Night of the Living Dead versions.

[vtchatman]

just finished watching the 30th anniversary edition and what a disappoinment, who really wants additional footage that was made 30 years later and then added? you can tell the difference, if it were original deleted scenes then that would be different, the commentary was lame and all the other features including the lame new musical score, i got this cd out of curiosity but it wasnt worth it, i also bought the newest version that has it in color and with commentary by mike nelson of mystery science theater 3000 but again was lame, so ill keep my millennium edition and sell the others, but i am still curious about the 25th anniversary edition which i guess is a documentary of discussions and then the spoof night of the day of the dawn ect, if anyone has 1 of these 2 or both and can do a dvd of them id like a copy.

[Bad Zombie Night]

I watched the 30th Anniversary Edition again about a week ago, and this time around, I took a closer look at what went wrong with this project. I think most people hate this edition solely for the simple reason that, "you don't fool around with a classic." I feel that Russo, Streiner, and Hinzman actually believed that they were adding descent, authentic footage to the film. Hell, they have the right to, it's their film! Besides, they never really did cash in on NOTLD as they should have. The only thing that disturbs me about this particular version, is that this movie is pawned off like it was the original film. I think what they should have done is put a disclaimer at the beginning of the film, telling people to watch the original first, before viewing this one. An example of people who are victimized by this are rental subscribers to Netflix. Netflix carries the 30th Anniversary Edition, so some renters may watch this for the very first time, believing they just witnessed the original version of the film.

Here's a list of things that went wrong with new footage in the NOTLD 30th Anniversary Edition:

The new musical score, didn't nearly capture the emotion or set the mood that the original did.
The actors in the beginning (grave diggers), didn't have the appearance of, or talked like people from 1968. Just watch the original cast members, and ask yourself this question: "Would they fit in with them?"
The Preacher. Did he seem like a priest you might see back in the late 60's? Something about his age, the bald head, and goatee were all outta place for that time.
Bill Hinzman (The Graveyard Ghoul) - Oblivious, although they tried to smother him in powered sugar, didn't nearly look like the guy he was 30 years earlier. Nice try...
Although the new scenes with the car wreck were descent, did anybody catch the Zombie girl with the black shirt, walking down the road with the others? I think it happened to be John Russo's daughter. That had to be one of the worst Zombie walks that I've ever seen. Didn't her dopey daddy teach her anything?
The "New Zombies" for the most part were OK, except for when they got shot. When they got shot toward the end of the film, did you notice they didn't use squibs on any of them? Even the Bill Hinzman (The Graveyard Ghoul) didn't receive one. I think in the very least, that would have been a marginal improvement. Their falling down after getting shot could use some work also.
Having a female TV reporter (Debbie Rochon as Darlene Davis) interviewing Reverend Hicks, seemed so out of place during the time the film was made. Matter of fact, none of the other scenes featured any female TV reporters, so why all of the sudden now? Female reporters just weren't nearly as common during the 1960's as they are today.


Well, that's my short list... Feel free to comment on this one.
BTW, is there anything that I might of missed here? :mrgreen:

[eardrumbuz]

well i finally caught this little gem...uh, i mean germ. if this isn't the worst thing i've ever seen done to a movie i don't know what is. and it's not just because i think a classic shouldn't be messed with, cuz if they had done something good with it i really wouldn't have minded.

i have all the same complaints as above, except i must say i hadn't thought about the female reporter thing. i thought she was terrible, like everyone else who was added in, but i wasn't thinking about the fact that there probably wouldn't have been a female reporter on the job. um, and what's with the "1 year later" crap! we're supposed to believe that after those tv and radio reports the whole zombie problem was cleaned up? stupid.

and speaking of the zombie girl in the black shirt, not only was her walk laughable, but i believe i saw a little smirk on her face as she walked past the car wreck. and how about the paper mache head on the driver of that car. why was it hollow as a carved out pumpkin? looked stupid.

all the add-ons were terribly out of place in this film, especially the soundtrack. it was so overpowering it nearly singlehandedly killed the whole movie. very stupid.

some people need to learn a little about restraint.

the one positive thing i'll say about this dvd is that it's the cleanest print i've seen of the original movie. i just wish it was the original movie. however, i have not seen the millenium edition yet. does it look that good? i know it's the one to buy, i just haven't gotten to it yet.

[Tainted Love]

If someone is going to get a version of NOTLD which should they pick up?

