Which version of Night of the Living dead is best?

[Russell1982]

I have to say the original, black and white one is one of my fav horror films of all time. I still remember the first time i saw it, on tv late one night when i was a kid. Scared the hell out of me. N i instantly loved it. The colourized version is terrible but the remake was pretty good. Still prefer the original though, the B&W just gives it that classic horror feel. Awesome awesome movie. I really wanna go watch it now. Haha.

Also, the Blu Ray apparently is the best version about cos its the 100% original, with the proper score and everything.

 

[uscmbuzz]

HMMM alot of praise for the B/w version which is great ..apparently the melinium edition is the one people are really liking..oh and the blue ray is probably good too if you have blue ray..

 

[El Skutto]

Get the original B&W classic in the Millenium Edition, and pick up the 1990 remake directed by Tom Savini. Really, you need both versions in your collection.

 

[Nacho]

I've got the original B/W, trust me its the only one you need.

 

[Saya]

B/W hands down. no way anything can touch the original

 

[Maglor]

I have never seen the remake, but I was very impressed with the colorizing they did on the original.

This is the copy I have: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Living-Dead-Black-White/dp/B001BSBBDA/ref=pd_cp_d_0

It contains both versions of the original. Like the link says: "Night of the Living Dead - In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced!"

I do prefer the B&W, but they really did do a great job with the colorizing. Even the flesh tones are good.

Also having red blood adds that extra zip!

 

[EVILFACE]

The remake is good, but the original is still the best.

 

[thenammagazine]

Anyone know when are they putting the original and the remake on Bluray?

I have never seen the remake, but I was very impressed with the colorizing they did on the original.

This is the copy I have: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Living-Dead-Black-White/dp/B001BSBBDA/ref=pd_cp_d_0

It contains both versions of the original. Like the link says: "Night of the Living Dead - In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced!"

I do prefer the B&W, but they really did do a great job with the colorizing. Even the flesh tones are good.

Also having red blood adds that extra zip!

The colorization was a wasted attempt at capitalizing on more profits from the original. IMO, it didn't add anything and actually took away from the original film. But I suppose idiots now who like ____ like SAW and Hostel aka story/plot/character watered down in gore, would find that appealing.

 

[EVILFACE]

Is the original still public domain?

 

[Maglor]

The colorization was a wasted attempt at capitalizing on more profits from the original. IMO, it didn't add anything and actually took away from the original film. But I suppose idiots now who like ____ like SAW and Hostel aka story/plot/character watered down in gore, would find that appealing.

Well as I said, I prefer the B&W version, but the colorizing was well done IMO. So I don't regret buying the version I did, because I get the best of both worlds.


P.S. Not sure which colorized version you saw. It has been done at least twice. I have an old VHS tape with a colorized NOTLD and it's god awful, but the one in the link I posted is very good.




P.P.S. I agree about Hostel, but have you actually watched Saw? They may not be as socially significant as the best of Romero's work, but they do make you think. And some of the plot is very well thought out... and yes I love gore. But I'll take the gore of Romero's Day of the Dead over Saw any day.

 

[thenammagazine]

Is the original still public domain?

I believe Romero and Russo took it to court and from what I remember are still in the process of getting the rights back, if they haven't already. But it looked very promising.

Well as I said, I prefer the B&W version, but the colorizing was well done IMO. So I don't regret buying the version I did, because I get the best of both worlds.

P.S. Not sure which colorized version you saw. It has been done at least twice. I have an old VHS tape with a colorized NOTLD and it's god awful, but the one in the link I posted is very good.

P.P.S. I agree about Hostel, but have you actually watched Saw? They may not be as socially significant as the best of Romero's work, but they do make you think. And some of the plot is very well thought out... and yes I love gore. But I'll take the gore of Romero's Day of the Dead over Saw any day.

I own the DVD one you linked. That's the one I was referring to. It just sucks all the creepy atmosphere out of the film that the original established. And don't take my previous post as me singling you out. I was just offering my opinion on it.

As for SAW, anything the original has to offer has been lost to the subsequent gore-porn releases that care more about how gruesome you can dispatch someone than they do about plot and character development. You really don't care about the people dying, nor do you care about the continued, razor-thin story aspect it's all balancing on that has been stretched thinner than angel hair.

 

[uscmbuzz]

Is the original still public domain?

The original title was "night of the FleshEaters" but this title was already being used so they changed it to NOTLD but this decision was so late that promotional materials and prints of the film lacked the copyright info.. this put the film into public domain.. thats why the other remakes were able to be filmed..

 

[devilof76]

The original is brilliant for what it was, but the remake is my favorite zombie movie ever made (just barely edging out 1978 Dawn of the Dead).

 

[EVILFACE]

I believe Romero and Russo took it to court and from what I remember are still in the process of getting the rights back, if they haven't already. But it looked very promising.

That's kewl.

The original title was "night of the FleshEaters" but this title was already being used so they changed it to NOTLD but this decision was so late that promotional materials and prints of the film lacked the copyright info.. this put the film into public domain.. thats why the other remakes were able to be filmed..

Was asking if it was still in public domain, not how it got there (which is a well known story).

 

[thenammagazine]

That's kewl.

Yup. They deserve to get it back and at least see some $$$ from all these thieving bastards.

Though George is still the consummate professional when asks if he regrets not having it from the get go. "I can't complain. Life's been good to me." Though, if they do see $$$ from the original, he should use it to hire the Yakuza to cut off the tip of Russo's pinky for that 30th Anny atrocity. Not enough to kill him, but enough to forever remind him of the insult.

 

[Maglor]

The original is brilliant for what it was, but the remake is my favorite zombie movie ever made (just barely edging out 1978 Dawn of the Dead).

Really?

I will have to go out and rent it. The "78 Dawn of the Dead is currently my favorite zombie movie of all time. So you make a strong argument.

 

[RoboDad]

The original beats them all for me, by a country mile. The atmosphere, cinematography, and impact of the story are all perfectly meshed.

Remakes and sequels are good for what they are, but none of them would even exist (at least not in the form that they are) if not for the brilliance of the original.

Of course, I still have very fond memories of watching the original in all its PD wretchedness, and still being mesmerized by it.

 

[RJMacReady16]

The original is brilliant for what it was, but the remake is my favorite zombie movie ever made (just barely edging out 1978 Dawn of the Dead).

Really?

Yes. Really.

My close second is probably Day of the Dead, but the 1990 NOTLD is amazing.

 

[thenammagazine]

Yes. Really.

My close second is probably Day of the Dead, but the 1990 NOTLD is amazing.

Having spent some time in the funeral business I can say that it had the most realistic "dead" of any move I've seen to date.

 

[Maglor]

How does the 1990 NOTLD compare in terms of gore levels to Romero's Dawn and Day?

I love me some guts!