Crocodile Dundee (1986) Australian Version?

[Anth]

Why has this never been released on Blu-Ray or streaming services, even in Australia?

According to Box Office Mojo Crocodile Dundee was the second biggest world wide box office hit of 1986 (Behind Top Gun). It was however by far the top grossing movie of 1986 in Australia. And according to Wikipedia its actually the 13th highest all time grossing moving in Australia. Just behind The Dark Knight in position 12.

And yet Blu-Rays have been around for 15 years now and yet no Blu-Ray release of this, even in Australia?

Is there any reason why the Australian version of this move has seemingly been wiped from existence, even for release in Australia?

The Region 4 DVD the Picture and sound quality is beyond dreadful but if you force yourself through it you realize the movie is actually superior to the shorter US cut. It deserves to be released on Blu-Ray. Even if its done as a seamless branched version to allow you top chose which version you want to watch.

[13school]

Just at a guess, I'd say it being basically an independent production that was distributed across the globe by a variety of labels (some of which have gone through major changes since) has something to do with it.

Often these kind of productions fall between the cracks, especially in Australia - it's just too much hard work getting all the rights together (and too expensive to pay off everyone who has a piece of the production) to release a film, or update a release if the rights have expired.

The recent death of producer John Cornell probably didn't make things any easier.

[hypnotoad8128]

Second the above. Being an independent production (Rimfire Films) and sold off in Australia to Hoyts for original theatrical release and CBS/Fox and later Fox Home Entertainment for home releases here in Australia, who knows where it stands in the scheme of things today. If fox still own the rights here, I don't think the house of the mouse will be overly eager to release it. Paramount owns overseas rights.

I ended up buying the Paramount dual release Blu-ray with 1 and 2 on it several years ago. Better than nothing and the international version appears to be the only version in wide circulation. A local release of the local version would be a wonderful thing.

Unfortunately, the size of our physical market being pathetically small, it might not be fiscally viable for a local distributor to purchase the complicated rights, let alone find the original negative of the uncut Australian version, do a full restoration of a near 40-year-old print - which would be needed at this point - and master a disc then distribute it. NSFA has a copy of the film that runs 4 minutes longer than the U.S version though, but not the full 6 minutes that the Australian cut is supposed to be. So, there's something at least.

[PT Ryan]

For the sake of completeness, I have both the US Blu-Ray and the Australian DVD, which is better than nothing (and the American edits are very obvious). The NFSA holds 35mm materials for both versions of the film, so at least that's a starting point if they chose to remaster the original cut.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

For the first Crocodile Dundee, producer Rimfire Films leased theatrical distribution to Hoyts in Australia, while Paramount got US distribution rights and Fox obtaining international. Unlike the Australian theatrical release, Paramount trimmed down some bits (to get to New York sooner) and redubbed certain lines to better suit American terminology.

Fox released this same US cut overseas (including New Zealand), but here's where things get confusing as to the extent Fox were involved. CBS/Fox Video not only released the US cut on video overseas, but they also had video rights in Australia (on lease from Rimfire) and those releases were of the original Australian cut. Fox lost overseas distribution rights sometime in 2000 and ironically, those were acquired by Paramount (hence the R2/3/5 PAL DVDs and overseas BDs having Paramount branding on them and being identical to the US versions). Fox on the other hand, still had video rights in Australia (carried over from the CBS/Fox arrangement) and put out a DVD of Australian cut in 2006. This release was unfortunately quite shite, being a 4:3 letterbox master (from what looks like a release print) with a mono fold down (a double insult when the CBS/Fox Aussie VHS, despite being pan and scan, was from the same master with stereo audio!)

The Aussie DVDs of both entries are long OOP, which means Fox's remaining rights expired and clearly don't have anymore involvement with the first CD. Good news is, Australian distribution rights now reside with Rimfire Films and they seemed to be looking for someone to find pre-print materials and fund a restoration. However, the OCN and IP to the Australian cut went missing long ago and all they were able to find were two 35mm release prints (both not complete as one is missing 2 mins of footage due to various trims and damaged frames, the other copy missing some reels) and a 35mm copy of the Fox international version (donated from a New Zealand archive). It was thought Fox had all the elements to that version, but turned out they only have an IP of the US/International cut and a betacam master of the Aussie cut.

It's speculated the pre-print elements (including the OCN) of the Aussie version were sent to Hoyts and had ether misplaced or discarded them all at some point. However, Hoyts sent Paramount a combined print to do their own editing from and may still have this element in their archives.

