Dawn of the Dead (1978) reviews/discussion - 2009 DVDTalk Horror Challenge Day 20

[takingchase]

This is easily one of my favorite movies of all time. Everything about this movie is near perfect in my eyes from the characters, to the makeup, the setting. Just everything clicks perfectly for me. There is something completely amusing about having an entire mall to run wild in.

[Drop]

Originally Posted by caligulathegod

We've had two people in here say that this was rated R. This film was famously unrated. At one point, they did release a butchered R-rated version to go on a double bill with Creepshow, but it was pulled quickly after many complaints.

True, I just forget because it doesn't seem that bad anymore, and my reference to R-rated was more as a mature film sort of thing.

[dhmac]

Given that I had only seen the theatrical cut of Dawn of the Dead before, I decided to watch a difference cut this week. I started with the European cut, mainly because I was interested in hearing more of Goblin's music. But I thought that cut edited out too much of the movie. So when I got to the point where the helicopter zombie scene was "supposed" to be and then was shocked that that scene was chopped (pun intended), I stopped watched it then because any edit of this movie that cuts such a memorable scene can't be a good edit. So, instead, I switched to the Extended Cut right then and there.

And now that I've finally seen the Extended Cut, I have to say that I liked it a lot - maybe even more than the Theatrical Cut. I liked a lot of the extra scenes and thought it conveyed that they were in the Mall for a long time better. And I didn't find any of the extra scenes slow or a drag on the film, but maybe I'll need to watch the Theatrical Cut again soon for a better back-to-back comparison.

On the main characters in the movie, I still feel sad when Roger gets bitten and still don't care at all when Stephen also gets bitten. (It's amazing how my sympathy for these characters varies so much.) Francine is impressive as a strong female character who learns how to shoot and fly a helicopter, all while being preg-o. And Peter is the most level-headed character of them all, except for the end when his behavior makes little sense for a while.

I also question why, after they knew the biker army was on its way to invade the mall, did Peter and Stephen go down into the mall at all (the reason given that it was to "close the gates" was pretty weak) because they knew it was going to be very dangerous down there once the bikers got in. The best course of action would've been holing up in the hidden space until the biker army moved on, or just taking off in the helicopter and leave before the bikers even got to the mall. And then they could return later after the bikers were gone and assess the damages and then see if they could return the mall back to the consumer oasis it was for them.

[Trevor]

So I'm a little confused. What exactly is the Argento cut? The European version? Did Argento film new scenes? Or did he just take what Romero did and piece it together his own way? Was Argento even involved in the initial filming?

[dhmac]

Originally Posted by Trevor

So I'm a little confused. What exactly is the Argento cut? The European version? Did Argento film new scenes? Or did he just take what Romero did and piece it together his own way? Was Argento even involved in the initial filming?

The Argento Cut is the European Cut. And he basically took Romero's cut and edited it down. So it's considered a lesser version but does have more of Goblin's music, as I understand.

See this for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari..._Dead_versions

[Groucho]

Although the Argento cut is edited down, he added more violence and gore.

[Drop]

Originally Posted by dhmac

I also question why, after they knew the biker army was on its way to invade the mall, did Peter and Stephen go down into the mall at all (the reason given that it was to "close the gates" was pretty weak) because they knew it was going to be very dangerous down there once the bikers got in. The best course of action would've been holing up in the hidden space until the biker army moved on, or just taking off in the helicopter and leave before the bikers even got to the mall. And then they could return later after the bikers were gone and assess the damages and then see if they could return the mall back to the consumer oasis it was for them.

Well Peter did say they didn't want to make it easy for them. By closing the gates they might have protected some of the stores or at east caused the bikers to get sloppy and get bit. They should've stayed way out of sight of course, but Stephen was an idiot so his actions aren't surprising. Peter was fine just observing.

[smashthesymbols]

Originally Posted by dhmac

I also question why, after they knew the biker army was on its way to invade the mall, did Peter and Stephen go down into the mall at all (the reason given that it was to "close the gates" was pretty weak) because they knew it was going to be very dangerous down there once the bikers got in. The best course of action would've been holing up in the hidden space until the biker army moved on, or just taking off in the helicopter and leave before the bikers even got to the mall. And then they could return later after the bikers were gone and assess the damages and then see if they could return the mall back to the consumer oasis it was for them.

That bugged me too. I understand the reasoning for closing the gates. But at the same time, look at all the effort they spent making the fake wall and everything so they could hide, then when the time comes they don't hide?