Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums - View Single Post - Director's Cut? Or am I just too cynical?

Foxbat · 26th July 2003, 11:22 AM

Many thanks for your thoughts on the subject. As a collector of films, I find it frustrating to buy one copy and then find a new version with extra footage of 'how it was meant to be seen'. It also brings into question the integrity of the distributors and makers. On the subject of a backlash - for me it has already happened: I positively refuse to buy another copy of LOTR no matter how much running time it has extra.
The best example of a film substantially changed by an extended version is probably Cinema Paradiso. It went from 2 hours to 4 hours in length and allowed the viewer to see the main character in a completely different light.
Certainly the Aliens extended footage is good entertainment but doesn't really add any extra dimensions to the film. Another of Cameron's (The Abyss) almost completely changes its meaning when you watch the extended version.
So, yes, there is a place for a director's cut - if that director feels that his film was unfairly hacked in the final production. The problem is identifying those that add that extra dimension and those that merely deepen the void that was once our bank accounts.

26th July 2003, 11:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Foxbat Haggis Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,309	Re:Director's Cut? Or am I just too cynical? Many thanks for your thoughts on the subject. As a collector of films, I find it frustrating to buy one copy and then find a new version with extra footage of 'how it was meant to be seen'. It also brings into question the integrity of the distributors and makers. On the subject of a backlash - for me it has already happened: I positively refuse to buy another copy of LOTR no matter how much running time it has extra. The best example of a film substantially changed by an extended version is probably Cinema Paradiso. It went from 2 hours to 4 hours in length and allowed the viewer to see the main character in a completely different light. Certainly the Aliens extended footage is good entertainment but doesn't really add any extra dimensions to the film. Another of Cameron's (The Abyss) almost completely changes its meaning when you watch the extended version. So, yes, there is a place for a director's cut - if that director feels that his film was unfairly hacked in the final production. The problem is identifying those that add that extra dimension and those that merely deepen the void that was once our bank accounts.