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Nighthawks - Missing scenes from 140 + minutes cut

posted 12 years ago by Nick7080
9 replies | jump to latest

Uncut London bombing scene - There appears to be too many quick cuts in this scene, and few people mentioned that some uncut European theatrical version had much more violent version of bombing with victims covered in blood and some of them walking out of the shop. This German lobby card shows this extended scene;

http://38.media.tumblr.com/dd32e17bca2415f2345d829cbe14e673/tumblr_nd1 i729ABZ1qkcj94o1_1280.jpg

Alternate take/version of first drug bust. Matt holds the drug dealer at gunpoint with shotgun pressed behind dealer's head while in the movie he holds the shotgun in front of dealer's face;

http://www.moviestillsdb.com/media/pictures/m/b6/b6878f61a771ffa3eeb5d 7b6630f5cf5.jpg

Extended drug bust - This un-corfirmed scene is based on something that one IMDB user has said. According to him, original drug bust ended with Deke and Matt stopping city bus and telling all passengers to get out so they could place arrested drug dealers in bus and then took them to the police station. I'm very sure that this is IMDB user's mistake.

Second drug bust - Several still photos and lobby cards show Deke and Matt in another drug bust, this time in some apartment with white walls and about six drug dealers, male and female, being arrested. In this scene Matt holds black drug dealer at gunpoint which made me think that this scene is; alternate drug bust possibly with stronger language and violence or subplot about police coruption, or second drug bust taking place before or after Deke talks with Irene in her shop about their life together. Notice in pictures 2 and 3 how black drug dealer holds some money in his right hand. If this is some alternate scene maybe (like in theatrical version of the drug bust scene) it also included attempt from dealer to bribe Matt and Deke;

http://38.media.tumblr.com/329935ed0198fbd05e20f708f2c754aa/tumblr_nd1 i3uwCed1qkcj94o1_1280.jpg

http://images3.cinema.de/imedia/6351/2306351,_HybAW8WDKT_SBO5Nu3B2t69N yDPIPpYKAFvaNkfZj0MnyqutUC3PCnSXCINeTLqa2V7iGzso9he3qrK0GLUUA==.jpg

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http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTE2NVgxNjAw/z/zeQAAOxyOlhS1HuV/$_57.JPG

Wulfgar apartment raid - Maybe there was bloodier version of Wulfgar gunning down three London cops and his IRA partner Kenna, but this is just my own thought. There is one photo that shows better view of three cops getting hit by the bullets with visible bloody holes on them.

Wulfgar and plastic surgeon - Several US, German and Spanish lobby cards show Wulfgar and Shaka showing plastic surgeon photos of Wulfgar's desired look.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTE2NVgxNjAw/z/pooAAMXQlgtS1HdA/$_57.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODIxWDEwMDA=/z/k1gAAOSwRLZUKeJL/$_57.JPG

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http://38.media.tumblr.com/990a2812ce284e4d6b0c2cc34ce438f2/tumblr_nd1 i37sLsd1qkcj94o1_1280.jpg

Wulfgar kills plastic surgeon - There are some reports about missing scene shown on some 90's TV broadcasts of the movie where Wulfgar kills plastic surgeon. Me and many other fans think that this might not be true.

Deleted scenes between Deke and Irene;

One still photo shows Deke and Irene talking while some christmas decorations are seen in background.

http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx4/sweeps4537/Nighthawksxmastree.j pg

Few stills and behind the scenes photos show Deke and Irene in her house while some party is going on. While one photo shows them somewhat happy, other one shows Irene possibly upset or angry at Deke.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAwMFg4MTg=/z/tpQAAOSwFL9Tt3Z3/$_57.JPG

http://www.moviestillsdb.com/media/pictures/m/eb/eb4ba826b77f5c1fad97c 7d218fe8f3d.jpg

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http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTE2NVgxNjAw/z/sz0AAMXQgwNSIscW/$T2eC16h,!)4 FIZyEZ1LWBSIscVp+v!~~60_57.JPG

http://images.inmagine.com/400nwm/iris/photononstop-093/ptg02167765.jp g

Behind the scenes pictures from filming of this deleted scene;

http://i19.servimg.com/u/f19/11/21/40/97/dad20w10.jpg

http://i19.servimg.com/u/f19/11/21/40/97/dad20w11.jpg

http://i19.servimg.com/u/f19/11/21/40/97/copy2010.jpg

Deke and Irene love scene - There are many photos, lobby cards and still shots where Deke and Irene are seen in her house, talking in what appears to be bedroom, and then on stairwell while Deke holds her hand. This scene might be placed before or after Deke and Matt are searching and then chasing after Wulfgar, although it probably was placed after the subway chase.

http://i22.servimg.com/u/f22/11/10/76/12/lfdln210.jpg

http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx4/sweeps4537/80di.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ITlTB_pSZ Sc

Theatrical trailer shows three small extended scenes. Wulfgar looking at city map in subway while being observed by street cop, Wulfgar slowly moving towards building which he is about to blow up, and Deke and Matt walking across street searching for Wulfgar in Disco bars.

