Dawn of the Dead (1978) - OUT OF PRINT

[Dragon Ranger]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

An 87-minute documentary, the theatrical trailer, and an audio interview with Duane Jones. It's all presented in English with Japanese subtitles that can be disabled.

That's a pretty good selection, thanks for all the information.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Dragon Ranger

That's a pretty good selection, thanks for all the information.

No problem.

[jtu128]

Originally Posted by AaronSCH

So that Japanese disc of "Night of the Living Dead" is equal in quality to the UK edition? If so, I wanna jump on it 'cause it's pretty cheap. 1,473 Yen is roughly $11.97.

If I am reading correctly the cheapest option is $15 shipped correct?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by jtu128

If I am reading correctly the cheapest option is $15 shipped correct?

Which is a steal.

[travisbickle]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

An 87-minute documentary, the theatrical trailer, and an audio interview with Duane Jones. It's all presented in English with Japanese subtitles that can be disabled.

And 2 commentaries.

Jap NOTLD is the only way to go.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by travisbickle

And 2 commentaries.

Jap NOTLD is the only way to go.

Quite right.

[dvdwatcher]

Anyone have any insight on the British version? Is it the same as the Starz disc.
It looks like some of the specs are differant but their is no reviews on this site.

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by dvdwatcher

Anyone have any insight on the British version? Is it the same as the Starz disc.
It looks like some of the specs are differant but their is no reviews on this site.

Of night, I have both versions

[MisterFantastic]

Just got the Japanese set today only two days after ordering from Amazon.co.jp, $90 shipped. They do look like the contrast was turned up from a quick look, but it's still a wonderfully put together set.

[dvdwatcher]

Originally Posted by dvdmike

Of night, I have both versions

I was referring g to Dawn of the Dead is it the same as the Starz?

[Goremeister100]

Originally Posted by dvdwatcher

I was referring g to Dawn of the Dead is it the same as the Starz?

Someone mentioned just above that The Arrow release has slightly better picture than the AB blu which is supposed to be DNR'd but I don't see it I actually like the Anchor Bay blu-ray. Looks better than the Japanese release imho. The colors are a lot more vibrant.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by Goremeister100

Someone mentioned just above that The Arrow release has slightly better picture than the AB blu which is supposed to be DNR'd but I don't see it I actually like the Anchor Bay blu-ray. Looks better than the Japanese release imho. The colors are a lot more vibrant.

The Arrow has less DNR, but the colors are way off imo. Looks like the negative fell into a fish tank. Ugly green-ish. I prefer the AB as well. Best colors.

[Geoff D]

They're both blighted by the same baked-in artefacts of the noise reduction (separate from whatever localised dirt/scratch removal was performed), the ghosting is terrible in some shots.

[kidglov3s]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

They're both blighted by the same baked-in artefacts of the noise reduction (separate from whatever localised dirt/scratch removal was performed), the ghosting is terrible in some shots.

Bad enough that Arrow sent out fake screenshots before their disc was released.

This is why I have hope for Scream Factory. If Arrow can change, anyone can change.

[StingingVelvet]

Even if the Arrow looked a little better it generally costs way more, like $80 used, compared to the $30 average for the Anchor Bay.

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by Goremeister100

Someone mentioned just above that The Arrow release has slightly better picture than the AB blu which is supposed to be DNR'd but I don't see it I actually like the Anchor Bay blu-ray. Looks better than the Japanese release imho. The colors are a lot more vibrant.

I was a consultant for Anchor Bay when they worked on the various releases of Dawn of the Dead. The person who oversaw the mastering did so on almost all their releases back then. He has an excellent eye for color. He was also the one who oversaw AB's SUSPIRIA, SUPERGIRL, TENEBRE, INFERNO, and many more.
He currently runs BLUE UNDERGROUND and obviously oversees that company's transfers.

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by ditcin

I was a consultant for Anchor Bay when they worked on the various releases of Dawn of the Dead. The person who oversaw the mastering did so on almost all their releases back then. He has an excellent eye for color. He was also the one who oversaw AB's SUSPIRIA, SUPERGIRL, TENEBRE, INFERNO, and many more.
He currently runs BLUE UNDERGROUND and obviously oversees that company's transfers.

Hey ditcin. What's with the heavy DNR then on the AB Dawn of the Dead blu-ray? They definitely went overboard with it.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Dylan34

Hey ditcin. What's with the heavy DNR then on the AB Dawn of the Dead blu-ray? They definitely went overboard with it.

May have to do with the master. Before blu-ray Anchor Bay was producing their Divimax line of DVD's which were supposed to give cleaner and punchier looking video presentations, but from what I understood from reading forum comments (so take this with a sackful of salt) was that the process involved significant DVNR, sharpening and maybe contrast boost. The flaws didn't stand out as much in the days of SD, but are more noticeable now.

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by Dylan34

Hey ditcin. What's with the heavy DNR then on the AB Dawn of the Dead blu-ray? They definitely went overboard with it.

I don't know what elements were original used. I didn't do any tech work - must on packaging. I was only conferred on the elements on SUPERGIRL and WATCHER IN THE WOODS.
I know that DOTD was held up for almost a year due to waiting for one of the film's Producers to respond on certain issues.
Also, I know that AB did inquire about the supposed alternate ending and whether it was filmed or not - it's become legendary with some production saying it was filmed, and other not.
Personally, I would love AB to re-create a BD out of the Ultimate Edition. If they were now able to procure excellent copies of each and do 4k transfers in box set, damn, it would out do the Fridays and Halloween sets for sure.
Personally, I would love new 5.1 mixes too.

[dvdmike]

5.1 mixes? On a film with a mono mix and a weird fake 4 track in Germany?
I would rather not.