Weinstein Re-Releases NOTLD 40th Directors Cut

[cinezombi]

George A. Romero?s Diary Of The Dead DVD will hit stores May 20th, 2008. On that same day a re-released 40th Anniversary Director?s Edition Night Of The Living Dead DVD will also be released with new transfer and brand new features yet to be announced. The Diary and Night Covers and our Review are over at Zombiefriends.com.

http://www.zombiefriends.com/club/news.asp?nid=60

[Neil]

George A. Romero?s Diary Of The Dead DVD will hit stores May 20th, 2008. On that same day a re-released 40th Anniversary Director?s Edition Night Of The Living Dead DVD will also be released with new transfer and brand new features yet to be announced. The Diary and Night Covers and our Review are over at Zombiefriends.com.

http://www.zombiefriends.com/club/news.asp?nid=60

Please let's not have any of the stupid new added footage in Night... Leave it as it should be PLEEEASE!

I've still not been able to see Diary (in the UK)... At this rate I'll just be ordering the DVD and watching it!

[capncnut]

If it's the same one that was released in Europe a few months ago, I have it already.


Please let's not have any of the stupid new added footage in Night...
Nah, it's not a Russo rehash.

[DubiousComforts]

That is the worst NIGHT dvd cover yet. Are they trying not to sell copies?

[capncnut]

That is the worst NIGHT dvd cover yet. Are they trying not to sell copies?
Yeah, I have to admit that looks pretty generic. Why not use the original film poster for a change? :dead:

[DubiousComforts]

Yeah, I have to admit that looks pretty generic. Why not use the original film poster for a change? :dead:
They need a retro horror design in order to distinguish it from the seemingly endless Saw-inspired grunge logos on the DVD shelves at Best Buy.

Night hasn't had a decent legit DVD cover yet:
http://deepdiscount-content.vcommerce.com/products/896/5743896/main-205.jpghttp://i12.ebayimg.com/02/c/05/b5/ef/3b_7.JPG:dead:

[ProfessorChaos]

it'd have to have some pretty impressive special features for me to cough up any bucks for the weinstein company, seems how the millenium edition is about as good as it gets, imo.

but i'm planning on scoopin' up the diary dvd as soon as it drops.

[C5NOTLD]

That is the worst NIGHT dvd cover yet. Are they trying not to sell copies?

Nothing like slapping some cover art together and throwing it on the packaging. :mad:

I wonder what marketing genuis came up with that.
If you are going to make a big deal about the 40th anniversary why not do it right?

Looks a little like
http://img.tesco.com/pi/entertainment/DVD/LF/788248_DV_L_F.jpg

[DubiousComforts]

it'd have to have some pretty impressive special features for me to cough up any bucks for the weinstein company, seems how the millenium edition is about as good as it gets, imo.
I'd just be thrilled to get a new hi-def transfer without any unnecessary edge enhancement. The Millennium Edition was released six years ago and technology has changed quite a bit.

And to be honest, there's not much more they'll be able to come up with for worthwhile DVD extras. Without some serious research and digging, you're going to hear the same old stories from the same people that already seemed to have forgotten most of the details 15 years ago when they recorded the laserdisc commentary.

That's what Anchor Bay could have better spent their money on 10 years ago instead of handing over the cash for pointless new scenes with Reverend Chipmunk.

[Legion2213]

”One For The Fire – The Legacy of Night of the Living Dead” - An all-new ninety-minute documentary on the making and enduring appeal of the film featuring cast & crew interviews

Restored all-new 4x3 1080p HD transfer

If they are adding those things on top of all the stuff contained in the millenium edition it will be worth a punt for those who don't own the millenium one.

Edit: I quite like the cover, it's understated and suits the movie IMO

[Loneshambler]

Ehh, I too am not a fan of that cover for NOTLD. However, I need a superior version of the film on DVD, seeing as I only have two bargain bin versions, so I'll be picking it up.

Does anyone know if DOTD will have any additional footage added to the film?

[jscott]

So if this a 1080P trasnsfer, will there be matte bars on the sides, or will it be hard matted to where we lose image on top & bottom? Pitty the original one sheet wasn't used. I still like this cover the most:

http://memorabilia.homepageofthedead.com/i/2_1_1.jpg

[Legion2213]

So if this a 1080P trasnsfer, will there be matte bars on the sides, or will it be hard matted to where we lose image on top & bottom? Pitty the original one sheet wasn't used. I still like this cover the most:

http://memorabilia.homepageofthedead.com/i/2_1_1.jpg

They say it's 4:3 aspect ratio on the site...so we get the real deal, but have to put up with those dark grey matte bars on the sides of our lovely widescreen plasmas...I'd rather have that than lose the top and bottom of the picture though.

[hellachris]

I really hope it has the new Night documentry on it.

