NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) | CRITERION | 4K UHD MOVIE REVIEW | Should You Upgrade Your Bluray?

[@drunklink350]

They're coming to get you Barbara

[@midlevelmedia]

Stop it! You're acting like a child!"

[@user-bj1mx2ip1c]

Classic

[@dansanfrisco]

The thing I've noticed with Criterion is their Blurays and 4Ks don't have very much of a visible difference to warrant upgrades even with the 50% off sales unless you have to have a 4K disc.

[@midlevelmedia]

Not really. I guess you could say this is different, but also feels like a step back.

[@creategreatness8823]

I think that speaks volumes to just how good their Blu Rays are and how much they maximize it. 4K is ALWAYS the best option.

[@michaelnichols9850]

The original version is just too blurry, the 4K version looks 1 million percent better.

[@jcanada9405]

So glad you came around and dig it. Awsome breakdown of the film! Like so many films, mood, context and expectations dictate so much. Normally I wouldn't upgrade if the blue is the same, but I'll probably get this eventually just for the hard case.

[@midlevelmedia]

I'm really glad I loved it this time too!

[@michael9877]

This 4K looks awesome. I have my copy. Good Video Man

[@midlevelmedia]

Thank you Michael.

[@Saturn_Video]

I originally wasn't going to buy the criterion 4K, until I saw a German 4K steelbook with beautiful Barbara artwork. I just couldn't say no, one of my favorite films of all time.

[@midlevelmedia]

You'll be happy you did! Great release!

[@RK-jp4xe]

I grew up watching this movie actually. It was my first zombie movie and I was terrified by many of the scenes. Also, I totally agree that this film has rather deep themes. I love it forever! Thanks Ken!

[@midlevelmedia]

Excellent film! Thank you for watching RK!

[@Theomite]

I remember seeing this for the first time in 1988, which is because Duane Jones' death was mentioned during the screening (not that day, but that year). So I've been a fan for a very long time.

[@TMERUNNR]

I'm just glad that your scary mask in the background didn't "Blink"!!! Lol... You're Awesome Ken and my wallet is a little more empty, but I don't mind💯

[@midlevelmedia]

Haha! Hope it didn't. Thanks for watching!

[@pete49327]

I love this, and also a similar title from that era, black and white, with really creepy atmosphere...Carnival of Souls, which is not as gory but man it has that foreboding feel throughout imo. Not in 4k but the Criterion blu ray release is stellar. Hope you can review Carnival of Souls in future, thanks, enjoyed this review.

[@drunklink350]

Oh man I've been l've been looking into that one. Sounds like I need to put it on my wish list and wait for a sale to pull the trigger

[@midlevelmedia]

My wife and I may be reviewing Carnival soon on our channel. Stay tuned!

[@pete49327]

@@midlevelmedia "...our channel." Huh? :) Okay, I see now, was unaware. Married to Media, subscribed, thanks.

[@JJScrotus]

I just had to write a film evaluation essay on this movie for my college english class. Thanks for the review, it's cool to see what other people have to say about the film now that I'm finished with my criticism.

[@prentissweston5998]

I saw this classic Zombie horror Masterpiece Night Of The Living Dead on 4k Ultra HD two weeks ago and its good, picture and sound 😘😘📽

[@midlevelmedia]

Looked amazing!

[@20thand21stMovies]

Great review, Ken! I might be adding this one to the list for November. We shall see 😀.

[@midlevelmedia]

Thanks James! It's definitely an improvement, but also a tough recommendation if you have that awesome bluray release.

[@robertsaul234]

Russell Streiner (Johnny) is one of the producers of Return of the Living Dead. Bill Hintzman, zombie #1, was in the cemetrry to be buried so he was still fresh. This was necessary because he was supposed to catch Johnny & Barbara off guard when he attacked.

