Highlighting Misguided "Improvements" to Classic Movies

"I want what happened in the movie last week to happen this week. Otherwise, what's life all about anyway?" - Moviegoer in Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo

Introduction - Titles

Introduction

The following notes cover some examples of movies which have been released on DVD in Region 4 (Australia) in a version other than the original theatrical cut due to attempts to "improve" the original, be it through the insertion of new scenes, re-editing, re-scoring, remixing, new special effects, or other such alterations. The nature of the changes are various, and for each film I have outlined some of the principal issues surrounding the various versions. I have then made my own comments on what I think is the preferred version, and contrasted this with the current Australian release situation. My comments as to the preferred cut are my opinion only, and some of the following examples show how vexed the issue of a "preferred version" can be. However, a central theme running through this page is that if the movie is released theatrically in a particular version, which then becomes the standard version for a considerable period of time, then in my opinion it is almost never acceptable to remove this from circulation.

In a lot of examples I have called for two versions to be made available: if this seems harsh, I’d point to a number of cases of distributors already embracing this model. Disney released both the theatrical and special editions of Beauty and the Beast and Lion King. The DVDs for Independence Day and The Abyss, and the latest releases of Alien and Aliens, also carry two versions. I would also point out that the use of a two-disk release to carry extra features is becoming routine: the fact that extras are seen to merit an extra disk, but alternate versions of the movie (usually) are not, says a lot about the skewed priorities of many DVD consumers. My own feeling is that all the documentaries, trailers, or 5.1 remixes in the world are worthless if the wrong movie is released in the first place.

This is not a wholesale list of alterations due to factors such as censorship: excellent monitoring of such changes can be found at  Michael D's Region 4 DVD site or The Chopping List. However, these sites tend - understandably - to concentrate on cuts to movies: my focus is on well-meaning but misguided additions or "improvements" to movies. The DVD sites, in particular, tend to show little diligence on version issues (Michael D's site endorsed the butchered 2002 cut of E.T., for example). Similarly, while I have included some particularly egregious examples of soundtrack alteration, I have not included films that have received a 5.1 remix at the expense of the original sound mix. The list of films that have received such treatment is vast and includes my all time favourite film, Jaws. While I feel strongly that the original mono or stereo mix should be thrown in, there are unfortunately too many affected titles for me to keep track of.

This list has been initially compiled purely from those examples I knew off the top of my head: I was surprised and disturbed once I started writing to realise how many films the list includes. However, I am sure the list is incomplete and I invite reader comments as to titles I have missed (see the link at the bottom of the page to contact me).

Titles

Issues: Messed around with for its 2003 re-release. Several scenes were re-inserted or re-edited. I understand this extended to including the notorious "cocoon" sequence (already available on DVD as a deleted scene), which was not only illogical but contradicted the sequels.

Preferred Version: Why mess with such a classic? The cocoon sequence, if it is in the re-edit, decisively tips the balance in favour of the original cut.

Current Situation: Thankfully, the DVD release of the new version also includes the original..

Issues: James Cameron’s action classic was cut by 17 minutes before release because the studio was concerned about the running time. The material cut included scenes detailing what happened to Ripley’s family, the discovery of the alien ship by the colonists, and a sequence involving the aliens being mowed down by automated sentry guns, as well as numerous small dialogue snips. The footage was later restored for video re-release in the "Special Edition," and it is this version that originally appeared on Region 4 DVD.

Preferred Version: In a sense both versions have the director’s blessing, despite the original cut having been prepared under duress. I have read interviews with Cameron where he notes each is valid in its own way. The Special Edition has more character material, and shows us a "before and after" view of the attacked colony. The original cut is better paced, however, and the audience sees the colony for the first time as Ripley and the marines do, which creates a somewhat different tension in these scenes. The original cut is more subtle: it doesn't draw out the maternal theme quite as blatantly as the Special Edition. My own preference is for the original cut, although I see the merits of both.

