Product Details

• Actors: Rob Freeman, Prince David Osei
• Directors: Howard Ford, Jonathan Ford
• Format: Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: ANCHOR BAY
• DVD Release Date: February 14, 2012
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B006BZ8O3I
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #5 in Movies & TV > Blu-ray > Horror

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Dead is a low-budget but atmospheric and frequently effective zombie survival film that injects a much-needed note of gravitas into the rapidly multiplying but increasingly dreary zombie horror subgenre. Shot in Ghana and Burkina Faso by English television advertising directors/siblings Howard J. and Jonathan Ford, The Dead harks back to the ur-template for zombie pics--George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968)--for both its story and its desire to impart a message along with the plentiful bloodshed. American actor Rob Freeman is top-billed as a US military engineer in South Africa attempting to escape a virus outbreak that reanimates its victims as cannibalistic zombies; when his plane crashes, he's forced to find his way to civilization on foot, with the shuffling, blank-eyed dead hot on his heels. Freeman eventually crosses paths with a soldier (African actor Prince David Oseia) who's gone AWOL to find his missing son. What follows is a slower, more contemplative zombie picture than such hot-wired genre entries as the Dawn of the Dead remake or the Resident Evil franchise; the Ford brothers make excellent use of the alternately forbidden and beautiful African landscape, which offers a striking backdrop for images of the undead slowing but inexorably pursuing their prey. The relaxed pace also allows the Fords to inject notes of political and social concern, especially in regard to Africa's war-torn past (and present) and the ironies of a white man fighting for his life against a black majority. Such elements are presented without much subtlety, which is the downfall of The Dead; in its sincere desire to be a "serious" zombie picture, it tilts the balance away from shocks and thrills towards a heavy-handed earnestness. Where the film succeeds is in its depiction of a world gone over the precipice into apocalypse by a silent, implacable force of destruction that cares little for border issues or racial divide. Such moments should be welcome to horror fans who've had their fill of the video game carbons that have come to represent the zombie picture in the 21st century. The DVD includes commentary by the Ford brothers, who discuss the trials they endured in making The Dead, from contending with local militias to Freeman's battle with malaria; a 14-minute electronic press kit and some minor deleted scenes complete the disc. --Paul Gaita

Product Description

After crashing off the coast, Lt. Brian Murphy battles for survival across the vast terrains of Africa in search for a way to get back to his beloved family. Joined by local military man Daniel Dembele, who is also searching for his son, both men join forces, all the while battling against the ever-present threat of the living dead!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Unique And Adult Horror Endeavor: A Surprisingly Low-Key Survival Tale Set Amidst The Zombie Apocalypse, January 20, 2012

By 

K. Harris "Film aficionado" (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dead [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

While I have an undeniable soft spot in my heart for the flesh eating undead, the zombie genre has been a bit overworked lately with projects (whether in film, TV, or books) of varying degrees of quality. Let's face it, the walking dead are everywhere! I'm certainly not complaining, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to find entertainment that still feels fresh and vital. Brothers Howard and Jon Ford, however, have come up with a surprisingly effective survival story in "The Dead" that looks great, feels different, and yet still honors the old school traditions of the classic Romero zombie. It's a simple film, almost minimalist in fact, that doesn't utilize a lot of expository dialogue or develop a grandiose plot. It simply puts you into a realistic scenario set in the barren environment of rural Africa. The desolate country and atmospheric quiet of the film begs the question "Where do you escape to if there's nowhere to go?"

The film introduces us to Rob Freeman as the lone American survivor of an evacuation plane's crash. Crossing the war-torn country, there simply appears to be no end to the horde of undead. He meets up with a local soldier who is attempting to locate his missing son, and the two forge an unlikely friendship and alliance. The film doesn't attempt to explain why the country is overrun with zombies, and it offers little backstory or actual character development. Instead, it showcases the two men as they travel the countryside looking for any sign of hope. If you are looking for non-stop action and carnage, this film may not fulfill your expectation. This tale is much quieter, more introspective. The success of the movie relies on the unsettling mood as zombies are present in almost every background shot. It is a haunting and ethereal vision, especially as the pair drive through the night.

In addition to creating an effectively somber and realistic ambience, the Ford Brothers make the most of their unique environment. The African backdrop is wholly unique, and the movie looks great. The effects are solid, but the violence can be a bit disconcerting considering the real life atrocities and genocide that they bring to mind. I really liked the old-school approach to creating the undead effect, the figures aren't particularly monstrous--but more like hollowed out shells of the people they used to be (but hungrier!). Their horror comes from their ordinariness and their sheer numbers, they are simply everywhere. The action is interspersed with much quiet and melancholy, and again--this causes the picture to feel very different, very real. It's an unorthodox approach and it makes "The Dead" stand apart as a refreshingly grown-up film for adult audiences that appreciate a good scare or two. KGHarris, 1/12.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Dead, January 8, 2012

By 

DJ Deathwish (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Dead (DVD)

An evacuation flight crash lands off the coast of Africa and now an American must try and survive against a zombie outbreak in rugged foreign terrain. I've been wanting to see this for awhile so I'm glad it was finally released. The movie just looks beautiful and of course that can be attributed to the wonderful locales. And then to add some rather amazing looking zombies to the mix, it adds a wonderful dichotomy. To be honest, the story is pretty standard stuff. People trying to survive in a land overrun by the undead. But it's the way that the material is handled that makes this movie so good. Also, it's really well acted. And actually, I'm not a hundred percent sure I like the lead. At times he was great and other he kind of hammed it up. But everyone else was pretty stellar. And then there's the FX work. Right from the get-go I was blown away. The first zombie shown had some incredibly make-up and a certain injury that kind of made me wince. Plenty of blood, plenty of zombie action and plenty of humanity. A great movie.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dead but smells sweeeeet, January 24, 2012

By 

S. Banzhaf "(Belos)" (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dead (DVD)

I was too impatient to wait for the USA release so, I've had this a while under PAL version from AmazonUK. Trust me, if you will, you will enjoy this film if you harken to the Romero Zombies that move slow, are in various stages of creeping necrosis, and quietly get close to you before, you are aware they are getting in arms reach. I really have enjoyed this film and after just a few months, have watched it about 9 times so far, and it has not gotten old yet - so wait and rent first if you wish, but my advice is to NOT be afraid of purchase. AND if you want extra horror --- check out the "making of video diary" (if they add it to the USA release)and see how much garbage they had to put up with just in trying to get this made, from illness to Port Authority issues and local Police issues.