Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid R1SE - 1988 DC vs. 2005 fan edit
The story:- Two versions of Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid are included on this DVD. The original release version of the film was cut by MGM to 106 minutes without Peckinpah’s involvement and is generally considered a travesty – though it’s worth pointing out that some of who saw that version first loved the film anyway. That version isn’t included on the DVD release. In 1988, the director of the Z Channel, a cable service dedicated to rescuing films which have been underrated, found and transmitted Peckinpah’s own cut of the film, a 121 minute cut which represents the only version of the film which we know for certain has directorial authority. However, this was a version which, some scholars suggest, is unfinished and would have been cut further by the director had he been given a chance to ‘fine tune’ it. So, Paul Seydor – author of a well regarded book on Peckinpah and a working Hollywood editor – took it upon himself to consult some people involved in the production and create a ‘Special Edition’ which he claims is a representation of what Peckinpah would have produced had he been able to work on a ‘fine cut’. (source= dvdtimes review)
Anyway, the 2005 "fan edit" by the Peckinpah scholars is generally regarded as a travesty by fans. These fucking scholar pricks saw fit to give their version a full blown restoration, while the Director's Cut was only partially restored. The DC is considered an "Extra" in the set, like the recent Star Wars LEs.:shock:
bradavon wrote:Doesn't the 2005 Cut have scenes that could've appeared in the DC if the director was still alive? I.E - I thought neither version is really the DC.
Nope, it was assembled in the 70's by Spootiswoode while he was still alive. It didn't premiere til 1988.
I have to agree with Mark here. I think I prefer the visuals of the DC compared to the "restored Fan Edit". For one, their colour set is totally wonkers... I doubt Peckinpah would have presented his film like that...
(Just had to note, I've never seen this flick and have no idea how it looked when in the theatre, but I'm just going by what I thought looked "best")
