From what I know, there are a few different cuts and edits of this movie, like a European edit, and a US, and some shortened ones. They have different music editing and everything. Which one is the best?
Limit of the Willing Suspension of Disbelief: directly proportional to its awesomeness.
U.S. Theatrical Version (127 min.)
shareIf you want a solid film, then go with the US Version (2 hours, 17 minutes). If you fancy an action-thriller that gets straight to the point, then go with the European Version (2 hours). If you want the bells and whistles, then go with the Extended Version (2 hours, 33 minutes). I prefer the European Version, but that's just me. :)
shareMost prefer the U.S. Theatrical version. It is very good and it's the one I've seen the most but I like the extended version the best.
shareThe theatrical version leaves a lot of good stuff out; also some edits are confusing, such as the edit from where Peter shoots his pistol at one of the zombies in the basement directly to the dead guy at the radio desk at the Police Dock; that edit makes it look as though Flyboy (Steven) shot the Police Dock dispatcher - which would be way out of character.
I haven't seen the theatrical cut in years, but I also think they leave out Captain Rhodes, when he was a cop, before he was moved from the Army Reserve to active duty - from which he ended up in that bunker in Florida in Day of the Dead.
I haven't seen the theatrical cut in years, but I also think they leave out Captain Rhodes, when he was a cop, before he was moved from the Army Reserve to active duty - from which he ended up in that bunker in Florida in Day of the Dead.
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Oh ok. I woulda had some more respect for ol' George if he had had the foresight to tie his movies together like that.
shareDefinitely go with the U.S. theatrical cut. After you've seen it, the Cannes cut offers an extended look at the same movie. The only stinker is the European cut, which, except for the opening attack on the housing project (which is better edited than in any other version), absolutely butchers the film. It would actually be a great aid in a class on editing: how really bad editing can turn even a great movie into a complete waste of space.
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"The Dig"
http://cinemarchaeologist.blogspot.com/
The one released in theaters.
shareU.S. theatrical cut is the best.
shareGo with the extended edition.
shareI always prefer the extended cut
Trophy Case Mr_French_Predator
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=etcjue&s=5
I like the Directors cut a lot, even though it is longer. However the Argento version is neat. However, Romero now just likes the Theatrical cut and thought his director's cut was to long.
Dawn of the Dead (78) is the best horror film ever.
Extended Mall Hours. The more, the, ahem, merrier with Dawn
shareI find the Theatrical Cut to be the best. It's more tightly edited versus the Extended Cut. In fact, it contains one of my favorite movie segues. The transition where Peter fires into the camera and it cuts to Stephen pulling back the dead body of the dock radio operator. In the Extended Cut, there's an entire sequence that was removed because it doesn't really do anything for the movie. And with it inserted into the cut, it takes away one of the best pieces of editing I've ever seen.
So, I would recommend the Theatrical Cut as your go to version. I've seen the Extended Cut 4 times but don't really want to see it anymore. I've seen the European Cut twice. I do recommend seeing them, but start with the Theatrical then compare it to the Extended Cut. And see the European Cut for completion sake.
Every Halloween night, I watch Dawn Of The Dead. I always watch the Theatrical Cut with the mono soundtrack because I prefer films in their closest to original release as possible. Even the DVD's aren't 100% complete because the film originally ended with a United Film Distribution Company card at the end that can be found on some VHS releases like the Thorn-EMI and Republic VHS releases.
So, naturally, at the end of this month, I'll do the same thing. :) Start with Bride Of Frankenstein and follow it with Dawn Of The Dead, my yearly ritual.
Amazing fan cut on youtube ...hope you have time for a 2 1/2 hour film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba7is5M0POs