MovieChat Forums > Cet obscur objet du désir (1977) Discussion > uncut version

uncut version

posted 18 years ago by paul22-5
19 replies | jump to latest

The criterion DVD of this film claims to be uncut but in fact there is still a scene edited fom the film. At 1 hour 20 mins in the film, Conchita performs her flamenco dance in the nude, in the original film this dance is shown in full, lasting about a minute, but in the Criterion dvd it is cut and she is only shown through a window. Does anybody have a copy of the original uncut fim for sale? I think it was cut so that the film could be released as a 15 cert instead of 18.
many thanks, Paul

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] paul22-5 17 years ago

I agree, but I think they cut it so that it could released on a younger certification, it was a fabulous scene, but the world is screwed up if violence is readily allowed in younger rated films but nudity isnt...where on earth is the logic in that?
am keeping fingers crossed someone out there has an old VHS of it

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Mike_Bunuel 17 years ago

Um, we see Conchita fully nude; she has a very beautiful bush.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] paul22-5 17 years ago

hi, I know what you are referring to, it wasnt a reflection it was a view through the window. When I saw it on British TV the scene was much longer and showed her close up full frontal from within the room, dancing for about a minute on stage, viewed from the front.
Criterion cut it to show her just through a window and then briefly from behind her on stage.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] gary_painter 17 years ago

Criterion are an American company who release their DVDs only officially on the other side of the Atlantic - they would have no interest in cutting a film to get a 15 rather than an 18 because those ratings only apply to films released in the UK.

They also pride themselves on releasing films uncut, even if that means releasing them unrated, as they can do in the US. There is no way they would deliberately edit a film for any reason, unless the scenes were cut long ago and have since been lost. Indeed, they actually restore scenes previously censored, such as with their release of Robocop.

I've just watched the Warner/Studio Canal UK release, part of the Luis Bunuel Vol 2 boxset, which is rated 15. According to the BBFC, they have classified it 5 times - the original cinema release, rated X, and 4 video releases, all rated 15. None of these were cut, according to their database. The only full frontal nudity in that scene I saw was viewed through the door - there are shots of the dance from inside, but these are mostly from behind and the side. Full frontal nudity in itself wouldn't warrant an 18 rating from the BBFC anyway, unless it was a pretty explicit sexual context.

Are you absolutely certain about what you saw on telly? How long ago was it? It hasn't been screened on UK telly for years, as far as I can remember.

[–] grant-132 17 years ago

Criterion actually holds off on a release until they can aquire the best remaining film elements for a picture. They've waited years sometimes to woo for the right from someone.

So if criterion didn't include, I would say if it exists, it is either lost or in the possession of someone unapproachable for rights acquisition. Since your recollection is based on memory, perhaps it was just a strong memory that took on a life of its own? I would try to find an old review or script or something that mentions it, its interesting.

Also, it is also possible that the scene was never intended in the finished film, and it was 'thrown' into the tv version, as some sneaky tv versions have been known to do. I don't know.

-g

[–] paul22-5 17 years ago

i really dont think this scene would have been exhaggerated in my memory, there is a huge difference between seeing a woman nude through a window in the distance and see her up close full frontal dancing from right to left and turning around all in full close view of the camera

I suspect it was deleted so that the film could be reduced to a 15 cert instead of 18

[–] aHistoryofPinkness 16 years ago

Bush is bush. You aren't going to be granted a lesser rating because its seen from farther away

You people voted for Hubert Humphrey,and you killed Jesus!

[–] paul22-5 16 years ago

it seems strange that the uncut version i saw years ago was 18 but the cut version out now is 15

[–] NiceGuyEddie75 16 years ago

Criterion would NEVER cut a film - they are, again, American and have no comitment or desire to comply with British censorship laws. They release ALL their films in their original, complete, uncut, director-desired versions, and work with various involved people, like directors, cinematographers, producers, writers, etc. in order to make sure that they release is in the best and fullest version they possibly can of the film.

So, no, they didn't cut it to make it a 15.

[–] paul22-5 16 years ago

well thats very strange, I have very vivid memories of Angela Molina dancing nude full up and close in the film...I also remember seeing the video in a shop at Cert 18....that was about 15 years ago, since criterion came on the scene, it has dropped to cert 15 and that scene was heavily cut to just show her from a distance through a window

[–] dioro 17 years ago

"Yeah, Baby!"

[–] WestHam59 16 years ago

Seriously, you all are 12-year old boys parading as knights of the arts. I havent seen the version with the 1 minute flamenco dance. As described, the same emotion is offered to the viewer with the 20 second version or however long it was.
It didnt take away from any part of the film, nor did it alter Bunuel's vision. You are all pissed off because there isn't more nudity. For that, I say go watch Showgirls, you derelicts.
Criterion is the most noble of distributors and if you think they are trying to "get a better certification," see Fat Girl, Ratcatcher, Sweet Movie, I am Curious, etc. THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT APPEASING RATINGS BOARDS. They offer Bunuel's works and do so in a marvelous way.
If they did cut any part of the film, it was probably based on Bunuel's thoughts or writings because there is no reason to cut it otherwise, its not like Criterion is a bunch of prudes....

[–] BilboTheDefiler 16 years ago

haha

word.

[–] bradjanet 10 years ago

Groan ! ... this is BUNUEL for God's sake, not some Hollywood hack ... is there no repeat for artists in this global marketing conglomerate that we used to know as The World?

But you ARE Blanche ... and I AM.

[–] bradjanet 10 years ago

Groan ! ... this is BUNUEL for God's sake, not some Hollywood hack ... is there no respect for artists in this global marketing conglomerate that we used to know as The World?

But you ARE Blanche ... and I AM.