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Dawn of the Dead alternate ending?

post #1 of 11
11/16/03 at 3:56am
Thread Starter 
Has anyone heard of an ending shot that had Peter blowing his head off and Fran being decapitated by the helicopter blade? I swear people around here have been talking about it being on the DOTD spec. ed. dvd. I live in the Pittsburgh/Monroeville area, and have never heard of this until recently.
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post #2 of 11
11/16/03 at 5:20am
Off the top of my head, it was never released, and I don't think it was ever shot. But, it was in the script. Check out homepageofthedead.com
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post #3 of 11
11/16/03 at 2:54pm
I read an interview years and years ago where it was said that this ending was shot and that Romero loved it. But for some reason it was not used for the theatrical version. I think they added the other ending that we all know to make it a bit more upbeat.

If it exists and Anchor Bay can get their hands on it it should be on the multi-disc set. It sure would be cool!
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post #4 of 11
11/16/03 at 9:23pm
The original "downbeat" ending has been debated and talked about for years. I keep reading different things about the Helicopter decapitation footage. I remember reading that George doesn't even remember shooting that scene. Other times, he has said that the footage was lost. And Tom Savini kind of mentioned that the helicopter scene was partially shot and has since been lost. Its kind of weird how no one involved in the film can quite remember whether they shot the scene or not. It would be nice treat for us fans if they can find it and include it in the deleted scene section of the upcoming SE DVD.
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post #5 of 11
11/17/03 at 2:50am
A month ago at a Romero Q&A he stated he didn't shoot it. I do remember reading a Savini interview when he said he said he set up the body for that shot, but who knows. It probably would've surfaced by now if it existed.
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post #6 of 11
11/17/03 at 9:40am
Here's the deal:

Romero, years ago said that he shot the ending and now can't find footage...

Savini says he remembers shooting the ending, but can not find anything to back that up...

NOW, Romero says they never shot the ending, and he believes that Savini is mistaken.

I'm inclined to believe Romero...after all it was his movie, and it seems that after all the documentation and picture taking behind the scenes that Savini does, if he did shoot that ending, then he should at least have some still pictures of the shooting.


It's just an ending that is rumored to be shot, and yes, it was it the original script.
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post #7 of 11
11/17/03 at 10:03am

Document of the Dead

Anybody seen this documentary?

Roy Frumkes asks Romero if the ending has been changed and Romero replies "In fact we shot both because I wasn't willing to give up the tragic ending." Scott Reiniger backs him up with that.

Again, no footage or stills to back him up, but since this was said on location, walkin g through the mall, I'm thinking this is the definitive answer.
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post #8 of 11
11/17/03 at 11:45am
I dont think George wants to admitt a great peice of his movie is lost
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post #9 of 11
11/17/03 at 8:17pm
A load of cut stuff from Night of the Living Dead was lost as well when the cellar at the Latent Image building was flooded.

Who knew Pittsborough was so treacherous.
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post #10 of 11
11/17/03 at 8:39pm
I think you are talking about the part that came earlier in the movie where the top of a zombie's head is cut off.

Maybe the remake will have the original ending from the original script.
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post #11 of 11
11/17/03 at 8:44pm
A zombie gets decapitated by helicopter blade in the first half of the flick for a bit of comic relief. It's probably in the cut scenes 'cos Dario Argento removed it from his Italian cut "Zombi" 'cos he was playing down the comedy element.

I assume this is it, otherwise GET US A LINK!!!!
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