The theatrical release ended at Alan Bates' nude scene. The DVD release (and, I guess, the original French release) has the short scene after that in the Asylum.
shareDoes anyone have info on where to get the movie or a copy of the short story?? Brielle
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"The theatrical release ended at Alan Bates' nude scene. The DVD release (and, I guess, the original French release) has the short scene after that in the Asylum."
I noticed that too. I saw it numerous times at a revival theatre in the 1980s and 90s and it ended with Bates nude (which seems a perfect ending). TCM just showed it a week or two ago and it had that bit with Bates IN the asylum. My guess is that they cut it back in 1966 for American release (for some reason) and just put it back in when it was released to DVD.
So what happened in the DVD release with Bates' character in the asylum? Just more shenanigans?
I've just watched the VHS, with Bates at the gates in the buff, and I can't imagine a better ending for this film.
Damn. That spoils it for me. I always thought that was the most perfect ending in the history of cinema. Now i find out it wasn't planned that way. Diminishes my faith in Art.
shareI don't like the film, but both endings work for me. The scene with Bates at the gate is simple and poignant, making for a memorable anti-war statement, while the asylum scene after is the one time we get to see him and his friends truly safe from the danger of war. It's a happy capper that works to cement the farcical, fantasy tone of the film.
If you just had Bates at the gate (which was how the film ended when I first saw it) you wouldn't know whether he was admitted or ever saw his friends again. That has a certain poignancy, but I found the heavier tonal elements oppressive enough through the rest of the film. It was nice to get a little light in at the close.