OVERALL: R0

There are so many to choose from including discs from Madacy Entertainment, Parade, Goodtimes, United American Video, Snax Entertainment (compared here because it's the only release with a colourised version!), Prism Leisure Corporation, Moonstone Pictures and Tartan - all of which should be avoided because they are awful transfers or bare-bones releases. Basically, go for one of the editions from Elite Entertainment (which provide the best presentation of the original film) or (if you're not a purist) the Anchor Bay 30th Anniversary Edition that has new material edited into the film.

OVERALL: R1

DiviMax series (“U.S. Theatrical Cut”). Note, that a multi-disc set (with different cuts of the film, and extras) is expected from Anchor Bay later in the year 2004 (all specs TBC).

There are several different versions of this film. These 3 are considered as “official versions”:
1) 139 min “Original Director?s Cut”, which is also known as “US version”, “Longer version” and “Cannes version”. “Director?s cut” has some more humour in it, and is more horror-oriented. It has the different musical score than the other versions (no Goblins). This version was rushed into shape for a showing at Cannes in 1978, and is the first completed version of this film. This version never played officially in the theaters in the United States.
2) 126 min “U.S. Theatrical Cut”, is the version that Romero prefers the most. This shorter version has tighter editing and pace, and some of The Goblin's music. This is the version, that was released to theaters in 1979 in the United States.
3) 117 min “Dario Argento Cut”, which is also known as “European version” and “Italian version”. Editing of this version was supervised by Dario Argento. Argento cut out most of the humor, and made the film more action-oriented. This version has a musical score by The Goblins. Even with the shorter running time, there are scenes that are not in either of the Romero versions, and Argento cut scenes entirely different from Romero.

OVERALL: R1

"Divimax special edition" from Anchor Bay is the winner, with great anamorphic transfer and audio options, and with good selection of extras. If you?re a true fan, you might want to have the German release from Astro also.