One of the few Steven Spielberg films to underperform at the
box office (compared to his other big blockbusters), 1941 is arguably
a mess no matter which version you watch. Released theatrically
in late 1979, there were actually three different edits of the
film. The first ran a little over two hours, and resulted in disastrous
test screenings, and was thus edited down to about 118 minutes.
It was this version that was originally released years ago on
video. However, a few years back the long-awaited collector's
edition laserdisc was released, and contained a reedited Extended
Cut with over 20 minutes of additional footage reedited into the
film. This apparently contains all the footage that was in the
test screenings versions and additional scenes as well.
Yikes...the film that put Jim Carrey on the map. My mom always
told me "if you can't say anything nice about something,
don't say anything at all." So, I'll take her advice when
talking about the cinematic merits of this film. But, a lot of
people find it funny...
While this movie wasn't a particularly big hit upon its original
theatrical release, despite the presence of big-name stars like
Michelle Pfeiffer, Arsenio Hall, it has developed a cult following
on video. However, despite being a terrible full rame-only transfer,
the Image release is missing some deleted scenes that have never
shown up on anything but TV broadcasts. Omitted from the DVD and
theatrical release were sketches featuring such John Landis players
such as Dick Miller as a ventriloquist and AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF
IN LONDON's Jenny Agutter. Also, perceptive viewers will also
notice that the TV version, while featuring these extra skits,
features an alternate version of the early "Pethouse Pet"
skit, which features a scantily clad playmate instead of a fully
nude one.
Hopefully, Image or somebody (hello, Anchor Bay?) can renegotiate
the rights to this one and do a new special edition DVD. It probably
won't sell a zillion copies, but just having a decent transfer
woudl be nice for this small but enjoyable little skit comedy
film, don't you think?
Here's one that is pretty inexplicable. This fine 1982 Sean Penn
drama ws originally released at 123 minutes theatrically and also
played at this length on cable, but was subsequently shortened
to 104 minutes for the VHS release. Strangely, though, the cuts
made don't seem to have anything to do with sex or violence, which
are the usual culprits in cases of reedits. Thanks to our reader
Mark B., the following is a brief rundown of some of the cuts:
"There are a total of 19 minutes of film missing from the
VHS and DVD versions, and the cuts seem to have been done haphazardly.
Numerous scenes are cut in half. In fact, sometimes the effect
is jarring since the film's orchestral soundtrack is playing in
the background and is "cut off" suddenly because half the scene
has been excised. One key scene towards the end, where Sean Penn's
character burns a picture of his girlfriend in his jail cell because
he believes he may never see her again, is completely missing.
Countless other scenes that flesh out the other characters in
the story are either missing or chopped to pieces."
Certainly, this is sloppy cutting, and unfortunately the current
Artisan DVD is the edited 104 minute version (however, the full
123 minute version can be found on the now out-of-print Image
laserdisc.) It is possible that this shortened 104 minute version
was either done for broadcast (where cuts are often just made
for time, not content), and Artisan either didn't have access
to the transfer of the theatrical version or used this one by
mistake. Whatever the case, Artisan has not yet returned calls
for this story, but hopefully the full version will someday be
released. Alas, since this was not a big box office hit nor a
big seller on DVD, one could be pessimistic. But hopefully we
can at least get an answer soon.
Now, here's an odd one. In the theatrical and home video releases
of Tim Burton's Batman, there is a brief shot near the end in
the clocktower where Vicki Vale is attempting to distract The
Joker to aid Batman, After she kisses The Joker's jacket, she
gets an unpleasant look on her face and pulls lint out of her
mouth. However, on the DVD version, this shot is replaced with
her still kissing the jacket, but she no longer looks disgusted,
nor does she pull out the lint. In fact, she kinda looks "into
it," for lack of a better word. A strange change, and one
that does alter the emotional byplay of the shot. In actuality,
both these versions are available on DVD, but there is one caveat...
Those damn dirty apes, they just can't get no respect! While
one can argue about the declining quality of the films in the
'Planet of The Apes' series, even the worst of 'em don't deserve
to be cut (doesn't any film no matter how bad?) but, that is just
what happened to Battle For The Planet Of The Apes, which saw
some subplot lifted from Beneath The Planet Of The Apes truncated
for its U.S. theatrical run
Near the end of the film, U.S. theatrical showings and the current
DVD from Fox eliminated a scene of the mutants arguing over the
detonation of the "Alpha-Omega" bomb (where's Lambda
Lambda Lambda when you need them?) This bomb was a key part of
the plot of the previous installment of the series, Beneath The
Planet Of The Apes, and in fact legend has it that some of the
footage used in this cut of Battle was actually shot for Beneath.
