Night of the Living Dead (1968)

[MifuneFan]

Going to try and get tickets to this

[twozbar]

A few additional points regarding the new 4k restoration:

Originally Posted by charlieray1

After years of debate here on Blu-Ray.com, it'll be interesting to see what aspect ration Romero chooses for this restoration!

Examination of the original 35mm negative has revealed that Academy ratio is the correct framing for the film.

Originally Posted by dubious

I think it's just what it says it is, they first acquired a print in 1970, talking about their love and appreciation for the film. Doesn't mean it was the source of their restoration.

The print acquired by MoMA in 1970 was donated by George Romero. The original 35mm camera negative is the source for this restoration.

Originally Posted by Geoff D

**** it, let's have a Blu-ray with 1.33, 1.66 and 1.85 like Criterion's On the Waterfront. It's the only way to be sure.

I'm also interested in whether we'll see any of that newly discovered footage or not, there's certainly no mention of it in the above spiel.

The original 35mm negative reflects the theatrical release version of the film. Since that is the source of the restoration, there is no additional footage.

[StingingVelvet]

I'm sure many will hiss at me like a cat but I don't think I like this movie enough to buy it again. I think the Japanese release is fine for me forever.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

**** it, let's have a Blu-ray with 1.33, 1.66 and 1.85 like Criterion's On the Waterfront. It's the only way to be sure.

I'm also interested in whether we'll see any of that newly discovered footage or not, there's certainly no mention of it in the above spiel.

[VideoPhonic]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Nahh 1.33:1 all the way

[callahan09]

Ok I've been thinking of buying the Japanese blu for a while, now I think I'll put that idea on hold and hope for a new bluray from this restoration!

[MattPerdue]

Originally Posted by kamphausd1

Now if we could just get one for Dawn of the Dead as well, we'll be in business.

A 4K Restoration? There's one for the Argento cut coming on UHD-BD and standard BD in Italy this November if that counts.

I'm really hoping Shout Factory handles the eventual blu ray release for this.

To be honest, if their encoding really is as great as everyone says it is, I'd rather Arrow get it. Could make for a near perfect release.

[rickah88]

Might not come into play, but I wonder if a potential home video release is timed for Halloween 2018, which would be the 50th Anniversary?
Regardless, very exciting news!

[atamo]

Originally Posted by twozbar

The original 35mm negative reflects the theatrical release version of the film. Since that is the source of the restoration, there is no additional footage.

It's not unusual for multiple sources to be used for a restoration, so the newly discovered footage could be scanned from a print and edited in for an alternate extended version on a future blu-ray release. The quality would probably drop, but it should only be an optional version anyway.

[78deluxe]

For the time and money that it takes to do such a transfer, it would be an absolute shame if this doesn't see a home release.

[El_Fez]

Originally Posted by jedidarrick

Paging Criterion...

I'd rather see Arrow get it it.

Originally Posted by twozbar

The original 35mm negative reflects the theatrical release version of the film. Since that is the source of the restoration, there is no additional footage.

Well, if not nessassarly in the actual movie, it'd be nice to see it as an extra on the (hopefully eventual) Blu.

[Geoff D]

^ Yep, I'm not asking for a new cut of the film to be part of the restoration proper, but just having the extra footage to hand would be nice.

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by VideoPhonic

Nahh 1.33:1 all the way

No frigging way! By 1968 NOTHING was composed for academy in North America.

This could be the first chance of watching the film properly matted on home video. There are enough releases in 1.33:1 of it already!

[Francisco73]

watched yesterday happinet blu, I hope that the new 4K if release on blu will be ABC

[happydood]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

No frigging way! By 1968 NOTHING was composed for academy in North America.

This could be the first chance of watching the film properly matted on home video. There are enough releases in 1.33:1 of it already!

Even if the director says so?

[JohnCarpenterFan]

Romero's preferred ratio for his films is 1.33:1, even for later efforts such as The Dark Half, but that doesn't mean that it was shown that way originally or was actually composed for that ratio (like Robert Rodriguez composing Once Upon a Time in Mexico for 2.35:1 but preferring it be shown open matte).

A set containing three ratios would be ideal:

1.85:1 - theatrical aspect ratio
1.66:1 - international theatrical aspect ratio
1.33:1 - open matte version for 4:3 TVs/Romero's preferred ratio

[VideoPhonic]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

No frigging way! By 1968 NOTHING was composed for academy in North America.

This could be the first chance of watching the film properly matted on home video. There are enough releases in 1.33:1 of it already!

Yes way. NOTLD was made by an independent group used to making work for TV, they weren't thinking about widescreen framing. NOTLD was always intended for academy, there is no proper matting. Since it was '68 theaters did show it in widescreen but it's certainly not composed for it.

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by VideoPhonic

Yes way. NOTLD was made by an independent group used to making work for TV, they weren't thinking about widescreen framing. NOTLD was always intended for academy, there is no proper matting. Since it was '68 theaters did show it in widescreen but it's certainly not composed for it.

If it had been composed for academy, it would have been unshowable at cinemas and, regardless of how small the company was, the primary goal is for movies to be shown at cinemas.

Even TV movies are composed considering the possibility that they will be shown theatrically.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

If it had been composed for academy, it would have been unshowable at cinemas and, regardless of how small the company was, the primary goal is for movies to be shown at cinemas.

Even TV movies are composed considering the possibility that they will be shown theatrically.

100% false, spreading misinformation.

And no, TV movies aren't composed considering possible theatrical screenings, either.

[VideoPhonic]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

If it had been composed for academy, it would have been unshowable at cinemas and, regardless of how small the company was, the primary goal is for movies to be shown at cinemas.

Even TV movies are composed considering the possibility that they will be shown theatrically.

Sure, NOTLD has enough room that it's "showable" widescreen but it wasn't intended for it. Romero & Image Ten simply weren't thinking widescreen when making it. And just because a film is composed for 1.33:1, that doesn't mean it would stop a theater in '68 from showing it on a typical widescreen setup regardless of showability. Plus, not every 1.33:1 film is filled with extreme close ups or shots that would instantly deem it "unshowable."