[Harold W Brown]

Diary of the Dead
# Audio Commentary with George A. Romero, Director of Photography Adam Swica, and Editor Michael Doherty
# ”For The Record: The Making of Diary of the Dead” – A ninety-minute, five-part look into the creation of the film including interviews with the cast & crew.
# ”Character Confessionals” – A series of “in-character” confessionals from the cast that were not seen in the final film
# ”Familiar Voices “– A look at some of the original recording sessions of three of the famous voices used in the background of the film.
# ”MySpace Short Contest Winners” – The Best of the “MySpace” Diary of the Dead contest winners

Night of the Living Dead: 40th Anniversary Edition
# Duane Jones' Final Audio Interview
# Audio Commentaries
# ”One For The Fire – The Legacy of Night of the Living Dead” - An all-new ninety-minute documentary on the making and enduring appeal of the film featuring cast & crew interviews
# Restored all-new 4x3 1080p HD transfer

[capncnut]

Night of the Living Dead: 40th Anniversary Edition
# Duane Jones' Final Audio Interview
# Audio Commentaries
# ”One For The Fire – The Legacy of Night of the Living Dead” - An all-new ninety-minute documentary on the making and enduring appeal of the film featuring cast & crew interviews
# Restored all-new 4x3 1080p HD transfer
This measly bunch of extras doesn't warrant a re-purchase whatsoever. I already have Duane's last interview and I bet the commentaries are rehashed. I think I'll just DL the documentary and leave it at that.

[Choas]

The extras for NOTLD don't thrill me at all.But I can't wait for Diary to come out on dvd.

[DubiousComforts]

This measly bunch of extras doesn't warrant a re-purchase whatsoever. I already have Duane's last interview and I bet the commentaries are rehashed. I think I'll just DL the documentary and leave it at that.
I agree that the extras blow, but I have to get it for the new transfer. I can't help myself. :D

Hopefully, they recorded new commentaries, or if they used the old commentaries, they fixed the long dropout when Marilyn Eastman is talking about the Washington DC shoot. A good portion of audio is missing from that commentary track on every freakin release since the laserdisc.

Hopefully, they also got off their butts and transfered the extensive photo gallery from the laserdisc to this new DVD release, though I won't be holding my breath.

[capncnut]

I agree that the extras blow...
Night is a movie that deserves a 2-3 disc set at least. Multiple commentaries and documentaries, every trailer, radio spot, poster that has ever been made. It seems every 2 or so years they rehash the same bloody thing but with varying extras - most of which we have all got on another DVD. I demand the ULTIMATE edition, dammit! :mad:

[DubiousComforts]

Night is a movie that deserves a 2-3 disc set at least. Multiple commentaries and documentaries, every trailer, radio spot, poster that has ever been made. It seems every 2 or so years they rehash the same bloody thing but with varying extras - most of which we have all got on another DVD. I demand the ULTIMATE edition, dammit! :mad:
And I demand that your demands for the ULTIMATE edition be met! :D

Listen, nobody wants a 2-3 disc edition more than myself, but let's face facts: it's never going to happen while asshats are running the show.

[C5NOTLD]

If that is the best they can do for the 40th anniversary then that's pathetic.

[Griff]

This measly bunch of extras doesn't warrant a re-purchase whatsoever. I already have Duane's last interview and I bet the commentaries are rehashed. I think I'll just DL the documentary and leave it at that.

Actually, certain people have invested a good amount of time and money into making that documentary. Its no half-arsed 15 min doco with 3 or 4 interview particpants. Its feature length and all notable surviving (and at least now one non-survinging) cast and crew members are involved, with extensive shooting taking place on the original locations used in the film.

I have the Millenium release but I'll be picking this up for the documentary alone. Any extra monies I waste on doubling up on the main feature will partially go to those who deserve it, anyway.

Of course, I'm biased because I got to see them shoot some footage for the doco but I can honestly say I have complete faith that this will be something very special for fans of the movie. I'm glad somebody took the initiative to do this while there is still so much living history attached to this film.

[capncnut]

Actually, certain people have invested a good amount of time and money into making that documentary. Its no half-arsed 15 min doco with 3 or 4 interview particpants. Its feature length and all notable surviving (and at least now one non-survinging) cast and crew members...
...saying the same ol' s**t they did in previous documentaries. I see your point but it's still not worth repurchasing the DVD again. :|

[DubiousComforts]

Of course, I'm biased because I got to see them shoot some footage for the doco but I can honestly say I have complete faith that this will be something very special for fans of the movie. I'm glad somebody took the initiative to do this while there is still so much living history attached to this film.
Hey, I will have faith in your complete faith and hope that you are 1000% right. :D

The trouble is that I'm aware of much of the "living history" that they could have contacted and attached to the documentary, but didn't. I'm just praying there will be a whole lot more to this end-all, be-all documentary than Judy O'Dea, Bill Hinzman and Russ Streiner re-enacting their famous scene in Evans City cemetery.

