Dawn of the Dead [Blu-ray] [1978]

Dawn of the dead blu ray review

Distributor : Arrow video, UK

With this set I was hoping it would be the last time that I would have to buy this film, having previously owned umpteen videos, laser discs, dvds and even the US blu ray release. I thought finally, this will be the ultimate release and the last word on the film.

All 3 versions of the film and a great deal of extras are provided here so I have only quickly skipped through the blu ray but will include my thoughts on the set incase anyone is considering a purchase.

First off, the print on the theatrical release was excellent considering the age of the film and in some ways it was like seeing the film for the first time. The extended cut and Dario Argento cut are included but only on standard dvds, due apparently to the print quality costing too much to remaster to HD blu ray quality. This is a slight disappointment, however the print on both of these (dvd) versons is very good and with the theatrical print being so good in HD, it really helps to make up for this.

The extras are excellent, with only one problem which unfortunately for me was a major issue. The set contains 2 of the commentary tracks from the Anchor Bay release. The George A Romero commentary which is excellent and a commentary with Richard Rubinstein, which I found myself continuously fighting to stay awake for.

The major issue for me, was the missing audio commentary by the 4 main stars of the film which had previously been found on the Dario Argento cut on the Anchor Bay Ultimate Edition dvd release. Assuming the decision to leave this one out was due to rights issues or something similar, this omission almost killed the set for me. Granted if commentaries aren't your thing, then that's fine, however it was actually one of the best commentary tracks I've ever heard and the way the actors bounce off each other and remember the good times provided a truly a fun experience listening along with them.

What helps to bring this set back up for me, is the inclusion of the Fan of the Dead documentary, where a "mad fan" goes in search of all of the locations from Night, Dawn and Day of the Dead and even finds his way into the original cellar from the first movie (which by the way hasn't changed a bit). This documentary has been on Youtube but for filming locations fans such as myself this is a real treat to have it included in the set.

With other feature length making of documentaries and even the Document of the Dead and Tom Savini Scream Greats for extras, this release overall has to be the best ever release of this film so far.

The set also comes with a reproduction poster from the original UK theatrical release (and pre-cert cover art) and a choice of up to 4 different covers for your blu ray.

I would have hoped this release would be the last version I would ever need to buy of this movie, however the lack of the cast commentary track I previously mentioned is reason enough to warrant another purchase if/when Anchor Bay release their ultimate edition on Blu Ray and I wouldn't be too surprised to see Anchor Bay include the extended and Dario Argento cuts also on blu ray discs rather than on standard dvd.

Ultimately for Dawn of the Dead fans, this is an essential purchase, If you can live without the cast commentary track and are not bothered about the other cuts being in SD this probably will be the last time you buy the film. For anyone else (myself included) it is still an excellent purchase, which will suffice, until the inevitable Anchor Bay ultimate edition blu ray set is released.

Overall, a quality release from a distributor who really seems to care for fans of the films which they are supplying.

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Arrow have truly done this iconic 70's horror classic proud with this extensive and lovingly packaged set. The HD transfer is razor-sharp and a joy to behold, and the incredible collection of high quality extras simply seal the whole deal. Even if you have the ABUS Ultimate Edition boxset, this remains a worthy purchase - as well as presenting the film in a form that surely could never be bettered, the extras also include Tom Savini's Scream Greats documentary.

Can't wait for Arrow's upcoming deluxe release of Lucio Fulci's surreal zombie-nightmare City Of The Living Dead. This one's similiarly packed with extras but these have been especially made for this release. Thanks to Arrow, things are looking pretty damned exciting for UK horror freaks. Show them some support!

I was overjoyed when I discovered that Dawn of the Dead was to have a blu-ray release. Much more than just a horror, George A. Romero's intelligent and highly satirical Zombie movie is rightly regarded as a 70's classic and probably the best zombie film ever to be made. It also stands as testament to what can be achieved with a relatively tiny budget of just $1.5 million. At well over two hours in running-time, it might be called over-long for a horror film, but this is not just any dumb zombie movie. Much care is taken to develop the four main characters and their relationships with each other in rather surprising depth as an ever growing number of zombies slowly close in on their hiding place in a deserted shopping mall. Character development is a feature sadly lacking in many horror films of today, where characters are dispatched mercilessly before we really begin to even care for their survival. It's a clever move, and helps escalate the tension nicely. Tom Savini's make-up and gore (of which there is plenty), though limited in scope by the low budget, is used to remarkable effect, particularly the use of bright red blood that gives the film a slightly `graphic novel' feel.

The blu-ray transfer is certainly a vast improvement on the picture quality of the DVD release and I have no doubt that it's as good as it ever can be. The picture is crisp and clear, the sound good. The improvement is however undoubtedly limited by the quality of the film used to make the movie, which has always had a slight green-ish tint. This has never detracted in any way from what is a truly outstanding film, an unusually complex horror with elements of social satire, survival drama and action film and with it's tongue never too far from it's own bloody cheek.