Night of the Living Dead (1990) - Out of Print

[GaragePoet]

Originally Posted by AndrewFM

It's really bothering me that Christine is probably going to be cancelled because of all this overreaction to what is, ultimately, just a faulty blu-ray.

um, no. stop over-dramatizing.

[ChristmasFnatic]

If say 1000 people return it, will they re-sell 1000 copies?

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by sancho

Saw it last night. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

It's not! Many people are blowing this matter all out of proportion.

[Clark Kent]

I think there is virtually no chance that Sony goes back to the transfer and changes the color timing, at least for any sort of Twilight Time reissue. What I hope for is an explanation on why the changes were made and whom was involved with that creative decision. People aren't going to like to hear this, but it's very possible Romero himself changed it. Savini was an inexperienced director at the time of this production and Romero himself had a huge influence on the movie.

[Seymour]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I doubt Sony will do anything. We already know the film is a very low priority for Sony by the very fact that they passed it on to TT. I don't see them putting any resources towards fixing this issue, at least no time soon. Perhaps in 3 years, if it ever gets a wide release, we'll see a proper transfer.

Originally Posted by thephantomcat

My gut tells me Sony will never want to touch this title again. And Twilight Time will think twice about touching any of the horror titles in Sony's catalog. Now they will probably sit in Sony's vault unseen.... foever!

Right. And even in the unlikely event that Sony did provide a new transfer, who's going to foot the bill with producing an additional 3000 blu-rays?

[SilentNight]

Originally Posted by AndrewFM

Well, I think it's your mentality that was at fault. Investment, indeed!

I don't even know what you mean by that. Whatever, I would rather pay $6 for Night of the Living Dead from Echo Bridge with zilch special features and probably not the most crystal clear transfer that is color timed correctly.

Hell, my HDTV rip, while not near as sharp as this Blu-Ray release looks worlds better than the DVD and especially the VHS did. We paid $35 for this, great there is a return policy but most of us actually you know...WANT this title. It's an all around crappy situation.

I paid under $10 for Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, there is an obvious audio synch issue on parts of the movie, it's distracting but the movie was $10, not a biggie to me. $35 is. That's what I used to spend on laserdiscs. Hell, those awesome Arrow UK Blu-Rays cost less than this. We have a right to be upset in my opinion.

And for those who think this is a waste of time how everyone is going round and round on this. Ahem....this is a blu-ray chat board, where people come to discuss this type of thing, even if it's going round and round.

[canneryrowdoc]

Originally Posted by sancho

Saw it last night. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

I compared the 2 discs for myself last night and I have to say the opposite. It really is noticable and bad. It looks like they threw a day for night filter over the whole thing.

In the dvd version you can clearly make out the great makeup effects on the zombies in and around the house. The blu ray while clearer smudges out a great amount of detail. It's almost like I'm wearing 3d glasses. It's shades darker and the colors are very muted.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by thephantomcat

Agreed. One does not have to have seen the Blu-ray to know that TT doesn't author the discs themselves, they do not participate in any restoration efforts, and they only deal in what the studios make available to them. TT is only the messenger.

Of course none of that is relevant...at all. If there is a problem Twilight Time has to deal with their own customers. What kind of operation would just blame it's suppliers and say "oops!", not our problem? (not that Twilight Time themselves are taking this stance, but it seems like this is what some "apologists" are trying to say). Ridiculous.

EVEN IF the issue happened on Sony's end, which is highly possible, Twilight Time still comes between the customer and Sony. It is up to Twilight Time to take the lead and correct the situation because it is their name on the line. The top of the case art doesn't say Sony or Columbia pictures, it says TWILIGHT TIME, THE LIMITED EDITION SERIES.

It might take days/weeks (alot of people were demanding satisfaction on Sunday). Maybe behind the scenes Sony will have to compensate Twilight Time for any possible losses. But to a customer, none of that really matters. We are all looking to Twilight Time to take the necessary action.

[Clownunderthebed]

Anyone that is crossing their fingers and hoping Tom Savini will swoop in and rescue his first directed feature from having gone blue on blu may want to consider this quote from the book Night Of The Living Dead: Behind The Scenes Of The Most Terrifying Zombie Movie Ever:

"That was the worst experience of my life. Everybody had a different idea, or wanted a favor. I've learned that even if they're your best friends, if it's your vision, then you should stick with it, because nobody stabs you in the back worse than your best friends.... I still have nightmares that I'm on that movie set, directing that movie, and waiting for the sun to come up, so I could just stop shooting and go home."

[thephantomcat]

Originally Posted by Seymour

Right. And even in the unlikely event that Sony did provide a new transfer, who's going to foot the bill with producing an additional 3000 blu-rays?

Yep! As it is, the 3000 number is so that even if they only sell 1,500 copies they'll break even. So redoing 3000 Blu-rays would break the bank. Given the choice of having to foot the bill for a replacement program or just refunding a few hundred discs. The choice is obvious. 1000 people are not going to demand a refund. Espcially when they know they can sell it for a profit. And Sony wouldn't spend a dime on producing more Blu-rays. I believe someone pointed out they probably have an "as is" clause in their contract with TT. A huge company like Sony always protects itself.

