‘Night Of The Living Dead’ (1990) 4K UHD Blu-Ray SteelBook Review – A Gory & Entertaining Update Of A Classic

It’s a new night for terror – and a new dawn in horror movie-making when special-effects genius Tom Savini (creator of the spectacularly gruesome make-up in FRIDAY THE 13TH and CREEPSHOW) brings his twisted take to this colorful remake of George A. Romero’s 1968 cult classic. Seven strangers are trapped in an isolated farmhouse while cannibalistic zombies wage a relentless attack, killing (and eating) everyone in their path. The classic for the ‘90s: graphic, gruesome and more terrifying than ever!

For thoughts on Night of the Living Dead (1990), please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

The new 4K UHD Blu-Ray debut of Night of the Living Dead (1990) offers a valuable uptick in quality over the accompanying Blu-Ray, which is sourced from the same 4K master. Each disc contains the original Theatrical Cut along with a never-before-seen Unrated Director’s Cut supervised by director Tom Savini. This release is derived from a 4K scan of the Original Camera Negative, and it is presented with Dolby Vision/HDR, which offers numerous improvements that allow the film to look the best it ever has. The film was previously released on Blu-Ray by Twilight Time in 2012 and by Sony themselves in 2018. Both of those releases were flawed in different ways, but this release finally gives the film the presentation it always deserved. 

The sumptuous film grain remains intact in this transfer as it resolves consistently without being clumpy or unnatural. Even the most challenging gradients do not betray the frame with loose grain or banding, always leaving a great impression. Skin tones appear natural with healthy doses of fine detail apparent on faces such as the perspiration and blood from fighting off zombies. Costumes and other textural output of the production design are simply marvelous to behold with everything rendering without any issues. With this release, you will observe a vast array of details that are visible thanks to the 4K resolution. Sony has thankfully not had any digital tinkering applied to this transfer, so this disc is free of DNR, compression artifacts, and other encoding issues. There is also no damage lingering thanks to the careful cleanup efforts. 

The expansion of the color spectrum with Dolby Vision gives more nuance to the hues than previously thought possible. Colors within the daytime foliage and various elements of the production design are revitalized with this technology. Most of the narrative takes place at night, so it is important to have strong black levels. Throughout every scene, the shadows stay deep and inky with terrific line detail. Any previous issues with halos in the frame are not to be found. The highlights likewise do not come up short with the whites compact and balanced and no instances of blooming to be found. Sony has delivered one of their finest presentations for fans. 

Audio Quality

This 4K UHD Blu-Ray provides a brand new Dolby Atmos track that brings a welcome bit of immersiveness to this world. The 4K UHD Blu-Ray also provides two additional English options including a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track and the original soundtrack in lossless DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio for the theatrical version only. After at least heavily sampling all of them, we can say they are all pretty great in their own ways. Those who choose to embark with the original 2.0 track will be delighted to hear the audio as originally intended, but those who want to show off their surround system have something more complex. We love it when Sony gives us choices. 

With the Atmos track, you will find one of the more elegantly constructed tracks we have heard in some time. There is still a natural emphasis on the front channels for dialogue and other primary sounds, but you will be amazed by how the activity extends to the surrounds, rears, and overhead speakers to make the claustrophobic spaces feel more suffocating in a way you will not soon forget. Atmospheric sound effects are presented with care within the mix so that directionality is never an issue. There are panning moments between speakers that will have you checking the perimeter for zombies heading your way. 

The sounds up above are quite a treat, such as an unknown horror bumping around upstairs, or people collecting items to board up the house when focusing on the characters in the basement. The low end effects from the subwoofer give pivotal moments extra weight to enrich the experience. Dialogue is crisp and clear without ever getting trampled by the music or sound effects. The score from Paul McCollough permeates throughout the room effectively. Sony has delivered a spectacular audio experience on all fronts. Optional English, English SDH, and a large array of other subtitles are provided. 

