MovieChat Forums > Beneath the 12-Mile Reef (1953) Discussion > The 9/9/09 TCM showing

The 9/9/09 TCM showing

posted 15 years ago by Bud_Brewster
7 replies | jump to latest

TCM showed this movie on 9/9/09, and it was still marred by several of the flaws that ruin all the available DVD's of this great movie.

The picture quality of the TCM showing was still far below what fans of this movie should expect, even though it was far above the crappy DVDs sold by various sources. However, the soundtrack was, at least, in stereo -- unlike some of the terrible DVDs being sold.

Also disappointing is the fact that the fight scene between Gilbert Roland and Peter Graves is still missing a key scene in which Roland sits on Grave's chest and gleefully forces him to eat a cigar after Graves and his racists cohorts steal a boatload of valuable sponges from Roland and his hard-working crew.

This scene is important because it establishes the pride and courage of the Greeks, even when they are vastly outnumbered by the Caucasian population of the community they boldly venture into in hopes of reclaiming their cargo of valuable sponges.

Soon after this scene, Roland's character dies an agonizing death after suffering the bends. His sad fate is especially tragic in view of the courage and nobility Roland displays in all previous scenes. It is, to put it mildly, a heart-wrenching moment.

I hope that one day 20th Century Fox will realize that this movie deserves a first class DVD release with the original version intact, and with plenty of extras that provide us with the interesting background info we all want to know.
________________________________
www.AllSci-Fi.us- Nothin' but Pure Science Fiction

[–] vpilutis 14 years ago

I don't know about last years broadcast, but it was on again last week
and its not the wide screen one and a pretty bad print at that.
Why take out the cigar scene?

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[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Bud_Brewster 12 years ago

Thanks, I'll correct the spelling.

So, TCM has a widescreen print that includes the cigar scene, eh? That's especially good news in view of the fact that this wonderful movie has passed into the dreaded "public domain" and will never be released on a good DVD, much less a Blu-ray.

I'll keep a close eye out for the next TCM airing and make a DVD-R of it. I'm watching a DVD I got from Netflix right now, and picture is poor. It also does not have the cigar scene.
________________________________
www.allsci-fi.us - Nothin' but pure Science Fiction!

[–] scott-1441 12 years ago

I just watched the TCM showing on 07/24/12.

The cigar scene must have been removed from this showing. While they are fighting on the grass, the Greek's punch takes both of them off screen, the older Greek picks up a fallen cap and hangs it on a palm tree, then there is an abrupt cut and the Greek walks back on screen asking the girl what she thinks of her boyfriend now.

Overall, I liked the movie, but I'd have preferred a bit more action or drama. It was a little tame for my tastes. I enjoyed the underwater scenes mostly, and I wish that Hollywood made more adventure films like this nowadays.

[–] Lonixcap 12 years ago

Just watched this again on TCM last week (July 26th) and the cigar scene is still missing.

Since this film is in the public domain, there's no official Fox copy available, and there may never be, considering the original film elements are almost 60 years old and are either non existant or badly deteriorated.

So i don't hold out hope for a restored version from 20th on Blu-Ray.
I remember watching it as a kid on NBC Saturday Night at the Movies back in '62 or '63. Always loved the music.

[–] StarGazer77 8 years ago

hey bud! this is Nicholas hope you are OK
have you seen THE SPACE CHILDREN lately? still love the film too especially the blu ray version! keep in touch!

Nicholas

[–] liscarkat (16476) 5 years ago

I've seen this movie on tv every few years since the mid-1960s and it has always included the fight between Roland and Graves.