Rating: 
Summary: "ITS MATTED!"
Review: Elite and Anchor Bay recently released the Special Edition of Dawn on video. The first release was a misprint and recalled because it wasn't in widescreen, the print I have. I was at first mad but then I found out its matted. Its not like seeing the film at the big screen; the image is just compressed! Try to find the misprint for this reason and it also has an extra trailer the other doesn't. Dawn as a movie is one of the greatest ever made. END
Rating:
Summary: This was a great movie filled with gore,blood,shopping,etc.
Review: Personally, this is my favorite movie. I own the original and it is fantastic. This second installment in the George A. Romero zombie era was the actual start of the horror aspect. Theres nothing more that i would rather do than sit in front of the television at night and pop the old DAWN movie into the vcr and re-live this greusome fairy-tail over, and over agin. END
Rating:
Summary: A Gory Classic
Review: Not only does the special edition of DOTD contain much more of the gory effects which were cut out of the original version, but the genuine apocalyptic atmosphere which surrounded the 126 minunte version has also been upgraded severely. This nightmare vision of material slavery and endless consumerism is truly satanic, and Romero's satire is still worth watching today, not only for the gory bits, but especially for the satiric elements as well. A true modern classic. END
Rating:
Summary: I think this movie is a must for horror/zombie fans.
Review: This movie is an excellent choice for purchase. If you liked the original Dawn of the Dead...You'll love this one! New footage, music, and editing make this almost a completely different movie. Buy this movie! END
Rating:
Summary: An all time horror classic - the dead walk!!!!
Review: From when I first saw this movie, I have held it in high regard. After seeing this movie, I was adicted to horror movies, and zombie movies in particular. The chance to Dawn of the Dead in an extended, letterboxed edition is an unmissable opportunity for all horror fans. Extra footage, alternative music, but more importantly, different editing of some scenes (particularly the final zombie onslaught in the mall) provides a unique insight into how this movie was originally assembled. Its a beautiful print of the film with clear visuals and excellent sound quality. It is not necessarily a better version of the movie (I still prefer the first version I ever saw, but perhaps thats nostalgia talking), but definately a must see version. Buy this movie now! END
Rating:
Summary: Simply the greatest horror film of all time!
Review: Simply the greatest horror film of all time! I've loved this movie since it was released in 1978 and now to actually have it in letterbox with outstanding extra footage is a dream come true. The alternative, European sound track, IMHO, is better than the original US theatrical version. I may never watch my earlier version of "Dawn of the Dead" again. This is the ultimate! END
Rating: 
Summary: 5 Star Movie... 4 Star DVD
Review: There's a LOT of misconception out there right now about what the 3-disk Anchor Bay edition will look like when it is released in September 2004. Other folks have posted somewhat erroneous information. The discs will NOT include the remake of "Dawn." The remake has nothing at all to do with Romero except in name, and Anchor Bay is committed to releasing Romero's films (notably, "Day of the Dead" and "The Crazies"... and versions of the 1968 original of "Night of the Living Dead" (though for my money, the best edition of this so far is the "Millennium" Edition put out by Elite Entertainment)). The 3-Disk edition will probably have (probably, since no tech specs on the discs have been released yet) the U.S. Theatrical cut of Dawn of the Dead from 1979 (Romero's cut for U.S. release... this is the original version that most folks back in '79 saw at "midnight movies" and grindhouses). The set will also include the "Argento" cut... this is the version cut by the producer (and director in his own right) Dario Argento for European release... it actually has changes in the way the gore is presented (sometimes less... sometimes more) and has more dialogue scenes than the U.S. cut (which is more action oriented). This cut is also known as the "Euro" cut and was released in Europe as "Zombi." The third disc will be the Extras disc. This will include interviews with the cast (all four of the principals... Gaylen Ross, David Emge, Scott Reineger and Ken Foree (I know I misspelled Scott's last name... sorry). It will include, in all likelihood, interviews with George and Christine Romero, Richard Rubenstien (the producer), Tom Savini and Dario Argento. Other extras may include old PR video of the Monroeville Mall, scenes or possibly most of the length of the documentary "Document of the Dead" filmed at the time of the Monroeville Mall shoot. Other extras may also include interviews with the head of UFD (United Film Distribution, original domestic distribution organization for "Dawn" '79) Salah Hassenien (probably mispelled his name too!). What the discs won't include will be anything to do with the Fulci zombie films (maybe mention of them in the extras... but these are Lucio Fulci's films, not Romero's), nothing to do with the remake (2004), and not much else. I anticipate, a better image quality, and sound quality (possibly DTS), and the extras, especially the interviews, will be brand spanking new (not rehashes from prior DVD releases). Come September, 2004 we should all know more... for now, Anchor Bay has offered this nice looking Divimax print with good sound and a few extras... not bad, but hardly what we can expect in October of this year. Keep waiting... us fans will get our much desired Dawn of the Dead ultimate release soon!