Special Features

Sony has provided Night of the Living Dead (1990) with a sleek new SteelBook featuring artwork that is truly lovely in person. The front artwork is the classic poster art of the dead ambling up to the house, and the rear features a female zombie with a baby doll. The interior sports a photo collage of zombies with the phrase “There is a fate worse than death” etched over both halves. Video of the SteelBook can be found at the top of this review.

• Theatrical Version (1:28:18) and Uncensored Cut (1:28:30) 

• Audio Commentaries: There are two commentary tracks provided with the director from different time periods. The archival track finds the filmmaker going into detail about the production with plenty of amazing anecdotes. The new track does the same, but there are plenty of unique anecdotes here and grander reflections that come with the intervening years.

• • Audio Commentary #1 (Theatrical Version): Director Tom Savini

• • Audio Commentary #2 (Uncensored Cut): Director Tom Savini, moderated by Michael Felsher

• Savini’s Night with Director Tom Savini: A new 28-minute interview with the filmmaker in which he discusses how he got into directing, George A. Romero choosing him to remake his original, changing the character of Barbara for this version, compromising on certain ambitious ideas to make the movie, the special effects work, and more. 

• Being Barbara with Actress Patricia Tallman: A new 17-minute interview with the actress in which she discusses her history with horror movies, how she got involved with the project, the reinterpretation of her character, working with Tom Savini, the isolation of the shooting locations, her gratitude for working on the film, and more. 

• Oh, Brother! with Actor Bill Moseley: A new 12-minute interview with the actor in which he discusses the stunts in the film, getting to know Tom and his crew on Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, the role he originally wanted to play that paid more, how he practiced his accent for maximum creepiness, improvising lines during his limited screen time, and more. 

• Return to the Living Dead with Special Makeup Effects Supervisors John Vulich and Everett Burrell: A new 21-minute interview with the makeup effects supervisors in which they delve into their creative process, how they wanted to stand apart from what came before, things they would change, and more. 

• Time with Tom with Actor William Butler: A new 16-minute interview with the actor in which he discusses his luck with iconic horror franchises, how he got a shot at this project, how this character differs from the original version, being roommates with Viggo Mortensen, and more. 

• Flesh & Blood with Actors McKee Anderson and Heather Mazur: A new 24-minute interview with the actresses in which they discuss how they got involved with the project, the production process, Mazur initially being disappointed by the brevity of her role, memories of their fellow performers, the reception of the film, and more. 

• In Living Dead Color with Producers John A. Russo and Russell Streiner: A new 18-minute interview with the producers in which they discuss the challenges of getting the movie made, not wanting to get pigeonholed in horror, their relationship with George A. Romero, and more. 

• Cutting the Dead with Editor Tom Dubensky: A new 20-minute interview with the editor in which he discusses getting involved with the project, shaping the film, the transitions he was most uncertain about, working with large groups of zombies, and more. 

• The Dead Speak! with Zombie Performers Greg Funk and Dyrk Ashton: A new 17-minute interview with some of the zombie performers in which they discuss landing the gig, choosing the zombies that were the coolest, and more. 

• The Dead Walk – Making-Of: An archival 25-minute making-of featurette in which the cast and creative team discuss the process of remaking the classic film. 

• Theatrical Trailer (1:05)

Final Thoughts

Night of the Living Dead (1990) is a worthy update of the classic George A. Romero film that honors what came before while making some changes that help it stand apart. This version leans a bit more into popcorn fun over deep thematic resonance, but that does not mean there is no subtext to appreciate in the new Tom Savini version. The practical special effects still pack a punch, and the performers deliver beyond what the script demands. It’s a fun time, for sure. Sony has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a fabulous A/V presentation and a ton of new and archival special features in a fetching SteelBook packaging. If you are a fan of this film, you can delight in it being treated so well. Highly Recommended 

Night of the Living Dead (1990) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Digital. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.