DAWN OF THE DEAD - The Ultimate Edition DVD

[The Burgomaster]

I have been a DAWN OF THE DEAD fan ever since I saw it in the theater back around 1980.  Since then, I have rented it several times and owned a VHS copy.  A couple of days ago, I got the Ultimate Edition DVD (even though I already had the version that Anchor Bay released a few months ago).

I am ashamed to say that after all these years I had never seen either the extended version or the European version.  However, I watched the extended version last night, and here are a few comments and observations:

* Romero did a good job editing some of the scenes from the extended edition (running time 139 minutes) to create the theatrical release version (127 minutes).  Some of the footage that he cut was interesting in that it provided more background information about the characters and provided more information about what was happening nationwide to deal with the zombie epidemic.  He also cut a few gory moments.  Overall, however, I think the film is better in its 127 minute version (mostly due to pacing) than in its 139 minute version.

* I was surprised to see a scene with Joe Pilato (who went on to star in DAY OF THE DEAD).

* The music was different in some scenes.  I like the scoring of the 127 minute version better.

I'm intrigued to watch the European version which is only 118 minutes.

How does everyone else feel?  Have you seen all 3 versions?  Which do you prefer?

[reagan]

Hate these 'collectors editions'  'new remastered' etc - as a new DVD convert  I buy 2nd hd & 'fake'  DVD's.  Yes I know this will anger most of u - but how can we stand companies that just wat want our dollar (eg. Lucas anyone?)? I think it  says to ACTUALL fans "we want every dollar you have"

[Brother Ragnarok]

To be fair, Reaga, Anchor Bay announce they were releasing a four-disc version before the barebones single-disc version came out.  The people who bought the single-disc were only being screwed by themselves.
The European cut has most of the humor removed and plays like more of a straight horror film and less like a comic book.  I'm not as fond of that cut, but the cast commentary that runs over it is an absolute blast.
The only DVD set I can think of that's even more the Bible than Ultimate Dawn is the Alien Quadrilogy, which is the greatest thing ever to happen to movie fans.

[daveblackeye15]

I'm interested in seeing the European version (straight out horror) and the exteneded version (interested about the Character info and the world wide stuff) But I won't be surprized if I like the theater version the best. (Now are we talking about the original or the remake?)

[Brother Ragnarok]

The original, Dave.

[Mr_Vindictive]

This box set along with the Star Wars set is on my Christmas list.  Hopefully my wife will pick it up.

I've seen the Director's Cut and the Theatrical Cut of the film.  If I remember correctly, I liked the Theatrical Cut considerably more.  It certainly would be interesting to check out all of the other versions as well.

[Ash]

Save your money...
The Dawn of the Dead Super, Hyper, Fantastic, Marvelous, Wonderful, Tremendous, Ultra Orgasmic, Mega Mega Mega Mega Mega Mega Mega Mega, Especially Cool, Collectors Hardcore Zombie Junkie Edition will be out soon!
It'll have 23 discs and will be a foot thick and will weigh 8 pounds and cost $500!
:)

(The extra discs will delve into such things as close examination of cigarette butts smoked by Romero that were scraped off the ground, bacterial concentration in the urinals at the mall where the movie was filmed and belly button lint from a zombie extra that was saved for over 20 years!)



Post Edited (10-07-04 08:09)

[daveblackeye15]

I know I know, I was being stupid on purpose.

[raj]

And then there will be a deluxe edition of that one.  It'll have all the same stuff, but come in a tin box and with a zombie doll.  One lucky fan will receive an actual zombie.

[Brother Ragnarok]

Well don't do that.  It gets me confused with the times you're actually stupid ;)

[nobody]

With everyone buying these ultra mega supreme edition DVD's, I wonder where all the "normal" or outdated "special" editions end up... no one would have any reason to keep them, and they don't just disappear.

I picture landfills everywhere completely buried in them.

[The Burgomaster]

UPDATE:

I watched the European version last night.  Some scenes are longer and others are shorter (or completely missing) compared to the U.S. theatrical edition.  Also, a lot of the music is different (in many cases, the music is fast-paced rock, plus they replaced the song when the rednecks are shooting zombies with a sort of country-western instrumental).  There are some added gore scenes near the end (basically, shots of zombies eating body parts) that are not in either the U.S. theatrical version or the extended version.  Overall, some of the editing is choppy and the music doesn't always fit the mood of the scene.  The end credits are shown over a black background instead of over shots of the interior of the mall, like in the other versions.  This is my least favorite of the 3 versions.



Post Edited (10-07-04 19:22)

[reagan]

okay, we all agree DOTD is a classic.  Here in Aust. it was banned till '84 (as was Re-animator, Hellraiser 2, Bad Taste, etc)  Loved original, but y remake, eg: TCM: but have not seen any other version except  Romero's & Savini's withought the Goblin soundtrack

[blkrider]

The single disc that came out in March was so inexpensive that I don't really consider myself having been "screwed" for buying it, especially since I didn't already have DAWN on DVD, and since the box set had been talked about and pushed back repeatedly for years.  

I bought the box set mainly for the two documentaries and to finally get a look at the Cannes and Euro cuts.  I was a little disappointed by the European cut--I knew it would be a little more fast paced and was looking forward to that [I think the movie drags a little in places] but it didn't really improve that much, and cut out the helicopter scene [but inexplicably they left in the stupid zombie piefight.]  The Goblin music is overused, and although there were a few extra gore scenes there was nothing memorable.  I'm just glad I didn't spend the money for a bootleg of this years ago.  

I like the cast commentary but they really should have used it for the Theatrical cut as as second commentary track--for the Euro version I would have rather have heard someone with a little more knowledge of the film, the European cut in particular.  Perry Martin, the guy who moderates two of the other commentary tracks, would have been a good choice.  The cast didn't know enough about what they were watching, and I think most of them hadn't even seen the European version before.  

I haven't watched the Extended version without the commentary yet...the commentary is pretty interesting.  Richard Rubenstein gets a bad rap but I enjoyed listening to him--it was interesting to hear that Romero could have done a 4th Dead film a few years ago but chose not to--he decided to go for "The Mummy" instead which he wound up losing.  So fans can get angry at the studios or whomever else all they want, but the main person to blame for George Romero not making a 4th Dead film is...George Romero.      

Anyway, anyone who has any interest in the film at all should probably get this box set, although I think most people will end up liking the Theatrical Cut the best, like I did.

[StatCat]

I bought it, avoided that single disc until it came out. Really cool set actually for $30, always wanted to see Argento's cut which I see isn't earning that much of a good reputation.