 When the film was first released, the shooting budget was reported  to be $1.5 million. On his commentary track on the "Ultimate" DVD  release, producer Richard P. Rubinstein (qv) admitted that amount  was inflated for foreign buyers, and the actual budget was around  $500,000 (including deferred lab fees and Rubenstein and director  George A. Romero (I) (qv) deferring much of their salaries).