If this was sold at one point in time(and really there is no doubt it was), then people were seriously ripped-off. However, I too saw it courtesy of Amazon Prime and was engaged and entertained for 60 minutes about an event I did not attend but would have loved to do so. Basically, we get an inside(not very inside though) tour of the Zombie Jamboree celebrating the 25th anniversary of that film. We get John Russo's narration throughout as we see guests at the convention sell their autographs, etc... but we do get some insights into the film itself, the people who made it, its enduring legacy, and much more. I found the Q and A bit with George Romero very interesting. The same for the two scream queens. Tom Savini's walk through the Monroeville mall was also a highlight. I enjoyed the discussion of Duane Jones's import in the film too. This is not particularly well-made. Yes, there are audio(and video) inconsistencies but bear in mind it was made over twenty years ago. So much technologically has changed since then. For what it is, it is a curious, interesting supplement to not only a great film but also to the convention craze which is still going strong.
User Reviews
Review this title5 Reviews
Poor Attempt to Rip Off Fans
Michael_Elliott16 February 2012
Zombie Jamboree: 25th Anniversary of Night of the Living Dead (1993)
* 1/2 (out of 4)
John Russo direct, wrote and produced this "documentary" covering the Zombie Jamboree, which was held in Pittsburgh to celebrate the 25th anniversary of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Among the people we see are George Romero, Russ Steiner, Bill Hinzman, Adam West, Lori Cardille, Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, Gunnar Hansen, Kane Hodder, Tom Savini and Conrad Brooks. This documentary has been sold as a celebration of Romero's film but what it basically is is Russo finding yet another way to milk fans of money. This was obviously shot on video and the sound quality is pretty poor from start to finish. There are quite a bit of Q&A sessions but it's often hard to hear what anyone is saying. Even stranger is that the entire festival was about Romero's film yet this isn't featured too much in the film. There's a Q&A session with the cast and crew but we only get a couple questions. Romero discusses MONKEY SHINES and the studio cutting the ending, which was interesting but everything else is just a waste. The celebrities not associated with NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD answer a few questions but again the audio is so poor that you really become annoyed with everything. I'm sure many, such as myself, are going to get suckered into this thing but it's really just a way for Russo to talk about his own work. We get trailers to several of his movies (MIDNIGHT, SCREAM QUEENS SWIMSUIT SENSATIONS) and some of the films that he produced. In the end it's just a complete waste.
* 1/2 (out of 4)
John Russo direct, wrote and produced this "documentary" covering the Zombie Jamboree, which was held in Pittsburgh to celebrate the 25th anniversary of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Among the people we see are George Romero, Russ Steiner, Bill Hinzman, Adam West, Lori Cardille, Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, Gunnar Hansen, Kane Hodder, Tom Savini and Conrad Brooks. This documentary has been sold as a celebration of Romero's film but what it basically is is Russo finding yet another way to milk fans of money. This was obviously shot on video and the sound quality is pretty poor from start to finish. There are quite a bit of Q&A sessions but it's often hard to hear what anyone is saying. Even stranger is that the entire festival was about Romero's film yet this isn't featured too much in the film. There's a Q&A session with the cast and crew but we only get a couple questions. Romero discusses MONKEY SHINES and the studio cutting the ending, which was interesting but everything else is just a waste. The celebrities not associated with NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD answer a few questions but again the audio is so poor that you really become annoyed with everything. I'm sure many, such as myself, are going to get suckered into this thing but it's really just a way for Russo to talk about his own work. We get trailers to several of his movies (MIDNIGHT, SCREAM QUEENS SWIMSUIT SENSATIONS) and some of the films that he produced. In the end it's just a complete waste.
Home movie
BandSAboutMovies10 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Some of this film feels like home movies from a zombie convention at the Pittsburgh Expo Mart, which used to be right across the parking lot from Monroeville Mall, home of Dawn of the Dead. It also goes into the history of the filmmakers who made Night of the Living Dead, showing commercials for Calgon, Iron City and the Magic Lantern, a device that helps you light your grill faster which is a major deal for Steel City summers.
The convention -- I was there, look for a chubby long haired 21-year-old me looking hapless -- also had Adam West, Kane Hodder, David Prowse and Gunnar Hansen, as well as people who actually had things to do with Romero's zombie movies like "Chilly" Billy Cardille and his daughter Lori, who was the star of Day of the Dead.
This also feels like an informerical for things you can't buy any longer from Russo's Imagine Inc. There was their new magazine, Scream Queens Illustrated, trading cards and the Scream Queens Swimsuit Sensations video. There's a near home movie scene of Brinke Stevens arriving and man, while so many actresses seem unapproacable and like androids, Brinke always seem so cute and fun and normal and melts my heart.
