I've e never seen the movie, from what I've heard the DDC brings back most of the items from theatrical cut. What's the verdict?
Does the dvd theatrical cut show the warner Bros splash screen or fox studios?
I like the definitive cut better, exept for the ending scene. There's still an original cut with 20 mins more footage. The beginning dinner scene at the cabin is longer, some more Alice/Uncus talking scenes that give them more of a connection. The dvd cut features the fox logo.
I've also heard there's a 3 hour cut, but studio executives trimmed it down because they didn't think people would watch a 3 hour film without an A list actor (at the time). I would love to see any longer versions. I remember reading that Eric Schweig (Uncas) said he was dissapointed at a lot of his scenes being cut.
Apocalpse Now Redux is better than the original. You get to spend more time with the characters and see them develope. It bings out a bigger, more epic film. The Thin Red Line is also a 5 hour movie, but that is too long for theaters/cinemas. Malick cut a lot of actors scenes to the point were it's just a glorified cameos. I'd love to see it bluray.
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If you dont know Bigfoot then you dont know SQUATCH
So there are three versions of the film:
1992 Theaterical 112M
- includes great lines from Hawkeye "just came by to see how you boys was do'in" and many more
that were CUT from
2001 Director Expanded Version 117M
- including the song "I will find you" by Claddah
2001 is supposedly the ONLY version on DVD in the U.S
but there is a 2010 Director Definitive Cut on BlueRay - would be interesting to hear comments on this one.
Personally, I like the 1992 and wish there was an option for this on DVD, instead I found it online on VHS (it misses a lot of the vast, breathtaking magnitude that the DVD color and sound adds but I like the scenes that have since been cut on the DVD).
There's also a 1999 Fox DVD Director's Expanded Edition which I own. No Clannad song (which I must be in the minority not really missing), added fort siege and Chingachgook's final speech footage which are both worthwhile additions, a few Hawkeye lines missing which I don't really miss that much. The 1992 theatrical release (I saw it in the theatre in 1992) had so little Alice-Uncas love sub-story onscreen that I was surprised to learn about it many years later!
shareI have the director's expanded edition and thought purchasing the blue ray director's definitive cut would give me "more" of what was lost on the cutting room floor irt: the theatrical release. So now I find out I got less with the DDC and shelled out more $$$. So now, I have a dvd which is a better version IMO than the blue ray which I feel was just a hack job way of raping our wallets. One thing I did find interesting in the blue ray interviews...nobody, including the director knows that the story took place in the 19th century (1820-?) It is obvious from the interviews recorded in 1982-2010 that nobody on the crew or cast had the balls to correct the director, DDL referred to him as the "general". At least 3 separate times on the interview track he refers to this as an 18th century story (for those that slept thru history class the 18th century is 1700-1799). Or if you want to count backwards we are currently living in the 21st Century, prior to 2001 that was the 20th Century, hence the Century including the French-Indian War, the US Civil War, Abraham Lincoln et al. was the 19th century. I will give him this, it was the 1800s, but he never said that. I'm sorry, I can't take a man seriously when he states he spent years researching the era, the original book, and original films to make this historic masterpiece, and has no clue which century he is depicting. I love the film, but now my opinion of most directors and actors had been greatly diminished. The people who receive the least recognition, the writers, appear to be the people who really know what is going on in the entertainment industry.
shareUh you're mistaken about when the story took place- it WAS the 18th century, the title card said 1757. It was the third year of the French and Indian War, which predated the American Revolution....