[Zombie-A-GoGo]

This one: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005Y6Y2/qid=1122080180/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_sbs_1/102-5465046-1526536?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005Y6Y2/qid=1122080180/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_sbs_1/102-5465046-1526536?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846)

[SkullOrchard]

The Elite Entertainment 'Special Edition' has the most bang for the buck, I actually prefer it over the more expensive 'Millenium Edition'.

Commentary by director George A. Romero and co-writer John A. Russo

Commentary by cast members Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Judith O'Dea

'S. William Hinzman' (qv), 'Keith Wayne' (qv), 'Kyra Schon' (qv), producer 'Russell Streiner' (qv) and production director 'Vincent D. Survinski' (qv)

Only $5.99 Free Shipping @

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=ELE001116

[Slumlord]

I have the public domain copy. It works for me and it was free... beggars can't be choosers.

[Bad Zombie Night]

The Elite Entertainment 'Special Edition' has the most bang for the buck, I actually prefer it over the more expensive 'Millenium Edition'.

Commentary by director George A. Romero and co-writer John A. Russo

Commentary by cast members Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Judith O'Dea

'S. William Hinzman' (qv), 'Keith Wayne' (qv), 'Kyra Schon' (qv), producer 'Russell Streiner' (qv) and production director 'Vincent D. Survinski' (qv)

Only $5.99 Free Shipping @

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=ELE001116

I have both, this copy (Special Edition), and the one Go-Go recommends (Millennium Edition)... Even though I like the cartoonish style menus on the Special Edition, the extras on the Millennium Edition are far superior... Both DVDs are digitally remastered, so you're getting a print of the highest quality.


Special Edition

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/images/covers/coverd/40_49/132849.jpg



Millennium Edition

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005Y6Y2.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Emperor]

The Millenium edition is the best - there is a new one coming out here in the UK on 26th Sep 2005. You can pre-order it now:

www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009Y8UD6/revenantmagaz-21

I have the press release:

THE DEFINITIVE DVD EDITION OF GEORGE A. ROMERO'S HORROR CLASSIC!

In 1968, writer-director George A. Romero redefined the horror movie genre with his seminal zombie film NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Over the years, many different versions of this landmark film have appeared on DVD in the UK but, to date, none have ever given it the treatment it deserves. Now, thanks to Contender Home Entertainment, Romero's masterpiece can finally be seen on DVD as the director intended. Fully restored and remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, this Special Collector's Edition of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD comes in limited edition packaging and features a host of previously unavailable extras, making this the most definitive DVD edition of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD ever to be made available in the UK. Brought back to life by a mysterious cosmic incident, the recently deceased have begun to rise from their graves and are determined to fulfill their most primal instinct – to feed! Amid the ensuing chaos, a group of strangers find themselves stranded in a farmhouse in the quiet Pennsylvania countryside under siege from the hordes of newly risen corpses with a taste for human flesh. Terrified by the zombie onslaught and haunted by paranoia, the small band of people soon become increasingly mistrustful of each other. As darkness descends on the remote farmhouse, the only question on anybody's mind is, "Who will survive the Night Of The Living Dead?"

A work of tense, unrelenting terror from start to finish, George A. Romero's masterful NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is undoubtedly one of the greatest horror films ever made.

This Contender Home Entertainment release of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD on DVD coincides with the UK theatrical release of George A. Romero's long awaited fourth chapter in the "Dead" series, "Land Of The Dead", on 9th September 2005.

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: SPECIAL COLLECTOR'S EDITION (cert. 18) will be released on DVD (£19.99) by Contender Home Entertainment on 5th September 2005. Special Features include feature length audio commentary by director George A. Romero, feature length audio commentary by cast members, star Duane Jones' final interview, interview with cast member Judith Ridley, original US theatrical trailers and TV spots, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, photo galleries, selected scenes from George A. Romero's lost film "There's Always Vanilla", and much more.

Compare this with the extras for the Millenium edition as listed on Amazon:




DVD Features:

Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Commentary by creator/ director George A. Romero and the entire cast
Film Parody "Night of the Living Bread"
Still Photo Gallery, Featuring Rare Color Photos
The History of George Romero's Company - The Latent Image
Scenes From the "Lost" Romero Film, "There's Always Vanilla"
Video Interview with "Night of the Living Dead's" Judy Ridley
Final Interview by Star Duane Jones
Foreign and Domestic Posters and Collectibles
Original Props
The Entire Shooting Script
Cast Members' Personal Scrapbooks
Romero Directed TV Spots and Short Films
Liner Notes by Romero and Stephen King

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005Y6Y2/wwwrevenantmc-20

and while the critical bit is "making this the most definitive DVD edition of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD ever to be made available in the UK" it can still be picked up via Amazon.co.uk so.......

www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005Y6Y2/revenantmagaz-21

So if you already have the Millenium Edition then there doesn't seem much point but I suppose if someone is a big fan and hasn't bought it and doesn't have a multiregional DVD player......

