Here is a really interesting relic before the DVD documentary become a standard of today, focusing primarily on the set of the making of DAWN OF THE DEAD. Nicole Potter's uninspired narration sounds as if she preferred being elsewhere, but there's some fascinating anecdotes provided by Romero regarding the filmmaking process and seeing live stuff(not to mention interviews)from '78 is like discovering buried treasure if you are a DAWN OF THE DEAD fanatic as I am. We get to see a specific and arduous special effect set up for the Romero/Savini collaboration, TWO EVIL EYES. We get to hear about how Savini was supposed to direct GRAVEYARD SHIFT for New World. We get to see Romero in the editing room, cutting and splicing scenes of DAWN OF THE DEAD. The documentary is rather rough around the edges and raw..this is before future documentaries were better produced and structured. The interviews are what makes DOCUMENT OF THE DEAD a must-see curio for zombie/Romero fans. Romero has always been free and easy when talking about his method behind filmmaking which makes DOCUMENT OF THE DEAD essential viewing for his devoted followers. Major emphasis is also given to MARTIN and, obviously, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. While this documentary is a bit uneven(perhaps due to its unfortunate history), I'm happy it simply exists period and that I had a chance to see it.
Review of Document of the Dead
