MovieChat Forums > Giù la testa (1972) Discussion > Is the UK 2003 DVD the best version?

Is the UK 2003 DVD the best version?

posted 5 years ago by Predasaurus (9)
5 replies | jump to latest

Personally I think the MGM 2003 UK DVD release is the best release so far because:
- It's doesn't cut the opening of a quotation by Mao Tse Tung about "the revolution" and is followed by the opening shot of Rod Steiger urinating over an ants' nest.
- Instead of the "Duck, you sucker!" line when Juan is about to be executed, you hear John say "Short fuse!", which I think makes more sense in the context and is still referring back to an earlier point in the film.
- There is no audible dialogue when Juan shouts before John blows himself up (so no "John-ah!", "Sean-ah!" or "Johnny!" as I've heard in some versions).
- There is no flashback being crowbarred in just before John's death
- There is no audible explosion when John blows himself up, and
- There is no line of voiceover saying “What about me?” as the credits roll, leaving things to the imagination of the viewer.
- There is no censored dialogue

Overall it's not perfect, but I think it's the most complete and impactful version for all these reasons, certainly in terms of audio since it's actually the original mix on this DVD.

What do other people think? Are other/later versions better in your opinion and why?

[–] BourbonKing (5777) 5 years ago

Interesting edits, but I just saw a version that has what you said was taken out but with the flashbacks and the voice-overs, so there must be multiple regional versions/DVDs out there.

Also, I really like the flashbacks as they are sort of vague and open to interpretation as well. Was John's friend Nolan also boinking his girl or was that final scene a wish fulfillment fantasy that John wanted to see his friends still alive and care-free despite his failed life as an IRA rebel. Then again, maybe his friend Nolan DID steal his girl AND rat him out to the British which would make John's memories more painful.

[–] Predasaurus (9) 5 years ago

That's a surprising and interesting version to hear about. Please could you confirm what version that is? Preferably providing the year, region, format (DVD, Blu Ray, etc.), distribution company (MGM, Warner, Mondo, etc.), or whichever of those you can find out.

I kind of get that it's nice to have flashbacks which are open to some interpretation, and according to the IMDb FAQ, it's the version Leone himself preferred. The IRA/traitor sub-plot serves the story for Mallory's motivation to save Juan from the firing squad, as well as explaining why he doesn't jump to conclusions about Dr. Villega and tell the rest of the resistance the truth about him. However by the end of the film, I don't see how Nolan taking his girl or being an informer are relevant to the story, especially when it breaks up the climactic death of John Mallory.
I think the fantasy interpretation of the flashback makes most sense, especially if you consider he's acknowledged he's not going to make it out alive. You probably wouldn't be thinking about old grudges against your former friend at that point, but as you said, it's open to interpretation!

[–] BourbonKing (5777) 5 years ago

I found an online version that matches the one I described to you on Amazon Prime. It's not referenced as a DVD version and looks to be a direct download of the version I saw on A-Prime.

As for the dream/fantasy sequence, I've come to a different conclusion that the girl in the flashback is a symbol of freedom (Ireland) and that she was an idea loved by both John and Nolan. Eventually Nolan betrayed John to the British but not because of the girl but just because he was caught by them and subsequently cracked under torture/interrogation.

John didn't kill Dr. Villega after witnessing his betrayal because he knew that the cause he was engaged in was just as fruitless as his one back home. By killing himself and leaving Juan to his own devices he sort of handed off the burden of the lost cause onto Juan.

[–] Predasaurus (9) 5 years ago

Ok, I can see the symbol of freedom thing. I still think the end is a bit of a jarring moment to put it in, but it clearly works for some people!

As for the second point however, would John really feel it was going to be just as fruitless when they'd already killed the dictator figure during the train takeover, and John and Juan were planning on going to America?

[–] yodavid (78) 5 years ago

what censored dialogue you refer to?

what i do know about the versions is i hate each and every version that shows the final flashback with a song that i don't is the one that was intended. i think the proper song is the one that, as nolan kisses the girl, turns to a much darker tone. the song follows the scene as it converges to a darker path and reveals this important thing about john's past.

as opposed to another song (very beautiful of course, as this whole soundtrack is) that follows through this scene without any concern to what is taking place on the screen. i absolutely hate it.