Dawn of the Dead (1978) - OUT OF PRINT - Page 191 - Blu-ray Forum

DukeTogo84 · 10-28-2021, 05:51 PM

Based on the screenshots the Second Sight looks the best for sure. Now, hope we can get that transfer here at some point.

Mose Harper · 10-28-2021, 06:00 PM

This is how the film's DP wanted it to look in 2020.

I never saw the film theatrically in 1979. Every version on home video, including VHS, laserdisc, multiple DVD editions, and the original blu rays (AB and Arrow) all have the same generally consistent look.
The SS represents a huge deviation from that prior look.

Having a director or DP sign off or endorse the transfer is no guarantee you're going to be seeing something consistent with it's original theatrical appearance.
Ridley Scott has signed off on T&O'd transfers of several of his earlier films (which I KNOW never looked like that). Dean Cundy has approved a bunch of Halloween transfers which all look drastically different from each other.

The SS Dawn release is an incredible production and looks ravishing.
Does it look authentic to a 1979 theatrical viewing? Who knows.
Taken on it's own, it doesn't look stylized for current tastes (like giving it a wildly anachronistic T&O grade). Within the parameters of the films content, everything looks natural- just not like previous versions.

The over saturated green grass in the comparison above sticks out in a direct comparison. Seeing it in the film itself doesn't register as anything out of bounds.

I wouldn't dissuade anyone from picking up the SS if they can. If you're a big fan of the film you'll definitely want to see it at some point. What I wouldn't do is sell off the Arrow in advance of picking it up- just in case you don't dig the new grading.
I suspect most will probably will prefer the Second Sight after watching it.

Jay H. · 10-28-2021, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batman2000

Here’s the big question is the new color timing the intended look of the film is that how it’s supposed to look?

That is a huge can of worms being opened right there. The film's DP approved it, but that doesn't mean a bloody thing.

At the risk of angering many people on this board, I only care if a movie looks (or sounds) good to me. Do you like the new color palate? Great; buy the new Blu-ray/4K. If you don't, stick with what you have. It's your eyes and your money.

nabelnabel · 10-29-2021, 01:36 AM

I watched the SS theatrical last week and I really didn't like how it looked. The weird thing is, I posted some screenshots in the release thread and everyone there agreed the problem was with my television. So I did some tweaking which made it look a bit better but there are still some very odd looking shots. But then there are also many shots that looked perfect and very natural. It could be my TV, but I've seen screenshots online and complaints from other people about how neon everything looks. And if I could manage to tweak my settings so that those bizarro shots look better, then maybe the shots that looked natural would then suddenly start looking strange. I'm not sure what to think. The color timing on the Argento cut, on the other hand, looks perfect.

BluProofie · 10-29-2021, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nabelnabel

I watched the SS theatrical last week and I really didn't like how it looked. The weird thing is, I posted some screenshots in the release thread and everyone there agreed the problem was with my television. So I did some tweaking which made it look a bit better but there are still some very odd looking shots. But then there are also many shots that looked perfect and very natural. It could be my TV, but I've seen screenshots online and complaints from other people about how neon everything looks. And if I could manage to tweak my settings so that those bizarro shots look better, then maybe the shots that looked natural would then suddenly start looking strange. I'm not sure what to think. The color timing on the Argento cut, on the other hand, looks perfect.

It’s your TV.

nabelnabel · 10-29-2021, 02:35 AM

Well apparently it's a ton of other people's TVs as well, and I'm still left wondering how those natural shots would look if the problematic shots were properly tweaked into submission. But I'm just watching the blu-ray, I'd imagine it looks much better with HDR.

Rockercub · 10-29-2021, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nabelnabel

Well apparently it's a ton of other people's TVs as well, and I'm still left wondering how those natural shots would look if the problematic shots were properly tweaked into submission. But I'm just watching the blu-ray, I'd imagine it looks much better with HDR.

My set's professionally calibrated, and I agree with you. I don't think it's your TV.

Geoff D · 10-29-2021, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nabelnabel

Well apparently it's a ton of other people's TVs as well, and I'm still left wondering how those natural shots would look if the problematic shots were properly tweaked into submission. But I'm just watching the blu-ray, I'd imagine it looks much better with HDR.

