MovieChat Forums > C.H.U.D. (1984) Discussion > Different versions

Different versions

posted 7 years ago by megarat-799-414878
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This has been itching in my brain for a long time: can someone set me straight about the different versions of this movie?

I have the Anchor Bay DVD (and I'm looking forward to next week's Arrow BD release), which has the nicely wrapped-up ending featuring John Heard and Kim Griest hugging in the glow of the flaming van. That said, I distinctly recall a version of this movie that had a sequel-implying, surprise ending featuring the cops in the diner (including John Goodman) getting overwhelmed by a sudden CHUD attack, and the movie closed on a close-up of an enraged CHUD face before fading to black.

Assuming that I'm not imagining this version of the film outright, what's the story behind the different versions? Theatrical vs. director's cut? Theatrical vs. TV or home video?

Does the version that is *not* on the Anchor Bay DVD exist? (Perhaps on the Image/Midnight Madness DVD?)

Thanks.

[–] askmonroville 7 years ago

The version on the Anchor Bay dvd is the "director's cut", which includes the scene where they find the head of Bosch's wife, who turns out to have been the lady walking her dog in the opening title sequence, as well as different editing (the scene with John Goodman is in the middle of the movie, as opposed to being placed in the anti-climax).

The version with John Goodman at the "end" is the theatrical cut, which hasn't been on video since the laserdisc was released... at least, until the upcoming Arrow blu-ray, which has both the director's cut and the theatrical cut on 2 blu-rays.

[–] megarat-799-414878 7 years ago

Great, thanks for the info. And I used to own this movie on LD, so this probably explains where I've seen it before.