Acclaim is nice and all, but in The Walking Dead, AMC developed their first unqualified hit.  It's understandable, then, that the six-episode debut season merits two DVD/Blu-ray releases before season two premieres in October.  Anchor Bay Entertainment today announced an October 4 release date for The Walking Dead: Season 1 - Special Edition in three versions: Blu-ray, DVD, and a collector's edition.  The new release obviously adds a basketful of special features to the original season 1 release.  The coolest looks to be a black and white version of the pilot ("fan requested," claims the press release).  This matches the style of the colorless pages of the source comic, and creator Frank Darabont has previously demonstrated a penchant for B&W with The Mist.  I mean, I won't spring the $50 for the DVD, but I hope I know someone who does so I can check it out.Find all the details in the press release after the break.the-walking-dead-special-edition-dvd-cover

ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT GIVES YOU A COLLECTION TO DIE FOR WITH THE OCTOBER 4 RELEASE OF AMC’S “THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON 1- SPECIAL EDITION”

Three Versions Available Oozing with Extras Including a Limited Edition Blu-Ray Collector’s Tin!

Beverly Hills, CA – “The Walking Dead, AMC’s hit original series that Entertainment Weekly hailed as the “best new show on TV”, gets a new release on Blu-ray and DVD this fall that’s sure to wake the dead!  Anchor Bay Entertainment proudly releases the AMC® original series “THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON 1 – SPECIAL EDITION” on October 4, 2011.  Available in three versions (Special Edition DVD, Special Edition Blu-ray and Limited Edition Blu-ray Collector’s Tin), each set contains all six episodes of the first season and is loaded with NEW behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentaries, extra footage and the fan-requested black and white version of the pilot episode.  In addition to the Blu-ray special edition, a limited edition collector’s tin contains an exclusive wearable zombie mask from NECA designed by the series own make-up artist, Greg Nicotero.  The first 100,000 units of the Blu-ray and Limited Edition Collector’s Tin together includes an EXCLUSIVE Cryptozoic “The Walking Dead” trading card.

In each version, all six episodes contain audio commentaries including award-winning Producer/Writer/Director Frank Darabont, Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd, Executive Producer/Writer Robert Kirkman, Producer Denise Huth, Actor Andrew Lincoln, Special Effects Make-Up Artist/Consulting Producer Greg Nicotero and many more!  A breakdown of each release follows:

All three versions include the following NEW extras:

  • Pilot Episode:  The B&W Version
  • Audio Commentaries On All 6 episodes
  • We Are The Walking Dead
  • Bring Out The Dead:  KNB And The Art of Making Zombies
  • Digital Decay:  The VFX of The Walking Dead
  • No More Room in Hell:  The Walking Dead Phenomenon
  • Adapting The Dead
  • Killer Conversations:  Frank Darabont & Greg Nicotero

Each version includes bonus features from the previous release of “The Walking Dead: Season 1” on DVD that contained the following:

  • The Making of The Walking Dead
  • Inside The Walking Dead:  Episodes 1 – 6
  • A Sneak Peek with Robert Kirkman
  • Behind The Scenes Zombie Make-Up Tips
  • Convention Panel with the Producers
  • The Walking Dead Trailer

Extra Footage includes:

  • Zombie School
  • Bicycle Girl
  • On Set with Robert Kirkman
  • Hanging with Steven Yeun
  • Inside Dale’s RV
  • On Set with Andrew Lincoln

AMC's hit "The Walking Dead," which broke ratings records in its first season reaching more Adults 18-49 than any other drama series in the history of basic cable television,* returns for its second season this Fall. The series is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln ("Teachers," Love Actually), who travel in search of a safe and secure home. Shot on location in Atlanta, the series also stars Jon Bernthal ("The Pacific," The Ghost Writer) as Shane Walsh, Sarah Wayne Callies ("Prison Break") as Lori Grimes, Laurie Holden ("The Shield," Stephen King's The Mist) as Andrea, Jeffrey DeMunn (Stephen King's The Mist, The Green Mile) as Dale, Norman Reedus (“The Conspirator”) as Daryl, Steven Yeun ("The Big Bang Theory") as Glen, Emma Bell (The Bedford Diaries) as Amy and Chandler Riggs (Get Low) as Carl Grimes. Season two of "The Walking Dead" is executive produced by three-time Academy™ Award nominee Frank Darabont, Gale Anne Hurd, Kirkman, David Alpert, and Glen Mazzara and AMC Studios. Greg Nicotero

*Source: The Nielsen Company.  Live+SD. 1/1/93-12/5/10.  A18-49, AA(000).  M-Sa 8P-11P, Su 7P-12A.  General Drama.  Ad Supported Cable.  Entire Series Original Premiere Series Airings Only.

Based on the popular Image Comics’ comic book written by Robert Kirkman, the series premiered on AMC Fearfest Halloween night and immediately became the most watched drama series in cable’s history with 3.5 million viewers. It has thrilled (and chilled) both critics and audiences with its groundbreaking take on the living dead lore.  Season 2 of “The Walking Dead” premieres on AMC this fall.

The specs:

the-walking-dead-special-edition-collectors-cover

THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON 1 - SPECIAL EDITION Blu-Ray™

Street Date:                 October 4, 2011

Pre-book:                     September 7, 2011

Cat. #:                         BD23097

UPC:                           0 1313 23097-9 8

Run Time:                   292 Minutes

Rating:                        Not Rated

SRP:                            $59.99

Format:                        Widescreen (1.78:1) 1080p

Audio:                         English Dolby TrueHD 5.1/French Dolby Surround 2.0

Subtitles:                     English and Spanish

THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON 1 – SPECIAL EDITION DVD

Street Date:                 October 4, 2011

Pre-book:                     September 7, 2011

Cat. #:                         DV23096

UPC:                           1313 23096-9 9

Run Time:                   292 Minutes

Rating:                        Not Rated

SRP:                            $49.98

Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)

Audio:                         English Dolby Digital 5.1/French Dolby Surround 2.0

Subtitles:                     English and Spanish

THE WALKING DEAD: LIMITED EDITION COLLECTOR’S TIN (Blu-ray™ ONLY)

Street Date:                 October 4, 2011

Pre-book:                     September 7, 2011

Cat. #:                         BD23505

UPC:                           0 1313 23505-9 2

Run Time:                   292 Minutes

Rating:                        Not Rated

SRP:                            $89.99

Format:                        Widescreen (1.78:1) 1080p

Audio:                         English Dolby TrueHD 5.1/French Dolby Surround 2.0

Subtitles:                     English and Spanish