Extended weapons check - Some lobby cards show Wulfgar in his new girlfriend's apartment checking his MAC-10 submachine gun after he takes two grenades from his suitcase;

http://images3.cinema.de/imedia/6352/2306352,Oqsxy_Rc4XKUxT7QfTcHPnxlM Jl5KyhZXVVwUn1g7pHwsp2irIj8rQaBSMwX0BLw91lzDx5nReq8DKsqp4_vTQ==.jpg

Deleted scene (or maybe just behind the scenes photo) in which Wulfgar is with some girl;

http://www.moviestillsdb.com/media/pictures/m/5b/5b37f59f6714d76fc8d5b 3eda0f7f318.jpg

Alternate version of the scene where Deke regognizes Wulfgar in disco scene. In this version he puts drawing of Wulfgar on the wall and shows it to Matt;

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/1HYAAOSw-jhUJZt-/$_57.JPG

http://cineplex.media.baselineresearch.com/images/258493/258493_full.j pg

http://33.media.tumblr.com/8341c395144d01e789ff02acfa345f9c/tumblr_nd1 i00jQQt1qkcj94o1_1280.jpg

Disco shootout - This is possibly one of the most talked about censored scenes of Nighthawks, along with ending. In normal version of the movie we see Wulfgar shooting his gun three times, but only one person is shot. If you pay attention behind Deke and Matt when Wulgar starts running, some dancers are looking on different sides of the floor, meaning that there could be more victims in this scene. Gun used by Wulfgar in this scene is Walther P 38, which contains 8 bullets, but during the subway chase, Deke says "That's seven! He should be out!" but this line could be easily dubbed when scene was censored in order to avoid continuity problem. One report that i got mentiones that uncut version of this scene was like shopping mall shootout in Commando (1985).

Wulfgar and Shaka love scene - One photo shows Shakka touching Wulfgar's face after he escapes from Deke and Matt. Rumour is that just like with Deke and Irene, there was also a love/sex scene between Wulfgar and Shakka which was deleted.

Deke on some meeting - One fan mentioned seeing photo of deleted scene where Deke is talking with some people. While he wears checkered shirt, they are wearing suits.

Hartman's death scene - There is obvious fast cut in this scene when Shaka is about to shoot Hartman. His death scene was apparently shown onscreen in some uncut European theatrical version of the movie where you could see his head blown open as bullet hits him in eye. This headshot scene is said to look very similar to the headshot of Alex Murphy in Robocop.

Shaka's death scene - After Shaka gets shot, pay attention to bus driven by Wulfgar. There is huge amount of blood on side. Uncut version apparently shows her hitting that side of bus after she gets shot and then falling on ground with blood flowing from her head.

Aftermath of hostages rescue - One fan said that he had picture of Deke in his civilian clothes and with police badge around his neck talking with diplomat who's wife was killed by Wulfgar during the hostage situation. If this scene was filmed, it could be viewed as another reason for Deke's cold blooded revenge on Wulfgar during the finale.

Wulfgar death scene - Most (in)famous cut scene of the movie. Based on reports that i got from people who said they saw some uncut European theatrical version of the movie, here's how i think that scene was filmed; Deke shoots Wulfgar in left shoulder, probably destroying his colar bone. Wulfgar falls back, hits the wall, tries to get up but falls on his right side on the wall only to get shot again. After hitting the wall again, Wulfgar in great pain still goes on Deke who is now closer to him but Deke shoots him in left hip. Wulfgar falls back, but refuses to fall on floor, even while pain is getting stronger. Deke shoots him again, in right hip, sending him to hit the wall next to the door. Wulgar rises up again, drenched in blood and still refuses to fall, even though his body is almost destroyed. Deke shoots him again, this time in chest (maybe little higher, closer to neck). Wulfgar falls back, hits the door and smashes the windows. Maybe in this part he is in such suffering and dellusion from pain that he decides to escape. So he barely manages to open the doors, when Deke, in close up, fires last, final shot in his head, sending Wulgar's body flying out of the house. Also, i was told that headshot in this scene was similar to the one in Frank Booth's death scene in Blue Velvet (1986). Special effects makeup artist Dick Smith made animatronic head of Rutger Hauer that would react facially after its head gets blown open in gory fashion, but that effect was unfortunately cut because of the either Universal studio or MPAA. Soundtrack for the movie has one track called "Face To Face" which is not in the movie, cause it was used in uncut ending which was around 2 or 3 minutes long, and that track was composed for the Wulfgar's death scene where he is torn to pieces by Deke's bullets in slow-mo.