[@midlevelmedia]

That actually makes a ton of sense Robert. This is why I'm not a filmmaker. Lol

[@montag4516]

Johnny : "They're coming to get you, Barbara" Barbara : "you're ignorant"

[@donmorton7282]

Another great review buddy. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that these movies weren’t as prevalent back then and all the horror tropes that have been re-used over and over forever were fresh at the time. Definite classic.

[@midlevelmedia]

It is for sure Don.

[@stephendevore3902]

Bluray and 4k are the special sauce as they say that makes B&W a color all its own. These enhanced films really shine. The first movie I bought on VHS tape at Kmart was the Extended Play Good Times video. It was recorded in lower EP quality mode. This film should be called The Night of The Dead Living . We're videos are reborn .Ironically the movie gets better in quality and the Dead look more Living than ever.🤣🤣🤣Good Video

[@midlevelmedia]

Definitely got better for me! Thanks for watching!

[@oliverclothesoff8604]

I'll be getting my Texas Chainsaw 2 Vinegar Syndrome 4k in 2 days. Excited.

[@triplr3777]

Hell yeah

[@drunklink350]

Nice, very nice

[@midlevelmedia]

I'm so excited for that! I'm watching as soon as it hits the doorstep!

[@Bob-Savage]

This was my 1st Criterion BluRay! Loved it since I was a kid. Don’t think I’ll upgrade, I think it looks great

[@midlevelmedia]

Bluray certainly looks great! Can't go wrong!

[@MyFireVideos]

I still have my crusty old DVD of this! I was going to get it in the criterion sale on blu then they announced the 4K. Now I'm debating getting someone's blu that is offloading to upgrade, or if I should splurge and get the 4K. It is a great movie, but it's not my favorite, mostly because the ending. I also need to decide if I am going to get rid of my current 4K Wall-E to get the Criterion Wall-E. Choices choices!

[@midlevelmedia]

Since you don't have it at all, I would recommend getting the 4K in November. It's worth it with all the features.

[@scaps2200]

Phew! Ken liked Night of the Living Dead more on second viewing. Was getting worried. 😅🤣😂 The 4K is so worth it. Doesn't need HDR. HDR can be great but not always needed.

[@midlevelmedia]

It looked great Scaps and so happy I enjoyed it more. I didn't like being that guy. Lol

[@scaps2200]

@@midlevelmedia 😆

[@JustinPhillipsScuba]

The rework on this is just so beautiful! I have been a been fan of Night of the Living Dead for a long time so I was used to crapy scans of a crappy 16mm master. So when I got to see what Criterion did to clean this up, it is just beautiful! This movie was shot on weekends, everyone had another job and it was shot of the unused end pieces of other movies. Different film stock at like 100-500 feet given to them to make the movie. The story behind this movie is great.

[@tombaker4586]

Fantastic channel ! Only discovered it now - via the suggestions. Greetz, Tom, Belgium.

[@midlevelmedia]

Thank you Tom! Hope you enjoy the other content!

[@Theomite]

I've already got the Blu but I'm upgrading anyway. Been planning this for months; my budget is $125 for the Criterion sale. Since they went in on 4K I can put off all my Criterion purchases and keep pace with the 4K releases as they come instead of playing a ridiculous game of catch-up. Part of the reason the film looks epic is that Romero (by his own admission at TIFF) stole the look of Orson Welles to compensate for his inexperience. So those shots you couldn't describe? Those are *low-angle fisheye (wide-angle) handheld close-ups* which were one of Welles' trademarks (it's really prominent in TOUCH OF EVIL, which is magnificent). They're really useful for getting coverage without multiple cuts/setups, but they can be disorienting and surreal. I'd also recommend the 1990 remake. It's damn good and fixes some of the story problems of the original. It got lots of hate for years but finally people came around to seeing how good it was. Barbara does a complete 180 and it's awesome.

[@midlevelmedia]

Makes a lot of sense. I still need to grab that Touch Of Evil Kino Release and NOTLD 1990 is definitely on my list!

[@batman.darthmaul]

I loooove the packaging for the Criterion Blu digipak. I just watched it the other night! I think the plain, clear case is one or two steps down by comparison. I mos def plan to get the 4K, though. Wouldn't you love to play a video game adaptation of the movie?

