Effect Shot We'll Never See Again?
Both the 1999 DVD and the 2010 Blu-ray of this film were transferred from the MGM vault materials, which I believe is the international version of the film (New World retained domestic rights). There is an effect shot missing that was present on the Warner Bros. videocassette released in the 1980's. I guess we'll never see this effect shot again since all new telecine transfers seem to be sourced from MGM's assets.
Right before the attack on the summer camp children, the Warner Bros. VHS tape featured a shot of several piranha approaching a young girl right before she is bitten. This is right after the tyrannical camp director (Paul Bartel) yells "Hey kids, let's get a little leg action!" The shot appeared to be animated (not stop-motion) and was hard-matted at 1.85:1 (the VHS transfer left this shot letterboxed, but blurred the matte lines). In the 1999 DVD and 2010 Blu-ray, this shot is replaced with a stop-motion effect of a single piranha approaching the lens and opening it's mouth. It's a good shot too, but I miss the effect of several piranha swimming towards the audience in unison.
Has anyone else noticed this? Most fans have probably thrown out their Warner Bros. VHS tapes.