shareSave your $$$. Stick with the 2001 expanded dvd version. Although much more vivid and beautiful when it comes to the NC blue ridge mountain cinematography and sound....you get less story. When they cut the final monologue it left me empty having seen it on the 2001 version. At least I'll have a blue ray copy for my grandchildren, maybe they'll like it better than Gramps! :)
shareThanks for the reply, appreciate it! I now have 3 copies 1). Directors Cut (DVD); 2). Orig theater VHS 1992 w/ the original lines, etc. I prefer this one; and 3). UK DVD of the theater version. Problem, can only watch 3 on Macbook. I see everyone talking about Blue Ray and that this would do it, will check that out. Thanks again, appreciate it! Jilene
shareOne of the few occasions where the theatrical cut is way better than any since released cuts. The directors cuts added a lot of battle scenes, but sacrificed a lot of great dialogue and the beautiful "I will find you" song towards the end. Wish they would release the theatrical cut on dvd
shareI wish they'd release the theatrical cut on DVD, too. This week-end I watched the VHS and while I like this version better (great lines that were cut in Director cut) and I do like the song - hands down the DVD gets it for the massive nature, battles, quality, sound. If they could bring the theatrical back on DVD for us fans, this would be great. In two years it could be a 30 anniversary edition or something...
shareWait a minute, I just watched the definitive directors cut on Bluray and I am pretty sure the song was there...
"People incapable of guilt usually do have a good time."
In the original theatrical cut, there are a lot of great lines (cut in the director definitive cut) and the Claddah song (also cut in the director definitive cut).
The kicker is: the theatrical cut (original movie in theaters) is ONLY available USED on VHS. Therefore the quality, sound, coloring, etc. is not as good as DVD.
But, the ONLY DVD you can get in the U.S. IS the Directors Definitive cut.
So, for us die-hards that like the theatrical cut, we wait and hope that it will be released at some point on DVD. I have heard that you can get and order the theaterical version on DVD in Canada and the UK (by ordering on Amazon.com/UK). I'd like to do this but does a UK DVD work in a US DVD player? Not sure, still researching....
and the Claddah song (also cut in the director definitive cut).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8cOkz3uNHg
This is the scene included in the Bluray version I have.
"People incapable of guilt usually do have a good time."
The theatrical cut is the only version available on DVD in Australia whilst the DC gets the Blu-Ray release.
Despite it being released on DVD years and years ago it is STILL readily available in Australia for only $9.95 AUD
Hi! I was able to order this on Amazon.com in the UK (and get the theater version) - I couldn't play it on my US DVD but I was able to change the settings on my MacBook to accept a DVD on UK region and yay! watched my favorite version. 20+ years later, still a great film and the sound track! Just the sound track! Thanks for your update and info. Jill
shareI have the DDC,and a lot of what fans say is missing from the DC is back. The Channad song plays while Magua is taking Alice and Cora to Sachem. A lot of quips by Hawkeye. The one thing that is only hinted at is Alice and Uncas' romance. I don't about about the other versions, but it's ambiguous and handled well in the DDC. I like it. I have to say that having read some of the threads, I like this version. Don't know what would posses Mann to take out the Channad song in the DC. It's one of the most beautiful scenes in the movie.
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You'll Never Walk Alone
Thanks for saying that about the Clannad song. I loved that song which was the reason I bought the soundtrack. So when they took it out I was very disappointed.
shareThe DDC bluray, is the closest version, to the theatrical. It adds back several important lines and scenes, that were cut out of the DEE. The song by Clannad is back in, the extended eulogy at the end is gone.
Strangely enough, the DVD rerelease with the same cover art as the DDC, is the DEE!! I bought a copy of the DVD for my niece, and it is the DEE version.
The DVD cuts out the following:
1. The Hawkeyes one liners, mostly to Duncan.
2. The "if only one of us survives" line from Cora, is completely cut.
3. The scene of Hawkeye comforting Cora after the final confrontation is deleted.
4. The song by Clannad is replaced, by the beautiful score, that plays during the end credits.
5. The final wound delivered to Magua, is cut. Chingachgook swings, but you don't see the exit wound.
The DVD adds a few things like:
1. Shots of Hawkeye backing away from the Huron village, as he unties Cora's hands.
2. A shot of Cora trying to run back to help Duncan, but Hawkeye wisely, holds her back.
3. Chingachgook's extended speech at the finale.
I'm surprised that they used the art for the DDC, but used the DEE version. Only positive is, it's anamorphic, while the older disc was not.