Night of the Living Dead (1968) Blu-ray from The Film Detective

[tylergfoster]

Originally Posted by rafaelsalguero

If this is a PD film, why Criterion, Scream Factory or Twilight Time dont reléase a Bluray edition?

It costs those companies money to do the extras and the transfer and make the disc, and the likelihood that you'll make a hefty profit is impacted by the fact that anyone can just swoop in with a cheaper one if they wanted to. The specialty market that cares about those labels commitment to quality will buy their version, but it's tougher to justify putting in the time and money when the average consumer will probably just buy the most inexpensive option.

It also makes it hard for those companies to locate and secure quality elements for a good presentation.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by tylergfoster

It costs those companies money to do the extras and the transfer and make the disc, and the likelihood that you'll make a hefty profit is impacted by the fact that anyone can just swoop in with a cheaper one if they wanted to. The specialty market that cares about those labels commitment to quality will buy their version, but it's tougher to justify putting in the time and money when the average consumer will probably just buy the most inexpensive option.

It also makes it hard for those companies to locate and secure quality elements for a good presentation.

Criterion could do a light package like they did for Charade and it would still sell.

[bgart13]

Accessing the original materials is now cost prohibitive. Otherwise, a company like Shout/Scream would've done it already.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by bgart13

Accessing the original materials is now cost prohibitive. Otherwise, a company like Shout/Scream would've done it already.

But Criterion can do it. They have enough pedigree at this point. They could/should do Dawn as well.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by bgart13

Accessing the original materials is now cost prohibitive. Otherwise, a company like Shout/Scream would've done it already.

They don't have to in order to sell a ton of copies. A lot of Criterion discs are pretty bare-bones, people buy them anyway due to the brand and (usually) amazing video and sound quality. They could put the entire budget into a new transfer a commentary and call it a day.

[kidglov3s]

I think it'd be appropriate to have the definitive release be from Synapse, seeing as NOTLD was Don May's first foray into home video. It's one of the few titles I'd go in on for $50+ (conveniently Phenomena and Suspiria are also in that club, ).

[happydood]

Originally Posted by takeasneededforpain

And here I just got my Happinet release of this from Diabolik yesterday.

JUST received mine from CD Japan today.

[Spire]

Originally Posted by demonknight

But Criterion can do it. They have enough pedigree at this point. They could/should do Dawn as well.

Although I've been kinda second guessing Criterions technical abilities (if thats the right word) lately, a Dawn of the Dead Criterion release would be a dream come true for me.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

What is the best way to own this movie at the moment, anyway?

This one, cuz it has the color version! (Ducks)

It's not bad at all, much better than the AB 30th. I got it almost free, so I can't complain. The color version is pretty bad, but fun to have around as an oddity.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

And if I don't want to import I would guess DVD is still the way to go? If so, hopefully this release is decent. Might provide a good, cheaper and local alternative.

The Happinet disc is roughly $16 and region-free. Even if it is in the right aspect ratio, this Film Detective release will still be a budget-label public domain release, which, to this point, all look terrible. By all means, wait for a review to confirm this, but if you're refusing to import the Happinet disc simply because it is an import (?), then you are really missing out on a great release that, for reasons well-covered by now, will more than likely never have a comparable US equivalent.

[redrunner97]

Fingers crossed this will be good. I really hope The Film Detective impress!

What are their DVD transfers like? Havent some of them been released?

[MTRodaba2468]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I own the Happinet Blu-ray of Night of the Living Dead, so The Film Detective will really have to impress the daylights out of me for a double-dip to be considered.

Same here. I'm quite happy with the Happinet release, although I'd be willing to double dip if this release managed to top it.

[jonmayo15]

By the way, I e-mailed Film Detective, and they said titles they release will be on BD-Rs for anyone who was wondering.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by jonmayo15

By the way, I e-mailed Film Detective, and they said titles they release will be on BD-Rs for anyone who was wondering.

Lame.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

Even if it is in the right aspect ratio, this Film Detective release will still be a budget-label public domain release, which, to this point, all look terrible.

That's not entirely true. Kino's Scarlet Street release looks pretty good and that's a PD film sourced from a Library of Congress print. One can quibble about whether Kino is a budget label or not but they're definitely not in frame-by-restoration and clean-up business. They basically take a decent scan, give a very light once-over and slap it on a disc.

If Film Detective takes this approach we could in for some pleasant surprises.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by jonmayo15

By the way, I e-mailed Film Detective, and they said titles they release will be on BD-Rs for anyone who was wondering.

This will certainly raise questions about this release's credibility and legitimacy.

Just get the Happinet release and enjoy.

[Majin Blu]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

This will certainly raise questions about this release's credibility and legitimacy.

Just get the Happinet release and enjoy.

Where can I purchase the Happinet version again? I've been searching through the forums, but I cannot find that website folks were getting it for $20 or under.

[Davidian]

Originally Posted by reelgeek

Where can I purchase the Happinet version again? I've been searching through the forums, but I cannot find that website folks were getting it for $20 or under.

Here.

[BluPat]

Originally Posted by jonmayo15

By the way, I e-mailed Film Detective, and they said titles they release will be on BD-Rs for anyone who was wondering.

Well that sucks.

[MTRodaba2468]

Originally Posted by jonmayo15

By the way, I e-mailed Film Detective, and they said titles they release will be on BD-Rs for anyone who was wondering.

And that pretty much sours me on the whole thing.

I understand it's not cheap to have pressed BDs replicated, but to me, it suggests that they're going to go the cheapest route possible in most, if not all, aspects.

I'm not against burned media (I'm a Brad Jones fan, and the various DVDs he's put out have been on DVD-Rs; the Wrestling With Shadows documentary I've got is also on DVD-R), but unless they can really surprise me with their release, I'll stick with my Happinet release.