Night of the Living Dead Blu-ray Releases

[HD Goofnut]

I noticed there are two versions of Night of the Living Dead on BD in UK: Network and Optimum. Which one is better in terms of PQ and AQ?

[the1tyrant]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I noticed there are two versions of Night of the Living Dead on BD in UK: Network and Optimum. Which one is better in terms of PQ and AQ?

I think that the general consensus is that the PQ and AQ is superior on the Optimum release even with the cropping issues. I personally own this one and am happy with it.

[buck135]

Originally Posted by the1tyrant

I think that the general consensus is that the PQ and AQ is superior on the Optimum release even with the cropping issues. I personally own this one and am happy with it.

I own both and agree with this.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by the1tyrant

I think that the general consensus is that the PQ and AQ is superior on the Optimum release even with the cropping issues. I personally own this one and am happy with it.

Thanks. I'll go with the Optimum release then.

[buck135]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Thanks. I'll go with the Optimum release then.

Just know that the Optimum blu is region B locked.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by buck135

Just know that the Optimum blu is region B locked.

Doh.

[buck135]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Doh.

Lol. Don't sweat it. There are plenty of region free blus for NOTLD '68. I recommend the Japanese Happinet BD and the Australian BD released by Umbrella. Both have great documentaries and the same transfer as the Optimum BD.

[Jompa]

If you are a fan of this film, i would buy the Japanese Blu-ray.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Jompa

If you are a fan of this film, i would buy the Japanese Blu-ray.

I would, but I don't feel like paying $50 for it.

[Rhoq]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I would, but I don't feel like paying $50 for it.

I bought it a few months ago from CD Japan. It was under $25 with the cheapest shipping option.

Looking at their site now and it appears to have shot up in price. Sorry.

[buck135]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I would, but I don't feel like paying $50 for it.

Definatly keep an eye on CDJapan to see if they lower the price again. I paid a lot more than $50 to Amazon.jp when that sucker was first released. I bought the Austrailian Umbrella BD release on eBay.au for $25 (with shipping). The transfer is the same as the Happinet and is region-free. However, the excellent documentary "Reflections of the Dead" is region locked. If you ever plan on going region-free, I highly recommend it. There are some wonderful region locked bd's out there.

[Haunted Man-Shane]

I know this is a longshot, but can anyone send me a high-res scan of the cover art of the Twilight Time release of NOTLD '90? I bought two copies (one being an Xmas present for a friend) and took the inserts to a convention to get signed by Savini. Long story short, my bag was stolen, and those inserts were inside. They were really the only thing I have no real way to replace. I contacted Twilight Time, but have received no response, so I don't expect I will get anywhere with them. The next best thing I can do is get them printed myself, so at least they have artwork. If anyone can help me out, please PM me, I would greatly appreciate it.

[buck135]

Originally Posted by Torrente

As for this specific german release, I still don't know if it has the same missing seconds of footage than the Network did. Because if I recall correctly it was not just some seconds here and there than we could sum up and add, it was a whole cut of 35 seconds somewhere.
And if someone could help me to remind me where it was exactly located on the Network BD, then I could check the german disc to see if it's also cut.
I mean, it should, as it comes from the same master, but who knows...

I dug this comparison up which may be of assistance (scroll down past the Twilight Time blu-ray review for a Network/Optimum comparison) There are other reviews on that page with screencaps which are NSFW.

http://wtf-film.com/site/tag/zombies/

Here's a sample:

"This biggest issue with Network‘s presentation, however, is the amount of footage that’s missing (a little more than half a minute). Some of it amounts to a few frames lost to splices here and there, as at the end of the opening “An Image Ten Production” credit, though more substantial losses are also evident (a long shot of the truck driving through the zombie horde is cut quite short), particularly around the reel changes (as is the case with the late-film dialogue scene concerning Barbara’s crashed car, which is missing several lines). These Movielab prints have always been splicy, and I’d wager that most if not all of the ones that still exist are now incomplete, but it wouldn’t have been that*much trouble to restore the more substantial losses from alternative sources. Indeed, I suspect Network*may well have compounded the issue by removing some of the more excessively damaged frames outright – there’s not a reel change marker or splice to be seen, but the footage associated with them also appears to be gone."

[Torrente]

Thanks Buck!

[buck135]

Originally Posted by Torrente

Thanks Buck!

No problem. I love discussing Romero's initial zombie trilogy and all of the many DVD/Blu-ray releases available worldwide.

[Vakulinchuk]

Is it my understanding that the German Splendid release is the best of all the ones not using the dimension/zoomed master?

[vidjunkie]

Originally Posted by Vakulinchuk

Is it my understanding that the German Splendid release is the best of all the ones not using the dimension/zoomed master?

I would like to know this as well, and also is this missing any frames?

[Torrente]

Originally Posted by Vakulinchuk

Is it my understanding that the German Splendid release is the best of all the ones not using the dimension/zoomed master?

Yes it is... considering the fact that it's a gorgeous digibook with fine extras. It's clearly better than the other uncropped releases so far.

Now about the picture quality itself, I thing it's on par with UK's Network uncropped release. But again I didn't have the chance to watch the movie entirely so I can't say for sure if it shows exactly the same cuts at the same spots in the movie.

[buck135]

Originally Posted by Torrente

Yes it is... considering the fact that it's a gorgeous digibook with fine extras. It's clearly better than the other uncropped releases so far.

Now about the picture quality itself, I thing it's on par with UK's Network uncropped release. But again I didn't have the chance to watch the movie entirely so I can't say for sure if it shows exactly the same cuts at the same spots in the movie.

Yeah, they are the same. Unfortunately the damaged frames have been removed resulting in "jumps."

[vidjunkie]

Originally Posted by buck135

Yeah, they are the same. Unfortunately the damaged frames have been removed resulting in "jumps."

So is there any version that does not have the frames removed?