Dawn of the Dead (1978) - OUT OF PRINT

[Jexes23]

Originally Posted by THUNDERSTRUCK

If it were a "real" classic e.g. Gone With The Wind, Citizen Cane, Casablanca, Psycho, The Godfather or Star Wars, I could see an intense bidding war. But DOTD? Not worth it.

You’re arguing a false dichotomy. Dawn of The Dead is a “real” classic.

You’re essentially saying that there should only be a bidding war for films that would never have a bidding war because the Major Studios that own the films and the elements and have always owned them will do with them as they please.

The idea that a film is only a classic if it rakes in tons of money or is higly thought of by the public and the people who push that opinion (right now), then you’ve discounted a lot of films. Some that will go through more retrospection and changing opinion.

A prime example would be a couple of the movies you listed. Casablanca was thought of as a decent to mediocre film when it came out. Psycho was popular with audiences but recieved mixed reviews from critics when it came out, it wasn’t worshipped like it is now, and neither was Casablanca. It took a lot of time for them to become as “important” as they are today.

Honestly a Zombie movie will probably never transcend to the heights of the films you listed, but the point still remains that current opinions are definitely not a good metric when those opinions and ideas fluctuate wildly from generation to generation.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by THUNDERSTRUCK

If I were Criterion (or any other company), I'd tell RR to go f**k his hat. It's only Dawn Of The Dead, for christ's sake.

If it were a "real" classic e.g. Gone With The Wind, Citizen Cane, Casablanca, Psycho, The Godfather or Star Wars, I could see an intense bidding war. But DOTD? Not worth it.

Personally, I love the movie and would love to see an updated version released one day. But if no company will pay his outrageous demands, that company will go on, business as usual. Rubenstein will sit there for several more years, continuing to twiddle his thumbs.

Which is the better business model?

Personally, I consider Dawn of the Dead more of a classic than half of the movies you named.

[silverlakephil]

I just bought the German steel book of the Argento cut. I guess I have to get this too. Oops this is 156 minutes long. Not sure what version this is.

[zbinks]

First released theatrically in the U.S. on May 24, 1979, “George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead” is licensed by New Amsterdam in all media in the USA, English Canada, United Kingdom, Australia/New Zealand, and Latin America.

http://www.newamsterdamnyc.com/dawn-of-the-dead

So yes, any UK release would have to go through Richard P. Rubinstein for licensing.

[Christian Muth]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

The CRI internegative was literally minted from the OG neg so I'd love to see a new transfer of that...

While CRIs were indeed struck directly from the original negatives (just like IPs), CRI filmstock was notoriously unstable, so they are not a desired element to use, unless absolutely nothing else is available.

Chris

[Christian Muth]

I wonder if this might end up being a joint release with Severin, like THE CHANGELING was? I found it interesting that the extras on WHEN A STRANGER CALLS were produced by Severin, which suggests an on-going collaborative connection between the two companies (I also wonder if Severin was original going to release their own version of WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, hence the Second Sight version originally being region locked, but decided against it and allowed SS to go region-free as a result).

Chris

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by Christian Muth

I wonder if this might end up being a joint release with Severin, like THE CHANGELING was? I found it interesting that the extras on WHEN A STRANGER CALLS were produced by Severin, which suggests an on-going collaborative connection between the two companies (I also wonder if Severin was original going to release their own version of WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, hence the Second Sight version originally being region locked, but decided against it and allowed SS to go region-free as a result).

Chris

If it turns out to be a joint venture with Severin, more the reason to go with Second Sight instead. Severin is a lower-tier label with too many quality control issues. Besides, fancy packaging gives everything a more premium feel and I'm sure SS are planning to go all out in that dept. You just can't compete if all you're doing is standard packaging with flimsy ill-fitting slips.

[HDMan72]

I'll be following this thread again. Fingers crossed

[ditcin]

I hate to say it but, Rubinstein has reached a point in his life where there are less days ahead of him than behind. Really, what's the point in holding out? A good remaster/restoration is needed for DAWN. He should do a 4k one - then release it on standard BD, then again on UHD disc. He would not only make money on the two disc releases but new cable sales. If he cares for his film on any level I would think he personally would want a hand in the restoration, and bonus materials.
Face it, once you're dead, you're dead.
It's time Rubinstein.

[Blu2u]

Originally Posted by Christian Muth

I wonder if this might end up being a joint release with Severin, like THE CHANGELING was? I found it interesting that the extras on WHEN A STRANGER CALLS were produced by Severin, which suggests an on-going collaborative connection between the two companies (I also wonder if Severin was original going to release their own version of WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, hence the Second Sight version originally being region locked, but decided against it and allowed SS to go region-free as a result).

