Dawn of the Dead (1978) - OUT OF PRINT

[BladeRunner2007]

I guess the newest HD transfers of the theatrical cut are truer to what the movie originally looked like in theaters back in 1978/1979. But I much prefer the look and color timing of the old Anchor Bay blu-ray from 2007. Anyone else?

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

I guess the newest HD transfers of the theatrical cut are truer to what the movie originally looked like in theaters back in 1978/1979. But I much prefer the look and color timing of the old Anchor Bay blu-ray from 2007. Anyone else?

Honestly I'm surprised no one or group of fans haven't found like a IB Tech print or even ANY kind of release print to dump online like we've had for Star Wars, Cinderella and The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

[GODHOOD]

Back in stock at diabolikDVD.com get one before they're gone.

[indravayu]

What's the consensus on the quality of the transfers on the 4-disc set? Is it worth the $80 for all the alternate cuts?

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

I guess the newest HD transfers of the theatrical cut are truer to what the movie originally looked like in theaters back in 1978/1979. But I much prefer the look and color timing of the old Anchor Bay blu-ray from 2007. Anyone else?

Agreed. Absolutely.
The Anchor Bay bluray from 2007 accurately represents how the film looked in theaters in 1978 and therefore is what the director intended. Romero was one of my heroes. He still is. I must have watched Dawn of the Dead 30 times on the big screen, in San Diego and Los Angeles, when it was new. I consider it a horror masterpiece. The 2007 Anchor Bay disc is correct to the theatrical experience. A hair brighter perhaps but that's to be expected on home video.

I watched the other edits in the DVD box-set when it came out and enjoyed them up to a point, but never gave them a second viewing. The only version I'm interested in is Romero's. What he put on the theatrical screen in 1978 was perfect.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

I guess the newest HD transfers of the theatrical cut are truer to what the movie originally looked like in theaters back in 1978/1979. But I much prefer the look and color timing of the old Anchor Bay blu-ray from 2007. Anyone else?

They are? The video levels are all ****ed up for a start so I really wouldn't take them as gospel.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

They are? The video levels are all ****ed up for a start so I really wouldn't take them as gospel.

Maybe in terms of color? But the brightness and contrast seems all wrong. Glad I still have my old Anchor Bay blu-ray.

[jackinbox]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Honestly I'm surprised no one or group of fans haven't found like a IB Tech print or even ANY kind of release print to dump online like we've had for Star Wars, Cinderella and The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

I didn't think IB Tech prints were struck for DOTD?

[duke4711]

Does anyone know - was there a release, possibly on DVD, at some point there they changed the color timing? I remember reading somewhere that they were going to change it so that the blood looks a more natural color, but I don't know if they actually did it or not. If they did, I wouldn't buy it. The way it looks as is adds to the classic nostalgia of the film.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by duke4711

Does anyone know - was there a release, possibly on DVD, at some point there they changed the color timing? I remember reading somewhere that they were going to change it so that the blood looks a more natural color, but I don't know if they actually did it or not. If they did, I wouldn't buy it. The way it looks as is adds to the classic nostalgia of the film.

I heard they changed the color of the blood for the 2004 Divimax DVD, which the 2007 blu-ray is based on. But I don't know if that is true.

[Bobbyjoe766]

The colour of the fake blood adds to the ‘comic book’ feel of the film.

[BladeRunner2007]

Screenshot comparisons of the blood fx from the different masters would be nice.

[BladeRunner2007]

It's interesting how the Argento Cut feels much more violent and much darker. Mainly because it erases most, if not all, of Romero's humor, has a much colder color timing, no shopping mall and library music and has a few more bits of gore. It feels like a dark, depressing, fast paced action-horror movie. So if you are into that, then it's a perfect experience. Love that version so much. It was the first version I ever saw of this masterpiece and I immediately fell in love with it. Yet, once I saw Romero's original U.S. Theatrical Version, it became my favorite/preferred version in a heartbeat. The extended version is great, too. In fact, I rate all 3 versions a perfect score of 5/5 stars.

[jackinbox]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

It's interesting how the Argento Cut feels much more violent and much darker. Mainly because it erases most, if not all, of Romero's humor, has a much colder color timing, no shopping mall and library music and has a few more bits of gore. It feels like a dark, depressing, fast paced action-horror movie. So if you are into that, then it's a perfect experience. Love that version so much. It was the first version I ever saw of this masterpiece and I immediately fell in love with it. Yet, once I saw Romero's original U.S. Theatrical Version, it became my favorite/preferred version in a heartbeat. The extended version is great, too. In fact, I rate all 3 versions a perfect score of 5/5 stars.

I love the Argento cut. I think it's the best cut of the three for the same reasons you stated.

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

It's interesting how the Argento Cut feels much more violent and much darker. Mainly because it erases most, if not all, of Romero's humor, has a much colder color timing, no shopping mall and library music and has a few more bits of gore. It feels like a dark, depressing, fast paced action-horror movie. So if you are into that, then it's a perfect experience. Love that version so much. It was the first version I ever saw of this masterpiece and I immediately fell in love with it. Yet, once I saw Romero's original U.S. Theatrical Version, it became my favorite/preferred version in a heartbeat. The extended version is great, too. In fact, I rate all 3 versions a perfect score of 5/5 stars.

I think that is the only cut of the three that I haven't seen.

[Stanis]

Its missing just a few too many of the big moments that make DotD. If those hadnt been cut out it would be my goto

[DenOfEarth]

Rubeinstein was an asshat

[Bobbyjoe766]

I’m very grateful Dawn of the Dead (1978) exists as three (official) edits.

I love all three versions. A classic in any form.

[JohnCarpenterFan]

I doubt any of the Blu-rays are accurate. Especially the Anchor Bay Blu-ray. Those Divimax masters were a mess and had completely screwed up colors. See Day of the Dead and Halloween for example.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterFan

I doubt any of the Blu-rays are accurate. Especially the Anchor Bay Blu-ray. Those Divimax masters were a mess and had completely screwed up colors. See Day of the Dead and Halloween for example.

Halloween looked terrible, yes. Day was okay for me. But I adore the color timing of Dawn.