Night of the Living Dead

This is the 3rd blu-ray release and all 3 have something different to offer in regards to the HD, which can complicate things for those looking to purchase the film. The first release was from Twilight Time, followed by Umbrella Entertainment and then Sony. So let’s just jump right into things.The TT was met with a lot of controversy as the transfer is quite dark with a different color grade. Daytime scenes now look like dusk. If you really breakdown the TT version, it actually has terrific HD but brought down by being far too dark as detail gets lost. However with that said I don’t think it’s the train wreck it’s been made out to be, as the darker look does at times give the film an eerie feel, but the HD is overall too dark. TT doesn’t handle the transfers. They’re supplied to them as they only distribute. I have no idea what Sony was thinking during the process of the transfer. Again it isn’t the train wreck it’s made out to be, but it was a botched release.Umbrella is an Australian label and all their releases are region free despite the box listing them as region B. The Umbrella like the TT has its pros and cons. The HD is clearly sourced from an older master as when comparing to the DVD it’s quite clear it’s the same source, which is quite frustrating as when the Umbrella blu was released the DVD was at least 15-years old. Umbrella typically uses older scans. Despite being an older scan I would give it an edge over the TT as this release isn’t nearly as dark, but that’s also its flaw as TT is too dark, well the Umbrella blu is far too bright. Overall though if your choice is between the TT or Umbrella, I’d have to go with the Umbrella blu despite being too bright. The Umbrella blu got some rave reviews, but I think that stems more from the TT transfer. While a nice transfer, but an older master and too bright, but between the two, Umbrella gets the win.So now the Sony blu. Prior to the release many wondered will it be the same as the TT? The same as Umbrella? Or a new scan? I have no idea if a new scan was created or if Sony simply went back to the scan used for TT and corrected the flaws. No matter what once again we get a whole new look for the HD. The Sony blu is the one to buy as you get the best of both releases. The Sony blu isn’t nearly as dark as the TT nor is it as bright as the Umbrella as it strikes the right balance. It’s quite interesting to compare all 3 as each one differs from each other. Detail and color are much improved on the Sony release and again it’s strikes the perfect balance of not being too dark or too bright.The only reason some may prefer the Umbrella blu is due to the extras. That’s where the Umbrella blu gets the win over the other two releases. Oddly enough on the Umbrella blu, during the interviews when clips are shown of the movie it’s actually the TT HD.While the extra features are nice, but for me I watch them once and once only. Regardless, the most important part of buying is how the HD is. I’d rather get a blu with no features and a great transfer than an edition with features, but not a very good transfer. If you’re the opposite than Umbrella Entertainment would be the preferred choice and while not stacked it does have strong features. But for me the Sony is the definitive version as the HD is far better.Like I said the Umbrella blu does have a decent transfer but sourced from an older master and is too bright. However there may be some that prefer the HD on Umbrella just like there’s some that like the TT best. But for me it’s hands down the Sony blu and the good portion of review sites also state that.So in closing if it’s extras that are most important Umbrella but if the HD is then go with Sony. Once again the Sony blu strikes the perfect balance of not being too dark or too bright.

I grabbed this release after missing out on the Twilight Time release that came out a few years ago. Night of the Living Dead (1990) was one of the first "remakes" of its kind, and it's great. There's enough changes from the original film that makes it unique, yet it keeps the feeling of bleakness and despair from the original film intact.Quick story: The original Night of the Living Dead (directed by George Romero) was originally titled "Night of the Flesh Eaters." Literally a day before release, they recieved a letter from an attorney stating that the title "Night of the Flesh Eaters" was already used. So George and Co. changed the title and the rest is history. HOWEVER, George and Co. forgot to trademark the title. Someone took notice and now there's hundreds of VHS and DVD releases of the original film. It's public domain. In 1989, Tom Savini (who did the makeup for George on "Dawn" and "Day" as well as "Friday the 13th") was contacted by George to remake the film. Well, Mr. Savini did a fantastic job and was a really cool guy about it. He even discussed how he tried to involve as many people that worked on the original 1968 film so they can "make some money" from the work they did in the first place. Awesome guy.Anyway, Night of the Living Dead (1990) came out on DVD many, many years ago and the first Blu-Ray release in the United States was via Twilight Time Entertainment back in......2013/2014?Now, Twilight Time Entertainment is a niche label and because of this, their releases are expensive AND limited (3000 copies in this case). In fact, most new releases from them is $30-$35 at pre-order and in the case of NOTLD (1990) was sold out in the pre-order stage. Time passed, pre-orders completely sold out and the Twilight Time version releases..........well, its botched. The transfer is too dark, color is off, there's a blue-ish tint to the film (despite supposedly being approved by Savini). Needless to say, US fans are NOT happy. To boot, due to the rareity of the Twilight Time release, expect to pay $80-$90-$100 on ebay for it.Fast forward to 2016. The Australian label, Umbrella Entertainment releases this version, completely corrected to the original theatrical release, presented in 1080p, no blue-ish tint, not dark, completely a MUCH better transfer. It's not perfect, don't expect a 4k scan, there are some minimal artifacts (pops and scratches) but its not unwatchable by any means. In fact, its the best we're going to get for now. Included are several bonus features including commentary, a "The Dead Walks" doc which covers a bit about the original film and the remake, makeup tests, etc. This disc has more features than the really expensive Twilight Time release by far.Also, although the disc is marked as a Region "B" release, I have tried the disc on both a Region A locked standalone blu-ray player and a United States Sony Playstation 4 console. Both the film and the special features played just fine on both devices.This item can be bought directly from the distributor's (Umbrella) website and here on Amazon. Amazon I believe is a couple bucks more expensive, BUT you'll probably get it faster than getting a shipment from Australia.