[C5NOTLD]

The trouble is that I'm aware of much of the "living history" that they could have contacted and attached to the documentary, but didn't. .

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii61/maple_doorider/Smilies/I-Agree.gif

The 40th anniversary was past time to do it. The 50th anniversary will be too late. There are still many unique stories to be told, never seen before photos and props...etc...

[capncnut]

The trouble is that I'm aware of much of the "living history" that they could have contacted and attached to the documentary, but didn't. I'm just praying there will be a whole lot more to this end-all, be-all documentary than Judy O'Dea, Bill Hinzman and Russ Streiner re-enacting their famous scene in Evans City cemetery.
If the commentaries are rehashes then I will seriously lose it.

[DubiousComforts]

If the commentaries are rehashes then I will seriously lose it.
Hey, I though you were gonna pass on the "pants" US release? :D

[capncnut]

Hey, I though you were gonna pass on the "pants" US release? :D
Don't get me wrong, if it's a fiver in Zavvi's pile then I'll have it! :D

[Griff]

...saying the same ol' s**t they did in previous documentaries. I see your point but it's still not worth repurchasing the DVD again. :|

So don't. But boasting about pirating something that has yet to see a return is pretty obnoxious. Pay to see it or go without.

[capncnut]

So don't. But boasting about pirating something that has yet to see a return is pretty obnoxious. Pay to see it or go without.
Dude, I'll do what I want. :)

Also, a lot of us here downloaded Day 08 before it had a chance to see a return - with a number of us writing horrid reviews for it. Are you gonna tell all of us to pay to see it or go without? I didn't think so...

[Griff]

Dude, I'll do what I want. :)

Also, a lot of us here downloaded Day 08 before it had a chance to see a return - with a number of us writing horrid reviews for it. Are you gonna tell all of us to pay to see it or go without? I didn't think so...

DAY08 is different. It basically has contempt for the Romero original, contempt for the fans and deserves the same in return.

[capncnut]

It basically has contempt for the Romero original, contempt for the fans and deserves the same in return.
Naaah mate, can't have it both ways! :lol:

And I disagree, I don't think Day 08 had any deliberate contempt. It was just a s**t film. Period. A film that never saw a return before all of us kicked it's ass across the forums months before release.

All I'm saying is that I recently bought the 2 disc Italian Night 40th (which is a damned sight more packed with extras than the US 40th) and I can't be expected to buy all of them.


Don't get me wrong, if it's a fiver in Zavvi's pile then I'll have it! :D
And that's what it's worth in my eyes. Obnoxious or not, they are gonna have to beef it up considerably to prevent me (and countless many others) snagging the documentary online.

[Yojimbo]

Hey, I will have faith in your complete faith and hope that you are 1000% right. :D

The trouble is that I'm aware of much of the "living history" that they could have contacted and attached to the documentary, but didn't. I'm just praying there will be a whole lot more to this end-all, be-all documentary than Judy O'Dea, Bill Hinzman and Russ Streiner re-enacting their famous scene in Evans City cemetery.

Like Griff, I too am very intrigued by the documentary, and am considering picking up this edition simply because of it, however like Dubious, I am wary of the documentary's value as well. I very clearly recall being angry at Streiner et al for the joke that was the 30th NOLD, and this has colored my judgment (admittedly perhaps unfairly, but then perhaps not)

Since Streiner and friends are not above milking NOLD at the expense of the hard-core fans of this film and feel that they are justified in producing pieces of crap intended for fan consumption that are in reality not fit to smell my $hit, even though I will likely purchase this edition I am expecting a major let down.

[UndeadGuyX]

I'm confused in regards to NotLD's original filmed aspect ratio. IMDB lists 1.33:1 (4x3) for the 16mm print. For the 35mm print it lists 1.85:1 (16:9).

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063350/technical

So if this is the case then this new version by Weinstein is NOT the best. Unless of course the 35mm print was destroyed then we will never be able to see the movie the way it was intended.

[DubiousComforts]

For the 35mm print it lists 1.85:1 (16:9).
This is incorrect. NOTLD was not filmed in a widescreen aspect ratio.

Also, an aspect ratio of 1:85:1 does not automatically mean 16:9.

[UndeadGuyX]

This is incorrect. NOTLD was not filmed in a widescreen aspect ratio.

Also, an aspect ratio of 1:85:1 does not automatically mean 16:9.

I used the term loosely to mean widescreen. 1.85:1 is indeed a widescreen aspect ratio.

[DubiousComforts]

I used the term loosely to mean widescreen. 1.85:1 is indeed a widescreen aspect ratio.
And I didn't say that 1:85:1 is not a widescreen aspect ratio, just that not all widescreen is anamorphic (16:9).

Don't believe everything that you read on the Internet Movie Dumb Base. It should be obvious that Night of the Living Dead was filmed full frame. If we can't even get that much right after 40 years, it's pretty hopeless.