movie world

George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead has been one of The Criterion Collection's worst kept secrets for several years now.

Ever since the planned 50th anniversary restoration was announced, horror fans around the world began saving their pennies for the eventual Blu-ray release of what is unequivocally one of the most significant fright films ever made. This Blu-ray edition of the film that not only changed the direction of horror, but also represented a watershed moment in independent film, is well worth the wait.

The movie opens with brother and sister Johnny and Barbra nearing the end of a three hundred mile trip to visit their father's grave. Johnny's flippant attitude toward having to make such a long journey just to please their mother spills out into the cemetery, where they encounter a shambling figure. Their offer of help is the start of a harrowing chase to a deserted farmhouse, where a band of survivors battle it out among both the living, flesh-eating dead and themselves as they try to survive the night.

Romero's working title for the film was not Night of the Living Dead, but Night of Anubis. Criterion's release features an alternate opening title with it from a vintage work print which is introduced by Russell Streiner, who was also one of the film's coproducers.

Director: George A. Romero
Cast: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman
Country: USA
Genre: Horror

2xBD50 + 3xDVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 01:36:36 | 89.8 Gb + 20.2 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Night of Anubis - presented here is an uncorrected 16mm work print of Night of the Living Dead which features the initial working title for it, Night of Anubis (86 min). Also included is a filmed introduction by Russell Streiner. (8 min)

• Commentary One - this archival audio commentary features George Romero, producer/actor Karl Hardman, actor Marilyn Eastman, and cowriter John Russo. It was recorded in 1994 and it has appeared on other home video releases of Night of the Living Dead.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary features producer/actor Russell Streiner, production manager Vincent Survinski, and actors Judith O'Dea, S.William Hinzman, Kyra Schon, and Keith Wayne. The commentary was recorded in 1994 and has appeared on other home video releases of Night of the Living Dead.

• Light in the Darkness - in this brand new featurette, directors Guillermo del Toro (The Devil's Backbone), Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn), and Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) explain what makes Night of the Living Dead a very special film and discuss its lasting impact on the horror genre. The featurette was produced exclusively for Criterion in 2017. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Dailies - presented here is a silent 16mm reel with never-before-seen footage and alternate takes that were not used in the final cut of Night of the Living Dead (19 min). Also included is a video introduction by Gary Streiner (4 min).

• Learning From Scratch - in this brand new video interview, co-writer John Russo recalls how he was invited by John Romero to be part of the production unit behind Night of the Living Dead and discusses some unique obstacles that had to be resolved before and during the shoot. There are also some very interesting observations (with original video content) about the smaller commercial projects that eventually helped make the cult film a reality. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2017. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• TV Newsreel - presented here is a VHS recording of silent, B-roll 16mm film shot for Pittsburgh broadcast news, which has the only surviving raw footage from the shooting of Night of the Living Dead. Original ambient music by Jeff Carney is included with it. (3 min).

• Walking Like the Dead - this brand new program contains clips from archival interviews with ten actors who recall what it was like to play the zombies in Night of the Living Dead. The interviews were conducted in 2009. The program was produced by Jim Cirronella for Criterion in 2017. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Tones of Terror - in this brand new program, producer Jim Cirronella discusses the stock music that was used to enhance the claustrophobic ambience in Night of the Living Dead. The program was produced exclusively for Criterion in 2017. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• Limitations Into Virtues - in this new visual essay, filmmakers Tony Zhou and Taylor Ramos (Every Frame a Painting) address some of the technical obstacles that the creators of Night of the Living Dead faced during the shooting process and discuss the film's unique visual style. The essay was produced exclusively for Criterion in 2017. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• Tomorrow - presented here are edited excerpts from an archival episode of NBC's Tomorrow show in which George Romero and Don Coscarelli (Phantasm) discuss the evolution of the horror genre and the creative enthronement in which horror films were made during the 1970s, as well as the expectations that most people have when they go to their local theater to see a horror film. The episode was broadcast on July 3, 1979. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• Higher Learning - presented here is an archival interview with director George Romero which was recorded at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012. The late director discusses the unusual production and distribution history of Night of the Living Dead. There are also some very interesting comments addressing the popular myth that the film supposedly carries important social/racial overtones. In English, not subtitled. (46 min).

• Duane Jones - in this archival audio interview, Duane Jones discusses his involvement with Night of the Living Dead and explains why he decided to distance himself from the film despite being grateful that George Romero gave him the opportunity to be part of it. The actor also addresses the film's enormous popularity during the drive-in era. The interview, which is illustrated with stills and clips, was conducted and edited by journalist Tim Ferrante on December 13, 1987. In English, not subtitled. (22 min).

• Judith Ridley - in this archival interview, Judith Ridley recalls how she became involved in the production of Night of the Living Dead and shares a few funny stories from the actual shoot. The interview was produced by Elite Entertainment in 1994. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Venus Probe - this 1967 newsreel details the real-life findings of the Mariner 5 space craft in Venus' atmosphere that precede the crash that unleashes the zombie plague in Night of the Leaving Dead. In English, not subtitled. (1 min). In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Trailers - two original trailers for Night of the Living Dead. In English, not subtitled.

• TV Spots - in English, not subtitled.

• Radio Spots - collection of vintage radio spots. In English, not subtitled.