Dawn of the Dead-
(Anchor Bay DIVIMAX Region 1 DVD)
(1979)
review by Head Cheeze

What can I say about Dawn of the Dead that hasn't already been said? This is widely recognised as "the" zombie film by genre fans and critics alike; the Empire Strikes Back of the living dead movies! While many (including myself!) favour Romero's first film simply because it's the one that kick-started the genre, most agree that this middle chapter showed the director at his subversive apex, weaving a tale that was both terrifying and telling of his disdain for everything ranging from classism to materialism. With the remake literally days away from release (as of this writing), Anchor Bay has re-released Dawn in an all new DIVIMAX transfer.

After a zombie epidemic has turned the larger cities into warzones, a pair of cops ( Reiniger and Foree) join a news chopper pilot (Emge) and his girlfriend (Ross) as they flee to the north in hopes to find a remote place to wait out the plague. When the group realise they need supplies, as well as a place to rest, they find a shopping mall only lightly inhabited by the living dead. After they clear out the zombies and fortify their new home, they soon realise that, in this brave new world, zombies aren't the only danger.

Dawn of the Dead is a zombie film on the surface, but it's underlying social satire is a fairly obvious swipe at late seventies American materialism. For example, when the foursome first arrive at the mall for a quick rest and supplies, they find ample amounts of the latter in the relatively safe upper office level. However, a quick peek at the bounty offered in the zombie-infested levels below, and the survivors turn into scavengers of the highest order. Their cautious survival instinct gives way to full on greed as they make the mall their home, and it's products their possessions. It wasn't enough that they had perfectly serviceable food and a roof over their heads; they want it all.

When another group of survivors makes contact with our "heroes" (in the vaguest sense of the word), they instantly assume a defensive posture to protect their "property". While we, the viewer, are privy to the motorcycle gang's intentions, those in the mall seem determined to keep what they have for themselves, regardless of the newcomer's alignment. For all they know, the people on the other end of the radio transmission could be a band of hungry families seeking shelter! Whether or not this was a matter of condensing the plot for pacing, or a conscious decision on Romero's part, I am not sure, but it sure jibes with his protagonist's behaviour up to that point, and, in my opinion, underlines his message.

Dawn is a classic, but isn't without it's faults. The acting, for the most part, is atrocious. This isn't simply a case of looking back at an old film and pointing out a weakness from it's era; the acting simply stinks. Emge and Foree are decent, but when your best performance is delivered by the special effects guy (Savini), you know you're in trouble. The dialogue is also pretty weak, but somehow I don't think it's deficiencies would be as noticeable were it delivered by skilled thespians. Then again, anyone would sound pretty bad saying things like "We got this, man. We got this by the ass!"

Of course, Romero isn't exactly Hitchcock either, and his commercial/industrial film background lends something of a documentary style to his films, especially the early ones. However, this is what makes these films so effective; the lack of polish makes them all the more visceral and compelling. Night of the Living Dead, for example, wouldn't have been nearly as effective were it helmed by someone schooled in the glossy Hollywood approach, and the same holds true for Dawn. Bad acting, corny dialogue, and a somewhat pedestrian look would be the death knell for most films, but in Romero's case, it's part of the overall charm.

Oh, and Dawn of the Dead also features one of the most unitentionally hilarious moments in motion picture history. There's a scene in which Peter (Foree) seems to have decided it would be better to die than live life amongst the zombie hordes. However, just as he's about to kill himself as a mob of the undead close in, he literally springs into action as a ludicrously inappropriate piece of inspirational action music blares away in the background!! As Peter spins about throwing some of the most laughably choreographed Karate kicks at the zombies, I usually fall to the floor, drenched in laughter-induced tears. It is, perhaps, the silliest thing I've ever seen in my life, and I love every second of it.

Anchor Bay releases this latest DVD incarnation showcasing the U.S. Theatrical Cut of the film, digitally remastered in a high definition DIVIMAX transfer that looks outstanding. This disc is part of a proposed three disc set due sometime later this year, but I imagine the company wanted to get this somewhat stripped down version out in time to expose viewers of the remake to the original film. Still, for a "stripped down" disc, it features a pretty meaty selection of extras, including several radio, television, and theatrical trailers, a poster and stills gallery, and a commentary by Romero, Tom Savini. There's also a booklet with all new liner notes, and a preview of the Dawn of the Dead comic book. For less than twenty bucks, you really can't go wrong with this set!

While I still think Romero's greatest contribution to cinema is the original Night of the Living Dead, and, in spite of my criticisms, I am a huge fan of Dawn. It's an effective piece of horror-as-social-satire that's long held a place in my heart.