Dawn of the Dead (1978, Second Sight)

[ZombieTwin2]

Rubenstein still lives, so I will be very surprised if it’s anything other than an existing transfer.

Kev W

[Xapi3]

Originally Posted by ZombieTwin2

Rubenstein still lives, so I will be very surprised if it’s anything other than an existing transfer.

Kev W

If that the case wouldn’t Arrow have released it about a million more times by now? I’m being cautiously optimistic.

[cinescot]

Rubinstein doesn't just own the OCN, he owns the rights to the film as well. Any company who release the film has to clear those rights first.

It sounds like some are doubting this release already due to the history the film has had with regards to BD releases. Personally I can't think of a better label at the current time to release this. Second Sight are not going to pick up the rights to this unless they think it can be done properly and to their own consistently high standards.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Xapi3

If that the case wouldn’t Arrow have released it about a million more times by now? I’m being cautiously optimistic.

No, because Rubinstein is/was still asking for some silly amount of money to licence it, regardless of the master used (any remastering of which would be paid by the label on top of whatever they're paying him), AND he was making the duration of the licence much shorter than usual which is why none of the usual labels have gone near it with a barge pole since then.

It's not like nobody has licenced it in the interim as there's been another set recently gone out in France, as well as that janky "restoration" of the Argento cut in Italy, but as that was Koch Media doing the licensing then they've got a bit more bread than the average smaller indie so they could afford it. But for SS to have nabbed it then something must have changed, I still reckon they've paid top dollar for it (hey, shit happens: Kino outbid Criterion for the Leone 'Dollars' trilogy after all) but they've must've managed to wangle a longer licence and/or have finally gotten permission to properly remaster it. Christ, I hope it's the latter, even if they've only got a licence to release it for two ****ing weeks!

[Agent Kay]

They need to hire David M again and they need to keep an eye on their gamma issues

[Geoff D]

David M or Mr Magoo, won't really matter if this isn't a new transfer from film. If it is a new one that's been done with taste and competence (attributes which don't really apply to the botched Italian "restoration") then yes, David M or GTFO

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by crazybeats

I don't see what the issue is with previous releases, it may just be one of those films that's never going to look stunning in HD or 4K.

Botched black levels, awkward color timing, ghosting, misframing (not the aspect ratio itself), too much dirt & scratch removal on some releases, ancient master for the US/Extended cut, and DNR are just some of the issues that have plagued past releases.

[Geoff D]

Exactly. No-one's implying that Dawn will end up looking like Infinity War, but what people are implying is that within the scope of this film's original elements there's an opportunity here to present a far more naturally film-like image with more consistent visuals than what has been issued forth thus far.

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Botched black levels, awkward color timing, ghosting, misframing (not the aspect ratio itself), too much dirt & scratch removal on some releases, ancient master for the US/Extended cut, and DNR are just some of the issues that have plagued past releases.

Agreed. Sick and tired of bad releases being defended as "old movies"

[splintersan]

Originally Posted by eddiesd123

So weird. On my drive in to work today, I was thinking about how someone needs to work on a definitive BD release for Dawn of the Dead.

So on your next drive to work could you do me a favor and think about a definitive BD release of Fright Night Part II? I'll send you a copy if you can make it happen

I really hope they do a good job with Dawn. Like others have said, trying not to get my hopes up but it's pretty exciting news.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

Does he own Worldwide rights, or just in the US? Second Sight might not have the OCN, but they might have a print that's in good condition..?

Dunno about the worldwide rights thing. I remember people saying that the ability to release the Zombi cut was due to a loophole of it being considered a different movie that had the rights owned by whoever distributed it when it originally came out (kind of like King Kong Vs Godzilla's US edit being owned by Universal but the Japanese cut being off-limits unless you go through Toho), so I'm guessing probably.

SO, my totally uneducated guess is that they probably had to go through Rubinstein or else we're going to get another Zombi cut. I'm not sure of the legality of the releases that included the old transfers of the theatrical/extended cuts recently. Maybe for some reason he will allow using old ones of those, or would allow using an old print or something, just would charge way more for the OCN?

I hadn't heard about him wanting to sell very limited-time rights. That would be interesting, if they'd be affordable if they're only allowed to distribute it for 6 months or something Guess I better watch the preorder date!

Rubinstein's not dead. If he's healthy, he'll probably be around for a good long while, he's only 71.

[NovaNaut]

Scrolled past this at first thinking it was just an old thread that had been bumped but amazed it could see a new release. Never seen the film but its reputation precedes it so I'm definitely interested.

[johnpaul2]

I've always been under the impression the corrected Italian 4K-restored release was pretty much OK. It's not the case ?

[The Fallen Deity]

New transfers for all three cuts
The original audio mixes
All the extras from the Anchor Bay DVD set.

Give me all of those things and I'll give you all my money Second Sight!

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by johnpaul2

I've always been under the impression the corrected Italian 4K-restored release was pretty much OK. It's not the case ?

It's still a mess.

[ZombieTwin2]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Dunno about the worldwide rights thing. I remember people saying that the ability to release the Zombi cut was due to a loophole of it being considered a different movie that had the rights owned by whoever distributed it when it originally came out.

Dawn was co-financed - and co-produced - by Dario and Claudio Argento, who had the distribution rights in Europe (specifically the non-English speaking areas) and can therefore release the “Zombi” cut of the film anywhere in those territories.

It’s just a shame the copy recently released was apparently a complete balls-up.

Kev W

[Decky]

Personally, this is the most exciting Blu Ray news I've had in a few years. Always regretting missing the arrow release.
As long as this version looks considerably better than the Arrow DVD from the trilogy set I'll be happy. I struggled to sit through it last year due to the PQ!

All I need now is The Hitcher and region free Critters 1&2 and Im officially done upgrading my DVD collection!

[cakefactory]

I worry that we're putting the cart in front of the horse with getting excited about this news. Maybe they're just releasing a remaster of Document of the Dead!

[GasmaskAvenger]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

I worry that we're putting the cart in front of the horse with getting excited about this news. Maybe they're just releasing a remaster of Document of the Dead!

or it's actually the Zack Snyder remake.

[finishominis]

Maybe it's the zombie apocalypse that's happening. Second Sight just got the scoop