[devourthesun]

I gotta buy that Millenium edition. I had this cheap $5 one i got at some drug store, and i sold it, i bought the 30th anivesary at blockbuster, but i gotta get a decent version. Stupid russo.

And did anyone else see the trailer for Bill Hizmans's movie "Flesh eater, Revenge of the Living Dead" or some such nonsense. Totally looks like a crappy ripoff of NOTLD

[Bad Zombie Night]

And did anyone else see the trailer for Bill Hizmans's movie "Flesh eater, Revenge of the Living Dead" or some such nonsense. Totally looks like a crappy ripoff of NOTLD
It's also called Zombie Nosh... Get it... You'll either have a good laugh or a good cry. :lol: http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/bzn123/Smileys/cry.gif

[Slumlord]

With all the different versions of this, do any of them get rid of the popping, the sound level problems, and all the lines and 'hairs' on the screen? I just watched the version from a boxed set of horror classics I got and while it wasn't bad for quality it was no 'remastered' version either. But if the video and audio isn't fixed in the uber versions then I'll just stick with what I got.

Does anyone like the colorized version? FYE here has a color version copy I haven't seen elsewhere.

[Bad Zombie Night]

With all the different versions of this, do any of them get rid of the popping, the sound level problems, and all the lines and 'hairs' on the screen? I just watched the version from a boxed set of horror classics I got and while it wasn't bad for quality it was no 'remastered' version either. But if the video and audio isn't fixed in the uber versions then I'll just stick with what I got.
You have to check out either of the versions I listed below... I feel it's definitely worth checking out. ;-)


Does anyone like the colorized version? FYE here has a color version copy I haven't seen elsewhere.

The early colorized versions were horrible; even laughable.... There is a new one that came out this past year that I recommend checking out.

Here's the official site: Off Color Films (http://www.offcolorfilms.com/nld.html) *** Check out the Color NOTLD trailer!***

Here's it is for sale at Amazon.com: Night of the Living Dead (Colorized) (1968) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002IQLGM/102-0301323-3459340?v=glance) .... (Widely available... You can shop around this price )


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002IQLGM.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[SkullOrchard]

Elite 1999 best; cheap Good Times DVD an ok clone, April 24, 2005
Reviewer: Robert E. Seletsky (Boston, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This film is a seminal work of its type that is seldom, if ever, bettered. One either likes it or doesn't. For years, awful, damaged, murky VHS and early DVD editions circulated, made from poor 16mm prints. In 1993, Elite restored the film from the original 35mm negative and issued it on laserdisc. In 1999, they re-issued it in the then-new DVD format minus a few extras. In 2002, they restored all the extras, adding a new surround sound option, calling it the "Millenium Edition." Terrible versions continue to proliferate however, worst of all the costly 1998 Anchor Bay "30th Anniversary Edition" which is grotesquely mutilated with a new electronic soundtrack and atrocious newly filmed scenes; still available, it is the one to avoid most carefully.

Despite having fewer extra features than their 2002 Millenium Edition, Elite's 1999 Special Collector's Edition is preferable, dealing with one problem more honestly. Stock recorded music is used throughout the film, and begins unsteadily. In the 2002 Millenium Edition, the soundtrack starts almost inaudibly and increases in volume for the first fifteen seconds, making the viewer expect a low sound level and then jump to turn down the volume a few seconds later. It's either a poor attempt to conceal a minor problem or just a mistake that Elite made while creating the new, unnecessary 5.1 surround track; sadly, the problem also afflicts the regular mono soundtrack in the Millenium Edition. The older Elite Special Collector's Edition presents the original consistent volume level from the beginning, and the slight opening unsteadiness is barely noticeable.

The 1999 Elite Special Collector's Edition has almost three times as many track cue points as their 2002 Millenium Edition--the opposite of what one would expect. The Millenium Edition's added extras are historical curiosities, generally pretty dull and sometimes a little embarrassing; they're certainly not horror film oriented and I doubt that many people will want to see them more than once. The surround sound of the Millenium Edition is artificial and seems inappropriate for an independent B&W film of this age. My feeling is that Elite's 1999 Special Collector's Edition is the best overall presentation; despite slightly fewer extras, the accurate opening volume gives it the edge.

