In Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide it gives a running time of 116 minutes and a rating of "PG - edited from original R version". I've only been able to find one version. Are there two versions, R and PG, that each run 116 minutes? Or is Maltin's rating a reference to the 112 minute version that was released a few years after the original?
shareThere are three scenes I have noticed that are different from the theatrical version I saw and the DVD versions. First, on the DVD, in the mess tent, Trapper John tells Hot Lips, "You are what we call a regular Army clown." The original has Trapper saying *beep* instead of "clown". Just watch Hot Lips' reaction to this, it is clear she is extremely upset and it's probably not because she was called a "clown". Second, in the theatrical version, the scene where they drop the shower tent Hot Lips is standing full facing the camera totally nude for about 2 seconds before she turns and drops to the floor. On the DVD, the scene cuts where she has already turned so she is not facing forward. Third, in the scene where Frank Burns and Hot Lips are having sex while the camp listens, the scene opens looking through the tent window and it shows Frank on top of Hot Lips with his pants pulled down past his rear and moving around. On the DVD, the scene opens after the the camera has zoomed in above his waist. In 1970, this film was pushing the envelope and audiences were seeing something they probably had never seen in a theater before. Not a big difference, but it is not the same version that audiences originally saw in theaters in 1970.
share1. That was Hawkeye who called Hot Lips a "regular army clown."
2. From what I've seen, both the PG and R versions are exactly the same. I rented the old VHS version and it had all the O.R. blood and gore, Hot Lips naked in the shower and Painless saying the F-word.
I heard the only cuts made for the PG version were the blood and gore in the O.R. I've heard the version out on DVD is complete.
shareYes it was Hawkeye, and it is pretty clear that line was out of place, and of course the camera was focusing on Hot Lips and you didn't see Hawkeye mouthing the line as he was leaving the tent.
But the better line followed:
Hot Lips: I wonder how a degenerated person like that could have reached a position of responsibility in the army medical corps?
Father Mulcahy: He was drafted.
But then ironically not moments later, as they are carrying Trapper John into the mess hall tent singing Hail to the Chief in celebration of his naming as head surgeon of the unit, and with Hot Lips and Frank in line together, he says:
Trapper John: No no....no food! I want sex! Bring me some sex! No no no, bring me that one (as he points to Hot Lips). That one, the sultry bitch with the fire in her eyes. Take her clothes off and bring her to me, now!
Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?
I never found much of a difference in the R and PG. I think, after a few years, in 1973, it could be rated PG.
The only diffenence I spot in the PG and the R is the song at the beginning. In the R rated version, it's Johnny Mandel singing the lyrics of "Suicide...". In the PG version, instead of Johnny Mandel, it's an instrumental by Taj Mahal, which sounds more 70's.
If you hear the Johnny Mandel version at the beginning, you're seeing the original version.
The PG version omitted the Johnny Mandel song.
I'm watching the film on HDNet Movies, and Hawkeye says "...regular Army clown," the song's original lyrics (written by Robert Altman's son, Mike) are at the beginning, the gore is intact, frontal nudity and Painless' F-word.
HDNet Movies offers its films in their original release form and aspect ratio, so I am guessing this gives a good idea of what the R-rated release contains.
"I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP!" - Daniel Plainview - "There Will Be Blood"
I recorded it off of TCM recently. It had the lyric version of the song and the F bomb during the football game. Hot Lips was sideways in the shower reveal though. You really don't see anything.
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