horror movies do not have happy endings. The ending was very surprising to me -- kind of funny.
See it for the great direction by George Romero, for the extremely interesting camera work, and especially for the gore, which is pretty tame by today's standards but a bit gory for the 60s'> There is also a bit of nudity in this as one of the female zombies seems to have died naked.
I can see why this movie was deemed a horror campy classic. I highly recommend this one. Turn the lights off, and enjoy this one.

Rating:
Summary: Serious Issues
Review: The original Night of the Living Dead is still a horror masterpeice, and it is presented it wonderful, clear DVD format in this version. The soundtrack was partially remastered, and rather badly. The synth score totally rapes any kind of ancient and spooky atmosphere the original gave.

Now, as for the 30th Aniversary Cut. I'm sure since the release of this horrificly stupid edit that the dead have risen more often just to shatter copies of this edit. Theres 15 minutes of added footage that is absolutely appalingly unnessessary, stupid, trite, badly acted and totally out of place. The music is even WORSE than the original since the score has a drum loop through it, making it sound like a 14 year old's Yanni nightmare.
The score was composed by the man who plays the priest in the extra footage... Personally, I'd've liked to have taken a bite out of his face for his insipid, uninspiring and lame score.

This edition also comes with a Music Score DVD that makes me twitch it's so...damned...bad. The last track is original title redo (from the 1998 cut of the film for DVD) but the one before that is the worst peice of "techno" you could possibly hear. It loops tiny dialouge tracks into a very, very bad dance loop and it makes me want to tie small woodland animals to the back of my car and drag them for several miles, if it would only make this re-mastered score go away.

Rating:
Summary: Night of The living Dead
Review: Old as the hills but STILL the absolute BEST walking dead movie that has ever been made. The only thing that comes close is the first two Return of The Living Dead Series.

Rating:
Summary: AVOID!!
Review: This is a terrible edition of a classic horror film. Go with the Elite DVD. This one is awful. :(

Rating:
Summary: Read these reviews carefully!!!!
Review: I was just passing through when I noticed all of the negative reviews for this title when in fact they are meant for another one. So be careful. THIS IS NOT THE HORRIBLE 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Yes - THAT is a terrible, horrid, awful, why-did-they-make-that?, stupid release. But THIS ONE is the Elite version, which is identical to the old 25th Anniversary Laserdisc. THIS is a great release, with GREAT extras and a beautiful transfer (check out reviews at DVD websites like www.dvdfile.com and others).

So let's be clear: The 30th Anniversary edition (from Anchor Bay) is TERRIBLE. The Elite Special Edition (listed above) is GREAT.

Thank you.

- David

p.s. - I have no idea how those reviews got attached to the wrong product. I hope this one doesn't either.

p.p.s. - the only drawback to this release MIGHT be the packaging as it was originally released in a stupid clear plastic case but later in the standard keep case.