Anyway, along with this scene as well as an extension of the
"General Aldo" massacre (where the General climbs to
the top of the bus in victory amid cheering apes), both are cut
from the current DVD. However, they can be found on the Japanese
laserdisc, and most likely other overseas prints and home video
versions of the films. The foreign cut of the film runs 96 minutes,
while Fox used the shorter U.S. version of 86 minutes for the
DVD. No new version of the disc is planned, so I guess us poor
yankee apes are stuck with the shorter version...
Probably the film in Luc Besson's oeuvre that inspires the most
passionate response, the film has actually been released in three
incarnations. It debuted in 1989 in America and Europe in two
different cuts. The overseas 132-minute cut featured a score by
Eric Sierra, but for some reason the film was cut down to 118
minutes and rescored by Bill Conti(!). Then, a few years ago,
a 168-minute Director's Cut was released on Japanese laserdisc.
Practically dumped by its distributor Fox here in America, aside
form the new score, whole scenes were lost, including many largely
wordless passages deemed "too abstract" for American
audiences (what, like we're stupid?) Perhaps most controversial
was a "happier ending" tacked on to the film, where
Jacques doesn't swim off with the dolphin, but is returned to
the surface! Oh, vey...
After years and years of John Hughes epics filling theater screens
to mixed results, The Breakfast Club may very well be the one
that stands up the best over time (well, Ferris Bueller and Planes,
Trains & Automobiles are pretty dang good, too.) Certainly,
of all his "teen flicks," it is the most thoughtful
and serious. A big hit in the theaters, I'm surprised this has
never gotten the special edition treatment on home video...
Originally released on DVD in early 1998, the first version of
CONAN THE BARBARIAN was much maligned by fans for its lackluster
transfer and lack of supplements. Now rectified with the May 2000
release of a new special
edition featuring a brand-new anamorphic transfer, commentary
and making-of documentary, amongst other supplements, fans of
the film finally got the special edition they wanted...but also
an additional surprise as well. While all previous home video
versions including the first DVD featured the original theatrical
cut, the new DVD is an "Expanded Edition" featuring
the international cut never before seen in the U.S.
While the running time of this new version doesn't differ much
from the theatrical cut, there has been significant changes made
to the later parts of the film. Since a comparison of the previous
DVD and the new version didn't seem to reveal any noticeable differences
to our eyes, coupled with the fact the new DVD includes several
deleted scenes presented after the film as supplements, we were
perplexed as to how the two versions differed.
Upon inquiry, a reply from o Universal indicates the additions
are not a bunch of brand new scenes but more of a reedit of some
key sequences in the film. There is one full scene added where
Conan talks to Subotai about his past just before the big battle.
Also different is the entire reel 7AB was replaced with the International
Version material, which varies from the US domestic version throughout
the last 10 minutes or so, from the sequence leading up to and
after Conan killing Thulsa Doom. It involves many small replacement
and additional shots, and the Princess character is seen throughout
this sequence, while she is completely omitted in the US Domestic
Version.
The new DVD included the participation of Director John Milius,
so even though this new edition boasts superior video quality
and supplements and is overall the better disc, the original DVD
and prior home video versions could be considered collector's
items since they now contain the only home video versions of the
original U.S. theatrical release version. Hold on to those copies,
they might be worth something on eBay!
CRIMSON TIDE
Released Early 1999 by Buena Vista Home Video.
Director Tony Scott's underwater "thriller" actually
had a slight change during its theatrical release. There were
actually two different versions of the film, and what basically
happened in the 'alternate' version, is that Gene Hackman declares
that someone else on the bridge is the new "XO." There
were other scenes the supported this sequence, though it was
intentionally recut on some prints because it was technically
inaccurate insofar as military procedures go. However, many
people saw the other version, which would have been interesting
to include on the video release.
Prior Video Versions : The "XO-less" version
released on pan & scan VHS and widescreen Laserdisc versions.
The DVD : The DVD contains the same version reedited
version as described above.
Comments : Considering the nature of the edit and the
fact it was not controversial or against the wishes of the filmmakers,
we'll probably never see it on DVD. (Hey, it is Buena Vista,
after all...what would you expect? A special edition?)
THE CRUSH
Released by Warner Home Video, August 2000
Here's another seemingly inexplicable one that ends up just
being one of those "who woulda thought" headslappers.
