For many years, devoted fans of George A. Romero have expressed their sorrow over the disappearance of the black-and-white, three-and-a-half-hour director’s cut of his iconic film Martin. During an insightful audio commentary, Romero once lamented that the “greatest tragedy of his career” was the loss of the film reels that contained his Martin director’s cut. Although Romero passed away in 2017, a miraculous turn of events occurred in 2021 when the elusive director’s cut film reels were finally discovered and subsequently auctioned at Julien’s Auctions. According to Martin cinematographer Michael Gornick, this director’s cut “was always Romero’s preferred version.” He expressed hope that it would soon be returned to the custody of Richard Rubinstein and Braddock Associates for digital revitalization and worldwide distribution. Unfortunately, producer Richard Rubinstein has made it clear that he prefers the 3-hour version of the movie to remain unreleased, for reasons known only to him. The auction started with a bid of $500, and estimates suggested the Martin director’s cut would fetch between $2,000 and $3,000. In a surprising turn of events, it ultimately sold for an impressive $51,200. If you’ve ever been curious about the fate of the film print that Rubinstein wished to keep hidden, the mystery has been unveiled by Lawrence DeVincentz, a tour guide at the Living Dead Museum. DeVincentz revealed on Facebook, “It’s currently held by the George Romero archive at the University of Pittsburgh, donated to the archive by its buyer, Greg Nicotero.”
Given that Rubinstein has prohibited any public screenings of the print, this development represents the next best outcome for its preservation. It’s reassuring to know that the director’s cut is securely housed at the University of Pittsburgh, which is known for its dedication to preserving cinematic history. The buyer, Greg Nicotero, is a renowned special effects artist celebrated for his remarkable contributions to The Walking Dead, where he also took on the roles of director and executive producer. His collaboration with Romero spans several notable projects, including Day of the Dead, Tales from the Darkside, Creepshow 2, Monkey Shines, Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead, and Survival of the Dead. As a teenager, he had the unique opportunity to visit the set of the original Creepshow, and he later became the showrunner for the Shudder series Creepshow.
Martin, masterfully written and directed by Romero, presents a gripping narrative: Young Martin is utterly convinced that he is an 84-year-old blood-sucking vampire. Lacking fangs or supernatural abilities, Martin resorts to injecting women with sedatives and drinking their blood from wounds he inflicts with razor blades. After relocating to Braddock, Pennsylvania, to live with his superstitious uncle—who also believes Martin is a vampire—Martin attempts to target criminals and thugs as his prey but encounters complications when he finds himself romantically interested in a housewife. The film features a talented cast, including John Amplas, Lincoln Maazel, Christine Forrest, Elayne Nadeau, and Tom Savini, with Romero himself making a memorable cameo as a priest.
Martin holds a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorite films. I am genuinely thrilled to learn that the director’s cut is in such capable hands, and I extend my gratitude to Greg Nicotero for his generous donation to the University of Pittsburgh. Are you a fellow admirer of Martin? We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment below.