The bolded doesn't surprise me a jot, seeing as people set their TVs up with all the enhancers, interpolators and noise reducers cranked up to max and stick the colour temp on Cool because they hate how Warm looks (to say nothing of properly calibrating the greyscale across the signal range). But as this new grading already has a very cold, blue look to it then having the colour temp on 'Cool' or even 'Normal' is going to make it look bluer than Papa Smurf's nether regions.

cakefactory · 10-29-2021, 09:07 PM

What shots are you saying look weird, and how? It looks "Neon?" What do you mean? The mall lighting? The blood?

Mose Harper · 10-30-2021, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cakefactory

What shots are you saying look weird, and how? It looks "Neon?" What do you mean? The mall lighting? The blood?

Compare the intensity of the green in this late fall (or late winter) shot.

https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?a=1&x...9&l=0&i=2&go=1

rocknblues81 · 10-30-2021, 04:51 AM

It seems to be a given that half the people buying a 4k disc are going to complain about a transfer.

Stanis · 10-30-2021, 05:12 AM

So I am watching my old Anchor Bay mega set (since I am not 4k or region free), and it seems to me the rosy/golden look is intentional. While watching those scenes feel dawn colored after the night of flying. It could be the dawn refrenced in the title is the one as they leave, but I dont know howd I feel about the cooler palate. I love this entire movie, excepting tne pie fight lol

biggquis · 10-31-2021, 06:59 AM

This SS 4k transfer is fantastic. The best this film has ever looked. Sound mix was great as well. I also have the Italian "Zombie" 4k version set, and this kills that one. I like the theatrical version way more than the Argento cut as well. Not everyone likes the transfer, but to each their own. I'm perfectly happy and glad I got my copy.

Is it worth watching the extended cut? What would the major differences be?

bigdaddyhorse · 10-31-2021, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggquis

Is it worth watching the extended cut? What would the major differences be?

Yes. More character development, more gore and Joe Pilato.

nabelnabel · 10-31-2021, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cakefactory

What shots are you saying look weird, and how? It looks "Neon?" What do you mean? The mall lighting? The blood?

It looks (in my opinion) quite strange particularly when Peter and Roger are first exploring the big anchor / department store. A lot of other scenes look very cool but it's nothing I can't get used to. But that scene in the anchor store (again, just my opinion on the aesthetics) looks straight up bad.

sb5 · 10-31-2021, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggquis

This SS 4k transfer is fantastic. The best this film has ever looked. Sound mix was great as well. I also have the Italian "Zombie" 4k version set, and this kills that one. I like the theatrical version way more than the Argento cut as well. Not everyone likes the transfer, but to each their own. I'm perfectly happy and glad I got my copy.

Is it worth watching the extended cut? What would the major differences be?

Definitely worth watching at least once for the additional scenes. I don’t think it’s quite as good as the Theatrical Cut (I think the extra length drags the pacing a bit and makes it overlong), but there’s some interesting stuff there, and some like it better than the TC.

bluhorizons · 10-31-2021, 04:35 PM

I enjoy nearly all of Romero's films, but this is probably my favorite of all of them as it truly feels epic (even more than LOTD IMHO). I was on the fence for a while as I had been happy with my AB version of DOTD, but after seeing some of the screen shots I decided to order the SS basic set, even though I won't be able to enjoy the extras as I have a region-locked player (but still have my AB disc).

The picture is fantastic. I noticed so much detail I never felt my attention drawn to before, and the color, while different, is something I will quickly get used to. Overall the picture felt more "real", yet not so altered to make it look modern...if that makes sense.

I suppose I've watched the film so many times that the color timing I'm used to is burned into my brain and there's some kind of nostalgia in that which I missed upon the first viewing, but the new transfer is wonderful and worth the upgrade.

The one disappointment for me is the soundtrack. I first tried watching it with the 5.1 track and the audio is a huge mess. Bass so loud and booming that I had to turn my woofer down to keep it from sputtering (which has not happened with any other audio track on other discs). The music is loud and often drowned out the dialogue to the point of being unwatchable. I love loud volume during films, but the bass and effects levels overwhelmed any sense of balance.

