…and Extended Versions.
Today’s post by Joe Farace
In my video review of Highlander 4K for my YouTube channel version of Joe’s Movie Club I go on a bit of a rant about Director’s Cuts of films and what I like about them and what I don’t. Today, I’m gonna beat that poor horse some more…
But first…A Director’s Cut is an edited version of a film that is supposed—key words—to represent the director’s approved edit in contrast with the theatrical release. In the past, Director’s cuts of film weren’t released to the public because for most films the director does not have final cut. With the emergence of home video, especially the explosion of boutique video labels, the phrase became used more as a marketing term and the most commonly seen form of director’s cut is a version where extra scenes are added. Many—most?—times that’s marketed as the Extended Version, something I talked about in my review of Jurassic World: Dominion.
So what do I like or dislike about Director’s Cut versions of a few of my favorite movies:
The good news is that a Director’s Cut can add scenes that help flesh out the story. A classic example is Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, The Director’s Cut not only adds an important story element but also helps explain several character’s actions—and a whole other character is added—that are left unexplored in the theatrical release. Yes, it makes the film longer but somehow you become so mesmerized by the story and the film’s look you don’t know there’s an extra 50 minutes of running time. You should watch or add this brilliant film to your collection. Hope for a 4K version may be just that. Yet, Scott’s much more inferior, The Last Duel, is available in 4K.
Now sometimes the extra scenes add nothing to the experience. The classic case of this is Amadeus. This a wonderfully engaging film when seen in the original theatrical release. And while I nothing but respect for Milos Foreman, his Directors Cut adds nothing to the experience except length and, sadly, is the only version currently available in Blu-ray. Not recommended.
And sometimes the director looses his way in making the Directors Cut. This is the case with one of my favorite French historical-marshal arts-horror films Brotherhood of the Wolf, where elements of one scene are (maybe shot from another angle) are repeated and placed in a different order. This sequence is brief but I don’t care! This is such a beautiful, wacky, creative and watchable movie that it transcends this editing error. Much like the five hub caps flying off the black Dodge Charger in the chase scene in Bullit, you don’t care because you;re having too much fun.
So what’s my take? The most important one is that just because it says Directors Cut doesn’t mean that it’s really a directors cut and it also doesn’t mean that it’s better than the original theatrical release Even if it is an actual director’s cut, it may mean nothing and might just be a cash grab. I’ve lost track of how many versions of Blade Runner Ridley Scott produced. For my money the best version is the Theatrical Version and coming in second place is the European version. Yet, the only version of Blade Runner you can buy in 4K is the Ultimate Cut.
Watchmen’s theatrical cut is quite good but the Director’s Cut is amazing and looks great on Blu-ray. Sadly all you can get on 4K is The Ultimate Cut that includes the addition of the animated pirate story and brings the film from its theatrical 162 minutes, to a whopping 215 minutes. This version may appeal to fans of the graphics novel, of which I am also one, I much prefer the Directors Cut.
Like Watchmen, The Director’s Cut of Hellboy is the best version although the theatrical version is pretty good. And In a rare stroke of genius from a studio, you can get
So when it comes to Director’s Cuts, take the advice of Sergeant Phil Esterhaus from the popular TV program ‘Hill Street Blues and “be careful out there.”
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