MovieChat Forums > Hell in the Pacific (1968) Discussion > Endings

Endings

posted 15 years ago by Felonious-Punk
12 replies | jump to latest

Apparently there are two viewable endings on some DVDs. The original screenplay ending was never filmed.

In the original ending, a couple of Japanese soldiers arrive and tell Mifune's character that they want to dispatch the American right away. Mifune angrily opposes the idea, but some days later he sees the American's decapitated body lying in the compound. Enraged, Mifune grabs a sword and decapitates both of the soldiers.

Allegedly, Marvin suggested that the movie end with the two actors arguing and going their separate ways. Director Boorman liked it enough to film it and end the movie like that.

But the movie's producer, Henry G. Saperstein, allegedly did not like Marvin's ending. He thought it was not strong enough and felt that perhaps it was best the two perish when their compound gets bombed. The studio spliced in an explosion scene from the Peter Seller's film "The Party" (same year) and slapped it together for its original release.

Though now, with some DVDs, one can view both endings and pick which one they prefer.

[–] Travoose 15 years ago

Even though I haven't seen it yet, Marvin's idea (the two soldiers walk off arguing) has got to be better than the lousy "explosion" ending. The bomb going off really sucks as a finale. It's just so abrupt and stupid and spoils what might have been one of the all-time classic films of the '60s. The rest of the film up till that point is pure gold.

[–] Suzume-san 15 years ago

Travoose, the idea of a bomb sucking is very disturbing.

As I keep saying, the film is an allegory, it's not to be taken literally.

[–] Travoose 14 years ago

Suzume-san, you can keep saying it as long as you like, but I still reckon the "official" ending sucks. The alternative ending, now viewable on Youtube, is far more elegant, and I think a lot of others would agree.

Criterion should release this film on Blu-Ray with both endings available via seamless branching. Connie Hall's cinematography would be absolutely breathtaking in HD.

[–] Suzume-san 14 years ago

Hey, thanks for the tip, Travoose, I've never seen that before. It raises a lot more questions, like where are they going? what's going to happen next? do they ever get back to their respective forces? I thought they were on yet another uninhabited island, but maybe not. I agree, a release with both endings would be great.

I can't remember whether it's on this thread or another that I remarked that as shaggy, ragged castaways they can be friends; as they clean up, shave and put on uniform they must look at each other and see the enemy.

A powerful meditation on the follies of war, I think we all agree.

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[–] The_Keeper_of_Angela_Baker 13 years ago

Thank you for clearing that up, Felonious. I always wondered about the Mifune avenges Marvin ending (and had even heard that it was used for Japanese release prints). It's too bad they didn't shoot this one-- it's my favorite of the endings to this story. I hate that they both die, and I hate that they once more see each other as enemies and part ways.

[–] Htos_Drol 13 years ago

A huge Broadway number would have been the best way to end it. Maybe they could have done a take on the 'rumble' scene from West Side Story, with a bunch of Allies facing the Japanese who stumble upon the island in a dance-off.

[–] laaksonen-rj 13 years ago

The original Boorman/Marvin ending was on European prints of Hell in the Pacific, but, as far as I know, not on European DVDs.

[–] sthm 13 years ago

the best way to end this movie would have been
1) the original with mifune taking revenge
2) the two of them being in the middle of a huge battle where they part ways and continue fighting
3) they end up on the island with the buildings and they are saved after the war has ended remaining good friends

[–] Suzume-san 13 years ago

Has anyone here seen The Last Bullet? Aussies and Japanese fighting in the jungle at the very end of WW2, the last two soldiers standing use the last bullet to save some children rather than attempt to kill each other; cue a final scene many years later, when they meet as grandfathers and are best of friends. A bit over-saccharine, really, I thought.

[–] adamwarlock 13 years ago

The bomb ending is terrible but I still felt unsatisfied with the walk away ending as well. It's better but one feels the film is unresolved. Did they find anyone or are they going to repeat the same story on a bigger island? I suppose one wants to keep the film with just the 2 characters and not have a bunch of Americans or Japanese show up at the end. I find it odd that a recent battlefield is completely abandoned. Don't think that would happen in WW2, there would at least be a supply depot or communication center still there.

If everyone's thinking the same way, someone isn't thinking. Gen. Patton