Director – Tom Savini (Tales from the Darkside, Creepshow)
Starring – Tony Todd (Candyman, The Man from Earth), Patricia Tallman (Dead Air, Army of Darkness), and Tom Towles (House of 1000 Corpses, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer)
Release Date – 1990
Rating – 4.5/5
UHD Release – 5/5
Most horror fans that I’ve met over the years can tell you what triggered their obsession with the genre. Mine was a product of the time I was raised. I was born in the mid 80s and raised in the 90s so Goosebumps was my first love. I was constantly harassing my dad to get me the books when they would hit store shelves. However, it was watching Tom Savini’s remake of Night of the Living Dead sometime during the early 90s that got me hooked on horror movies.
I watched it for the first time with my grandmother while my dad was out of town. I loved it and asked if we could watch it again and she said no. Instead, she showed me the original George A. Romero classic and my fate was sealed. A few weeks ago I was sent the Savini remake on UHD for review which included the director’s cut. I had never seen this version of the film and had to see it. I want to thank Columbia Pictures for sending this one over!
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a young woman, Barbara (Tallman), who finds herself fleeing through a cemetery when the dead come back to life. Seeking refuge in a nearby farmhouse, she finds another group looking for safety. However, tension comes to a boil when they struggle to agree on what they should do next resulting in altercations eventually resulting in the death of many of them at the hands of each other and the living dead. **Spoiler Alert**
George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead is one of the most important films in horror history and a pivotal zombie film that would forever change the sub-genre. The film spawned several sequels, remakes, and unofficial sequels over the decades since it’s original release but it’s damn near impossible for me to watch the film without immediately watching Savini’s remake or vice versa. I love both of these films equally and the fact I was sent this film on UHD with the director’s cut included is surreal. I never expected this when I start writing reviews and sitting here banging on my keyboard for this movie is an amazing feeling.
The acting in this one is top notch. There is no weak links. We have some of the best zombie actors I’ve ever seen in a film. I recently binged the entire Walking Dead universe and while there is some stellar performances among the dead in the show, none hold a candle to the cast playing zombies in this one. The main cast is amazing as well. They bring the same intensity as the original while keeping most of the original character’s personalities intact. This is a fantastic cast and their performances are one of the many reasons this film is essential viewing for genre fans.
The story for this one is damn near a shot for shot remake of the original with some minor changes but nothing that I would consider important. We have most of the essential characters returning with the same personalities, the same locations, social issues, and struggles with the undead the original faced. The minor changes are fun ones that many will not notice but people that have seen this one dozens of times will see them.
Finally, this one has some great make-up effects along with some unforgettable practical effects. The make-up effects look great. The zombies have a unique look with more focus on looking dead over rotting. The deaths are great as well. While the people don’t really die on screen, the zombie deaths use great gags and look fantastic. Overall, Night of the Living Dead is a must see for genre fans. While the original is going to always be my favorite, this film is a strong 2nd. The director’s cut does add some to the film but the movie is damn near perfect as is. Please check it out.
Special Features:
4K ULTRA HD DISC
Two versions of the feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision
NEW: Uncensored Cut – supervised by director Tom Savini, the Uncensored Cut restores moments of graphic violence and delivers an alternate vision of this horror classic
1990 Theatrical Version
English Dolby Atmos (both versions) + English 5.1 (both versions) + English 2-Channel Surround (Theatrical Version only)
Special Feature:
NEW: Commentary with director Tom Savini on the Uncensored Cut, moderated by Michael Felsher
BLU-RAY DISC™
1990 Theatrical Version of the feature presented in HD resolution, sourced from the 4K master
English 5.1 & 2-Channel Surround
Special Features:
Archival commentary with director Tom Savini
NEW: Interview with Actor Bill Moseley
NEW: Interview with Actor William Butler
NEW: Interview with Actors McKee Anderson and Heather Mazur
NEW: Interview with Producers John Russo and Russell Streiner
NEW: Interview with Editor Tom Dubensky
NEW: Interview with Zombie Performers Greg Funk and Dyrk Ashton
Savini’s Night with Director Tom Savini Featurette
Being Barbara with Actress Patricia Tallman Featurette
Return to the Living Dead with Special Makeup Effects Supervisors John Vulich and Everett Burrell Featurette
The Dead Walk: Making-of Featurette
Theatrical Trailer
CAST & CREW
Directed By: Tom Savini
Produced By: John A. Russo and Russ Streiner
Screenplay By: George A. Romero
Based on the Original Screenplay Written By: John A. Russo and George A. Romero
Executive Producers: Menahem Golan and George A. Romero
Co-Executive Producer: Ami Artzi
Cast: Tony Todd, Patricia Tallman
SPECS
Run Time: Approx. 88 minutes
Rating: R / Unrated
4K UHD Feature Picture: 2160p Ultra High Definition, 1.85:1
4K UHD Feature Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Compatible) | English 5.1 DTS-HD MA | English 2-Channel Surround DTS-HD MA (Theatrical Version Only)