Overall, this is like visiting John Russo's house and him pulling out footage to show you, like "Have you seen the trailer for The Majorettes?" and "Do you like Midnight?"
Definitely when Savini is doing the tour of the mall, well, I am there. He talked about falling on a stunt and his legs being hurt for weeks, as well as the old fountain that was once in the mall.
The quality of this is so bad that it made me wistful for the time of watching camcorder shot footage that just looks like a grainy blur. The fact that people would watch this looking for insights into film and just get footage of Romero hangers on riding the Gateway Clipper makes me deliriously happy.
The convention -- I was there, look for a chubby long haired 21-year-old me looking hapless -- also had Adam West, Kane Hodder, David Prowse and Gunnar Hansen, as well as people who actually had things to do with Romero's zombie movies like "Chilly" Billy Cardille and his daughter Lori, who was the star of Day of the Dead.
This also feels like an informerical for things you can't buy any longer from Russo's Imagine Inc. There was their new magazine, Scream Queens Illustrated, trading cards and the Scream Queens Swimsuit Sensations video. There's a near home movie scene of Brinke Stevens arriving and man, while so many actresses seem unapproacable and like androids, Brinke always seem so cute and fun and normal and melts my heart.
Overall, this is like visiting John Russo's house and him pulling out footage to show you, like "Have you seen the trailer for The Majorettes?" and "Do you like Midnight?"
Definitely when Savini is doing the tour of the mall, well, I am there. He talked about falling on a stunt and his legs being hurt for weeks, as well as the old fountain that was once in the mall.
The quality of this is so bad that it made me wistful for the time of watching camcorder shot footage that just looks like a grainy blur. The fact that people would watch this looking for insights into film and just get footage of Romero hangers on riding the Gateway Clipper makes me deliriously happy.
A Good Bonus Feature....
go2dean20 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This documentary was revealing in many respects in comparison to some of the other features I've seen as bonus features on DVDs. The audio/video quality was very poor which is why I agree that selling this 60 minute piece as a separate video is a waste of money (unless you find it in the value bin).
You do however, get to see many of the stars from NOTLD in a very revealing and different light (such as Judith O'Dea, "Chilly Billy Cardille, George Kosana, Karl Hardman, Bill Hinzman, Russ Streiner, and John Russo). We even see other productions made by the small film company (Latent Image) which brought us the great cult classic (NOTLD).
I viewed this doc on Amazon Prime Video, so it basically cost me nothing to watch. I did enjoy this little feature and was able to endure some of the poor audio/video deficiencies. I definitely recommend it as a must- see (if you may) for fans of Romero and NOTLD and films that followed, but don't spend to much money if need be (catch it on Amazon Prime).
You do however, get to see many of the stars from NOTLD in a very revealing and different light (such as Judith O'Dea, "Chilly Billy Cardille, George Kosana, Karl Hardman, Bill Hinzman, Russ Streiner, and John Russo). We even see other productions made by the small film company (Latent Image) which brought us the great cult classic (NOTLD).
I viewed this doc on Amazon Prime Video, so it basically cost me nothing to watch. I did enjoy this little feature and was able to endure some of the poor audio/video deficiencies. I definitely recommend it as a must- see (if you may) for fans of Romero and NOTLD and films that followed, but don't spend to much money if need be (catch it on Amazon Prime).
A Red Corn Syrup And Latex Celebration...
azathothpwiggins30 July 2021
ZOMBIE JAMBOREE is narrated by John Russo, co-producer of George Romero's classic, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.
Cameos by horror luminaries, such as Gunnar Hansen, Tom Savini, Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, and Romero himself, abound. Not to mention David "Darth Vader" Prowse and Adam "Batman" West!
Also includes various movie clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes info. This is a stroll down a blood-soaked memory lane.
One of the best parts is when Savini recalls his disastrous makeup attempts on Stephen King for his role in CREEPSHOW, as well as his adventures during the filming of DAWN OF THE DEAD. Very funny!
An enjoyable documentary for fans of horror in general and zombie lovers in particular...
Cameos by horror luminaries, such as Gunnar Hansen, Tom Savini, Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, and Romero himself, abound. Not to mention David "Darth Vader" Prowse and Adam "Batman" West!
Also includes various movie clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes info. This is a stroll down a blood-soaked memory lane.
One of the best parts is when Savini recalls his disastrous makeup attempts on Stephen King for his role in CREEPSHOW, as well as his adventures during the filming of DAWN OF THE DEAD. Very funny!
An enjoyable documentary for fans of horror in general and zombie lovers in particular...
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