Night of the Living Dead

(mouse over image after page fully loads to see colorized version)

( aka "Monster Flick" opr "Night of Anubis" or Night of the Flesh Eaters")

directed by George A. Romero
U.S.A. 1968

In 1968, a small group of friends in the business of making commercials and industrial shorts wanted to try their hands at “real” movie-making. Given the recent explosion of the exploitation and horror film market, led in the USA by godfather of gore, Herschel Gordon Lewis, it was decided that a horror film stood the best chance of being seen and maybe even making some money. George Romero and John Russo came up with an idea, and the group scraped together just over $100,000 and got started. With money tight, they used local talent, friends, and even investors in the film as actors. One of the investors was a butcher who provided the blood n’ guts for the operation. No one could have guessed that from these humble beginnings would emerge what is, arguably, the greatest of American horror films. A movie who’s negative was once stored in the basement of a Pittsburgh ad agency, now resides in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.

Excerpt from Brook Kennon's review found HERE

Posters (Click to ENLARGE)

Theatrical release - October 1st, 1968 - USA

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

Fox - Region 1 - NTSC (black and white) vs. Fox - Region 1 - NTSC (colorized) Elite (Millennium Edition)- Region 1 - NTSC vs. Elite (Special Collector's Edition) Region 0 - NTSC

Big thanks to Ole of DVDBasen for the Elite Millennium Screen Caps!

(Fox - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT -. Elite -Millennium Edition - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE -. Elite Special Collectors Edition - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Fox Home Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC	Elite Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC	Elite Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:36:48 (NTSC)	1:36:24 (NTSC)	1:36:48 (NTSC)
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.47 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate:7.31 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.47 NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Fox
Bitrate: Elite Millennium
Bitrate: Elite Collectors
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English DTS	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) THX Certified	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono)) THX Certified
Subtitles	Color version has close-captioned.	None	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Fox Home Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by Mike Nelson • Both a Black and White (original) and colorized versions of the film • Theatrical trailers • Separated at Death - parody of current stars likeness to Horror film characters (pictures are on gravestones - click through) DVD Release Date: September 7th, 2004 Keep Case Chapters 16	Release Information: Studio: Elite Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.37:1 Edition Details: • Commentary with Romero, John Russo, Karl Hardman and Marilyn Eastman. • Commentary with Bill Hinzman, Judith O'Dea, Keith Wayne, Kyra Schon, Russell Streiner and Vince Survinski. • Original Script / Threatment. • Scrapbooks of Marilyn Eastman and Vince Survinski. • Night of the Living Bread (8:25). Sound interview with Duane Jones (16:21). • Interview with Judith Ridley (10:39). • Beginnings: The Latent Image / Hardman Eastman Studios (Text). Scenes from Romeo's "lost" "There's Always Vanilla" (5:09). • Poster/lobbycards from "There's Always Vanilla". • Trailer (1:47). • TV spot (0:56). • THX Optimizer. DVD Release Date: March 12, 2002 Keep Case Chapters 12	Release Information: Studio: Elite Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.37:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by director George A. Romero and co-writer John A. Russo • Commentary by cast members Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Judith O'Dea • Theatrical trailer • Night of the Living Bread (8:25). • S. William Hinzman, Keith Wayne, Kyra Schon, producer Russell Streiner and production director Vincent D. Survinski DVD Release Date: May 18, 1999 Keep (Polygram) Case Chapters 31

Comments:

We were able to dismiss the older Anchor Bay version in this comparison HERE. The colorization is damn impressive (I would put it on a par with Carnival of Souls ... maybe a notch below, also by Off Color Films), but the sharpness is easy in the Elite camp. Personally I prefer the Elite Special Edition a shade more than the Elite Millennium Edition (contrast) - but, of course, it is negligible. As we have stated, DVDBeaver does not condone or recommend films that have been manipulated by colorization. Just as we do not recommend censored films, non-original audio or aspect ratio manipulated films. Colorization can look silly at times, attempting to give texture where there often is none. So why buy the Fox edition? Fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 will know Mike Nelson and his commentary on the Fox edition may sate a hunger for his brand of sarcasm. No, it is not the definitive edition for image, but Off Color probably knew that before they started their process. This is for fans of Mike Nelson and die-hard fans of the film - after all you get both an original and color versions. As with my Carnival of Souls viewing, the color can bring a new dimension to the film, almost like an initial screening. I don't think the film loses any of its genre-ific strength and the color results are intriguing.

Gary W. Tooze

DVD Menus

(Fox - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT -. Elite -Millennium Edition - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE -. Elite Special Collectors Edition - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

Screen Captures

Colorization Sample

(Fox (black and white)- Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Fox (colorized)- Region 1 - NTSC - 2nd vs. Elite -Millennium Edition - Region 1 - NTSC vs. 3rd -. vs. Elite Special Collectors Edition - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)