While not exactly a cinema classic, the award-winning Alicia
Silverstone thriller The Crush (well, it won an MTV Movie Award)
does have its moments of campy fun. However, in a change that
I couldn't figure out, Alicia's vengeful psycho character in
the theatrical version was named "Darian," but on
the new DVD, she is now listed as "Adrian." Even stranger,
all the dialogue has been looped to change "Darian"
to "Adrian"!
Obviously, this is a considerable expense to the studio, so
why did they do it? Well, thanks to reader Bill C., he caught
an episode of that show "Dinner And A Movie" with
star Kurtwood Smith, who was talking about the film. Wouldn't
ya know, screenwriter Alan Shapiro based the film on actual
events that happened to him (now that's very scary!),
and ended up being sued by the girl he wrote about, who unwisely
had the same name as his "fictional" character!
Alright, kids, here's your Screenwritng 101 tip: never give
your onscreen psychos the same name as their real-life counterparts.
Her family of course sued, and Warner settled it by "looping"
all mentions of "Darian" for the home video and TV
versions. And there you have it, the mystery of "Nancy
Drew & The Case Of The Curtailed Crush" solved!
DEAD ALIVE
Released May 1999 by Trimark Home Video.
Peter Jackson's anarchic horror-comedy has seen three different
incarnations. There is a heavily edited 90-minute or so cut
released theatrically and on video in the US, and two versions
under the original title Brain Dead. There is an the
"uncut" 97-minute version and a recent Japanese cut
that is even longer at over 100 minutes. Each successively "uncut"
release is more and more gorier than the previous, and to the
best of our knowledge, the 97-minute and 110-minute cuts were
both cut with director Peter Jackson's involvement. However,
obviously, the longest version is the one most sought-after
by collectors.
Prior Video Versions : The short 90-minute R-rated version
was released on poor VHS and laserdisc versions throughout the
world (note it is always called Dead Alive here in the US and
Brain Dead everywhere else, regardless of the cut). The longer
100-minute plus version remains only available in bootlegs from
overseas and to our knowledge has not been released in the US.
The DVD : A DVD of the 97-minute "uncut" version
(called Dead Alive) was released by Trimark recently, with a
nice new anamorphic transfer, too.
Comments : No word has come from Trimark or any other
distributor on any plans to released the 100-minute cut on DVD
in the US.
DEAD CALM
Released December 1999 by Warner Home Video
Theatrical Notes: Though not a big hit in the U.S. when
first released, Dead Calm was big in Australia and has developed
a nice little cult audience on video. Running a lean 95 minutes,
the film actually went through a little studio tinkering before
its release. Feeling the ending lacked a big enough bang, an
alternate ending was shot that gave a flashier sendoff to baddie
Billy Zane. This "flare gun" ending is the one that
was released, though Director Philip Noyce was quoted in an
old article in Film Comment that he preferred the original ending,
which was a bit more believable though less showy...
Prior Video Versions : Released years ago on VHS and
Laserdisc (with an incorrect aspect ratio of 2.1 to boot) with
the reshot ending and the US theatrical 95-minute runtime.
The DVDs : The new DVD from Warner does not include
the original ending, and also runs 95 minutes.
Comments : Postponed for a year, when the Warner DVD
finally arrived, it contained no features and just an adequate
transfer, and seems to be a bit of a missed opportunity. However,
since it just came out, it seems doubtful we'll get a new special
edition anytime soon...
DEAD POET'S SOCIETY
Released October 1998 by Buena Vista Home Video.
A sleeper hit in the summer of 1989, Dead Poet's Society went
on to garner many Academy Award nominations and big box office.
Though already over 2 hours long, the film was cut down a bit
for theatrical release, omitting a number of interesting scenes.
Having seen them myself on the TV version, the added footage
though good does often repeat motifs and themes, so I can see
why they were cut. Some of the footage includes more classroom
teachings by Robin Williams, including a nice bit with the students
blindfolded and learning about the joys of music; a montage
involving Neil's participation in the school play, and added
footage of the strictness of the school faculty, including a
bit about eating spaghetti properly! Though not necessary to
understand the overall message of the film, this extra footage
is great to see if you are a fan of the film.
Prior Video Versions : The original VHS version contained
the original 128-minute theatrical version. A subsequent laserdisc
release featured the extended 142-minute cut with an additional
14 minutes of footage. This is also the version that played
on some cable stations as well as the network TV airings.
The DVD : Unfortunately, the DVD edition is only the
128-minute theatrical version. Despite the fact that a widescreen
transfer was made of the extended cut for the laserdisc (and
THX certified to boot!), Buena Vista inexplicably chose to only
release the theatrical cut on DVD.