The Good Times DVD, catalog no. 05-81170, is a clone of the 1999 Elite Special Collector's Edition without any extras. The cloning apparently produced a somewhat grainier picture and some motion blur on certain monitors, perhaps because it's not THX-calibrated like the Elite originals. Good Times masks their obvious copyright infringement thinly by eliminating or moving track cue points and deleting the final copyright logo. But if one doesn't care about extras or mind very slightly degraded picture quality--and video piracy, it's still better than anything but the Elite original, and can be had for about $4. Strangely, in library cataloguing of the Elite editions, "Good Times" is listed in the "added authors" column.

I agree with the guy who wrote this review at Amazon.com. I own both the Millenium Edition and Elite Special Edition of the DVD, and I prefer the less expensive Special Edition. You get a few more special features on the Millenium Edition, but dollar for dollar, the Elite Special Edition is the best deal. Only $5.99 Free shipping @ DDD.

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=ELE001116

[Bad Zombie Night]

I agree with the guy who wrote this review at Amazon.com. I own both the Millenium Edition and Elite Special Edition of the DVD, and I prefer the less expensive Special Edition. You get a few more special features on the Millenium Edition, but dollar for dollar, the Elite Special Edition is the best deal. Only $5.99 Free shipping @ DDD.

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=ELE001116

That's an excellent deal! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/bzn123/Smileys/thumbsupbrown.gif I paid a lot more for mine. :-(

[as_i_lay_dying]

The Elite Entertainment 'Special Edition' has the most bang for the buck, I actually prefer it over the more expensive 'Millenium Edition'.

Commentary by director George A. Romero and co-writer John A. Russo

Commentary by cast members Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Judith O'Dea

'S. William Hinzman' (qv), 'Keith Wayne' (qv), 'Kyra Schon' (qv), producer 'Russell Streiner' (qv) and production director 'Vincent D. Survinski' (qv)

Only $5.99 Free Shipping @

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=ELE001116

I just ordered this.. Its a really good deal. I think. Cant wait to get it.

[9th Lv. Paladin]

Hey, does anyone have NOTLD in 3D? I'm thinking of picking this one up. Not being old enough to see 3D movie when they where at their biggest, or young enough to watch Rodregez's (*cough!* sell out!) Shark boy and Lava girl, I'd really like to see a 3D movie, especially this one. Also, Im thinking of getting toe Colonized version, is that any good?

Woh, if that all happens, I'll have 4 NOTLDs!
Old Vhs,
Millennium ed
3d ed
and colonized ed. :roll:
Well, more info whould be great.

[Bad Zombie Night]

Hey, does anyone have NOTLD in 3D?
I happen to own it... I got it off Ebay about a year ago, and it's not all that great... I guess it doesn't translate all that well into a 3-D film.


Also, Im thinking of getting toe Colonized version, is that any good?
I thought the new colorized version from Off Color Films was pretty good... The earlier versions just plain suck! Scroll down, and check out post #13 (http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showpost.php?p=98188&postcount=13) .... There you can see a pic of the DVD cover, and a link to where you can buy it. http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/bzn123/Smileys/Characters/1bnz_smiley.gif

[Slumlord]

I happen to own it... I got it off Ebay about a year ago, and it's not all that great... I guess it doesn't translate all that well into a 3-D film.

3-D? Yeah, I don't see how that would work. There aren't many extreme close-ups with things coming out at you that I can recall.

[Bad Zombie Night]

3-D? Yeah, I don't see how that would work. There aren't many extreme close-ups with things coming out at you that I can recall.
I forget :? .... I think this movie used the red & blue glasses, but I have to check it out again... All I can remember is that I wasn't too impressed by the so called '3-D effects'... There were very few scenes, if any at all, where you saw any 3-D action. http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/bzn123/Smileys/thumbdown.gif http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/bzn123/Smileys/Characters/1bnz_smiley.gif

[chickenchop1]

Night of the Living Dead from Off Color Films and 20th Century Fox is decent enough, considering it has both the Original black and white version, as well as the newly colorized version, with optional commentary by Mike Nelson (Mystery Science Theater 3000, which by the way, wasn't very funny, but he does make a point about lots of boards being nailed up for most of the film.)
EDIT: I had to see this in color, and this version met my standards, though the zombies could've been shaded better, not enough blood.