[shireguy]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

F. Good news is, Australian distribution rights now reside with Rimfire Films and they seemed to be looking for someone to find pre-print materials and fund a restoration.

Wouldn't you think that Paul Hogan would have some interest in seeing this title released in a BD / 4K format locally ??

As for restoration - Hoges isn't short of a few $$

but nope.... it's yet another of those Aussie films that seem to have gotten 'lost' ...


much like the films of Yahoo Serious .. never to bee seen or heard from again....

[danny24]

This really has never been released on BD in Australia? haha. Figures.

[PT Ryan]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

For the first Crocodile Dundee, producer Rimfire Films leased theatrical distribution to Hoyts in Australia, while Paramount got US distribution rights and Fox obtaining international. Unlike the Australian theatrical release, Paramount trimmed down some bits (to get to New York sooner) and redubbed certain lines to better suit American terminology.

Fox released this same US cut overseas (including New Zealand), but here's where things get confusing as to the extent Fox were involved. CBS/Fox Video not only released the US cut on video overseas, but they also had video rights in Australia (on lease from Rimfire) and those releases were of the original Australian cut. Fox lost overseas distribution rights sometime in 2000 and ironically, those were acquired by Paramount (hence the R2/3/5 PAL DVDs and overseas BDs having Paramount branding on them and being identical to the US versions). Fox on the other hand, still had video rights in Australia (carried over from the CBS/Fox arrangement) and put out a DVD of Australian cut in 2006. This release was unfortunately quite shite, being a 4:3 letterbox master (from what looks like a release print) with a mono fold down (a double insult when the CBS/Fox Aussie VHS, despite being pan and scan, was from the same master with stereo audio!)

The Aussie DVDs of both entries are long OOP, which means Fox's remaining rights expired and clearly don't have anymore involvement with the first CD. Good news is, Australian distribution rights now reside with Rimfire Films and they seemed to be looking for someone to find pre-print materials and fund a restoration. However, the OCN and IP to the Australian cut went missing long ago and all they were able to find were two 35mm release prints (both not complete as one is missing 2 mins of footage due to various trims and damaged frames, the other copy missing some reels) and a 35mm copy of the Fox international version (donated from a New Zealand archive). It was thought Fox had all the elements to that version, but turned out they only have an IP of the US/International cut and a betacam master of the Aussie cut.

It's speculated the pre-print elements (including the OCN) of the Aussie version were sent to Hoyts and had ether misplaced or discarded them all at some point. However, Hoyts sent Paramount a combined print to do their own editing from and may still have this element in their archives.

Bloody hell, that's shocking. Sadly not surprising, though. When the NFSA restored Starstruck a few years ago, they couldn't locate the original audio elements for the scenes exclusive to the Australian cut, so their restoration is of the US version instead.

[PT Ryan]

Originally Posted by shireguy

Wouldn't you think that Paul Hogan would have some interest in seeing this title released in a BD / 4K format locally ??

As for restoration - Hoges isn't short of a few $$

but nope.... it's yet another of those Aussie films that seem to have gotten 'lost' ...


much like the films of Yahoo Serious .. never to bee seen or heard from again....

I'd love to know what the deal is with Yahoo Serious's films still only being available in SD. Given his recent financial troubles, he could do with a nice, spiffy re-release of his films.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by shireguy

Wouldn't you think that Paul Hogan would have some interest in seeing this title released in a BD / 4K format locally ??

As for restoration - Hoges isn't short of a few $$

but nope.... it's yet another of those Aussie films that seem to have gotten 'lost' ...


much like the films of Yahoo Serious .. never to bee seen or heard from again....

Its not so much the costs, but more about finding the best usable elements that aren't battered beyond the infinite or just another international cut print from New Zealand.

I have a strong feeling Paramount may indeed have that combined print sitting around in their archives somewhere. That element was the Aussie version they were sent by Hoyts and used to edit into the US version. Paramount would be the ones to ask since they usually keep and matain their film elements unlike most studios down under. However, theres also a possiblity they used the same editors at the time and ether discarded the print or the material cut to make the US version (these goons at the time were careless with discarding the trimmed material from Mann's original cut of The Keep, and the original version of Best Defense from before the reshoots with Eddie Murphy). We won't know the definitive anwser until someone at Paramount wants to do something with CD and looks to see what they can find in the archives.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by PT Ryan

I'd love to know what the deal is with Yahoo Serious's films still only being available in SD. Given his recent financial troubles, he could do with a nice, spiffy re-release of his films.

