MovieChat Forums > East of Eden (1981) Discussion > edited versions

edited versions

posted 18 years ago by skelarants-1
7 replies | jump to latest

I have a copy of this mini series it goes for 240mins although still good I find it also disappointing. I saw the unedited version when I was 15, in 1981 when it was telecasted in Australia. In my edited version there is at least 30-45 minutes cut out (Cathy as a teenager). I felt that it was important to the overall affect of the mini series as it studies Cathy's early years and how she starts on her path of manipulation and the destuction of peoples lives. I cant understand why this part would be cut out, as the edited version leaves you feeling that maybe Cathy does have a heart and she is a victim of circumstance. In the full version there can be no doubt to Cathy's evil character.

If anyone knows where I can get a copy of the full version (8 hours) either on DVD or Pal video I would be grateful to get my hands on this classic.

[–] diannerat 17 years ago

Hi there - I couldn't agree more with you about the cut versions, but sadly I cannot help you just yet. Finding the early years of Cathy is an ongoing mission for me, too. I'll keep your details and if I can help in the future - I will contact you, for sure. I seem to spend half my life in this way !!!! If you DO hear of finding any version of those early years, please get back to me, too. Hang on in there !!

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] pninson 17 years ago

There was one full-length release on VHS in the early 90s. Maddeningly, it was re-released almost immediately in the same cover with about an hour of footage missing. Also, it's in EP mode which means lower picture quality. There are bootleggers selling DVD copies of this on ebay which may or may not be the full-length version. I loaned my tape to someone years ago who never returned it.

The original VHS version, released in the 80s, was the four-hour version. This cuts out not only Cathy's early years but almost all of Cyrus Trask's back story and some of Adam's early years. The complete version is 480 minutes, which is about eight hours.

I did pick up a grey-market DVD which is clearly copied from the VHS tape. It is the full-length version, but the audio in the first 45 minutes is really bad; the dialogue is hard to understand, keeps cutting in and out, and you have to continually fiddle with the volume control to hear what's being said.

[–] dvdtrkr 16 years ago

The copy I have was around 6 hrs and 20 minutes. With commercials it would be 8 hours, so an "8 hour version" is misleading. I don't know if anything was edited on the 1990 VHS copy, I just know that it's seen better days and either a rebroadcast of the show or a DVD is due.

[–] emp1966 12 years ago

The 1990 VHS copy was first released as the edited version 3 hours 10 minutes (4 hours with commercials) then reissued as 6 hours 15 minutes (8 hours with commercials) soon after both by Starmaker. Both versions as it happens are cut, although the fuller version accidentally bills, M. Emmett Walsh (Sheriff Quinn) as E. Emmett Walsh. The DVDs that came out in 2009 are complete (the missing footage is restored but each disc has its own opening and closing credits as the show aired on ABC). Have to check about Walsh though, will get back and update.

[–] meyerfunk 10 years ago

Hi, i found a Version with 480 min lenght.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/East-Eden-DVD-Lloyd-Bridges/dp/B003NWR1RW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1387465125&sr=8-7&keywords=East+of+Eden

I hope i can help.

[–] emp1966 10 years ago

That same copy was released on DVD in the US the year before you posted. The comments above are from before that.