The added footage from the updated version of NOTLD was out of place, but interesting nonetheless. The only part I liked from the new material is the end, where the kid answers the door for Halloween and a zombie attacks her. Even so, it doesn't match the original very well.

And what about Savini's Remake of NOTLD? I can only take so much screaming in one movie, and this one took the cake dammit. The women wouldn't shut up for two seconds without screaming every other second. Even the lady hero screams. The zombies weren't half as good as the ones from Day of the Dead, another film Savini worked on, which I highly recommend if you like rotten zombies.

[eardrumbuz]

The added footage from the updated version of NOTLD was out of place, but interesting nonetheless. The only part I liked from the new material is the end, where the kid answers the door for Halloween and a zombie attacks her.

what have i missed? i don't remember this from the 30th anniversary butchering of notld. is there yet another version, or did i turn this one off too soon?

[Bad Zombie Night]

The added footage from the updated version of NOTLD was out of place, but interesting nonetheless. The only part I liked from the new material is the end, where the kid answers the door for Halloween and a zombie attacks her. Even so, it doesn't match the original very well.

I'm as confused as Buz is... :?

Are you talking about Zombie Nosh (aka Flesheater/Revenge of the Living Zombies)? That has nothing to do with NOTLD, other than Bill Hinzman written, directed, and starred in it. http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/bzn123/Smileys/Characters/1bnz_smiley.gif

[Patrick]

I was not aware the original had been colorized. That must ruin it.

[dawn of the dead 78]

I seen this on ebay. Does it look better in color?

[Slumlord]

Couldn't tell ya, but the general opinion is no.

[Dead-Central]

If you check out the trailer for it on my page DEAD-CENTRAL.COM (http://dead-central.com) you can judge for yourself, I have a few images from it as well.
Generally I dont like colorized versions but this newest one is very good.

[Bad Zombie Night]

I seen this on ebay. Does it look better in color?

DOTD78, scroll down to post #13 (http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showpost.php?p=98188&postcount=13) of this thread, and check out the color version made by Off Color Films (http://www.offcolorfilms.com/nld.html)... They have a color trailer of NOTLD on their website also... Just follow the links. ;-)

[dead and loving it]

I know that NOTLD 68 is public domain, and there are a bazillion different DVDs out there.

Is there an "official" DVD out there in widescreen ?

How about actor/director commentary or deleted scenes?

Where could I find such a thing?

[Bad Zombie Night]

I know that NOTLD 68 is public domain, and there are a bazillion different DVDs out there.

Is there an "official" DVD out there in widescreen ?

How about actor/director commentary or deleted scenes?

Where could I find such a thing?

I've merge this thread with an existing NOTLD thread on the forum... In the future, please conduct a search before starting any new threads.

-Thanks http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/bzn123/Smileys/Characters/1bnz_smiley.gif



You might also want to consider these threads.


Night of the Living Dead Survivors Cut BijouFlix DVD (http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7207&highlight=Night+living+dead)

Night of the Living Dead - another 1968 director (http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7208&highlight=Night+living+dead)

Night of the living dead DVD Question (http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6159&highlight=Night+living+dead)

Night of the Living Dead 30th Anniversary Limited Edition (http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6151&highlight=Night+living+dead)

[The Blind Dead]

The Elite Entertainment 'Special Edition' has the most bang for the buck, I actually prefer it over the more expensive 'Millenium Edition'.

Commentary by director George A. Romero and co-writer John A. Russo

Commentary by cast members Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Judith O'Dea

'S. William Hinzman' (qv), 'Keith Wayne' (qv), 'Kyra Schon' (qv), producer 'Russell Streiner' (qv) and production director 'Vincent D. Survinski' (qv)

Only $5.99 Free Shipping @

The price for the SE can't be beat but the Millenium Edition is without a doubt the best damn edition on the market. If you want the definitive Night of the Living Dead, the Millenium edition is the one you should grab. Non-believers can feel free to check out this DVD comparison at DVDbeaver.com:

The Anchor Bay Region 0 DVD is cropped on all 4 sides. It also has some edge enhancement and fluctuating darkness. It does offer 5.1 sound. Both Elite version have the same transfer and as far as I understand it is the definitive version of the many that are on the market. Both Elite versions have the commentary track, but the more recent "Millennium" version has even more extras than the "Collector's" edition as well as 5.1 sound optional to the original mono sound. Yes, a no-brainer, the Millennium version have improved upon the sound, Extras and menu's of their own older "Collector's" version. .

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/nightlivingdead.htm