DVD Reviews

Dawn Of the Dead (1978): The Ultimate Edition

When it comes to zombie movie special editions it doesn’t get much tastier than this. The Dawn of the Dead Ultimate Edition comes loaded with versions and extras that will keep you watching for days. However, before bombarding you with all the extras you might actually want to hear a little bit about this landmark horror flick.

George A. Romero apparently never really thought about making a sequel to his massively popular Night of the Living Dead (1968) until he got a tour of the Monroeville mall and thought it would be a great setting for another zombie thriller. With the help of Dario Argento (Suspiria), Romero wrote and directed the film that would essentially become the most popular in the zombie series. Dawn of the Dead was released in 1978, pushing so many boundaries in horror entertainment that we take for granted today. If you’ve seen the 2004 remake with Sarah Polley then you haven’t seen anything until you check out the original.

The story picks up where Night of the Living Dead left off, with two television station employees and two SWAT team members taking a helicopter to search of a safe haven from the zombie epidemic. No one knows why the zombies are coming back to life and humanity, from the beginning of the film, looks doomed to destruction. Stephen, Peter, Roger and Francine come across a shopping mall, and once stopping for supplies decide that the mall makes a great place to lay low and wait for further updates on the zombie problem. No one can figure out why the zombies are returning to the mall. One character suggests that they return because it was an important part of their lives when they were alive. The rationale for why the dead are walking the earth in the first place? Peter says that there must be no more room in hell.

In the Ultimate Edition includes all three versions of the film are available. The U.S. Version is the original theatrical release, enhanced with multiple 5.1 surround sound options. Personally, I still like watching it in the original mono to get the gritty effect of the sound. The Extended Version includes some cut scenes that deal with Francine’s pregnancy and the psychological effects of living in a mall with zombies outside. The European Version is essentially the U.S. version with a different soundtrack done by Dario Argento. The music in the Extended Version is great and atmospheric but for me not as great as the droning tone of the original soundtrack. One thing to note is that the violence is essential similar in all versions. The European Version does re-edit some of the violent scenes to make them fit better with the music but nothing gets cut. Romero never cuts away in any of the versions. In fact some of the violence is rather shocking and might be forcibly cut these days to get a tamer rating so that young people could see it.

This boxed set includes a documentaries disc with some great stuff about the history of the production, with one documentary from the original production and a new one made for this ultimate edition. There is also a modern tour of the mall today with actor Ken Foree (Peter) that is kinda neat, as well as some original film filmed by one of the zombie performers.

Dawn of the Dead is the most memorable zombie movie made in the last 30 years. Today zombies have learned how to run and attack brutally. Directors are continually updating these monsters that Romero coined in his original films. However, what is most impressive about this flick is just how much Romero gets his audience to identify and feel for his characters. You feel like you are in the mall with the group, terrified by the prospect that people and zombies are coming to destroy your world.

If you love zombies your world couldn’t get any better then the Ultimate Edition of Dawn of the Dead. A true fan, which I’m proud to say I am, couldn’t ask for a better boxed set.

Review By Peter Kuling