Originally filmed as a 6-Hour mini-series

This is a longer conversation than I would want to write (I'll try to answer you as best I can without taking up too much time) but some of the comments are fair and others are petty and ridiculous. I say that because this is a movie, a disaster movie at that, and a remake of a camp classic (we were bound to disappoint or fall a bit flat with many). I feel that the three hour cut was a mistake as it short changed many of the sub-plots and your (the audiences) desire to know the characters better, a complaint by aired by many. Many of the comments I have read are right to point out problems but a good portion of this comes from the cut, and from things that were required for a network sale. Everyone worked very hard on the film (from the director to everyone in the cast and crew) spending weeks after weeks slogging through ankle to chest high water. The stunt people were nothing short of amazing. It is a shame but the flip which on screen only takes a few minutes was chocked full of great old school physical stunts. We built this huge gimble to put sets into and literally flipped them with stunt people inside them. I can't go into details because of contracts, and other legal issues but if you knew what we made the film for and really equate the manpower, set value/production value (which I thought were largely very good), CGI which easily could have been better, number of characters, and all the other moving pieces I am very happy with the work that we did. The cuts are another story but those decisions were not left really in our hands. John Putch, who has gotten a lot of flak, is a very talented director, forget his low budget disaster stuff, as we all have to earn a living. Many of the posters, who know little to nothing about the business, feel they have the most informed opinion out there (I am not talking about the people with thoughtful and fair comments I'm talking about the people who are just being crass and rude, you all can feel free and are smart enough to figure out who those people are) John's indie film Valerie Flake is a really well done low budget film with no real names but I loved it (fyi he has a new Digital film that is on his website that I think will be worth watching). His work for us at LLP (where I am no longer at, and now running my own production company) has always been excellent, and he throws himself at the work. Gutts had a tough role, in the longer version you find out that his wife is a real ball and that his indiscretion is born of years of marital disconnect, but in the end he is still a philandering jackass; as an actor who has played largely the good guys this isn't going to over well with many people, and I feel was brave of him. Steve was the first person on set many days, and helped carry our spirits through 16-17 hour days with smoke, fire, and the unending water. Adam Baldwin not only worked hard, but also I think did a really solid job for us. Peter Weller, Bryan Brown, Tommy, Tinarie, Rutger, Amber, Rory, Alexia, Natalie, Sylvia, Clive, Peter Butler, Andrew, Alex, Geoff, Peter Dobson and all the others who are just too many to name did everything we asked of them and more. I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with all of these talented, hard working, and wonderful actors. When you make a film like this the sky is not the limit - you have budget issues, casting issues, length (three hour cuts, four hours cuts, it gets ridiculous - who wants to watch four hours of anything - well most anything) location issues, scripting issues, notes from here and there (too many masters to serve). Some things work out really well, others (for no lack of trying) fizzle. You will never make everyone happy, but what you do try is to do is entertain some, then take and understand the criticism leveled at you by others. Which I said is fair on some points and not on others. I liked the film for what it is, I think the four hour which is coming to DVD and I believe the Hallmark Channel both very soon and not in that order, will easily be better. It was a fantastic experience, the people of Capetown and South Africa were amazing, we were there when the celebrated 10 years of democracy and while they still have a long way to go it was inspiring to see where they have come already and I am excited to see how they move forward. I learned a lot from the production experience, appreciate the comments of the audience as I will learn from them. I also am thankful that so many people around the world will take the time to love or hate this film, as they gave us that time. I will close with this one thought, if you don't want remakes stop buying and going to see them. Boycott them and the powers that be will stop doing them. I have done over 40 films, some I've loved, some I was disappointed in (for a myriad of reasons), but films (remakes especially) get made because the money men know what type of return they will get - BECAUSE you all go or tune into them so regularly. They do it cause it is easy but for us on the creative side it is usually a no win proposition, but you do as you are told. The consumer is as much to blame for the creative short comings as the studios or networks are. I revel in doing new, creative, and different films but we have to keep the lights on, so please be fair and spread the blame around a bit. Thank you (kenenation-1) for your interest and I would love to hear your thoughts after you view the film.

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