I put on some of the mono track and it was FAR superior in terms of clarity and balance, though I would have preferred a decent surround version. How anyone could handle the audio of the surround track without being disappointed or having to adjust their system or bass levels in advance is beyond me.

Aside from that one issue I love the SS release and look forward to future viewings...with the mono track.
(BTW, this is the theatrical cut I am referencing in this post.)

balthazar_bee · 10-31-2021, 05:27 PM

Always thought the Anchor Bay blu was unnaturally warm. Could be wrong about this, but the Elite LD that I watched a thousand times in the nineties seemed to have a cooler look.

The SS release is amazing and I'd recommend it to anyone but I can certainly understand having trouble adjusting to the colour shift.

WaverBoy · 10-31-2021, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sb5

Definitely worth watching at least once for the additional scenes. I don’t think it’s quite as good as the Theatrical Cut (I think the extra length drags the pacing a bit and makes it overlong), but there’s some interesting stuff there, and some like it better than the TC.

I prefer the extended version to the theatrical version in every way except the soundtrack. If the missing Goblin cues could be reinstated and somehow massaged to fit the extended version, especially during the opening sequence at the television station, that would be the ultimate version for me. I love the extra character bits and extra gore.

I love my SS 4K box. But, as was mentioned above, the 5.1 mix is an absolute disaster. Would have been great to have a killer surround mix, but this ain’t it. The guy who supervised it must have been asleep.

dallywhitty · 10-31-2021, 07:38 PM

The Second Sight disc looks terrific. You're all insane.

10-31-2021, 04:35 PM	#3817
bluhorizons Active Member Member since:Oct 2010	I enjoy nearly all of Romero's films, but this is probably my favorite of all of them as it truly feels epic (even more than LOTD IMHO). I was on the fence for a while as I had been happy with my AB version of DOTD, but after seeing some of the screen shots I decided to order the SS basic set, even though I won't be able to enjoy the extras as I have a region-locked player (but still have my AB disc). The picture is fantastic. I noticed so much detail I never felt my attention drawn to before, and the color, while different, is something I will quickly get used to. Overall the picture felt more "real", yet not so altered to make it look modern...if that makes sense. I suppose I've watched the film so many times that the color timing I'm used to is burned into my brain and there's some kind of nostalgia in that which I missed upon the first viewing, but the new transfer is wonderful and worth the upgrade. The one disappointment for me is the soundtrack. I first tried watching it with the 5.1 track and the audio is a huge mess. Bass so loud and booming that I had to turn my woofer down to keep it from sputtering (which has not happened with any other audio track on other discs). The music is loud and often drowned out the dialogue to the point of being unwatchable. I love loud volume during films, but the bass and effects levels overwhelmed any sense of balance. I put on some of the mono track and it was FAR superior in terms of clarity and balance, though I would have preferred a decent surround version. How anyone could handle the audio of the surround track without being disappointed or having to adjust their system or bass levels in advance is beyond me. Aside from that one issue I love the SS release and look forward to future viewings...with the mono track. (BTW, this is the theatrical cut I am referencing in this post.) Last edited by bluhorizons; 10-31-2021 at 04:36 PM. Reason: Added which film version the post was in reference to

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10-28-2021, 05:51 PM	#3801
DukeTogo84 Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Aug 2012 Location:California 4K collection:155 Blu-ray collection:4942 Blu-ray reviews: 63 Trading Score:139	Based on the screenshots the Second Sight looks the best for sure. Now, hope we can get that transfer here at some point.

10-28-2021, 06:00 PM	#3802
Mose Harper Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2014 4K collection:31 Blu-ray collection:514 Trading Score:3	This is how the film's DP wanted it to look in 2020. I never saw the film theatrically in 1979. Every version on home video, including VHS, laserdisc, multiple DVD editions, and the original blu rays (AB and Arrow) all have the same generally consistent look. The SS represents a huge deviation from that prior look. Having a director or DP sign off or endorse the transfer is no guarantee you're going to be seeing something consistent with it's original theatrical appearance. Ridley Scott has signed off on T&O'd transfers of several of his earlier films (which I KNOW never looked like that). Dean Cundy has approved a bunch of Halloween transfers which all look drastically different from each other. The SS Dawn release is an incredible production and looks ravishing. Does it look authentic to a 1979 theatrical viewing? Who knows. Taken on it's own, it doesn't look stylized for current tastes (like giving it a wildly anachronistic T&O grade). Within the parameters of the films content, everything looks natural- just not like previous versions. The over saturated green grass in the comparison above sticks out in a direct comparison. Seeing it in the film itself doesn't register as anything out of bounds. I wouldn't dissuade anyone from picking up the SS if they can. If you're a big fan of the film you'll definitely want to see it at some point. What I wouldn't do is sell off the Arrow in advance of picking it up- just in case you don't dig the new grading. I suspect most will probably will prefer the Second Sight after watching it.