Comments : Buena Vista's reply at the time of the original
release of the DVD was that the theatrical cut was chosen due
to space considerations (Buena Vista was not doing RSDL discs
at the time). Since then, they say they have no plans at this
time to issue a new DVD with the extended cut. Let's hope they
change their minds sometime soon...
DEATH BECOMES HER
Released January 1998 by Universal Home Video.
Robert Zemeckis' hyperactive, very black comedy about Hollywood
and America's obsession with physical perfection was heavily
edited for theatrical release after test screenings. The two
major changes are the ending, which was originally a bit less
bleak but still disappointed test audiences, and an entire subplot
involving Tracey Ullman as a bartender who befriends the Bruce
Willis character. Also, many scenes were shortened, including
a lengthy sequence the day after Meryl Streep's character is
released from the hospital with a broken neck. Also, character
scenes by supporting players such as Jonathan Silverman as Meryl
Streep's agent were cut to the point of becoming cameos, and
a couple of scenes with Isabella Rosselini's character were
also shortened.
The reason for most of the changes was due to Zemeckis' desire
to liven the pace, as well as cutting extraneous jokes that
didn't further the plot or character. The reason for the deletion
of the entire Tracey Ullman subplot had to do with the removal
of the original ending. In it, Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn
are outfoxed by Bruce Willis and Ullman, who escape with the
potion. Flash forward 27 years, and Streep and Hawn bump into
a now-happily retired couple, Ullman and Willis. Though Streep
and Hawn remain beautiful, they lack the love and life that
Willis and Ullman created without the use of any magical youth
potions. Hence the moral of the story was the same, but apparently,
Zemeckis and the test audiences didn't feel the payoff was rewarding
enough. When it was changed to the current ending (where the
Streep and Hawn literally fall to pieces), the entire Ullman
subplot seemed extraneous, so was cut. In all, quite a few minutes
of deletions were made, and this test audience version was never
released theatrically or on home video.
(For a very good summary of all the changes, check out Laurent
Bouzereau's book The Cutting Room Floor. Though just recently
out of print, you may still be able to find it at a bookstore,
or stop by a library, as it is worth checking out.)
Prior Video Versions : All prior VHS and Laserdisc versions
contain the original theatrical cut (the laser is also widescreen).
However, note that some of the cut footage was used in the trailer,
and there is even a still of it on the back of the video packaging!
The DVD : The DVD is the theatrical cut, and is also
shown Pan & Scan only.
Comments : There has been no word or announcement from
Universal on any special uncut edition (or even a widescreen
re-release) of Death Becomes Her as of this writing.
DEEP IMPACT
Released December 1998 by Paramount Home Video
One of the two big "dueling asteroid" movies from
the summer of 1998, along with Armageddon, though Deep Impact
actually featured a comet, but never mind. Though Armageddon
would get a nice deluxe set from Criterion complete with deleted
scenes, Deep Impact also had its fair share of cuts worth mentioning.
Most notable was an entire subplot involving the Tea Leoni character
and her romantic relationship with her cameraman, played by
up-and-comer Dougray Scott (you can glimpse him in a few "blink
and you'll miss it" scenes). Also, the film originally
had a slightly different ending, climaxing with the two teenagers
reaching safety at the top of that big hill. Test audiences
found it too vague and unexciting, so some rejigging was done
and a coda with Morgan Freeman in front of the White House was
added (I've heard he actually dies in the original cut, but
I can't find any real proof of this in any articles or books).
Also, there was extra footage involving Tea Leoni and her parents
that was snipped as well. All of these edits were done for the
sake of time and to keep the film from being too "plotty,"
according to the films producers and director Mimi Leder. The
theatrical version ended up running 120 minutes.
Prior Video Versions : The VHS, pay-per-view and cable
versions all run 120 minutes. The film has not run on network
television yet, so it is not known if there will be any additional
scenes added, which is a common occurrence on television.
The DVD : The DVD also contains the original theatrical
version only. No extra scenes are provided.
Comments : Not very surprisingly, a reply from Paramount
states there are currently no plans for any sort of DVD special
edition of Deep Impact, with deleted footage or otherwise. Too
bad DreamWorks, who co-produced this film, didn't have the rights
to release the DVD...
DREAMSCAPE
Released May 2000 by Image Entertainment
WA pretty big cult favorite, this film is often thought of
as "a poor man's NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET," especially
since both films came out aroujd the same time, though the
Freddy films went on to spawn coutless sequels and millions
of dollars in box office, while DREAMSCAPE pretty much disappeared.
