Check out the 2005 DVD release of this movie. Interestingly the DVD packaging and the publicity material on the MGM website all tie in with Rusty Lemorande's original vision. Yet it's the 'Alien From L.A.' version that has infact been released. A missed opportunity on behalf of MGM it seems.
shareIn fact, there is no other version of this movie. While 95% of principal photography and about 25% of the "in camera" effects were completed, a final edited version of even that footage was never assembled. Cannon was in it's own death throws at that time and had neither the resources or patience to see it through and instead had Mr. Pyun shoot his own additional footage while filming another movie. So, it feels like two different movies, because it is two different movies.
shareThe 'other' version of this movie actually does exist in the hands of Rusty Lemorande. Filming was completed but the special effects were not added in post production because of the expense that Cannon could not eventually afford. If those special effects could be added today through CGI perhaps then it's possible that the real 'Journey To The Center Of The Earth' could finally see the light of day.
share"The 'other' version of this movie actually does exist in the hands of Rusty Lemorande."
I'm curious, what makes you think that you know this?
Rusty himself kindly emailed me a while ago after I had expressed a good deal of interest in the movie. This was prior to the movie's DVD release. He does have the complete 'original' version, seen by very few people, and all that it needs is the special effects shots to be inserted.
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I snagged a copy of the DVD for a mere four bucks at a local supermarket.
"We're all part Shatner/And part James Dean/Part Warren Oates/And Steven McQueen"