Young Eienstien and Reckless Kelly were produced and owned by Warner. Fortinutely, they do have complete, prestine elements to work from should they choose to remaster them. However, as these types of films aren't mega popluar like the current DC junk, WB aren't willing to do anything with them other than dump old SD masters on streaming as filler.

Mr. Accident was produced by G2 Films/United Artists, which puts it at MGM worldwide. It does have a HD master ready to go and considering all the other MGM owned bizarre/Z-Grade stuff labels put out, would be a prime canditate for BD.

[levcore]

a bit off topic but what does Paul Hogan do for money? The successes of Crocodile Dundee are many decades ago and he only seems to crop in a few things here and there over the years, yet appears to live very comfortably in a big house in LA. Same for his ex wife i guess, both are actors you didn't really see a huge amount of outside of crocodile dundee.

[Gaffer]

Originally Posted by levcore

a bit off topic but what does Paul Hogan do for money? The successes of Crocodile Dundee are many decades ago and he only seems to crop in a few things here and there over the years, yet appears to live very comfortably in a big house in LA. Same for his ex wife i guess, both are actors you didn't really see a huge amount of outside of crocodile dundee.

No one knows for certain how much he made from Crocodile Dundee but its rumoured to be over $100 million so he never has to work again.

[PT Ryan]

Originally Posted by Gaffer

No one knows for certain how much he made from Crocodile Dundee but its rumoured to be over $100 million so he never has to work again.

Probably got lots of investments as well.

[levcore]

Originally Posted by Gaffer

No one knows for certain how much he made from Crocodile Dundee but its rumoured to be over $100 million so he never has to work again.

Thanks, that's crazy but would explain it.

[Aunt Peg]

I saw attended an industry screening of Young Eienstien in the mid 80's (1986? maybe). Never heard of the film again until a couple of years later and that it had been extensively reedited. That version went on to be a big hit.

The version I saw was warmly received but I assume Yahoo Serious must not have been satisfied with hence a reedited version was release. I never bothered to see the reedited version but it would be good if ever it gets released to have both versions.

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by Gaffer

No one knows for certain how much he made from Crocodile Dundee but its rumoured to be over $100 million so he never has to work again.

It's all rather involved.

He was a tax exile in the US for decades after funnelling - with the assistance of a shady operator - a load of the profits from Crocodile Dundee into offshore accounts, away from the eyes of the Australian tax office. This was a sum estimated by authorities at around $150m, but the guy who masterminded the whole thing turned out to be Australia's biggest tax-fraud artist, and his confiscated laptop blew the lid on Hogan's hidden cash. He scarpered from authorities, stealing $34m from Hogan's Swiss bank account as he did so.

Once the tax office were through with Hogan (they came to an "arrangement" in 2012) he was reportedly down "tens of millions", according to someone who worked on the case. Just after this came the divorce from Linda Kozlowski, costing him a further $6m+.

When you add all that up, he is probably very comfortable, but by no means the super-rich guy he was.

[PT Ryan]

Originally Posted by Aunt Peg

I saw attended an industry screening of Young Eienstien in the mid 80's (1986? maybe). Never heard of the film again until a couple of years later and that it had been extensively reedited. That version went on to be a big hit.

The version I saw was warmly received but I assume Yahoo Serious must not have been satisfied with hence a reedited version was release. I never bothered to see the reedited version but it would be good if ever it gets released to have both versions.

I only learned about this a few months ago while reading David Stratton’s The Avocado Plantation. I think the reshoots were funded directly by Village Roadshow or Warners. Would be great to see that original cut one day.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Another theory going around about Crocodile Dundee is that Paul Hogan had 35mm prints of both cuts in his possession. Not sure if he still has them in his possession, considering all the tax stuff he was involved in and owed to the Australian government, but it's possible these were the incomplete ones NSFA were "given" and currently have.

[eddyw78]

Originally Posted by PT Ryan

For the sake of completeness, I have both the US Blu-Ray and the Australian DVD, which is better than nothing (and the American edits are very obvious). The NFSA holds 35mm materials for both versions of the film, so at least that's a starting point if they chose to remaster the original cut.

Does anyone know if the Deagostini Classic Australian Movie Collection DVD has the Australian cut of the film?