I keep noticing praise online for Dawn of the Dead, a horror classic, bla, bla, so I feel I should see it finally. But I'm really confused by all the different versions available, which is the best? Extra gore is not important to me, by the way.
Dawn of the Dead (1978) original theatrical version
Dawn of the Dead (1978) European Version AKA Zombi
Dawn of the Dead (1978) Director's Cut
Dawn of the Dead (2004) remake
Other versions?
Help me out in the comments...
You've got me thinking - which version have I seen. I have the region 1 DVD which I thought was the original theatrical version. I'd go with that one.
ReplyDelete@Dan: I think I'll go with the 1978 film, it's pretty mind-boggling for a newcomer to know which version to watch!
DeleteThe recent Arrow Blu-ray has all three versions of the classic Dawn of the Dead, although only the theatrical cut is on shiny Blu-ray, the other two are on DVDs. Probably worth watching the theatrical cut first and then moving on to the other versions if you enjoy it. The remake is surprisingly good. Apart from a dodgy zombie baby subplot and an completely unnecessary end credits sequence it's incredibly well made. Possibly the best remake I've seen. I'm going to be re-watching these myself soon. Looking forward to it. Hope you enjoy them too.
ReplyDelete@keith: Thanks for the advice on this. I also heard the remake is very good. I'll give the 1978 film a look, and see if I get into it.
DeleteI'm curious about Dario Argento's international cut, the Italian director used the band Goblin for the soundtrack, so that might persuade me to watch the European Version AKA Zombi at some point. On the other hand, I'm worried Argento's version, and the 2 hours 20 min director's cut, were tinkered with one time too many in a "Star Wars" kind of way.
I admit I love the 2004 remake a lot more than the 1978 version, but the original Romero film is good too, it's fun to compare them ;)
ReplyDelete@MeltheMovieBuff: I haven't seen either, so I'll have to wait awhile to have fun comparing them :)
DeleteThe 1978 version is more campy than the 2004 remake, but I'd recommend both versions. I'm not sure which cut of the 1978 release I saw though. It was probably the original theatrical version.
ReplyDelete@Josh: more campy, ok. Either way, both films have a fanbase!
DeleteI think I've just seen the original and the remake. Both are excellent. I prefer Night to the original Dawn and the remake is one of the best remakes I can think of. Love the opening 5 mins. Both well worth a watch! Enjoy!
ReplyDelete@Pete: Yes, that's what I'm hearing, that the remake is worth watching too. I'll keep in mind what you say about the opening 5 mins.
DeleteI would see the original theatrical one first. It was Romero's preferred cut.
ReplyDeleteThe director's cut doesn't really add anything important anyways, just a bit more gore, and a couple of longer scenes. I believe it was a rushed edit and the theatrical one is the actual final cut.
Argento's version is not awful but not my first choice. It does have a lot of Goblin in it, so it's worth checking out as a curiosity.
The remake is also surprisingly worthwhile. But watch it after.
@Bonjour Tristesse: My review of Dawn of the Dead (1978) up on letterboxd today.
DeleteThanks for the advice. I actually couldn't locate the original theatrical cut on youtube, so ended up watching the director's cut, which I enjoyed.
Argento's version, I'll probably just listen to the Goblin soundtrack as stand-alone music.
I don't really remember the original but the remake is pretty damn good - scary, intense and disturbing.
ReplyDelete@Sati: Having now watched the 1978 film, I'm definitely interested in the remake. I think I'll wait, too soon to see both.
DeleteI stumbled upon this a little late but if you have not already check out the directors cut for the 1978 version. Its the best in my opinion. At around 2:20:00, its a bit on the long side but the added scenes are good and worth it. I've seen both versions and I like the directors cut for the added scenes he gives the characters. Its not just a good gory, zombie movie, its a character study and Romero knows how to write good characters beyond their abilities to blast zombies dead.
ReplyDeleteGood timing (though I'm two weeks late)I'm actually in the process of putting together a few posts for the movie. Be on the look out and I definitely want to hear your thoughts about the movie if you watch one of them.
@Gregory Roy: I saw the directors cut on youtube, definitely the best zombie movie I've seen(I haven't watched very many), my review of Dawn of The Dead (1978) will be up at the end of the month
Delete