Current Situation: For many years the original cut seemed to have all but fallen out of distribution, and only the Special Edition was available when I originally prepared this page. However, the re-release of the Alien series on DVD has seen a new DVD with both versions on it. Kudos to Twentieth Century Fox for this excellent decision.

American Graffiti (George Lucas), 1973

Issues: Certain cuts were made prior to release against George Lucas’ will. These were reinstated in the movie many years ago and for most of its life the movie has been Lucas’ preferred cut. However, I thought would note that the film has been subtly meddled with for its DVD release (beyond just the standard sound remix): the opening shot of the diner now has a beautiful sunset that wasn’t in the original release.

Preferred Version: Okay, so this one’s for purists. However, I think we need to keep a close eye on Lucas to make sure he doesn't stuff any of his other movies up the way he has with Star Wars, so I’m listing it here to make sure people know he did it. And yes, I do think the original, imperfect version was more evocative: the quest for perfection is leaching the reality out of Lucas’ work. American Graffiti is one of my favourite films and Lucas should be kept away from it.

Current Situation: I doubt we’ll get this one back. If you want to see the original shot, it’s used as the opening of the making-of documentary on the DVD.

Issues: Re-released as Apocalypse Now Redux incorporating various changes, most notably the scene involving the French plantation. This version is very thoroughly re-edited throughout and is about three quarters of an hour longer.

Preferred Version: I haven’t subjected myself to the new cut. I would observe, however, that this was never a film that needed to be longer, and that nobody seemed very keen on the plantation sequence when it was discussed in the documentary Hearts of Darkness (1991).

Current Situation: A US re-release is planned that includes both versions, but no word yet on an Australian release.

Beauty and the Beast (Gary Trousdale & Kirk Wise), 1991

Issues: When the film was re-released for large format cinemas, a new song was added, "Human Again." As explained by the directors on the DVD, the song was written for the original release of the movie but dropped due to story problems. These were solved for the stage show and the song had featured in that version. The opportunity was therefore taken to reintroduce the song in the IMAX version, ands this was carried through to DVD. Because the action in the song involves a clean-up of the castle, various other small changes were made to background artwork in the latter half of the movie to accommodate the change.

Preferred Version: This is a rare example of such an addition really working. The explanations the directors have given on the DVD for its omission make sense, but for once those problems (relating to the passage of time that the song was to depict) have been solved before it has been reintroduced. With it, the film has an added depth and more character development. The song is even decent. I admit, however, that this is a film I have never been especially strongly attached to: I might have different feelings if I was more familiar with the original version, or - more to the point - if the new version were replacing the old.

Current Situation: Disney have handled this really well: both versions are on the DVD. This release is a model for others to follow.

Issues: A voice-over and happy ending were imposed during production. Nobody ever seems to have been terribly happy with these and they are eliminated in the Director’s Cut, released in 1993.

Preferred Version: The Director’s Cut is generally accepted as being more faithful to Scott’s intentions, and is a better film all around. A few caveats should be noted, however. Firstly, the film achieved its cult status in its original form and this version therefore remains historically important. Secondly, the production of the Director’s Cut was compromised and this version has flaws of its own (including sound and colour problems, and some missing footage that is only in the 1982 version). I still feel the original cut is important and should be available.

Current Situation: Only the Director’s Cut is available. However, there are reputable reports of a new release on its way that would involve another cut, and all previous releases. This is excellent news. (It should be noted that this has not been confirmed for Australian release, but given the demand for this title, the only thing I can think of stopping would be some sort of rights issue).

Issues: The film in its initial cut was very long, and John Landis cut a great deal of material to get it to exhibitable length. About 15 minutes was restored for the original DVD release. This consists mostly of miscellaneous dialogue, and bits of trivia like the brothers parking their car under a generator during the Peter Gunn sequence. I must admit to knowing the original cut from Australian TV prints, which never featured the full John Lee hooker sequence that is found on the DVD (in the version I used to know, he just got a few bars out). I’m not sure whether this is an addition to the DVD or just an omission from those prints.

