MovieChat Forums > Amityville II: The Possession (1982) Discussion > R4 cut version ... courtroom and more?

R4 cut version ... courtroom and more?

posted 13 years ago by bryntilly
13 replies | jump to latest

I have a R4 (PAL) release from Force Video that runs at just over 90 minutes. A courtroom scene was cut (yet chancellors and a judge are still credited in the cast list). Does anyone know what happens exactly in this scene or scenes? I saw the movie when it came out in cinemas back in 1982, but can't for the life of me remember any courtroom scene. I do however remember the incest scene being more graphic (maybe?) with Diane Franklin seen completely topless (and not just semi-masked behind Sonny's hand holding her panties), but this is not in the Force Video release. I also seem to remember a more graphic moment of the father's death with him being blasted backwards, instead of simply falling against the wall. Perhaps I'm getting my wires crossed with another movie ...

"Almost nobody dances sober, unless they happen to be insane."
H. P. Lovecraft

[–] josephbrando 13 years ago

You are correct. The R1 DVD does contain all the scenes you mentioned. A topless shot of Diane Franklin when her brother asks her to take off her nightgown, and also the father being shot before showing the aftermath. Those scenes are important to the film's shock value. But I can honestly say you are not missing ANYTHING by having the court room scenes cut out. Consider that part a blessing.

[–] bryntilly 13 years ago

Dang on the censorship!
Can you describe the court room scene for me?

"Almost nobody dances sober, unless they happen to be insane."
H. P. Lovecraft

[–] twjsmith22 13 years ago

I read that there were scenes on the region 4 version that are not on the region 1. Here are links to still shots of the ones I found.

http://www.horrorphile.net/images/amityville-ii-deleted-scene-burt-young1.jpg

http://www.horrorphile.net/images/amityville-ii-deleted-scene-erika-and-brent-katz1.jpg

[–] bryntilly 13 years ago

Actually those are stills taken from deleted scenes which didn't make any cut. I should know I wrote the review/post from Horrorphile!

"Almost nobody dances sober, unless they happen to be insane."
H. P. Lovecraft

[–] twjsmith22 13 years ago

How did you get them then? have you seen an uncut version of this movie?

[–] twjsmith22 13 years ago

Do you know where these scenes occurred?

[–] bryntilly 13 years ago

I found the pics on line on a website devoted to the Amityville crime history. I can't remember the website, but if you google it, there is an "official" site, with a forum. Someone posted the stills on the forum.
Not sure where the scenes themselves were meant to take place within the movie though.

"Almost nobody dances sober, unless they happen to be insane."
H. P. Lovecraft

[–] zmeyka (179) 3 months ago

can't go on the site, some stupid " i'm not a computer" shit pops up and we're treated to dozens of stupid questions.. fuck that..!

[–] BoSoxRule 13 years ago

The courtroom scene is in the movie, isn't it? Where Sonny's lawyer tries to plead not guilty by reason of demonic possession?

I'm happiest...in the saddle.

[–] bryntilly 13 years ago

Not in the Region 4 DVD release I own.

"Almost nobody dances sober, unless they happen to be insane."
H. P. Lovecraft

[–] Falconeer 11 years ago

the court room scene is included on the Region 1 dvd, and it runs 104 minutes.

"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'

[–] mancunian_nick 10 years ago

Hi. I know you posted this some time ago but you might still get to read this.

I was watching some poker on TV tonight (UK) and in one of the advert breaks, I flipped over to the channel showing this and coincidentally it was the courtroom scene you mention. It happens right after Sonny's sister (Diane Franklin) is speaking to the priest on the phone. As someone else points out later, the defence was arguing that Sonny should be found not guilty based on the fact he'd been possessed by demons. The judge called the lawyers forward and said he wasn't going to accept such a plea otherwise every murderer would be claiming to be not guilty on the same premis and gave him 3 days to go away and find another plea.

That was it as far as the courtroom scene went.

So now you know. As others have also said, it wouldn't have detracted from the film had you not seen it although it begs the question why it would have been deleted or not shown and all I can think is some kind of time restraint?

Nick

[–] kawada_shougo 9 years ago

I think I had this version as well as the American one. R4 version omits the court scene as well as some other moments. For example the scene at the police station after Sonny is arrested and before the funeral. The priest visits him asking "Did you kill them, Sonny?", then sees the demon in him and asks "Who is inside you?". All that scene is absent from the R4 version. As for the more graphic incest scene I think it's your imagination or you're mistaking it with some other film as you've said. There's no completely topless scene. Only the view from the back and the close-up of Sonny holding panties where you can partially see her breast.