Deke and Irene comforting each other - Afterwards, Irene comes downstairs, sees what Deke has done and they hold each other. Finally, movie ends with Deke stepping out, sitting on steps and watching Wulfgar's dead body and feeling some guilt after killing him in such brutal way. This last scene is based on couple of still photos of Deke and Irene comforting each other on stairwell, and different ending found on some widescreen or fullscreen DVD edition which instead of still shot of Deke sitting on stairs shows Deke sitting and putting his hands on his head while end credits roll.

http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx4/sweeps4537/Nighthawks5.jpg

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[–] greene515 12 years ago

'Nighthawks' was on (UK TV) the other night, and i'm shocked at how cut the film is! the only uncut scene that shows off 'Dick Smiths' effects in it's uncut glory is when Deke get's slashed, every other scene in the film look's cut particularly when Nigel Davenport is shot at point blank. i would love to see the full uncut release of the movie, i think the best way to approach this is to start a petition?

[–] Nick7080 12 years ago

"'Nighthawks' was on (UK TV) the other night, and i'm shocked at how cut the film is! the only uncut scene that shows off 'Dick Smiths' effects in it's uncut glory is when Deke get's slashed, every other scene in the film look's cut particularly when Nigel Davenport is shot at point blank. i would love to see the full uncut release of the movie, i think the best way to approach this is to start a petition?"

What makes you think that Universal as-holes would give a two *beep* about some movie that earned them,what,15 million from 5 million dollars budget? Maybe if Stallone would do something about it would help,but since he didn't do much about getting some deleted scenes from 3 hour cut of FIRST BLOOD,his best action movie,then why would he do something about original cut of NIGHTHAWK?

If i'm not mistaken,Ridley Scott made a new director's cut of ALIEN after somebody found original footage back from 1979. And speaking about BLUE VELVET in my previous post reminded me how David Lynch found 57 minutes of deleted scenes from his original cut of BL. There is a good chance that uncut NIGTHAWKS footage is still inside Universal vaults,just like long awaited uncut version of MY BLOODY VALENTINE was locked inside Paramount,only to resurface (finally) after 25-some years.

Some fans,however,think that all Hawks footage was burned in fire. I just hope that this is not true. I don't know why would anyone,studio producers or MPAA,cut Wulfgar's death scene. He is main villain. He should die in painfull death. S-hit,now that i think about it,normal R-rated cut of Hawks looks more like some PG *beep* that most of the studios these days would release. It makes me sick when i see some new remake. Could you imagine what movie would we get if NIGHTHAWKS were remade today? Specially after what happened with remake of Total Recall?

GOD DAMN IT,NOT AGAIN! BEEP THESE BEEP BEEP!

[–] greene515 12 years ago

I suppose all of this will be possible once Us fans start a petition? I would also consider writing to Stallone, but I can't imagine him responding anytime soon as his Son Sage has recently passed away, & I can only imagine the he's going thru a long greivance.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] greene515 12 years ago

well start it already! whoever's game for this to happen should really start a petition thread and then copy 'n' paste one's response to the parties responsible for the right's of Nighthawks.

[–] Nick7080 12 years ago

"well start it already! whoever's game for this to happen should really start a petition thread and then copy 'n' paste one's response to the parties responsible for the right's of Nighthawks."

And how do you suggest we do that? HARD TARGET has several online petitions for uncut version release,and it's been a few years after they were started and nothing yet. And i'm pretty sure that HT has more fans than Hawks. Sorry,i'm not trying to hurt anyone's love for this movie,but it's just the way it is.

Even if we do start petition or send email after email to Shout! or Universal,what are the chances that someone will listen to us?

Look,i'm not trying to sound like someone who sees everything dark,but really,unless some big shot tries to put some pressure on Universal,i don't think that NIGHTHAWKS will ever get proper treatment.

[–] jsl_99 12 years ago

Stallone himself has said that the movie was heavily edited. He did say he had more scenes with Lindsay Wagner in the original cut. Stallone also said that the original cut of Nighthawks was even better. He said that Universal didn't have much faith in the movie and the studio execs ordered for it to be edited down. He made these comments when he did a Q&A on the Ain't It Cool news website several years ago.

I know the director of Nighthawks did pass away a while back so a new Director's Cut is out of the question. But at the very least the film deserves a Special Edition Blu Ray/DVD that might contain most of these scenes at least as bonus features. Or better yet maybe a copy of the longer cut is sitting around somewhere in a studio vault.

I'm a big fan of Nighthawks and think it's one of Stallone's best. If a longer version still exists I'd love to see it.

[–] greene515 12 years ago

start a petition then! via Twitter at least! i've just watched this again & keep thinking sbout what's missing. it's always comforting to remember that 'My Bloody Valentine' did after much ado get an uncut version.

[–] Nick7080 10 years ago

Update: I added links for pictures of deleted scenes and some behind the scenes photos.