MovieChat Forums > Nighthawks (1981) Discussion > This deserves a Special Edition re-relea...

This deserves a Special Edition re-release

posted 18 years ago by h-ahmad-1
7 replies | jump to latest

Seeing that it's been 25 years since this underrated police thriller was first released and the fact that Hauer's other classic Blade Runner is being released next year as a four-disc edition, I think it's high time Universal gave this movie the 5-star treatment and released a Special Edition of it. Here are the extra features I would include if I released it on DVD :

- Anamorphic 16:9 Widescreen transfer
- Trailer (US)
- The full, uncut ending which shows DeSilva shooting Wulfgar MORE THAN twice
- Audio commentary by Sylvester Stallone (he did commentaries for the Rambo films) and Billy Dee Williams
- A 'Making Of' featurette (if it could be easily located from the vaults)
- Deleted scenes (including a restaurant scene between Stallone and Lindsay Wagner and a potential love scene between Rutger Hauer and the late Persis Khambatta)
- Interviews with Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams, Lindsay Wagner, Hilarie Thompson, Rutger Hauer and Nigel Davenport

In a magazine, Stallone said Nighthawks was one of his personal favourites. Sadly, though, I don't think it will get a special re-release, because it wasn't as big a blockbuster as, say, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, The French Connection or Dirty Harry.

[–] h-ahmad-1 18 years ago

I would also include a small tribute to Joe Spinell who starred in many movies of this kind and starred in three other Stallone films (Rocky, Rocky II and Paradise Alley).

[–] modano1973 18 years ago

Restoring the original songs is another one. There was a love scene between Stallone and Wagner that was also cut from the film. As for the Joe Spinell tribute, one was already made titled The Joe Spinell Story. It's a great documentary which can be found on the DVD of the film, Maniac.

[–] h-ahmad-1 18 years ago

I also heard there was a scene cut out where Deke and Irene are in the restaurant and Deke breaks down after she says that they could never go back to the way things were. Apparently, Stallone wanted this scene to be included, but the producers disagreed.

[–] modano1973 18 years ago

Yeah i heard about the scene. I own a couple of stills and lobby cards from that scene. It's too bad the scene was deleted. Almost all of the Deke/Irene storyline was removed from the final film.

[–] Lucabar80 18 years ago

I AM A FAN OF THIS MOVIE LIKE YOU:WHERE COULD WE FIND THE UNCUT VERSION YOU TOLD ABOUT IN THIS TOPIC?WHEN IS IT RELEASED?
I HOPE SOMEONE WILL REPLY TO ME
THANKS AND BEST WISHES

[–] modano1973 18 years ago

h-ahmad-1 was just saying what he would like to see if the movie is released as a special edition on DVD. I don't think the uncut version is out there anywhere. If there is, it is probably stored in Universal's vault.

[–] h-ahmad-1 18 years ago

Someone on the net once told me that there isn't an uncut version available anywhere else in the world. Most countries have the same version of Nighthawks. Like modano1973 said, it's very likely Universal will have it in the vaults. Only a matter of time before they remaster and re-release it.

I'd love to see the original ending when Deke kills Wulfgar. I reckon it's because of this scene that Stallone was picked for First Blood because he looks so mean.