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Released by: Synapse Films
Released on: November 13, 2012.
Director: Roy Frumkes
Cast: George A. Romero
Year: 2012
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The Movie:
Roy Frumkes' seminal documentary on the making of George A. Romero's incredibly influential Dawn Of The Dead has been released before but this time around, it's been newly updated and expanded.
Some quick background information: the first cut ran just over an hour and covered Dawn. Frumkes had been allowed on set, 16mm camera in hand, to shoot footage of the director and his team at work on what would become one of the most important American horror films ever made. It went on to be quite influential in its own right, proving that there was an interest in this type of documentary and inspiring plenty of other like minded individuals to go out and make their own - just like Romero's films influenced countless others to try their hand at a zombie picture.
The second cut (released originally on DVD by Synapse) ran just over an hour and a half and was updated to include footage shot (on video this time), again by Frumkes, on the set of Romero's collaboration with Dario Argento, Two Evil Eyes. This was a solid follow up effort, updating the original piece with more of what made the original work: a glimpse of Romero at work on various aspects of the production, from dealing with effects men like Tom Savini to directing his cast to dealing with his producers. Fans probably figured that would be the final word on the movie and that Frumkes would leave it at that, but no.
This brings us to The Definitive Document Of The Dead, now clocking in at just over one hundred minutes in length making it about ten minutes longer than the past version. What's been added this time? Well, it's been reedited for one (completists will want to hold onto that original DVD) but it has also once again been expanded, this time to include a look at the making of Romero's more recent zombie efforts: Land Of The Dead, Diary Of The Dead, and Survival Of The Dead, much of which his fairly interesting even if those movies are understandably not regarded with the same prestige as the director's original three zombie movies (note that Night Of The Living is discussed but not covered in much depth and that Day Of The Dead is really not covered at all - this applies to all three versions of the movie).
Added here is some footage of Romero address a convention crowd about his films, some interviews with those influenced by Romero's work like filmmakers such as Danny Boyle, Dario Argento and William Lustig and newer interview clips with those who know the director best like his daughter Tina and his 'go to' effects guy, Tom Savini as well as the equally famous Greg Nicotero. The new footage also touches influences that his movies have had, including a film called Night Of The Giving Head!
Ultimately it's a solid reworking of an already solid documentary on one of horrordom's most beloved champions. It offers insight into his working process as well as into his personality. It's something that anyone with an interest in making horror movies outside of the major studio system ought to see but on top of that it's an affectionate tribute to the life and work of a man who never really achieved the mainstream success he probably should have but who continued to make horror movies outside the box for an audience he obviously loves.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Most of the footage was shot fullframe and is presented that way but some of the newer material is shown in 1.78.1 widescreen. Quality varies from one shoot to the next with some segments looking better than others depending on lighting, what format was being used and other variables. Not necessarily something you're going to watch for reference quality video, Synapse has done a fine job with the source material in that it's well authored and looks about as good as you could realistically expect it to on DVD.
The English language Dolby Digital 2.0 follows suit but the levels are properly balanced and the dialogue is generally perfectly easy to understand. Any source or environment related issues that are audible are forgivable given how this was all put together. No problems here, really.
There's only one extra here but it's a good one - a full length running commentary with Frumkes which does a pretty great job of explaining how and why he wanted to document Romero in the first place, how he went about setting it up and how this movie has evolved over time. As the feature plays out he explains bits and pieces that have been changed and why and also shares some stories and anecdotes as they apply to the scene specific content. He basically guides us through the history of the project and it makes for a pretty interesting listen.
The Final Word:
A documentary that should be of interest not only to Romero fans and horror buffs but to anyone with an interest in the filmmaking process and the director's role in bringing a movie to life, The Definitive Document Of The Dead gets a strong release from Synapse Films complete with a very complimentary commentary track from the director.
