MovieChat Forums > Joey (1985) Discussion > The German version SUCKS!!!

The German version SUCKS!!!

posted 16 years ago by thatsarappp
6 replies | jump to latest

Ive loved this movie since I was a kid, and Ive owned the 2-Disc DVD for several years. I never watched the German version until yesterday, and WOW does it suck. It's like a whole different movie!!

First of all, the background music is totally different. The music in the American version is creepy and somber, and fits the movie perfectly. The music in the German version feels like it doesnt belong in this movie.

Second, the dummy is much scarier in the American version. Everything he says and all the noises he makes make him VERY scary. But in the German version, he's quiet as hell! He does nothing!

Third, the dialogue is so different at times. Again, it's something that changes the whole feel of the movie.

And fourth, there are parts where it looks as if they filmed the scene completely differently for each version. And the majority of the time, the scene in the American version is better. I just feel like in some of the scenes that are different, the American version does a better job of creating the right atmosphere.

Then there's so many other very small differences. Like in the beginning where the toys all come to life. In the German version, there's weird music playing that I really didnt feel served any purpose.

Again, I LOVE this movie. Always have. But watching the German version, I really didnt like the movie anymore. Infact, it kinda sucked. I feel like each version was attempting to accomplish something different. And to me, this has always been a movie that creeped me out to the core. And seeing it as a kid, I look back on my first viewing very fondly. Had I seen the German version instead, this movie would not have earned the special place in my heart that it has.

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Romans 5:6

[–] TalesfromTheCryptfan 16 years ago

I dunno man, i own the 2-Disc version myself and i gotta say the German version is my favorite. It made the film more full of sense and got rid of the U.S. versions's plotholes and i even liked the score in the German version better as it was more creepy and epic.

"There was no way i was gonna walk around this place with my dork hanging out"-Heavy Metal.

[–] aclockwork_oranges71 15 years ago

Look don't let the German version spoil your love for the US version. Just love the version you want and if you don't like the German version you don't ever have to watch it again. Nothing makes you like or dislike things only you have that desire and control and passion nothing else can change that.

[–] harley-cross 14 years ago

Did you mean to say the Region 2 version that was dubbed in German? As it is the same version cinematically?

The American release is heavily edited, so I would think that the "German" verson would be preferable.

Try watching it again, but select the English language channel instead.

I think then you will be satisfied.

[–] TalesfromTheCryptfan 14 years ago

I think German cut is superior since it's the better version than the enjoyable butchered New World Pictures 1986 cut for Americans.

It reminds me of how New World Pictures got the U.S. rights for Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind which is an awesome 1984 Sci-fi/fantasy Japanese animated masterpiece from Hayao Miyazaki and how they made a butchered 95 minute cut with alright dubbing called Warriors of the Wind and that Miyazaki was in tears after it was over. But luckily there was fansub uncut tapes of Nausicaa since until 2005 when Disney released an uncut full version of Nausicaa complete with a better dub and the original language.

[–] herbie20032002 13 years ago

I agreed with the OP about the scary factor in the American version. It is all gone in German version. I asked my 5 years old daughter on which are more scarier to her..she told me the American version which of course I'm not surprised about however others here in this board do complained about the plotholes in the American version. I do agreed with the plotholes on how did the Dummy get to the banged up house from the boy's closet which never reveals in the American version.

Now, I do preferred the "extending ending" of the German version which I do not with American one. New World Pictures butched it up real bad and the dialogues wasnt quite make sense due of the plotholes. Speaking of the extending ending, I do like it until the last scene of Joey in American version, that one is much better. It's more suspense. I feel that the german ending of last scene is more of like a happy ending (hollywood ending), it did not go well with the whole movie.

[–] justinboggan 13 years ago

The German version has this synth score which is just aweful and doesn't work, in fact it's out of place and the emotional grip of the film is lost with it.

Paul Gilreath's score for the U.S. cut is far better, though watching the finale and listenign to the end credits, it's apparent he waslighting shadowing the temp track which sounds like it consisted of "Sunrise" (Richard Strauss), and some James Horner; possibly some edit of "Krull" (small bits) and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan". I even clearly hear a very close riff from the "Star Wars: A New Hope" end credits (John Williams).

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The New Number 2: "Are you going to run?"
Number 6: "Like blazes. First chance I get."