the extended cut i like best the more footage the better the movie is and it makes more sense also the 156min ultimate cut would be even better i hope they release it in english for us dead zombie fans. :evil: :evil: :evil:
Extended.... it was the first version I ever saw, so that may have a lot to do with it, but I just like to have as much of the movie intact as possible (even though Romero likes his original cut).
I can now safely say the U.S. theatrical is my favorite cut. Watched the European cut last night, and was surprised at how much I enjoyed that cut as well. I felt the audio was a notch below the theatrical release, as was the transfer. Not to ignore the extended cut, which I found very good, and interesting, but I felt it was just too long, not to mention an inferior audio track. I have to say how cool the european cut was, from the first reel, it was apparent that it had a totally different feel altogether than the theatrical. The difference it makes to put another talent in the cutting room is phenomenal, it was almost like watching a new zombie movie for the first time, as directed by Argento or something. Maybe that's going too far, but I really enjoyed this cut for what it is. Having said that, long live Romero's vision, viva the theatrical cut - Dawn of the Dead!!
I actually voted for the European cut, although I think it's really a toss-up between that and the extended version. I like both for different reasons. I like the extended cut because it's got all the gore and character development, but that awful stock music brings it down a notch. I like the Euro cut because it's got the much cooler Goblin score and moves along at a nice pace, but I don't like the fact that it's missing the scene where the zombie gets brained by the helicopter blades and also Joe Pilato's scene at the dock. The theatrical cut is definitely my least favorite of the three, as it's missing quite a bit of the gore.
I watched the Argento cut last night, but now I have to see the extended cut to make my decision. One thing I will say is that that opening music cue when the camera tilts down to the main actress huttled on the ground in the theatrical cut sets an eerie feeling that the other 2 don't have.
Check this thread out. Argento cut has some extra gore in seven different scenes compared to extended cut. Including these two headshots, which are among the finest IMO (all editions included). Sorry everyone for putting these screenshots all over the place, but they help to point things out which weren't clear enough first time.
The Argento cut didn't do it for me. The Theatrical cut is good, but there are so many great scenes or lines of dialogue missing that I must go with the Extended Cannes cut, despite the inferior mono sound.
Well after reviewing the Extended and Theatrical versions on DVD, as well as seeing the European cut for the first time, I've actually changed my original opinion and have come to regard the Theatrical cut as the best. I used to prefer the Extended Version for all of the extra scenes that were just as key to the movie as many other moments, but the Theatrical version has a sense of frantic paranoia (especially present in the opening scene) that just doesn't occur in the Extended. The European cut is by far the least of the three, with a trailer's pace and music seemingly thrown in everywhere. It was nice to see some additional moments, so that was a plus, but this is not Romero's film.
I haven't rewatched the Theatrical cut, but now that I have the UE, I finally have seen the Euro and Extended Cuts. I like all the versions, and it's hard to pick a favorite. The Theatrical cut is the tightest, but damn, I love that extended cut!! So many good little scenes, though some are unnecessary, they are still good. There is so much more character development! The scenes when Fran is getting uptight and upset about their situation are so good. The tension level is so well portrayed. Not that I've ever been in a life or death situation, but living the week after Hurricane Frances, showed how people get when they don't have the creature comforts that we all have learned to expect. And in Dawn they have these comforts, but the world is falling apart around them. Romero was great at building these characters! Dawn is the best of the 3 films for seeing the human condition. I thought that it would be hard to watch the different versions of Dawn in the same week, but Damn, this movie doesn't get old. It is truly a great film, and can be rewatched over and over again. That is IMHO!!
I like the Theatrical best, but need to revisit the Extended. I was really let down by the European cut--I like Goblin but the music is way too repetitive, and the story's effectivness is lessened by the fast pace. It's funny because I was expecting to like the Argento version best of all before seeing it, because I've always thought the Theatrical version dragged a lot in places. So I doubt I'll like the Extended Cut much either. Really wish they would have had Perry Martin or someone else do the commentary track for the European version--I would have liked more behind the scenes info and the cast just weren't familiar enough with what they were watching.
It was good that they got them all together though.Maybe they should have done the commentary on another version.
I watched the Euro cut a few weeks ago with some others from the board and I really liked the music and the faster pace. I think it is my favorite cut now.
I prefer the extended cut. I enjoy the extra scenes and the longer feel of the movie. Anything that makes the movie last longer, is okay with me.