MovieChat Forums > Till Human Voices Wake Us (2002) Discussion > There are TWO versions of this movie

There are TWO versions of this movie

posted 18 years ago by Nebee
15 replies | jump to latest

I think everyone out there should know that there are two versions of this film: the Australian (which is the original) and the American version. I must say that changing this film was criminal; the original version was just flawless. I guess they thought that a thriller would sell more tickets but, seriously, if you can appreciate a slow paced movie, rent the original. This movie is not about suspense but about moments, and with the Americanised version they killed them all by exaggerating the music and killing the mood with constant flashbacks.

Spoiler alert! At least it is a spoiler if you intent to watch the American version:

It’s not supposed to be a mystery the fact the Helena Bonham Carter is in fact Silvy. This wasn’t supposed to be a thriller… it’s a love story, and if you watch the original you’ll see it’s a great one.

[–] Talking_of_Michelangelo 18 years ago

I first saw this on DVD (a hard title to find - I had to order it in) and it came packaged with both versions on two discs.

I watched the Australian release first and found it rather annoying. I could tell what was happening before I was halfway through, so the twist at the end fell flatter than a pancake at a skydiver's convention.

I waited a few weeks to watch the International release and found it to be many times better.

I felt the story was much more eloquently told, and that had I not seen the Australian release, the twist at the end would in fact have been a twist.

The International release then is one of my favourite films. That's just a matter of taste, but I found it to be truly worth watching.

"Sometimes when you lose, you win..."

[–] stelres 18 years ago

Thanks for the heads up about the two editions of this film. What a treat to see both versions!

Although I enjoy bookended films like the International cut, found some of the reveals and associations with the T. S. Elliot poem a bit forced in that version. Almost a sense of quick we need to get this in here but don't tarry because we've got to keep up the pace. Found the Aussie version quite languid and beautiful but realize the pace might bore others. Thought the performances of all the principal actors came off far better in the Aussie cut, and the process of letting go softer and more believable at the end.

The difference does seem to be one of a love story versus a supernatural encounter. Either way, this film is still high on my favorites list. Once drove over 200 miles just to see it on a big screen during its limited US release. Given the opportunity, I'd do it again for either version!

[–] lauraly 18 years ago

I don't know which version I saw--what are the differences?

[–] stelres 18 years ago

The International release, same as the US theatrical release, begins with Dr. Franks teaching a psych class (a scene which also occurs in the Aussie release but much later), followed by Dr. Franks visiting his father in hospital (not seen in the Aussie verison) and has lots of flashbacks to tell the Sam/Silvy story. The Aussie version begins with Sam coming home from school for the summer and tells the whole story in a linear fashion.

If you saw the film on dvd, check the coding. The US release is coded Zone 1. The cover of my two disc Aussie dvd set which contains both versions says the Zone code is ALL, but my Zone 1 US dvd player refuses to play either because they're not NTSC. My other Zone 1 dvd of this film plays fine on this US player. The Aussie version plays great on my computer, but the International version continually breaks up. Go figure!

Hope this helps...

[–] lauraly 18 years ago

Thanks- I really loved this movie- I have no idea how to obtain the Australian version but it sounds intrigueing--I wonder why this is done; you know with 2 different releases.

[–] stelres 18 years ago

You can find the Australian version at http://www.ezydvd.com.au/ but as noted in my earlier post it wouldn't play on my US Zone 1 dvd player. If you've got a region-free player or a cooperative computer, it would probably play fine.

Lots of movies are re-edited for different markets, especially foreign ones, based on what some companies think will be tolerated by or appeals most to their target audiences. Personally I think they're wrong more often than not, but it costs a lot of money to distribute a film, so they need to figure a way to sell lots of tickets and dvd's.

Either way this is a truly lovely film. I'm listening to the soundtrack right now...

[–] lauraly 18 years ago

Where did you get the soundtrack, if you don't mind my asking? I loved the music as well...

[–] stelres 18 years ago

On the Aussie dvd, there's a loop from the soundtrack in the "extras." It's not all the music from the film but lovely to listen to.

Someone else on this site said there's a soundtrack available at www.mana.com.au. Checked that site but couldn't find this film listed. Emailed MANA inquiring about availability but so far haven't heard any thing. If I do, I'll post the outcome.

[–] geosta-1 17 years ago

On this subject, I was at a screening of this and the writer/director had a Q&A session after the film. He made several interesting comments that I thought might be interesting here:

* the story had been in the works for about 8 years before it eventually got filmed
* the 'Australian' version of the film is the story that the writer wanted to tell
* the US distributor forced him to re-cut the film for its release into the US market. The reason he was given was that the US audience wouldn't sit through the first 45 minutes of the film without seeing the 'stars' - Pearce and Bonham Carter.

I have yet to see the 'international' release, and to be perfectly honest, I don't really want to spoil my love of this film. Languid, visceral and authentic, I still find myself thinking about this film many years on.

[–] stelres 17 years ago

Thanks for sharing the director’s comments.

What a shame to chop up a film just to appeal to an audience that rarely sets foot in an art house which is mostly were this film was shown - at least in the Southwestern US. Perhaps it had wider distribution on the East and West Coasts. Guess one always starts with broader hopes.

Even rearranged, it’s such a beautiful film.

[–] saprater 9 years ago

Thank you for clarifying that. Though I believe I would prefer the International version better (it doesn't read thriller so much as poignant and bittersweet, and I like the pacing b/c we see it as Sam does, through various memories which are triggered by people/places/things), I am glad I know this before purchasing.

[–] PhiDeck 17 years ago

How long (time, not meters) is each version?

[–] sm-faiz 16 years ago

Maaan .. that means i saw the US release .. and after seeing this i said, it was amazing .. now after reading this, i HAVE TO SEE the AUS version ..if the AUS is even better than this, then it must be that good ... cant wait to see..

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] moviegoingcat 16 years ago

I really loved the American version. However, it was the scenes beween the adolescents that I thought were the best. (I could do without a lot of the rest of the film.) So if the other version contains more of these scenes I would certainly like to see it. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.