Pet Peeve - Movie Redux

[rkr1958]

O.K. - Two movies I remember watching from my Grad School Days in 1980 - "Apocalypse Now" and the "Big Red One". So I get the DVDs (and it's the Redux version) and they've added all these extra scenes which completely change the flow of the movie (for the worst in my opinion). I don't see why "they" feel the need to add in scenes that were originally deleted in movies that are over 25 years old. Anyway that's my Pet Peeve; especially when you can't get the original cut.

[bendixG15]

I suppose its because they are selling DVDs and not movies.

The Big Red One is also one of my favorites.

[jagabo]

I suppose its because they are selling DVDs and not movies.

Yes that "15 minutes of never seen before footage" bullet item sells DVDs.

[Soopafresh]

I don't see why "they" feel the need to add in scenes that were originally deleted in movies that are over 25 years old. Anyway that's my Pet Peeve; especially when you can't get the original cut.

The scene with the playboy bunnies in Apocalypse Now is a reference to the Sirens in Homer's "Odyssey". The French plantation was a feeble attempt to "go back in time", to the 1950s Viet Nam when the French were colonists. Not the greatest scenes, but much better than when they finally encounter Kurtz. The first half of that movie deserves 5 stars, the second half deserves 2, maybe 1.5.

[guns1inger]

"they" being the original director going back and putting the film back the way he/she wanted it to be before the studios made alterations, often against the director's wishes ?

You don't have to buy the redux version if you don't want to. Just because you have become used to a truncated version doesn't make it the best version. In most cases you can still get the original theatrical release, if that is the one you want.

I don't understand why people complain about things they don't even have to buy.

[Ethlred]

The Big Red One was cut by the studios and not by Sam Fuller. The new version is supposed to have been done by consulting the original script and Sam's own notes.

I want to see this. Just waiting for the price to come down. Robert Carradine's part is largely Sam's own experiences in WWII.

However I hope no one EVER tries to fix Sam's White Dog. That was crap. No matter how heart felt its a bad film and don't think the studios were the cause on that one.

[rkr1958]

I don't understand why people complain about things they don't even have to buy.

I don't seem to be able to find the original cut of the Big Red One on DVD. I guess I don't really have to buy anything ... but I remember liking the movie when I saw it back in 1980/1981 and wanted to get it. I just don't like the added scenes and what it does to the movie. The DVD I have only has the Redux version ... My complaint is that I got something different than I thought I was getting.

The movie was made and released over 25-years ago ... it didn't need to be changed!

[guns1inger]

The Wild Bunch and Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid were made longer than that ago, and they certainly are better now with all the extra footage put back in.

[AlanHK]

They've added all these extra scenes which completely change the flow of the movie (for the worst in my opinion). I don't see why "they" feel the need to add in scenes that were originally deleted in movies that are over 25 years old.

You must really hate George Lucas.

especially when you can't get the original cut.

What? of course you can. Amazon, eBay, etc, etc.
Every edition is available.

Anyway, what does "original" mean? The "original" cut, as submitted by the director, was probably even longer.

With any luck you got Hearts of Darkness as an "extra" with Apocalypse Now. That's worth the cost alone.

[guns1inger]

A quick google also seems to indicate you are very much in a minority in your preference for the studio butchered original.

[rkr1958]

A quick google also seems to indicate you are very much in a minority in your preference for the studio butchered original.

Oh well ... that seems to be my lot it life lately ... Will I at it ... I'll add to my Pet Peeve ... I also don't like editing for PC purposes like the re-released version of ET. In the original version the FBI agents are holding guns when the kids fly over them on their Bicycles; however, in the re release version they're holding flashlights.

[guns1inger]

A quick google also seems to indicate you are very much in a minority in your preference for the studio butchered original.

Oh well ... that seems to be my lot it life lately ... Will I at it ... I'll add to my Pet Peeve ... I also don't like editing for PC purposes like the re-released version of ET. In the original version the FBI agents are holding guns when the kids fly over them on their Bicycles; however, in the re release version they're holding flashlights.

That I will agree on. It was a pointless change that was un-necessary and not done for artistic reasons.