Anyway, seems the recent Image DVD is cut a bit compared
to the laserdisc release. We received a few emails on this,
including a comparison between the laserdisc and DVD releases.
So here goes, direct from a reader, Mike:
"I work at a laserdisc and dvd store, I was able to
take home the rental copy of DREAMSCAPE on DVD and watched
it and was pleased that the snake monster didn't look as fake
as it once did. So, I wanted to see what it used to look like,
I pulled out a rental laserdisc copy of the film (in pan &
scan, however) and watched it, but was yelled at for putting
nudity up on the screen in front of customers.
'But that was funny, I didn't see nudity when I watched it
last night?' I thought. That is because when the character
that is having trouble with his wife (short bald guy with
glasses) and he is running up the stairs, you hear the moans
of his wife cheating on him from the hallway. He opens
the door, the camera does a pan and you get to see a close
up on her face like an optical zoom or something. When the
laserdisc copy played in the store you could see her kneeling
on a bed with partial nudity. What is the deal with this optical
zoom and the altering of movies that have already been rated!?"
Also, European readers have said that two small scenes were
deleted from the American version as well. The first deletion
occurs during the dreamed sex scene between Dennis Quaid and
kate Capshaw. European prints contain a whole love scene that
runs a little longer, making it appear steamier. The second
deletion occurs during another dream when the boy cuts off
the dragon's head with an ax. American censors removed a few
frames of blood spurting from the dragon's neck.
It is possible the original laserdisc had a different shot
that the DVD substituted with the zoom. Often, TV versions
don't just edit out swear wordsd, but substitute one "cleaner"
shot for another. Given that Image's recent MS.
45 DVD was also a cut version, perhaps Image is using
cut prints and is not aware of the alterations. We've thrown
out an email to them, and we'll see what happens...
DUNE
Released March 1998 by Universal Home Video.
Probably David Lynch's most commercial effort, this big cult
title didn't reach blockbuster status in the cinemas as expected,
and nearly put the Dino DeLaurentis company under. But, as we
know, box office doesn't equal artistic success, and though
very Lynch-ian, the film has a lot going for it. Surreal, mythic
and just plain trippy, there has been much discussion about
longer versions and reedits of the film. So, this is what I
was able to learn about the film, though I'm sure it is by no
means complete!
The US theatrical cut runs 137 minutes (though note that every
movie guide I checked listed disparate runtimes between 136
and 140 minutes!), and bears the credit "Directed by David
Lynch." It is the only director-approved cut out there,
period. Note that some overseas prints run a bit shorter due
to censorship with short trims on some scenes. (Of course, there
are plenty of "edited for television" versions floating
around on TV and airplanes, with all the bloody and suggestive
bits truncated.)
The real confusion with this film most likely stems from the
network TV version, which has been publicly disowned by David
Lynch bears the credit "Directed by Allen Smithee." Ouch!
It runs 190 minutes and features outtakes and other cut footage
reinserted somewhat sloppily back into the film. The changes
are numerous, including a longer spoken introduction, weird
color changes, and additions to over 15 scenes. (For a good
breakdown of these additions, visit the nice site Dune
- Behind The Scenes.)
Perhaps most odd of all is a rarely seen (and I should mentioned
not by myself) that ran on KTVU in San Francisco in 1992. Reports
of this version state it edits together footage from both the
theatrical and TV versions and restoring the original theatrical
versions of sequences like "heart busting" and "thumper"
sequences that were reedited for the television release.
It is important to note that with all these versions, Mr. Lynch
ONLY edited the theatrical version. Though some production interviews
on the film indicate Lynch probably wanted a 3-hour film, there
is no mythical "6 hour cut" or what-have-you. In fact,
only about 5 hours of total useable footage apparently exists.
Interestingly, author Frank Herbert wrote an introduction to
a book called "Eye" (now out of print but available
at your local cinema library) that most of this footage shouldn't
be used and was never intended to be seen anyway. Mr. Herbert
is pretty clear that at most "maybe" four hours of
footage would work. But, as of now, only the theatrical cut
bears the Lynch stamp, and he has disowned the TV cut.
Prior Video Versions : The theatrical cut (again with
some censorship changes made to some versions has been released
in just about every territory in the world on VHS and Laser,
though most are now out of print. There is a Japanese mega-laserdisc
set that is 7 (!) CLV sides and has both he theatrical and TV
cuts. Though the runtime is 320 minutes or so, this is made
up of the separate theatrical and TV cuts. But again, the TV
version bears the "Directed by Alan Smithee" credit...
