MovieChat Forums > Blood Simple (1985) Discussion > From the "Alternate Versions" site.

From the "Alternate Versions" site.

posted 8 years ago by jellyree
3 replies | jump to latest

"A restored version of Blood Simple, with stereo soundtrack premiered at the Austin Film festival, 3 October 1998."

Someone has no idea what "restored" means.

I was at the Paramount Theater in Austin that night and after the screening I got myself over to Ethan Coen. Told him how much I enjoyed the "Shootout at Leo's" segment of "Miller's Crossing" and asked him when the "Blood Simple" DVD came out to please put the original version on the flip side.

It did not happen.

But if you had told me that when Criterion released the movie, it would be it the 1998 version, I would have told you you were crazy.

This would be no different that Michael Curtiz deciding, in 1956, that he had some new thoughts on a little flick he made in 1942 and he'd like to tighten it up a bit. And everyone could just forget about the original; you don't ever need to watch that one again.

Really Criterion? What was that meeting like?

[–] jellyree 8 years ago

It was in this morning's mail.

More later when I'm not typing on my IPad, but my first impression from watching Barry, Joel and Ethan in the making of feature; they think this is about THEM.

I know it's supposed to be about me.

[–] montybritton 8 years ago

Hoping Eureka (Masters of Cinema series) in the UK releases this and will include the original 98 minute theatrical cut of the film. The Criterion blu is the best this film has looked even though its the tighter directors cut. Just wished Criterion would release on the 4K UHD blu ray format. This film would look even more awesome!

[–] Trax-3 7 years ago

Someone has no idea what "restored" means.

The most abused and meaningless word in all cinema.

Really Criterion? What was that meeting like?

Criterion always follows the director's wishes for good or bad.