Search - Dawn of the Dead [Collector's Edition] on DVD

Content Advisory: Violence, Not For Children, Adult Language, Gore Movie Release: 1978 DVD Release: 04/27/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 8 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 11 Genres: Horror See Also: Dawn of the Dead, George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead [Divimax], Dawn of the Dead: Ultimate Edition, Zombi, Dawn of the Dead [UMD for PSP], Dawn of the Dead [Blu-ray], Dawn of the Dead

Director George A. Romero's epic sequel to his legendary Night of the Living Dead has firmly established itself as the equal of its ground-breaking predecessor. Though shot in 1978 -- ten years after the first films' release -- Dawn's story begins as if the events in Night had happened only a few months before: after shambling armies of the recently-dead take over every major city -- seeking warm human flesh for food -- the U.S. government imposes a state of martial law, sending in special National Guard units to attack and destroy zombie infestation where they find it. Two members of one such unit, Peter (Ken Foree) and Roger (Scott Reiniger) have been tasked to overthrow a nest of zombies in a Pittsburgh housing project (one of the film's most explicitly gory scenes). When the job turns ugly and Peter is forced to terminate his own berserk, racist commanding officer, the pair decide to split the outfit with the help of his friend Stephen (David Emge), a traffic pilot for WGON-TV, and the station's floor manager, Stephen's girlfriend Frances (Gaylen Ross). Together they steal the station's helicopter and head for less-populated areas, but after some narrow scrapes with flesh-hungry redneck ghouls in the country outside Harrisburg, they opt for a more secure hideout. Eventually they find the perfect solution: a massive, sprawling shopping mall. After the lengthy process of purging the building of zombies is complete, the four secure themselves snugly in the miniature city, consigned to live out their lives in a dull but cushy consumer's paradise... but the arrival of a menacing gang of nomadic bikers proves that this is not to be. With their survival instincts weakened by a mallful of toys and trinkets, the crew are again forced to face grim reality as they face both living and undead foes in a final battle. Romero's excellent, multi-layered story combines high-adventure heroics, three-dimensional characters and explicit gore (by the always masterful Tom Savini, who plays a small role as a leering biker) to excellent effect. The subtext comparing the glassy-eyed behavior patterns of the ghouls to those of American consumers is clear, but not overdone: "It's some kind of instinct," Stephen comments, observing the zombies' attraction to the mall; "This was an important place in their lives." Despite the glimmer of hope offered by the film's closing scene, the outlook for humankind is grim. Perhaps it is Frannie who best expresses Dawn's outlook for humanity: "We're not gonna make it, are we?" Several versions of this film are available on video, including a faster-paced European version edited by overseas distributor Dario Argento and a "Director's Cut" with a great deal of exposition restored (though Romero is quoted as having preferred the unrated cut released initially to U.S. theaters). The shooting script also contains a more downbeat ending, which was never filmed. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Scott Reiniger - Roger
Ken Foree - Peter
David Emge - Stephen
Gaylen Ross - Francine
Tom Savini - Motorcycle Raider

George A. Romero's 1978 horror masterpiece Dawn of the Dead was originally available on DVD as the director's cut. That version is no longer produced, having been replaced by the U.S. Theatrical Cut. This version comes with Dolby Sound, and is presented in its original widescreen (1.66:1) format. Included is the original theatrical trailer, a Monroeville Mall commercial spot, and two alternate scenes included in the European cut of the film, which was known as Zombi. However, one of these alternate scenes is included in its entirety in this version of the film, while the other is not, which makes for a bit of confusion. The Monroeville Mall spot is an interesting little bonus, because seeing that the location where the events supposedly took place actually exists adds a certain legitimacy to the horror of the film. However, save for a small bit of information regarding the alternate scenes (which is itself confusing), no production notes, commentaries, or biographies are included on the disc. ~ Jose Promis, All Movie Guide