Original ending


I've read that screenwriter William Goldman originally planned a "much more horrific" ending for the film. Does anyone know what it was?

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William Goldman was butthurt for many years over the casting of Nanette Newman and the fact that Forbes changed the costuming. He just can't admit that Forbes knew better what the story required than he did. It was Forbes who made the film a lasting project not Goldman.

I don't see how the ending could be more horrific. Goldman was talking out of his backside.

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I think Goldman did great work adapting stories like this one. So, if he had any problems with the way the resulting film turned out, that's okay. Having him penning these movies is great!

I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP! - Daniel Plainview - There Will Be Blood

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ON TCM tonight they said the novel AND original screenplay ended with the supermarket scene was to have the women in playmate type outfits, instead of hats and summer dresses, this was what Goldman disagreed with.
Director's wife was not of that build so he changed it. Okay, I liked the ending.

Think that is it?

"It's the system, Lara. People will be different after the Revolution."

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I'm glad they changed it. More interesting to see the sexbot wives strolling around in long Granny dresses (which were in Vogue during that time - the Gunne Sax brand was huge) and ruffles and sunhat. Makes it all the more titillating to get them into bed and have them do anything you want. I think it was a smart move.

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More horrific maybe meant more graphic where we get to see the actual strangulation of Human Joanna by Robot Joanna, which I am glad was not shown. The horror of seeing Joanna with her shopping cart at the supermarket was an excellent ending!

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I agree. However, so many people have commented and seem to think Joanna survived and took the place of the robot, pretending to be the robot wife. Why would she do that? Dis was there too and she couldn't have fought him off along with robot wife. The discussion comes due to the eyes close up in the end. Dis said she rushed them a little and they weren't ready. The robot Joanna's eyes were not done. I believe the close up in the end was meant to show us how realistic the robots are after all the sketching and planning.I don't think they used the real eyes in the robots. I guess had we seen Joanna killed, we'd have no guessing about that last scene but it sure worked for me. The movie has so many subtleties that are missed by those who want it all in their face. The saddest bit for me is when robot Joanna approaches and real Joanna notices her big boobs. She realizes her husband cares nothing for a smart wife who is a budding pro photographer. He just wants a hot sex partner that will not talk back and will keep the kids and house clean.

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I too prefer the "dress" ending.

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The script I have has Joanna killing Walter with the poker the, later, Dale "Dis" Coba coming up behind her to kill her when she sees her double. He is seen in the station wagon at the end, and the 2 kids are calling him "Daddy"

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Wow, that's much better! It is a horror after all. So Joanna ends up as the wife of another man and Walter's kids also. Although I can't see why he would want Walters kids, that's excess baggage.

If I had made it I would have cut the kids but kept the ending as was originally written, the only other thing I would maybe change is by leaving Walter alive somehow and also make it so that he knows that his wife is with another man.

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Actually I can totally see Dis as wanting another man's wife and family. It means he doesn't have to put in the work for it. He has it all ready to go.

However I'm glad the ending is the way it is. I find it horribly sad that Walter would rather have a zombie than his real wife.

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