The DVD : The US Universal DVD features a non-anamorphic
transfer of the 137-minute theatrical version.
Comments : Universal's David Shin publicly stated in
a recent live chat that Universal will "most likely"
revisit Dune on DVD sometime in the future. I believe the only
way to really do this right would be to get David Lynch involved
extensively, and if no new cut of the film is made, then get
the director to consent to adding deleted scenes as supplements.
But, until then, the theatrical cut is the way to go, as it
most closely adheres to the director's vision (and is cheaper
than the Japanese laserdisc!).
EARTHQUAKE
Released September 1998 by Goodtimes Home Video (licensed
from Universal)
Coming late in the "disaster movie" craze of the
70's, my what a pretty terrible movie this is! Charlton Heston
must have really needed the money! Though the matte shots and
effects by Albert Whitlock are pretty good, the story is rather
cheesy, but fun. A big disappointment in the theaters, I suppose
it was then that those involved decided to expand the film for
the television showing, and hence it became a two-parter on
TV...
Prior Video Versions : All prior VHS and Laserdisc versions
feature the 123-minute theatrical cut. However, on television,
they added quite a few minutes of extra footage, including some
material rumored to have been shot just for the TV broadcast.
The biggest addition is more footage with stars Joan Blair and
Debra Lee Scott, and involves a subplot of a plane landing at
night as the earthquake hits. Reportedly, some of this nighttime
footage was borrowed for "Airport"! Additional outtakes
include more of Marjoe Gortner stalking Victoria Principal and
a bunch more little outtakes thrown in.
The DVD : The DVD contains the 123-minute theatrical
cut, the same as the VHS and Laserdisc editions.
Comments : Since this wasn't exactly a blockbuster,
somehow I don't think we'll be seeing a special edition extended
cut of this anytime soon. Worse, we're stuck with the crappy,
over-enhanced transfer of the Goodtimes DVD...
THE EXORCIST
Released on March 25, 1997 and November 11, 1998 by Warner
Home Video
Due to the length of this entry, we have created a separate
page to host it. Check it out here.
FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH
Released December 1999 by Universal Home Video.
Perhaps the defining early 80's teen comedy (along with John
Hughes's epics), the film actually has a number of scenes that
were cut from the theatrical version. Scenes deleted include:
a couple of conversations between Damone and Rattner and Stacey
and Linda that sets up a joke about using Led Zepplin IV to
score on a date; a scene between Brad and his guidance counselor;
a scene between Spicoli and his buds relating another cut scene
where Mr. Hand rips up Spicoli's card; and an affecting extended
scene of Stacey's abortion.
Also, many of the songs in the theatrical print had to be rescored
for the the home video versions due to rights issues.
Prior Video Versions : Released in the early 80's on
VHS and cable (and much later on laserdisc) with the theatrical
cut. The VHS and Laserdisc also had nine songs rescored. Recent
airings on cable include most of the deleted scenes, though
much of the bad language, pot smoking and nudity are removed.
A recent April 1999 VHS released features a remastered theatrical
cut with the original songs restored.
The DVD : The upcoming DVD, while containing a new transfer
and the original soundtrack, does not include ANY of the deleted
scenes, either reedited into the picture or as supplements.
Comments : As a collector, the DVD was high on my "to
buy" list, and though I am disappointed by the lack of
deleted scenes, a reply from the office of Amy Heckerling indicated
that though the director is not fond of the extra scenes, the
original print elements of these scenes are lost. So, TV showings
of the longer cuts (which Ms. Heckerling does not like) are
the only way to see these scenes as of now...
FLIRTING WITH DISASTER
Released by Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Buena Vista strikes again. While Miramax Films has been known
for taking on edgy material, they are owned by corporate
parent Disney, which has caused a few run-ins with the editor's
scissors. In some cases, such as SCREAM, trims are made to secure
an R-Rating, and in others, such as the case with Kevin Smith's
DOGMA, the film was so potentially controversial Miramax decided
to seek a different distributor as Disney didn't want to release
it. Luckily, home video is usually the savior in most of these
cases, as with SCREAM, where Miramax licensed the title out
to Image for Laserdisc and fans finally got to see the uncut
version for the first time.