Preferred Version: Well, nothing crucial is missing, so you could argue that the original is better paced. I also find many of the additions jarring and distracting. But if the John Lee Hooker number is indeed a re-instatement, it would tip the balance back to the DVD cut.

Current Situation: There is now a new issue of this DVD that includes both cuts. Beware of the old version, however, as it's still out there in shops.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Steven Spielberg), 1977

Issues: Spielberg always felt that the original editing had been compromised by time pressures in post-production, and managed to get another shot when the film was re-released in 1980 as the Special Edition. To get Columbia to allow him to do the re-release, however, he agreed to film new scenes inside the mothership that he was never happy with. Various other scenes and special effects were also added in this version. This version has since been superseded by the 1998 Collector’s Edition, which removes the 1980 version’s redundant ending and restores some of the footage that had been eliminated between the 1977 and 1980 versions.

Preferred Version: The Special Edition ending is such a big blunder that this version has little to recommend it. It’s a choice, then, between the 1977 version and the 1998 version. In this case, the 1998 cut is probably (finally) the definitive version: it has the strengths of both previous editions.

Current Situation: The 1998 Collector’s Edition is the only version available, and one would imagine there is no prospect of either preceding version being released. While it would be nice to have the 1977 version, it’s hard to be too upset at Columbia Tristar on this one. The 1998 is the best cut, and those interested in the original version can get a very good idea of what it involved through the deleted scenes and documentaries on the DVD. Others may feel differently however, and my standard comment about how the original theatrical cut really should be released apply.

Issues: Re-released theatrically in 2002 in a new version, supervised by Spielberg. Various CGI effect shots were added to "improve" the appearance of the title character. Some other short scenes were added (notably lengthened versions of Elliot’s day at home and the Halloween sequence). Spielberg also softened up some language ("penis-breath" was removed) and references ("terrorist" became "hippy"). He also removed the guns from the hands of the government agents. Mostly this was done by digitally turning them into walky-talkies, but one close-up of a shotgun (just before Elliot takes off into the sky on his bike) was simply cut. This necessitated a really awful, awkward edit of John Williams’ score at this critical moment.

Preferred Version: For the above-mentioned edit alone, the 1982 version is the version of choice. The CGI effects are also highly variable and simply distracting.

Current Situation: Universal Australia have, unforgivably, denied us the release of both versions that occurred overseas. Given there is no current proposal to release the 1982 version here, Australians have to import this movie.

The Lion King (Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff), 1994

Issues: There have been two rounds of alterations to this movie, one well known, the other less so. Firstly, it was given a rejig for the release of the movie in large formats such as IMAX, with much of the artwork revamped. While I don't have full details, I understand this was mostly to do with subtly enhanced backgrounds, although there are changes to animation also. For some bizarre reason a group of crocodiles in "I Just Can't Wait to be King " was redrawn, for example. More infamously, a song ("The Morning Report," which I believe is taken from the stage show) was added for the DVD release.

Preferred Version: Even for a purist like me the "enhancements" are a fairly minor issue. However, the song is terrible: even though it is only about a minute long, it replaces some funny dialogue, and is just an all-round dud. This is not nearly as valid or well-realised as the alterations to Beauty and the Beast. Even the filmmakers on the DVD pretty much acknowledge they consider the original the definitive version. (I suppose we should just be glad they didn't add that unfinished song back into Snow White.)

Current Situation: Thankfully, Disney once again have done the right thing and released both versions.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Terry Jones & Terry Gilliam), 1975

Issues: To spruce this up for DVD, the soundtrack was re-mixed. The narration, however, was in such poor shape that Michael Palin re-recorded it. Some have suggested that the revised narration is distinctly different in tone to the original, and that new music cues have been inserted into the movie.

Preferred Version: I haven’t heard the new version side by side (so to speak) with the old, and am not enough of a python cultist to spot the difference without doing so. However, the re-recording of narration, and adding of music, strike me as such intrusive changes that they shouldn’t have been done without making the original soundtrack available also.