Rating:
Summary: There's No More Room in Hell, So the Dead Now Walk the Earth
Review: 1978's DAWN OF THE DEAD is the second entry in George Romero's "DEAD" trilogy, though it isn't as scary or as groundbreaking as his first, the classic NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968). Still, for a low-budget sequel, it is an interesting and entertaining film, an unusual mix of action, drama, comedy, and horror that actually functions on two levels: One, it is a stomach-churning study of the depths to which people will sink in order to ensure their survival; and two, it is a dark satire that takes several pokes at Western consumerism. The plot of DAWN OF THE DEAD builds on the premise of its predecessor. The world is now becoming overrun with the flesh-eating zombies, and in the United States, martial law has been declared and all survivors are required to go to state-run "rescue stations" for shelter and protection. The manager of a TV station and her helicopter-pilot boyfriend decide to defy authorities and seek out their own save haven, and two police officers--friends of the helicopter pilot--decide to abandon their duties and go along with the couple. The group eventually arrives at an abandoned shopping mall, and when they realize that the stores within contain all they need to survive--food, clothing, and weapons & ammunition--they seal off the building, dispose of most of the zombies inside, and take up residence. But when their claim on the mall and its goods is challenged by a band of motorcycle-riding marauders, the quartet is soon fighting for survival against not only the zombies, but also against their own kind. Although the audience has been made to sympathize with the film's four protagonists, there is no true heroism in this world of Romero's making. Instead, there are only different levels of self-interest and narcissism. After the four move into their new home and start living off the "fat of the mall," they quickly develop a sort of bourgeois attitude towards the comforts they now enjoy. Of course, that is exactly the Western attitude that Romero is ridiculing--that sense of security and satisfaction one feels after amassing material goods. And when the group's right to possession is violently challenged by outsiders, Romero clearly demonstrates just how tenuous a security based on personal possessions really is. Romero is a master storyteller who knows how to manipulate the emotions of his audience. In this film, he creates a relentless sense of unease by juxtaposing the repulsive and grotesque with the lighthearted and humorous. For example, when the quartet of protagonists first occupies the mall, they turn on the mall-wide Muzak system to mask from the zombies the noises they make while looting the stores. So for several scenes there is this macabre contrast between bloody, pasty-faced zombies and syrupy instrumental music. Uncomfortably comical and humorously disturbing. Creepy, bloody (FX by Tom Savini), boisterous, and constantly full of surprises, DAWN OF THE DEAD is easily one of the most entertaining zombie movies ever made. True, it does have an underlying anti-materialism message that is none too subtle, but that doesn't detract in the least from the enjoyment of being playfully spooked and repulsed by all the zombie grotesquerie. All in all, horror fans will have a good time watching this minor Romero masterpiece. The Divimax Edition DVD from Anchor Bay offers an excellent digital transfer of the U.S. theatrical cut (often considered superior even to the director's cut), and there are lots of cool extras, too, not the least of which is a feature commentary with writer/director Romero and FX man Savini. A worthy addition to the film collections of serious horror fans, and well worth amazon.com's very reasonable asking price.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST ZOMBIE MOVIE EVER!!! AT LAST!!!
Review: A four disc edition? Who can ask for more? Obviously we saw it coming... the remake was there... the Divimax edition early this year... everybody was saying a big multi-disc edition was coming... and here it is! To start analyzing this film we must take a look at NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. This film was a landmark as it introduced the zombies as we know today. Now, DAWN OF THE DEAD set a new landmark. In it, the zombies were a mature (sub)genre in modern cinema. What makes this film so important? Everything! First it is the brilliant screenplay. The story... you already know: as the zombie population increases more and more, four people barricate themselves inside a big shopping mall, where they endulge themselves with all consumering desires they can think of. Sounds simple? It is, but there is more than meets the eye: as the zombies try to get in (you'll have to wonder why) the four heroes inside discover their paradise makes them more empty than they would have thought it would... and slowly, life start making no sense. DAWN OF THE DEAD is the kind of film that has been changing as the decades pass. Its violence seems to have softened if we think of all the action and horror films who came in the decades that followed (just like it happened with other horror landmarks like THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, FRIDAY THE 13TH, HALLOWEEN and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD). Its makeup is not comparable to the vast majority of horror films that came after (who had bigger makeup budgets)... but on the other hand, elements like tension, drama, character development and social critique have all grown more powerful then in all of the films that followed. In other words, audiences who see this film today, many times discover the fact that its weight is changing fields... from graphic horror to social horror. And this kind of horror is no less potent and much more rare. Mr. Romero is one of those rare horror screenwriter/directors who do have a strong critic point of view (and we can see it as he continues to deliver so in his later third zombie film - the sadly underated gem - DAY OF THE DEAD). Clearly, this is a multi-layered film that demands multiple levels of reading. You must be aware of all the issues put inside this film. Otherwise, if you're in just for the cheap thrills, gore and violence, you'll probably be disappointed. As a product of the late seventies, this is a production triumph because it manages to deliver a lot with minimum budget. The remake released early this year made a great update on this basic premisse. I loved them both. This edition seems to be more than we've all asked for (now that the simpler Divimax edition made all the money it could...). Here, you'll find all the versions and lots of extras. But again... DAWN OF THE DEAD is a film that I am sure will be seen and celebrated for years to come. See it with an open mind and you too will discover why.
Rating:
Summary: The most horrifying zombie movie ever!
Review: "What an awesome movie!" I kept thinking to myself after having seen this film for the first time. Dawn of the Dead is one of the most sickening, yet brilliantly made films to date. This movie takes a basically ridiculous premise (flesh eating zombies have overrun America) and makes it both believable interesting, and terrifying. This is because the zombies are seen in a different light almost every time, and when they attack,the gore is unyeilding. The situation is interesting besides. Imagine how neat it would be to live in a deserted shopping mall (assuming you can keep the zombies out!). I was vicarious while watching this movie. I laughed, gasped in horror, sighed in relief, was even moved, and watched awestricken. Dawn of the Dead left me with a horrible gut feeling (no pun intended) at the end, but only due to the movie's effectiveness.
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