Day of the Dead (Divimax Special Edition)

Day of the Dead (Divimax Special Edition)
From Starz / Anchor Bay

Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #2107 in DVD
Released on: 2003-08-19
Rating: Unrated
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Formats: Anamorphic, Color, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
Original language: English
Number of discs: 2
Running time: 101 minutes

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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Chapter three of George Romero's mighty zombie trilogy has big footsteps to follow. Night of the Living Dead was a classic that revitalized a certain corner of the cinema, and Dawn of the Dead was nothing short of epic. Day of the Dead, however, has always been regarded as a comedown compared to those twin peaks--and perhaps it is. But on its own terms, this is an awfully effective horror movie, made with Romero's customary social satire and cinematic vigor--when a "retrained" zombie responds to the "Ode to Joy," the film is in genuinely haunting territory. The story is set inside a sunken military complex, where Army and medical staff, supposedly working on a solution to the zombie problem, are going crazy (strongly foreshadowing the final act of 28 Days Later). Tom Savini's makeup effects could make even hardcore gore fans tear off their own heads in amazement. --Robert Horton

DVD features
For a film that received a lot of negative criticism upon its release, it is amazing that Anchor Bay poured this much love into Romero's underappreciated classic. Perhaps the best-produced zombie film of all time, this remastered, widescreen (1.85), DTS DVD finally presents Day of the Dead in its full grotesque glory. Both commentary tracks are definitely worth checking out. However, the first track with director Romero, special FX wizard Tom Savini, Lori Cardille ("Sarah"), and Cletus Andersen is fantastic. Listen as Romero discusses the political and directorial aspects of the film, Savini analyzes his effects as if they were Picassos, and Cardille tells the tale of her big break while stopping mid-sentence to groan with disgust at Savini's art. Though extras are plentiful, it's the two documentaries that are truly notable: the 39-minute "The Many Days of Day of the Dead" and the half-hour "Day of the Dead: Behind the Scenes." It's not every day you get to see an obviously disgusted, dismembered Joe Pilato lying in rotting pig innards, surrounded by laughing zombies holding their noses to cover up the awful stench. A truly magical cinematic moment. --Rob Bracco