Night of the Living Dead Blu-ray Review

The recent Blu-ray release of "Night of the Living Dead" employs an MPEG-4 AVC encode and a 1080p transfer, although the lack of clean-up significantly hampers the viewing experience. The print is consistently marred by wear, pops, and scratches, severely impacting every shot, scene, and sequence. Detail levels are inconsistent, making it challenging to discern finer points with any depth. The grayscale falls short with flat faces and basic textures, such as surfaces in the cemetery and the barricaded home, which fail to reflect the film’s inherent nuance. Blacks are overbearing, and highlights, blown-out to varying degrees, further degrade the image quality. The grain is present but lacks uniformity. Overall, this release does not provide a definitive presentation of this cinematic classic.

The 1.37:1 1080p transfer continues the unfortunate tradition of subpar Mill Creek releases. Soft focus issues and fluctuating detail levels are pervasive, with some scenes resembling low-quality DVD upsales. The greyscale performance is erratic; shadow separation can range from barely adequate to entirely crushed blacks and blown-out whites. Damage artifacts such as dirt, debris, and severe scratches are persistent throughout the presentation. Additionally, slight wobbling and differing framing that slightly reveals more information around the edges don’t add significant value. Comparatively, older editions such as the Millennium Edition DVD seemingly offer better visual fidelity.

Despite these shortcomings, there remains a flicker of hope for enthusiasts yearning for a restored viewing experience. Following its acclaimed 4K restoration by George Romero and a successful premiere at MOMA in November 2016, Janus Films acquired theatrical distribution rights for this newly restored version. Screening began in October 2017 at the Film Forum in New York, suggesting possible future Criterion Collection treatment. Hence, while this Blu-ray release doesn’t meet expectations, it’s not the final opportunity for fans to see "Night of the Living Dead" in its restored glory.

The "Night of the Living Dead" Blu-ray features an LPCM 2.0 uncompressed soundtrack that, unfortunately, does not deliver a stellar auditory experience. The audio track struggles with clarity and consistency, particularly in its handling of music, which often feels mismanaged and wavy. The sound effects, such as hammering boards or shooting guns, lack definition and fail to establish an engaging stage presence. Though dialogue manages to maintain acceptable intelligibility and front-center positioning, it lacks substantial depth and can occasionally sound tinny or shrill.

In comparison to some bargain-basement DVD releases, this audio presentation shows modest improvements but falls short when measured against higher-quality transfers like the Japanese Import disc. The mono mix of this release is perhaps the most consistent element, adequately capturing the essence of the original sound but not enhancing it significantly. Age-related anomalies such as hissing and pops remain noticeable, adding an additional layer of distraction. The sound effects and score, predominantly derived from an effects library, present a rather flat auditory backdrop that fails to elevate the film despite its cult status.

In summary, while the LPCM 2.0 mono mix of "Night of the Living Dead" on Blu-ray is serviceable, it is far from remarkable. It maintains the base level of audio fidelity expected from a film of its era but does little to impress beyond that. This release provides an adequate auditory representation of the film but leaves much to be desired in terms of depth, range, and overall listening pleasure.

The Blu-ray extras for "Night of the Living Dead" provide an in-depth look into the making and cultural impact of this horror classic, ensuring fans gain comprehensive insights. The documentary-style features, backed by interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, offer a treasure trove of information. Video quality is meticulously restored, allowing archival materials to shine. The absence of certain previously available DVD features remains a noticeable gap, however, the included extras extensively compensate by diving deep into various aspects of the film's production and legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary tracks: Multiple audio commentaries offering varied perspectives.
• Featurettes: In-depth looks at the making of the film.
• Interviews: Discussions with cast, crew, and film historians.
• Behind-the-scenes footage: Rare, on-set footage during production.
• Photo galleries: Collections of production stills and promotional images.

"Night of the Living Dead," directed by George A. Romero, is undeniably a cornerstone of the zombie genre, marking its first substantial entry and forever altering the landscape of horror cinema. The film plunges viewers into a world where the dead rise with an insatiable hunger for human flesh, a terrifying prospect that slowly reveals itself through fragmented news reports and the survivors' frantic attempts to piece together their chances of survival. The raw fear generated by these developments, combined with volatile interpersonal dynamics within the besieged house, contributes to a sense of urgency and claustrophobic dread unmatched by its sequels.

Despite its limited budget, "Night of the Living Dead" utilizes its resources masterfully. The makeup and effects, while basic, are effectively unsettling. The majority of the film's dread stems from its psychological tension rather than outright gore, a trait that distinguishes it from later entries that ramp up the bloodshed. Key performances by Judith O'Dea and Duane Jones create a compelling contrast between vulnerability and resilience. Barbra's (O'Dea) emotional disintegration juxtaposed with Ben's (Jones) stoic determination provides a rich narrative dichotomy, offering viewers a spectrum of responses to apocalyptic terror.

The impact of "Night of the Living Dead" is evident in its enduring legacy. Romero’s adept direction under financial constraints and his innovative narrative approach garnered both acclaim and controversy upon release. While subsequent films like "Dawn of the Dead" expanded on scope and social critique, the original's tight focus and relentless pacing craft an intimate yet exhilarating experience. Though today’s audiences might find it tame compared to modern standards, Romero's masterpiece remains a seminal work, fundamental not only for its genre innovation but also for its cultural commentary, proving that sometimes a smaller canvas can produce the most profound art.

George Romero’s "Night of the Living Dead" is undeniably a genre-defining classic that revolutionized the horror landscape and inspired a proliferation of zombie-related media. Its influence is palpable, paralleling modern phenomena such as "The Walking Dead" and Romero’s other seminal works. Historically significant, this film not only pioneered the zombie genre but solidified its place in cinematic history. Yet, despite its legacy, the Blu-ray release under review falls short of expectations.

Mill Creek’s Blu-ray presentation of "Night of the Living Dead" disappoints on several fronts. The video transfer exhibits numerous quality issues, with tattered visuals that detract from the film’s original impact. The audio quality is likewise unsatisfactory, undermining the ambiance that is crucial to the horror experience. Compounding these shortcomings is the complete lack of supplemental features, a stark contrast to existing foreign releases which offer a more comprehensive viewing package. Given the absence of enriching bonuses, this iteration fails to provide the holistic appreciation that the film warrants.

Fans eagerly await a definitive Blu-ray release, particularly one that leverages recent restoration efforts for enhanced visual and audio fidelity. While Mill Creek’s edition serves as an affordable placeholder, it does not fulfill the high expectations set by previous releases abroad nor does it honor Romero's enduring legacy appropriately.

Conclusion: "Night of the Living Dead" certainly offered the first real glimpse into the nightmarish world of zombies, and it's interesting to watch the movie now in hindsight through the prism of a world where shows like "The Walking Dead" exist, not to mention a slew of other Romero zombie films as well as a cornucopia of other like-minded pictures that have deeply saturated the marketplace. Unfortunately, this Blu-ray presentation does not do justice to such an influential film. Until a superior release materializes, this version remains a far from perfect substitute for discerning fans and collectors.