[@midlevelmedia]

Dude! That would be amazing! I'm surprised Tell Tale never did it after the success of The Walking Dead games.

[@batman.darthmaul]

@@midlevelmedia You could even make the game in black and white, and in HDR!

[@johnnydarko2736]

Movie is phenomenal. One of my favorites. Transfer wasn't worth a $38 total upgrade. Packaging was shit and came with bare minimum. Felt scammed. Criterion lost a newer customer.

[@drunklink350]

38, ouch. Don't give up on them, but honestly the only time I purchase from them is during a big sale. Maybe you can see if there's anything you're interested in from them on eBay and catch a deal

[@midlevelmedia]

Definitely check out a few other titles. I have a few recommendation videos on here.

[@RybatGrimes]

You get a 4K disk with the movie in 4K, a Blu-ray disk with the movie, a work print version of the movie and extras, AND an entire bonus disk with tons of extras, you call that the bare minimum and felt scammed? Dude what exactly were you expecting??? All of that for 38 dollars seems pretty fair to me.

[@billtyrrell23]

Ganja and Hess is a terrific movie starring Duane Jones. I would recommend that as well

[@midlevelmedia]

I'll add it to the list!

[@CoinOpTV]

Classic flick!

[@midlevelmedia]

Absolutely! One of the greats!

[@meeksywampus]

I got mine with the 50th anniversary collection they put out a few years ago, and it's awesome to see how the movie looks scaled up.

[@Plainview-tu7xn]

This movie works best when you think about the time it was made and how it was a less populated and more isolated society. The claustrophobia effect of it all.

[@midlevelmedia]

Great point! Extremely claustrophobic film!

[@walterszewczyk9024]

Please explain, less population explosion, less immigration unlike now? 😮😂. 😊😊

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Duane Jones takes charge from the first scene he's in, too. He's the one person who's able to keep calm, keep a cool and and think pragmatically even when everyone else is either losing it or just thinking insanely. I mean... he does get a hair heavy-handed with Judith O'Dea when he first encounters her, but I can see real-life "nuclear options" like that when everything is falling apart around you.

[@Hicks-g1m]

Awesome review of night of the living dead Ken I'd love to have it😈🆒👍

[@johncooley4472]

I'm picking this up in November for sure!!!

[@midlevelmedia]

It's worth it. 100%

[@johncooley4472]

@@midlevelmedia I've had this on VHS, DVD, the Criterion Blu-ray, and now have no problem getting this 4K. I appreciate the info on the release and it makes me look forward to it even more!!!

[@RybatGrimes]

I have to say I’m not a fan of Criterion’s cases, so I hear you on that point. I would’ve loved the digit pack, or just a standard 4K case. I don’t know what it is about those plastic cases, it’s not like they feel cheap or anything, they just feel off for some reason, I don’t know. 😂

[@midlevelmedia]

I absolutely understand where you're coming from on that point Russell

[@walterszewczyk9024]

This movie is like Planet 9 From Outer Space without the aliens? Hmm, maybe. Movies like P.9 is a fun good watch, has charm despite being scary, so are the Universal Horror movie characters like Dracula, the Mummy the Wolfman ,etc. You get into those movies despite being scared at first, it,s a fun watch with it,s own unique charm. Though N.O.T.L.D still comes off heavy handed & dire throughout, one can see that this movie really shows how the characters are not having fun, everything really is horror to them, from the cemetery scene to the end. Finally realized that when watched this movie growing up scared me witless,accepted everything at face value, now sort of think that if the siblings at start would've just assessed the situation more and had used common sense their particular tragedy & plight would,ve been avoided.😅😮😢😊.Maybe? One ghoul at start, ONE LONE GHOUL for crying out loud, & it still attacks them? If I saw him walking around sluggishly like that, zombie or just some wacko,would high tail it outta there. Lol😂😅.