[popeflick]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

Of course none of that is relevant...at all. If there is a problem Twilight Time has to deal with their own customers. What kind of operation would just blame it's suppliers and say "oops!", not our problem? (not that Twilight Time themselves are taking this stance, but it seems like this is what some "apologists" are trying to say). Ridiculous.

EVEN IF the issue happened on Sony's end, which is highly possible, Twilight Time still comes between the customer and Sony. It is up to Twilight Time to take the lead and correct the situation because it is their name on the line. The top of the case art doesn't say Sony or Columbia pictures, it says TWILIGHT TIME, THE LIMITED EDITION SERIES.

It might take days/weeks (alot of people were demanding satisfaction on Sunday). Maybe behind the scenes Sony will have to compensate Twilight Time for any possible losses. But to a customer, none of that really matters. We are all looking to Twilight Time to take the necessary action.

What action past a full, unquestioned refund is that? Your post is so full of suppositions I don't know where to start.

[Cortiz]

I'm just a casual fan of this film, and I've only seen it a couple of times throughout the years. So I don't know what the movie is suppose to look like colorwise. But "what if" all this time, the DVD color timing was incorrect and this new BD has the correct intended look?

[retablo]

Originally Posted by SilentNight

I don't even know what you mean by that. Whatever, I would rather pay $6 for Night of the Living Dead from Echo Bridge with zilch special features and probably not the most crystal clear transfer that is color timed correctly.

That's called DVD.

That is, IF the blu-ray is incorrect.

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by Clownunderthebed

Anyone that is crossing their fingers and hoping Tom Savini will swoop in and rescue his first directed feature from having gone blue on blu may want to consider this quote from the book Night Of The Living Dead: Behind The Scenes Of The Most Terrifying Zombie Movie Ever:

"That was the worst experience of my life. Everybody had a different idea, or wanted a favor. I've learned that even if they're your best friends, if it's your vision, then you should stick with it, because nobody stabs you in the back worse than your best friends.... I still have nightmares that I'm on that movie set, directing that movie, and waiting for the sun to come up, so I could just stop shooting and go home."

Thats says to me he really would fight to see this film done right. One could only hope.

[thephantomcat]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

It might take days/weeks (alot of people were demanding satisfaction on Sunday). Maybe behind the scenes Sony will have to compensate Twilight Time for any possible losses. But to a customer, none of that really matters. We are all looking to Twilight Time to take the necessary action.

To an unreasonable customer, none of that matters. We live in a society of instant gratification. Fast food, high speed interet, 4G smart phones, instant messaging, 75 MPH free ways, etc.

We don't just want a refund. We want our order remade and Super-Sized and a couple of Hot Apple Pies for our trouble. And a certificate for a free meal whenever we want. And we want to talk to the manager. And if he doesn't give it all to us, we're going to talk to corporate. And if Ronald McDonald won't talk to me personally, I'm going to tell all my friends what a horrible experience I had and I have allot of friends who all eat here all the time! And I don't care if Ronald McDonald is a fictional character! Put him on the phone!!!!

[Seymour]

In the end, a refund is all we're gonna get, I think. We can all pretty much agree that Sony isn't going put any money into this, and TT is certainly not going to blow their entire profit margin to fix it, so that's pretty much it.

[Whirlygig]

Originally Posted by thephantomcat

Yep! As it is, the 3000 number is so that even if they only sell 1,500 copies they'll break even. So redoing 3000 Blu-rays would break the bank.

Now, statements like this are pointless anyway, but, let's go along with your thread of logic here. If 1500 copies breaks even for them, and they sold all 3000 already, that means they mathematically can afford to make another 3000 free of charge and would ultimately break even. 1500/3000 = 1/2 = 3000/6000. Just sayin'.

[Joshinator1989]

Originally Posted by Cortiz

I'm just a casual fan of this film, and I've only seen it a couple of times throughout the years. So I don't know what the movie is suppose to look like colorwise. But "what if" all this time, the DVD color timing was incorrect and this new BD has the correct intended look?

Highly unlikely. I own a copy of the Workprint and even with all the dirt and scratches.. it still shows more color than the Blu-ray.

[thephantomcat]

Originally Posted by Whirlygig

Now, statements like this are pointless anyway, but, let's go along with your thread of logic here. If 1500 copies breaks even for them, and they sold all 3000 already, that means they mathematically can afford to make another 3000 free of charge and would ultimately break even. 1500/3000 = 1/2 = 3000/6000. Just sayin'.

There is no such thing as breaking even in the business world. It's a waste of time and productivity and would be considered "lost revenue."

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by Seymour

Right. And even in the unlikely event that Sony did provide a new transfer, who's going to foot the bill with producing an additional 3000 blu-rays?

Sony/Twilight time might have to come to some agreement. The logistics of doing a replacement program is probably more of a concern (expense wise) than the actual re-pressing of 3000 replacement discs. It seems like the error is related to some dial or knob that was turned incorrectly, so it literally is something that Sony could probably send Twilight Time a corrected version in a week if they were inclined to do so.

If the issue is clearly on Sony's end, one would hope they would give Twilight Time a little "refund" on the licensing fee in order to help run a replacement program. Obviously a complete wipeout on profits on one of the rare "sellout" titles can be devastating to a company just trying to get it's foot in the door. I just hope all parties do the right thing here.