10-29-2021, 01:36 AM	#3804
nabelnabel Senior Member Member since:Apr 2020 Location:Japan 4K collection:142 Blu-ray collection:1390 DVD collection:16	I watched the SS theatrical last week and I really didn't like how it looked. The weird thing is, I posted some screenshots in the release thread and everyone there agreed the problem was with my television. So I did some tweaking which made it look a bit better but there are still some very odd looking shots. But then there are also many shots that looked perfect and very natural. It could be my TV, but I've seen screenshots online and complaints from other people about how neon everything looks. And if I could manage to tweak my settings so that those bizarro shots look better, then maybe the shots that looked natural would then suddenly start looking strange. I'm not sure what to think. The color timing on the Argento cut, on the other hand, looks perfect.

10-29-2021, 02:35 AM	#3806
nabelnabel Senior Member Member since:Apr 2020 Location:Japan 4K collection:142 Blu-ray collection:1390 DVD collection:16	Well apparently it's a ton of other people's TVs as well, and I'm still left wondering how those natural shots would look if the problematic shots were properly tweaked into submission. But I'm just watching the blu-ray, I'd imagine it looks much better with HDR.

10-29-2021, 09:07 PM	#3809
cakefactory Blu-ray Baron Top contributor Member since:Oct 2012 Location:WI, USA 4K collection:441 Blu-ray collection:3916 DVD collection:808 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:23	What shots are you saying look weird, and how? It looks "Neon?" What do you mean? The mall lighting? The blood?

10-30-2021, 04:51 AM	#3811
rocknblues81 Blu-ray Champion Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Shithole USA 4K collection:396 Blu-ray collection:2583 DVD collection:521 Digital collection:474 Trading Score:47	It seems to be a given that half the people buying a 4k disc are going to complain about a transfer.

10-30-2021, 05:12 AM	#3812
Stanis Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Dec 2016 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- MA collection:- Digital collection:- iTunes collection:- Prime collection:- Trading Score:23	So I am watching my old Anchor Bay mega set (since I am not 4k or region free), and it seems to me the rosy/golden look is intentional. While watching those scenes feel dawn colored after the night of flying. It could be the dawn refrenced in the title is the one as they leave, but I dont know howd I feel about the cooler palate. I love this entire movie, excepting tne pie fight lol

10-31-2021, 06:59 AM	#3813
biggquis Power Member Member since:Jan 2020 4K collection:1362 Blu-ray collection:2207 DVD collection:5 MA collection:52 Digital collection:455 iTunes collection:666 Prime collection:6 Trading Score:165	This SS 4k transfer is fantastic. The best this film has ever looked. Sound mix was great as well. I also have the Italian "Zombie" 4k version set, and this kills that one. I like the theatrical version way more than the Argento cut as well. Not everyone likes the transfer, but to each their own. I'm perfectly happy and glad I got my copy. Is it worth watching the extended cut? What would the major differences be?

10-31-2021, 05:27 PM	#3818
balthazar_bee Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2011	Always thought the Anchor Bay blu was unnaturally warm. Could be wrong about this, but the Elite LD that I watched a thousand times in the nineties seemed to have a cooler look. The SS release is amazing and I'd recommend it to anyone but I can certainly understand having trouble adjusting to the colour shift.

10-31-2021, 07:38 PM	#3820
dallywhitty Blu-ray Grand Duke Top contributor Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Temple of Isis 4K collection:319 Blu-ray collection:1679 DVD collection:178	The Second Sight disc looks terrific. You're all insane.

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