Story: Do you really need me to tell you the story? Oh alright then. A National Emergency grips the US as the zombie population grows at an inexplicable and alarming rate. Two Philadelphia Police S.W.A.T. officers, a helicopter pilot and his TV reporter girlfriend escape the city and take refuge in an abandoned, suburban shopping mall after securing it following a series of brutal confrontations with the undead. Their survival is threatened when a band of looters leave a door open allowing the zombies access to the mall once more.

Review: What else is there to be said about George A. Romero¡¦s landmark sequel to Night of the Living Dead? It¡¦s a great movie truly befitting it¡¦s status as not only a genre classic but a benchmark by which all other zombie movies were judged and are still judged! Great acting combined with assured direction, an element of social satire (some might say the comment of commercialism and materialism ¡Vwhich preceded the ¡¥haveitall¡¦ 80s- was prophetic) and some revolutionary gore make-up effects give the film the repeat factor that has kept it at the forefront of horror film-making for twenty-five years. Romero comes from an era of horror movie making that was catagorised with ideological directors who weren¡¦t shy of adding doses of political and social satire into their movies. People like John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper all came out of the Vietnam-inspired 70s movement where America had to look at it¡¦s own dark demons. DAWN is lighter in it¡¦s tone but it¡¦s message is clear. A great movie deserving of its status.

It's important to note that this is the US theatrical edition (which is Romero¡¦s preferred version) so runs for 2hrs 7mins. This is 12mins shorter than the extended or full uncut editions released in the UK.

The DVD
Picture: Very nice if slightly light transfer. Colour hues are distinct without bleeding, images have crisp clear edges with no visible grain or blemishes. This is the Divimax version used by Anchor Bay in their 4-disc Ultimate Edition and was previously released stateside in March 2004.

Sound: 5.1 Mix - So nice to hear the movie with a remastered soundtrack. The rear speakers are used throughout for even the minutest of background noise albeit the levels are slightly low but hearing zombie moans over your shoulder has never been more enjoyable. During the peril sequences is where they come into their own with the bombastic punk-electro score by Goblin pounding the subwoofer and resonating through the rear channels. Dialogue is audible at all times. Effective sound mix if at times slightly hindered by the fact it¡¦s a 70s movie when not much attention was paid to quality sound mixing. A Stereo 2.0 Mono mix is also included but be warned here because the packaging and disc have the DTS symbol on them but there is NO DTS TRACK ON THE DISC.

Menu: Nice animated menus which uses the self-made apartment as the backdrop.

Special Features: "The Dead will Walk" (75mins): A retrospective documentary from Perry Martin. Features new interviews with all the major players and the bit parters aswell! Small snippets are also provided by Dario and Claudio Argento and Claudio Simonetti (Goblin). It covers EVERY aspect of the movie from it¡¦s inception, casting, filming, editing, popularity and growing cult status amongst the generation that have come in it¡¦s wake. The contributions are energetic and passionate which only helps your enthusiasm for the movie. Great complimentary piece to Roy Frumke¡¦s 1989 documentary DOCUMENT OF THE DEAD, which sadly is not included here.

Audio Commentary #1 by director George A. Romero, special effects artist Tom Savini and assistant director Chris Romero: Very informative talk track from the people responsible for making DAWN what it is. The trio have been friends a long time so the banter is effortless and enjoyable to listen to. Savini is the spark whilst George comments on anything and everything you could imagine about the movies making. Moderator Perry Martin asks questions when necessary and some discussion is given to Romero¡¦s other movies. Great commentary that¡¦s highly recommended.

Audio commentary #2 by producer Richard P. Rubenstein and Perry Martin: This track is slightly more laid back with a lot of info given from a producers perspective; budgeting, George Romero ¡Vthe director etc. A lot of discussion is made about horror fans and the cultdom that has surrounded this and other horror movies. Another great track but the first one will be the one I revisit the most.

Trailers: 3min US trailer and a 30s German trailer. Nothing spectacular and I assume the German version was included to show the difference in the way Europe marketed the film. Worth viewing once only.

Radio Spots x3: Only three radio ads here each with a different marketing technique. Written and aired for the US market.

Biographies (Gaylen Ross, David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger and George A. Romero): Standard fare here but nonetheless very interesting in seeing that none of the actors have really gone on to bigger things. Great one off reading with nothing you can¡¦t get via the internet.

Animated photo gallery: 2 minute animated photo gallery that¡¦s more of a montage then a gallery. It¡¦s a short combination of behind-the-scenes, on set and movie stills that¡¦s disappointing and fruitless in it¡¦s inclusion.

Original Reviews: 9 pages of original reviews (good and bad) from the films initial release. Makes interesting reading for the more curious about the films original impact.

Summary:

Film: 4/5
Picture: 4/5
Sound: 4/5
Extras: 4/5 - Nice set of extras, some taken from the recent ABUS Ultimate Edition, rounds of a nice little package.

Overall package:

3/5 Possessed Cheryls: "Why 3 out of 5 you hypocrite?" I hear you cry, allow me to explain. The presentation and package are excellent but it pales in comparison to Anchor Bay US¡¦s 4-disc Ultimate Edition. Really if you¡¦re going buy a version of DAWN go for that one. This is a solid buy for the casual fan but if you really want the full experience then the ABUS set is a hands down winner