Tom Savini's Night of the Living Dead has finally been unleashed in the right color timing. If you missed out on the "Twilight Time" release, consider it a blessing. Twilight Time's release suffered horrible color correction and incorrect cropping/framing. This release is from an all-new master and it looks incredible. The black levels are dynamic with very little "black crush". Nice neutral colors without over-saturation or that dreaded blue tint.The film itself is one of my favorite remakes ever - Special FX master, Tom Savini delivers a moody and intense retelling of the Romero classic. This is a great release of this cult classic and it belongs in every horror fan's library.

I've always felt this was among the very best horror remakes. It stays true to the original, but adds in a lot of new surprises and some bigger budget makeup and effects. To the film's benefit... That works well. The acting is well done and the direction by Tom Savini seems pretty spot on. There is a lot of tension and dread. I'd go so far as to say that while the original film Is a well deserved classic, this remake is scarier (in my opinion). It is one of the most. Underrated horror films of the 90s, or any other decade for that matter. If you're going to remake an iconic film... This is how to do it.

Whilst initially it seems a straight remake, this does some good character shifting. I admit I love Savini as effects supremo, but this makes a good impression of him as director. Always good to hear Tony Todd, especially as a hero. The leading lady is excellent. After the setup, which cleverly riffs on the original but does necessarily take a while, this really motors. Effects are well deployed.Caught this originally on Sky in the late 90's. I enjoyed it, but was not aware of the copyright issues. Rewatched I think it is a good movie, but I agree with Savini that some of the missing effects could have made it even better. Fascinating great background in the extras from director cast and crew. All in all a good movie package at a great price.

"Umbrella" edition is GREAT! The item came really fast, in perfect condition.Everything is as described. The story is great - real classic horror,picture quality is perfect.Zombies are creepy as hell!100 % entertainment.The price is cheap, but that's hard-to-find title so, don't hesitate - BUY IT NOW!

There are only three remakes I like of Romero Movies - Dawn of the Dead directed by Zack Snyder, The Crazies directed by Breck Eisner and this beauty, Night of the Living Dead directed by Tom Savini.

Although this 1990 remake of the scariest film I have ever seen is notanywhere near as scary as the 1968 original, it is still a very goodfilm and has improved with age and repeated viewings. I first saw theoriginal NOLD upon the initial 1968 release at a drive-in, again in1970 at a drive-in and then not again until around 1980 on VHS video.In the interim I was lucky enough to find and buy the originalpaperback edition of the 1974 Warner Books novelization. In the remake,Tom Savini does a fine job with the director's chair and the filmbenefits hugely from two very strong performances from Tony Todd andPatricia Tallman. The make-up effects, on-location filming and musicare also all first-rate. It is a very worthwhile film despite being aremake of a true classic. It does not attempt to be equal to or betterthan the original. It doesn't copy the original scene-for-scene anddialog-for-dialog. Although the plots are indeed very similar, theremake offers some very unexpected twists and enhances some characterswhile it somewhat changes others. And for those who have seen theoriginal film but not the remake, steer clear of reading spoilers forthe remake's ending. It was a touch of pure genius and won't be at allwhat you will be expecting. See the remake but don't compare it to theoriginal classic. It stands very well on its own merits and evencompliments and pays homage and tribute to the 1968 version.

As remakes of classic films go, this one is up there with the best. Its easy to think that trend for Hollywood to remake famous movies for a modern audience is a new thing. Its not. There's also a view that all remakes are "bad". They aren't. While this movie draws heavily from the original source, it does differ in enough ways to make it a worthy entry to the horror genre in its own right.The blu-ray version, while sharp and vibrant in sunnier, daylight scenes, I think that the print could have done with a little more cleaning up in terms of film scratches. However, I think that this is still the best looking version on the home market that I've seen.