[@AlvinFlang69420]

That scene where the zombies are eating the people that blew up was legitimately horrifying. Even though I had seen several horror movies by then, it still horrified me.

[@dannytorrence9424]

I just bought the 4k, had a crappy cheap Blu-ray so huge upgrade. You forgot to show off the awesome poster!! Hahahaha it really is a great movie. I can easily say my favorite black and white movie. I cannot wait to dive into the special features. I also cannot believe it holds up so good today. Like you said some random scenes do look scary especially in 4k.

[@ScottShawPhoto]

Still think I will hold off on the upgrade to the 4K with all the things coming out lately. Time to search for some screen capture comparisons.

[@jasonvizcarra709]

My 1st criterion and one of my all time favorite movies. I watched the 4k restoration in the theatre a few years ago in westfield, NJ (home of the watcher) and this actually looks better.

[@earvase]

One of my favorite movies. But I don’t know if I’ll be upgraded to the 4K.

[@hectormontalvo5565]

I have so many versions of NOTLD especially on VHS and DVD but I upgraded to this 4K nonetheless. I am buying just my very favorites on 4K as I have a huge horror collection on VHS and DVD and I don't plan on upgrading EVERYTHING again! That would be nuts and too costly $$$. But these multi-disc boxed sets are the best versions. Anyway good review and cool video Ken!👉😃👈

[@MentalDeviant]

I agree. You do get great special features.

[@hectormontalvo5565]

@@MentalDeviant yeah we do!👍

[@rabbithole9555]

Hector ya know you Need just one more Night of the living dead versions; I have it on Beta Video, better quality than Vhs, but both were still dark, thou scary in the 1980's. Lol

[@hectormontalvo5565]

@@rabbithole9555 woha Beta! I had The Pack and The Town That Dreaded Sundown on Beta but sold them. I only collect what I am able to watch and I don't have a Beta Max.🤔

[@popey129]

Excellent video. The film gives me the creeps!

[@midlevelmedia]

Thanks!

[@vladimirjak8971]

By chance, does the 4k packaging come with the poster that was in the Blu-ray edition?

[@ricanman85]

No HDR is a big missed opportunity on here

[@midlevelmedia]

I would have welcomed HDR for sure.

[@ethanedwards7557]

I’m fine with my Criterion bluray.

[@midlevelmedia]

Understandable.

[@michaelnichols9850]

I had to watch your video to understand what was going on, the 1960s original I watched on TV was always very washed out and blurry. A few years back, I watched a version that was crystal clear and didn't think anything of it. Peacock has the original and I watched it, it's the worst copy of the film yet. It looks horrible. So I did some research to figure out why I saw another clearer version. I guess that cleaner version was the 4K restoration? Problem is nobody streams that version? They all stream the washed blurry version. Your video explains it all. Thank you

[@jasonsantos3037]

I got the blue ray of night of the living dead but maybe I had the 4k in my collection. 🧟‍♂️

[@haromanbodhe829]

I am waiting for Criterion sale to pick it up on 4k.

[@midlevelmedia]

Good idea!

[@LaughMuBai]

Argh, just received this 4K and was catfished with the digipack stock photo!

[@ajrob341972]

I got this release from criterion. I love it.

[@mikefisher2673]

If they would have use HDR it would be a no brainet to upgrade, but since they I didn't I'm going to pass for now. Too many other 4ks to pick up.

[@midlevelmedia]

You are right about that Mike. Way too many.

[@SumDumGy]

I need to stop listening to Tom from Midnight’s Edge when he discusses 4K releases of black and white films. I’ve taken a lot, if not all, his suggestions and gone with Blu-rays because he always says the format doesn’t really benefit from a 4K release. Yet, without fail, every actual review I encounter after the fact seems to strongly disagree with him, from Night of the Living Dead to the Universal Monsters. Of course, I just bought the Blu-ray of this this month. I really hate digi-packs/books...period. All of mine get replacement cases. Actually though, I hate all Criterion’s packaging choices. Even their “standard” cases aren’t, I don’t like the way they use cases that have full length sleeves that use inserts that run up the entire height of the case. Let me correct that: I *do* like it but I hate that it isn’t the standard practice so then being the odd man out bothers me. What can I say? I’m a case/art/spine snob. Thanks for the review, Sir!