Chris

Severin would have to deal with Sony.

[GODHOOD]

Originally Posted by Christian Muth

I wonder if this might end up being a joint release with Severin, like THE CHANGELING was? I found it interesting that the extras on WHEN A STRANGER CALLS were produced by Severin, which suggests an on-going collaborative connection between the two companies

God I hope not, after Severin messed up The Changeling I'm afraid what the quality control would be with Dawn of the Dead. Second Sight would do a better job of it hopefully it's a full restoration of at least one of the cuts.

[dwk]

You do know that the Severin release of The Changeling has a slightly better encode than the Second Sight? (Not to mention that Severin did all the work [master/extras] on that release.)

[edmoney]

Originally Posted by brian9229

Yes, ANY company can release this, I don't care which, the ONLY thing that matters(to me, and a few others)is whether they actually provide a new scan. If they're just going to use an old scan, like say AB's then what's the point?

I see what you're saying now. Sounded like you were saying that there's nothing to stop any company from releasing this anytime (as in there were no rights hurdles ... like a PD title).

Even if it is based on an old scan, my understanding is that it doesn't necessarily have to be the same resulting master. So even if they took the same scan but didn't apply the DNR that AB did, that would be a step in the right direction. But I agree, a fresh scan (especially 4K) from the OCN would be ideal. I was just saying that SS doesn't seem like the type of label to use the same old HD master from 10+ years ago. And if the AB disc went out of print because they no longer had the rights to it, would AB be able to simply license that master out to SS? It would seem to me that SS would have to strike up a new deal with someone, and while they're at it, would create a fresh scan.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by ditcin

I hat to say it but, Rubinstein has reached a point in his life where there are less days ahead of him than behind. Really, what's the point in holding out? A good remaster/restoration is need for DAWN. He should do a 4k one - then release it on standard BD, then again on UHD disc. He would not only make money on the two disc releases but new cable sales. If he cares for his film on any level I would think he personally would want a had in the restoration, and bonus materials.
Face it, once you're dead, you're dead.
It's time Rubinstein.

He probably feels his film more is worth more - and unless he needs the money badly, he will not license it for less than what he feels it is worth out of principal.

I really hope someday we get the equivalent of that DOTD DVD box set well-encoded on Blu for a reasonable price, even if using older scans.

[THUNDERSTRUCK]

Originally Posted by ditcin

I hat to say it but, Rubinstein has reached a point in his life where there are less days ahead of him than behind. Really, what's the point in holding out? A good remaster/restoration is need for DAWN. He should do a 4k one - then release it on standard BD, then again on UHD disc. He would not only make money on the two disc releases but new cable sales. If he cares for his film on any level I would think he personally would want a had in the restoration, and bonus materials.
Face it, once you're dead, you're dead.
It's time Rubinstein.

Agree 1000%.

[HonestJohn]

Originally Posted by ditcin

I hat to say it but, Rubinstein has reached a point in his life where there are less days ahead of him than behind. Really, what's the point in holding out? A good remaster/restoration is need for DAWN. He should do a 4k one - then release it on standard BD, then again on UHD disc. He would not only make money on the two disc releases but new cable sales. If he cares for his film on any level I would think he personally would want a had in the restoration, and bonus materials.
Face it, once you're dead, you're dead.
It's time Rubinstein.

Totally agree with your thoughts and it reminds me of an old saying...."you can't take it with you". Unfortunately he can for no other reason besides it's my football.

[rickah88]

The proof will be in the pudding here.
While most folks, when they reach the final stage of their lives, have a chance to reflect and make amends for things they have come to know should’ve been handled differently. While others just dig their heels in deeper.
Let’s hope Rubes lands in the former group, and not the latter.
If not, I’m happy with my ‘04 set with BD added.

[Smegma]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Personally, I consider Dawn of the Dead more of a classic than half of the movies you named.

You can't be serious. Sure, you can personally enjoy Dawn of the Dead more than Casablanca, but to say "DOTD is more of a classic" is completely and utterly ridiculous, by any stretch of rationality or reasonability.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by ditcin

Really, what's the point in holding out?

Contractual obligations to the investors in the previous restoration.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Smegma

You can't be serious. Sure, you can personally enjoy Dawn of the Dead more than Casablanca, but to say "DOTD is more of a classic" is completely and utterly ridiculous, by any stretch of rationality or reasonability.

Its not ridiculous if you consider classics in each genre, very simply.