Question:
Hi all,
I'm ashamed to admit that I'm just about to watch The Wicker Man for the first time :dork: and wasn't sure which version (84-minute or DC) to choose. Is it even worth bothering with the shorter one? I have the Warner R2 version BTW.
Potential SPOILER BELOW
The packaging has already spoiled the ending but I'm still really looking forward to it...
Any opinions?
PS Apologies if this has been posted before (I did a search and couldnt find a similar thread)
Short one first!
I only saw it for the first time a few weeks ago. The extended cut features scenes which I didn't think were required, are not good quality, and hurt the film overall (imho). I was happy to see that the other side (anti-DC) at least got a little representation on the doc from Ingrid Pitt.
And you'll never get the 'benefit' of the DC if you don't know the original.
Incidentally, you are right, the packaging is a ******* DISGRACE! 1/ it's housed in a couple of recycled birthday cards. 2/ the design would even make the EIV art department wince and 3/ yes, it gives away the ending!
Good film though, which wonderfully makes the Christians look far more buggo than the occultists. Loved it.
people wont know if the packaging spoils the ending unless people mention it :rolleyes:
I first watched it years ago..........thought it was great.
Watched it again last year with the cuts and thought, 'oh dear, those extras make the film look awful`
PS...but the packaging (R1) was great, excellent wooden box etc
And the Theatrical version is in 5.1 surround sound, whereas the DC is only in mono...
Ok I watched the shorter version and all I can say is :eek:
A seriously powerful film and there's no doubt about that...
Even though I knew what was coming the ending was still awesome.
Now to watch the 'Enigma' documentary. BTW is this the same doc that was on last christmas when the film was shown on TV?
Thanks for all the replies.
ed
no it isnt the same doc as Ch4's. Would have been good if it was on the DVD.
ive only seen the DC, i only bought the DVD today, and i dont think i will bother watchign the theatrical... ever. Or is there a reason for me to ?
if i hadnt seen the film before i would watch the theatrical first.
The short version omits one of the most important "clues" to the film's ending and, as far as I'm concerned, that renders it a complete waste of time.
I agree.
The shorter version is a complete waste of time and you were ill advised to watch it first in my opinion.
The theatrical cut is a butchered studio hack n slash job to try and rush the film out with as little notice as possible. I seem to recall they were ashamed of the picture and the fact they had no idea how to sell it made matters worse.
There are a number of changes which shouldnt of been made, most obviously Willows seductive scene which is moved forward by one night in the shorter version.
Igrid Pitt wasnt against the DC by the way, she just states that she didnt think the original release was as bad as the studio were making out.
Yes the extended scenes in the DC are noticable but what you gonna do ?. Its either accept a far superior cut of the film with an occasionally poor image (due to source material) or watch the film in a hindered and butchered state !. I would have thought the answer would be a bit of a no brainer.
was looking at HTF and found ....
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16718&
looks like i might give the theatrical a viewing after all. See how it compares.
IMHO The cover doesn't give away the ending at all
It's not like the cover shows the deceit of the towns folk, tricking Woodward to be their sacraficial lamb and forcing him into the wickerman to burn alive is it?
Originally posted by KeyserSoze
was looking at HTF and found ....
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16718&
looks like i might give the theatrical a viewing after all. See how it compares.
Im not sure how seriously you can take some of the opinions by the users of that forum.
Since you brought it up... I think the extra footage RUINS the film, it is MUCH better in the theatrical version. I also saw this for the first time on this disc, and watched the short cut first. The ending was completely unexpected, whereas the long cut keeps dropping major spoilers all along the way.
This guy (as do many others) seems to overlook the fact that the clues layed throughout the course of the movie are exactly what makes the extended version a must see.
I'm ashamed to admit that I'm just about to watch The Wicker Man for the first time :dork: and wasn't sure which version (84-minute or DC) to choose. Is it even worth bothering with the shorter one? I have the Warner R2 version BTW.
Potential SPOILER BELOW
The packaging has already spoiled the ending but I'm still really looking forward to it...
Any opinions?
PS Apologies if this has been posted before (I did a search and couldnt find a similar thread)
Answers:
Short one first!
I only saw it for the first time a few weeks ago. The extended cut features scenes which I didn't think were required, are not good quality, and hurt the film overall (imho). I was happy to see that the other side (anti-DC) at least got a little representation on the doc from Ingrid Pitt.
And you'll never get the 'benefit' of the DC if you don't know the original.
Incidentally, you are right, the packaging is a ******* DISGRACE! 1/ it's housed in a couple of recycled birthday cards. 2/ the design would even make the EIV art department wince and 3/ yes, it gives away the ending!
Good film though, which wonderfully makes the Christians look far more buggo than the occultists. Loved it.
Answers:
people wont know if the packaging spoils the ending unless people mention it :rolleyes:
Answers:
I first watched it years ago..........thought it was great.
Watched it again last year with the cuts and thought, 'oh dear, those extras make the film look awful`
PS...but the packaging (R1) was great, excellent wooden box etc
Answers:
And the Theatrical version is in 5.1 surround sound, whereas the DC is only in mono...
Answers:
Ok I watched the shorter version and all I can say is :eek:
A seriously powerful film and there's no doubt about that...
Even though I knew what was coming the ending was still awesome.
Now to watch the 'Enigma' documentary. BTW is this the same doc that was on last christmas when the film was shown on TV?
Thanks for all the replies.
ed
Answers:
no it isnt the same doc as Ch4's. Would have been good if it was on the DVD.
ive only seen the DC, i only bought the DVD today, and i dont think i will bother watchign the theatrical... ever. Or is there a reason for me to ?
if i hadnt seen the film before i would watch the theatrical first.
Answers:
The short version omits one of the most important "clues" to the film's ending and, as far as I'm concerned, that renders it a complete waste of time.
Answers:
I agree.
The shorter version is a complete waste of time and you were ill advised to watch it first in my opinion.
The theatrical cut is a butchered studio hack n slash job to try and rush the film out with as little notice as possible. I seem to recall they were ashamed of the picture and the fact they had no idea how to sell it made matters worse.
There are a number of changes which shouldnt of been made, most obviously Willows seductive scene which is moved forward by one night in the shorter version.
Igrid Pitt wasnt against the DC by the way, she just states that she didnt think the original release was as bad as the studio were making out.
Yes the extended scenes in the DC are noticable but what you gonna do ?. Its either accept a far superior cut of the film with an occasionally poor image (due to source material) or watch the film in a hindered and butchered state !. I would have thought the answer would be a bit of a no brainer.
Answers:
was looking at HTF and found ....
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16718&
looks like i might give the theatrical a viewing after all. See how it compares.
Answers:
IMHO The cover doesn't give away the ending at all
It's not like the cover shows the deceit of the towns folk, tricking Woodward to be their sacraficial lamb and forcing him into the wickerman to burn alive is it?
Answers:
Originally posted by KeyserSoze
was looking at HTF and found ....
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16718&
looks like i might give the theatrical a viewing after all. See how it compares.
Im not sure how seriously you can take some of the opinions by the users of that forum.
Since you brought it up... I think the extra footage RUINS the film, it is MUCH better in the theatrical version. I also saw this for the first time on this disc, and watched the short cut first. The ending was completely unexpected, whereas the long cut keeps dropping major spoilers all along the way.
This guy (as do many others) seems to overlook the fact that the clues layed throughout the course of the movie are exactly what makes the extended version a must see.
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