full length version?
How do I get the uncut, original version of the film in VHS or DVD?? I noticed two video labels released it on VHS and many seem to have noticed that the current DVD version has been edited.
shareUK-DVD is uncut.
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The UK DVD released by Arrow is definitely cut, despite the cover that says "complete and uncut."
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Hello, Roegcamel: So did you ever find the 157-minute version? Is it worth seeking out?
I've just watched the 90-minute VHS release, which I found in a thrift store for a buck. There's so much potential with this cast and director, but I have to say I was underwhelmed by the results. I'm not surprised this is a truncated version of Abel Ferrara's vision. I'm giving this 6/10 based on what I've seen, but I'd love to view a more coherent, complete film. Oh, and R.I.P. Charles Durning.
I just saw what is considered to be the 157 minute version. I say considered because this was not a final cut, this was a VERY rough cut, probably the first cut according to the editor that was at the screening. There was no music, terrible sound, lack of effects and certain sounds like phones ringing and stuff like that. According to the editor one whole character was more or less cut out, so that reduced one whole plot line. The 157 minute version is in desperate need for a lot of editing, though probably not the 90 minute version it became. Plus there was no narration originally planned, so all that was added on.
I have yet to see the 90 minute version, but to be honest I don't think either one is amazing by any means. Maybe if Abel had been allowed to finish it he would have pulled out a much more enjoyable movie, but that's something that will probably never happen at this point.
Thanks for the details, and I can assure you, the 90-minute version is underwhelming and choppy.
shareI remembered a couple other things. One, the time code was still there, that's how rough a cut this was. The quality was terrible, which did not add to the enjoyment. There were scenes where you would see Peter Weller looking down an alley, or at a rooftop, and those were to signal flashback scenes which were supposedly filmed, but were not in this cut. So there's even more than 157 minutes, if these scenes were found and added in. The first 20 minutes of the version I saw revolved around Peter Weller meeting Nolen Tyner, the guy who possibly shot him in the Dominican Republic. Supposedly that whole character is barely even in the 90 minute version.
Unfortunately I don't think this extra footage would do more than satisfy your urge to see more, it still felt pretty underwhelming. The two scenes which were interesting were both cut from the film, as far as I know. The one scene where Kelly McGillis character is threatened by her husband with a gun, and violates her with it in her mouth and bathing suit area, and the scene where Charles Durning's character gets both guys to undress and get in the shower. That scene was full frontal male nudity, a no no in any film you want to make money on, and was very bloody.
MAYBE if the footage was given to Abel, he was allowed to turn this into a full movie without the bloat, and add a good soundtrack, you might have a decent passable movie. But I'm still not sure.
Thanks for the additional details on the rough cut, and you have a great eye for what was wrong with the 157-minute cut. Unfortunately, it's been a few years since I've seen this film and I don't remember a lot of details about it, and I doubt I'll be revisiting it again in any form anytime soon.
shareYeah, I want to try and watch the released version before I completely forget what I've seen, but it's not on Netflix and I probably won't make any real effort to see it. I surely wouldn't pay to see it.
shareI found it on Hulu over the weekend. It did not appear to be cut for TV, the two scenes mentioned in the earlier post were there.
Other than the Hulu commercials, I did find it to be an Elmore Leonard movie. Maybe not the best but still worthwhile and glad I did find it. Now to find more of the obscure ones.