Add Survival Of The Dead To Your George A. Romero Collection August 24th

Are you a fan of George A. Romero’s Dead series? Well, this will be a must. Following close behind its limited theatrical release is the DVD and Blu-ray release of film number six, Survival of the Dead, on August 24th.

The basics are still the same -- the majority of the world has turned into flesh-eating zombies and the few survivors are doing whatever it takes to stay alive -- but here, Romero provides a fresh spin on the situation by turning it into a Western. The main events take place on Plum Island, a place not big enough for the O’Flynns and the Muldoons. Rather than enjoy their isolated and somewhat safe haven, the families are at war over their conflicting ideologies. Patrick O’Flynn (Kenneth Welsh) wants to take out all of the living dead on the island, while Shamus Muldoon (Richard Fitzpatrick) wants to keep them alive in case a cure is found.

Survival is certainly the weakest of the bunch, but longtime fans will appreciate the stylistic similarities. As for those of you who’ve never seen a Romero zombie film or just don’t enjoy them, steer clear, because, at times, this one is downright silly. The thought is there, and Romero does propose some interesting concepts worthy of exploration in subsequent films, but, as I said in my full review, this is just a zombie soap opera.

Magnolia Home Entertainment has announced three versions: a one-disc DVD for $26.98, a two-disc DVD for $29.98, and a BD for $29.98. The one-disc will likely be reserved for those who pick the film up on a whim, because, save for the film, this one’s empty. Those looking to add to their Dead collection should opt for the two-disc or the Blu-ray, both of which come with audio commentary by Romero, an introduction by the filmmaker, the “Walking After Midnight” documentary, the short film “Sarge,” and more. The “and more” will likely be revealed in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for additional details on this one.