MovieChat Forums > Revenge (1990) Discussion > Avoid the Director's Cut like the plague

Avoid the Director's Cut like the plague

posted 13 years ago by DeuceWild_77
13 replies | jump to latest

Finnaly i've seen the Director's Cut and what a mess of editing... The Theatrical Version of "Revenge" was not only so much better than the D.C. but also one of Tony Scott's best movies. Several key scenes were removed and the movie became soulless, empty and most of all, pointless... In the new version:

- It didn't explained how Costner and Quinn became close friends (how in the hell a 30 years old Navy Pilot is close friends with a 70 years old Mexican Gangster??)

- The romance beetween Costner / Stowe looked more like sex escapades than real love beetween the two, most of the dialogue including Costner's hesitations to betray his friend Quinn were gone.

- Quinn looked more the HERO and Costner the bad guy, because some of the scenes that showed Quinn as a mad man with a bad temper who also cheats on his wife and treats her like a piece of meat were gone.

- The dislike beetween Costner's and Quinn's acessor & bodyguard played by Thomas Millan wasn't explained.

- How in the hell Quinn's knew that his wife was cheating him with Costner? Another important key scene removed.

- Some supporting players did nothing in the new version, and they became pointless characters to the plot (like John Leguizamo and Sally Kirkland).

- Quinn's screentime was reduced to almost a large cameo (and he's second billed in the opening credits).

- The sex scenes removed from the Theatrical Version and the new outtaplace music included added nothing to the plot, except turning the movie into a "Days of Thunder" erotic thriller in Scott's fast pacing / quick editing style.

Conclusion: in the 2007 DC's --» Quinn's a honoured man, loyal friend & a good husband; Costner's a prick and Stowe's a nymphomaniac whore.

Revenge (1990) Theatrical Version - 8/10 (one of my favorites Tony Scott's movies).

Revenge - Director's Cut (2007) - 5/10 (avoid this one if you're a fan of the Theatrical Version, but if you wanna see a fast-paced (but "empty" & soulless) movie with plenty of erotic takes on Costner and the beautiful Madeleine Stowe in her prime and ignore all the plotholes and pointless characters this one is for you...)

[–] NickNasty 13 years ago

Good to know. I was thinking of revisiting this movie and wanted to check out the DC, now maybe I won't.

I think the Scott brothers really need to lay off of the Director's Cuts.

[–] jbs-30 12 years ago

Right on!! just had to say, i agree... The original version boiled down to a quickie! Just seems wrong. Like you already pointed out.... The movie now feels pointles.

I loved this flick from day 1! 16 years old:-) And for me, it still remains the most underrated Tony Scott film to date.... and Kevin Costner film, for that matter... Personal taste, and all of that.

Also, great score. I bought the album way back when.... Love it! But why exclude the excellent main titles theme....?!? Anyone know??

Cheers

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] jeanniemotherof3 12 years ago

The change in music, oh don't get me started! Went from one of the most beautiful sound tracks I had ever heard to pure garbage! I threw my DC copy in the trash!

[–] jeanniemotherof3 12 years ago

nunommbarreia, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot even begin to tell you how disgusted I was when seeing this version of the film for the first time. You truly describe it best, SOULLESS!
I love this film to death, but the DC, Nah, not even close to being the same film. TRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[–] Memphis_Raines2010 12 years ago

Is there a Director's commentary or any other extras features on the dvd?

[–] hexedd 11 years ago

This must've been the version I saw because you're right, Quinn looked more like the hero than Cochran. And yeah, nothing was explained either about their friendship. I will definitely have to see the theatrical version now. Shame the director's cut turned out to be worse.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] wonderwall4176 10 years ago

The blu ray transfer looks fantastic. I like the DC as well as the original, but it's a shame the blu ray doesn't have both versions. I understand your points, and agree with much of it. But I still enjoy the new version. For me the original is a 9/10, the new one maybe 7.5/10.

[–] IBES 10 years ago

Yeah, I agree. I just watched it thinking it was going to be the version I saw back in the early 90's.

I recalled a scene where Quinn loses his temper and throws his dogs in the swimming pool and another scene where Leguizamo speaks in what was supposedly the first time in ages which catches Ferrer off guard.

Hearing Kinky's Mas in the jeep also was a surprise seeing as this movie was made 12-13 years before that song was released.