Current Situation: In the US, this movie has been released as it should be: with both soundtracks. Here, it is missing the original soundtrack. This is unacceptable behaviour from a normally reliable distributor (Columbia Tristar).

Issues: A "30^th Anniversary Version" was prepared by some of Romero’s original collaborators, led by John A. Russo, without Romero’s participation. This version featured new scenes, most notably a new prologue and epilogue, and removed some of the original footage. It also featured a newly recorded score, replacing the original stock cues Romero had to satisfy himself with.

Preferred Version: The new version is objectionable on every ground. The new prologue and epilogue are ridiculous, poorly acted, and hopelessly integrated into the film. All the changes made are intrusive and the new version should be avoided.

Current Situation: The original version has been released in Australia, although I understand the print quality is pretty average. However, I have listed this because one of the most widely available versions is the release by Force Video, which has the 30^th Anniversary version. While this version purports to also have the original version, it retains the alterations to the music and should therefore be avoided. However, horror buffs have obviosuly proven demanding: I've noticed many shops stock an imported US version of the original cut that is of much higher quality than the local release (look for a bright red cover).

Star Wars Trilogy (George Lucas / Irvin Kershner / Richard Marquand), 1977 / 1980 / 1983

Issues: In the most infamous example of post-release meddling of all, Lucas re-released the Star Wars trilogy in 1997 with various "enhancements." These included widespread special effects alterations that are relatively unproblematic, but a number of more substantial changes were made. These have been covered elsewhere in considerable detail, so I’ll just note that I consider several changes extremely detrimental, including: Greedo shooting first and the addition of Jabba in Star Wars; Vader’s shuttle ride in The Empire Strikes Back; and the new musical number in Return of the Jedi. Further changes have been made for the 2004 DVD release: generally, these preserve (and sometimes slightly improve) the 1997 changes, but they also go further. Most significantly, Ian McDiarmid has been used as the Emperor in The Empire Strikes Back (and some dialogue in this scene altered), while Hayden Christiansen replaces Sebastian Shaw as the ghost of Anakin Skywalker.

Preferred Version: There are good things in the new versions (I prefer the new ending to Jedi, and like the consistency of McDiarmid always playing the Emperor), and I have no problem with Lucas creating them... if he keeps the old versions in circulation too. Replacing one version with the other is an insult to lovers of the movie and unacceptable revisionism. To not release the original version is to lose a piece of movie history.

Terminator 2 (James Cameron), 1991

Issues: For the "Ultimate" DVD release in Region 1, three versions were included. As well as the theatrical cut, one had additional footage but essentially resolved in the same way, while another had an alternate ending.

Preferred Version: The new footage might be interesting, but from reports of what it involves, it seems unnecessary. Cameron eliminated this material voluntarily prior to release and I have seen no suggestion he intends the longer cut to supersede his original version. The version with the alternate ending is a curiosity only.

Current Situation: This movie has received a release in its original version, but this is now out of print. The new Australian "Ultimate" edition only includes the lengthened version. The theatrical cut is thus, for now, lost to Australian consumers.

THX 1138 (George Lucas), 1971

Issues: Lucas revamped this, Star Wars style, for its 2004 DVD release, adding new computer effects and other tweaks.

Preferred Version: Frankly, this is a film notable primarily for its historical value: the 2004 version dilutes this.

Touch of Evil (Orson Welles), 1958

Issues: This film was the subject of studio interference during editing and as such it could be claimed that no definitive version exists. However, early 95 minute cuts were for many years replaced by a 108 minute version that reinstated footage and for many years was the standard version. In 1998, however, a new version of this film hit cinemas. It was re-edited based on notes by Welles and was supposed to better reflect his original intentions. One very dramatic change was that the credits and music were removed from the famous opening shot.

Current Situation: Only the 111 minute version is included on the DVD.