However, since Buena Vista handles their own DVD distribution,
they don't often license out their titles to third-parties much
anymore, hence the Buena Vista-distributed SCREAM DVD was the
theatrical cut and not the unexpurgated version. The case of
Miramax's FLIRTING WITH DISASTER is very interesting. When it
was shown theatrically, it featured a fairly typical end credit
sequence. However, for home video, David O. Russell got to add
a few additional scenes during the closing credits with Tea
Leoni, now pregnant, as well as a comedic interchange between
the gay couple in bed. This version was released on VHS and
Laserdisc, but strangely when it came time for the DVD, these
end credit shots were excised.
We originally contacted David O. Russell's publicist back when
the edited version of FLIRTING WITH DISASTER was released on
DVD, and they were not happy about the alterations, as Mr. Russell
prefers the ending with the extra scenes. Buena Vista's official
response was that the wrong master was used for the DVD, but
regardless of the error the disc would not be repressed. This
is disappointing, and along with the pretty terrible transfer
on the DVD, we can only hope this poor release will one day
be discontinued and replaced with a better version. But until
that happens, if ever, we're stuck with a pretty lousy disc...
FRIDAY THE 13TH
Released October 19, 1999 by Paramount Home Video.
Originally released in the summer of 1980, the film was edited
slightly to obtain an R-rating by the MPAA in the United States.
Four murders were slightly edited: the early death of would-be
cook Annie, Kevin Bacon's infamous through-the-throat stabbing,
Marcy's axe-in-the-face and Harry Crosby's "look ma no
hands" door hanging by arrows. Each one was held on for
just a second or more longer, resulting in only about 11 seconds
or so of extra screen time. (Note that Marcy's death was originally
longer in the rough cuts of the film, but was removed purposely
by the filmmakers because the effects were thought to be fake-looking.)
Prior Video Versions : Released on VHS, Laserdisc and
Pay Cable in the United States in the theatrical R-rated version.
Also released to television in an edited form with about 7 seconds
of blood cut out. An unedited cut with the extra original gore
was finally released on a Japanese letterboxed laserdisc in
mid-1990 that contained all the extra blood.
The DVD : The DVD contains, after our frame by frame
analysis compared to the VHS tape, the theatrical cut except
for two changes. The first death of Annie is the same as the
longer uncut Japanese Laserdisc. However, the final decapitation
of Mrs. Voorhees is trimmed of two shots. Though the first slow-motion
shot of Mrs. Voorhees head being lopped off and Alice's reaction
is intact, the following two shots of the decapitated body slowly
falling out of frame and Alice's next cutaway are deleted. However,
what was the third and final shot of Mrs. Voorhees limp body
and hand falling out of frame remains, as well as Alice's final
reaction. So, though still gory, there is a few seconds cut
from this final death sequence.
Comments : So far, no word has come from Paramount Home
Video in the US as to why this hybrid edit was chosen for the
DVD. No plans are known at this time for any sort of reissue
or repressing of the disc, so it is entirely possible the current
disc will remain on store shelves.
FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2
Released October 19, 1999 by Paramount Home Video.
Originally released in the summer of 1981, the film was highly
edited to obtain an R-rating by the MPAA in the United States.
Many of the deaths, especially the "double impaling"
on the bed of two victims, were cut to remove excessive blood
and gore. After the controversy and outcry over the first film
(which many at the time felt should not have made it through
with just an R), the MPAA was especially hard on Part 2.
Prior Video Versions : Released on VHS, Laserdisc and
Pay Cable in the United States in the theatrical R-rated version.
Also released to television in an edited form with more content
cut out. No known releases of the unedited version are known
The DVD : The DVD contains the R-rated theatrical cut.
Comments : So far, there seems to be no indications
that an uncut version of this film will surface on DVD from
Paramount Home Video. It is very possible this extra footage
was never kept and is lost in the mists of time, and it is important
to note it has never been released anywhere to the best of our
knowledge.
FRIDAY THE 13TH
PART 3
Released October 2000 by Paramount Home Video
While usually in The Cut List we only discuss cut scenes that
were for some reason omitted or added to a DVD, or appeared
on an alternate format (such as a broadcast TV cut), this will
be the first time we talk about a cut scene that has never appeared
in any showings of a film. Why? Well, in the case of Friday
The 13th Part 3, some on-set publicity photos were released
showing this scene (and appeared in such publications as Fangoria),
and so many people have commented on it over the years it seemed
worthwhile to mention it. (And, since we've covered Friday The
13th parts 1, 2 and 4, how can we skip three?)
Certainly, all the Friday films have been cut for gore to achieve
an R-rating. But the cut scene in Part 3 is more interesting.