[@midlevelmedia]

This is definitely a good one Tim.

[@SumDumGy]

@@midlevelmedia I’m glad to hear it!

[@lutherheggs451]

I upgraded from the blu-ray to the 4k and there really isn't any difference between the two but that case for the 4k is just god awful. I threw that case from the 4k straight into the trash and put the 4k disc in the blu-ray case. I don't know who thought that case was a good idea instead of just using a normal standard case, instead of something as thick as a Genesis game box.

[@Danieljmjones]

Anyone else have issues with the new Halloween set’s discs falling out. It’s so annoying.

[@midlevelmedia]

I did with Curse

[@Danieljmjones]

@@midlevelmedia yep same one from me too. I’ve seen others say the same thing.

[@ethanedwards7557]

Dawn of the Dead is even better.

[@midlevelmedia]

I may check that out next!

[@baileysuzor6620]

I'm gonna have My Mom order Night Of The Living Dead actual 4k Disc in January for better Picture Quality Resulution and also Have My Mom get Me Night Of The Living Dead The Film Detective DVD to complete My favorite Movie Of Night Of The Living Dead 1968 Movie Collection

[@midlevelmedia]

Good idea! Great release!

[@PesterFester1966]

I'll stick to my 2K Blu-Ray since it already looks amazing... This 4K is a cheap cash grab and especially no HDR, No deal 👎

[@drunklink350]

I am too...for now, but I won't say I'll never upgrade. I bought a lot this month so this can wait.

[@LuckyBastardProd]

I never got the blu ray so I’ll grab this release👍

[@midlevelmedia]

I would have liked HDR, but it still looks great. To be fair though, so does the bluray.

[@robertfaulkner1824]

I only buy 4k so always happy for ANY classic release. I don’t feel like it’s a “cash grab” but I understand why some some people feel that way. Remember though, you don’t have to buy this and there are some of us out here that want this release even if it’s only a marginal improvement

[@drunklink350]

@@robertfaulkner1824 I mostly buy 4k but a lot is still blu-ray so I'll upgrade as I go and can afford it

[@victorpulos823]

Own it on dvd

[@midlevelmedia]

Upgrade to Bluray at least. Looks great!

[@victorpulos823]

@@midlevelmedia I will upgrade soon

[@creategreatness8823]

I definitely prefer the "standard" plastic and thick Criterion cases. I like the idea of uniformity in the collection. Everything having its own unique case and everything having a wonky digipack just gets annoying. I am sure the time/money/effort that goes into designing those unique digipacks could be better put towards the films and the discs than the packaging. At the end of the day the packaging is pretty superfluous. The films, the discs and the essays are what is special about these releases.

[@dennisblake3707]

What a shame! If only this 4K release was COLORIZED, I'd buy it,... but I'm not going to pay anything for a movie I can watch on the internet FOR FREE (even right here on KZbin) just because it's in 4K. 🤷🏻😐

[@midlevelmedia]

Colorized? Absolutely not Dennis. This movie is classic and the B&W adds so much to its historical significance in horror film history. Watch it on KZbin, but never wish colorization on classic film.

[@DIGGERS881]

WTF Dennis????

[@RybatGrimes]

Color does not make a film better or worse. 4K scans of black and white films can actually looks extremely beautiful, i think you need to realize that. Yeah you can watch it on KZbin for free, but it’s in absolute garbage quality.

[@robertsaul234]

There was a colorized version years ago and it's shit. You're not supposed to know the person in the distance is a zombie in the cemetery. In the colorized version the guy is green lol.

[@chadbrick67]

Bit disappointing to be honest I've got a full HD colour version that I've upscaled to 4k which looks better

[@QuestionableMaterialtoo]

So. Verbose.