Originally, the lead character Chris, played by Dana Kimmel,
was actually killed at the end of the film. After she wakes
up the next day, she goes back to the cabin and is confronted
by Jason who actually beheads the poor girl! Normally, such
a drastic alternate ending to the film would be nothing more
than folklore, but as stated a few publicity photos of Jason
lopping off Chris' head have appeared over the years. Why the
filmmakers decided instead to go with the ending that now appears
in the film (Chris is attacked by the dead Mrs. Voorhees in
a dream sequence that directly rips off the end sequence of
the first film) remains a mystery. In any case, this alternate
ending to the film would have made a nice addition to the film,
but sadly remains a buried treasure for Friday fans...
FRIDAY THE 13TH
- THE FINAL CHAPTER
Released October 2000 by Paramount Home Video
Normally in the Cut List we talk about deleted scenes or shots
on DVDs, but in the case of Friday The 13th The Final Chapter,
there are a number of sound cues missing on the DVD. Thanks
to our reader Chris A., he spotted three noticeable sound omissions
on the new DVD, which can be heard slightly on the French track
and on the VHS tape. The missing cues include a "sweeper
missing" from the "Final Chapter" title card that comes
exploding through Jason's mask at the 02:59 point. The second
omission comes at 60:54 when the character of Jimmy meets his
demise. A stinger sound effect is missing as Jason plants a
corkscrew into Jimmy's hand. The final omission comes at 68:59
when the character of Sara meets her maker. Again, a stinger
sound effect is absent as Sara lays on the floor with an axe
firmly planted in her chest.
Another oddity on the disc is the brief color change that occurs
right before Tina gets thrown out the window onto the hood of
the car below. As soon as Jason hits the window, the color tint
of the scene drastically shifts, but then pops back in the next
shot. Weird. At presstime, Paramount has not commented on these
oddities with The Final Chapter disc, so a recall or repressing
seems doubtful...
GALAXYQUEST
Released May 2000 by DreamWorks Home Video
While some people may be surprised, it is true that one simple
work can mean the difference between an PG and PG-13 rating,
and that wonderful little word is "fuck." In GALAXYQUEST,
our favorite expletive seemed to have caused some trouble with
the ratings board, and the line was "looped" in post
production to the more family-friendly (I guess) "screwed."
Around the middle of the film, Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver
have to go through the choppers to reach the Omega 13, and she
yells out, "Well, screw that!." Yet, if you pay close enough
attention, you can see her lips are really saying "Well, fuck
that!" This was even more noticeable in the theater, where Ms.
Weaver's lips were like 10 feet wide, so technically you could
argue that the DVD has not been "cut" and is an accurate
representation of the original theatrical version, which it
is.
But, such dubbing illustrates the interesting choices made
in post-production to get a film the most family-friendly rating
possible, and it is interesting to note that some of the deleted
scenes on the DVD have plenty of "fuck"s in them.
So, what is the DVD rated? Just wondering...
THE GOLD RUSH
Released May 2000 by Image Entertainment
The biggest difference between the 1925 version and the 1942
reissue of Charlie Chaplin's classic THE GOLD RUSH is that the
1942 version has eliminated the intertitles and added narration
by Chaplin himself. But there were also more subtle changes
made to the film.
The first segment involving the cabin is almost exactly the
same in both versions. The one difference I noticed is that
the scene where Black Larson finds Big Jim's camp is immediately
after the shoe eating scene in the 1925 version. In the 1942
version Black Larson does not find Big Jim's camp until after
the bear has been killed. This change is not really that important.
The next two changes are evidently an attempt to tone down
the relationship between Georgia and Charlie. Georgia sends
Charlie a note of apology, which says "I'm sorry for what
I did last night. Please forgive me. I love you. Georgia."
In the 1942 version it reads "Please forgive me for not
coming to dinner. I'd like to see you and explain. Georgia."
This new letter was done either by way of using an alternate
take for the shot of the letter or utilizing newly shot footage
(only the hands and the letter are in the shot which would make
it possible to insert new footage). In a different 1925 version
from the one I viewed (and from what I have read might actually
be the "official" 1925 version), the note is actually
sent by Georgia to Jack! Jack spurns Georgia's attempt at reconciliation
by telling the waiter to take it over to Charlie. Charlie then
reads the letter believing it was meant for him.
The ending is also different. In the 1925 version, Georgia
and Charlie pose for a picture, which they "spoil"
because they cannot resist kissing each other just as it is
taken. But the 1942 version features a premature ending where
the picture fades out just as Georgia and Charlie are ascending
the stairs (after which their picture is taken in the 1925 version).
(Contributed by Jarod Musgrave)
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