Kingdom of Heaven--theatrical or director's cut? - Blu-ray Forum

repete66211 · 10-01-2009, 09:40 PM

I'm adding this movie to my Netflix queue (pronounced "kwee" according to a friend of mine) and I see there are two versions. Normally I would opt for the newer, "better" version, but since Director's Cuts are often just longer movies without the additional of any real substance I thought I'd ask the Blu-ray.com community.

Thoughts?

lojack1976 · 10-01-2009, 09:57 PM

Do yourself a favor and skip the theatrical cut. The director's cut is much better. There are just way too many holes in the theatrical version. There are many scenes that don't even make a lot of sense since so much was cut out. The director's cut is a much more detailed story. Its almost like watching two different movies.

repete66211 · 10-01-2009, 11:12 PM

Thanks lojack. We'll do.

Jeremy1983 · 10-01-2009, 11:21 PM

I would also recommend the Director's Cut of this film. Generally, I prefer the Director's Cuts, as this version was the directors original intent without studio interference/time constraints, but pass on the Extended Cuts, which is just a longer version repackaged by the studio for double-dips. Obviously there are some exceptions.

Also, queue is pronounced like the letter "Q"

Moviefan1203 · 10-01-2009, 11:51 PM

Ridley Scotts directors cut is leaps and bounds better than the theatrical cut. I think it's a prime example of a studio not allowing the director to make the film the way he wants. These directors are hired make films, let them do their jobs.

Blu Myers · 10-02-2009, 12:06 AM

Never has there been a movie that was leaps and bound better by the director's cut than KOH. It changed a mediocre movie into a masterpiece imo. Do yourself a huge favor and go with the dc.

BigFoot · 10-02-2009, 08:28 AM

Definitely watch the DC, it is a much much better film.

Lord_Lemon · 10-02-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leem6453

Never has there been a movie that was leaps and bound better by the director's cut than KOH. It changed a mediocre movie into a masterpiece imo. Do yourself a huge favor and go with the dc.

I agree. Theatrical cut was just "meh". DC felt like a different movie altogether -- so much better.

sbjork · 10-02-2009, 10:31 AM

It is worth noting that both versions are really "Director's cuts." No one forced Scott to trim the theatrical version. That said, the longer version is indeed his preferred cut in the absence of time restraints, and it is indeed a vastly superior version of the film. I would recommend skipping the theatrical version entirely at this point and sticking to the longer version.

Ridley Scott is a very interesting director when it comes to this kind of thing. The original theatrical versions of Blade Runner and Legend, while significantly altered from the films as intended and tested, are nevertheless his "director's cuts." In both cases, he made the alterations himself, based on suggestions from the studio. Scott has stated that he considers the studios to be his partners, not the enemy. After all, they are the ones putting up the money to make the film. Nevertheless, he has had second thoughts about some of these alterations, which has led to the later releases. The nice thing about the modern world of home video is that you can have both versions available.

Geezer00003 · 10-02-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leem6453

Never has there been a movie that was leaps and bound better by the director's cut than KOH. It changed a mediocre movie into a masterpiece imo. Do yourself a huge favor and go with the dc.

Well said, I agree.

Mr.White · 10-02-2009, 11:23 AM

The dir cut. is the much better cut and is the one that should heve been released in theaters. Yes it is over 3 hrs. but it's SO much better. The blu-ray has great PQ & audio and the only film related extra is the trailer for the film. Buy this blu-ray for the great quality film, and it's now affordable to boot!

sfmarine · 10-02-2009, 11:34 AM

I hated KOH until I saw the DC!

SillyMammo · 10-02-2009, 12:14 PM

Director's cut all the way. The DC actually adds plot threads that were completely removed from the theatrical version.

Cisco in HD · 10-02-2009, 05:56 PM

I agree with the consensus so far, DC all the way. It's a better, fuller movie than the theatrical cut.

Chordata · 10-02-2009, 05:56 PM

Directors Cut. It adds so much more context to the story. It's a little longer, but it's worth it.

bandit29 · 10-02-2009, 06:14 PM

Another vote for the Directors Cut. Long movie though

Fighter · 10-02-2009, 06:41 PM

I love long epic movies...but man, I just couldn't get into this one. It felt very uneven, like it jumped around a lot, without having smooth editing...that's just me, my friends love the film....that's cool

Though I'm totally obsessed with Ridley's Scott's 'Blade Runner' and 'Alien'

Masterpieces!

Lord_Stewie · 10-02-2009, 07:06 PM

The Director's Cut is much better, and its more explaining/detailed storywise. Just make sure you have a good 4-5 hours of nothing to do.

jeffm2016 · 07-10-2021, 02:24 AM

Does the ultimate edition pretty much have everything? If anything is missing what edition is it?

Alister_M · 07-10-2021, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffm2016

Does the ultimate edition pretty much have everything? If anything is missing what edition is it?

The UE BD has everything except the Interactive Production Grid from the 2-disc theatrical DVD.

10-01-2009, 09:40 PM	#1
repete66211 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Kansas City area Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:196 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	Kingdom of Heaven--theatrical or director's cut? I'm adding this movie to my Netflix queue (pronounced "kwee" according to a friend of mine) and I see there are two versions. Normally I would opt for the newer, "better" version, but since Director's Cuts are often just longer movies without the additional of any real substance I thought I'd ask the Blu-ray.com community. Thoughts? Last edited by repete66211; 10-01-2009 at 09:44 PM.

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10-01-2009, 09:57 PM	#2
lojack1976 Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2008 Location:7 Cities, VA Home Theater Gallery:62 Blu-ray collection:203	Do yourself a favor and skip the theatrical cut. The director's cut is much better. There are just way too many holes in the theatrical version. There are many scenes that don't even make a lot of sense since so much was cut out. The director's cut is a much more detailed story. Its almost like watching two different movies.

10-01-2009, 11:12 PM	#3
repete66211 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Kansas City area Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:196 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	Thanks lojack. We'll do.

10-01-2009, 11:21 PM	#4
Jeremy1983 Senior Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Laguna Beach, CA Blu-ray collection:140 Trading Score:4	I would also recommend the Director's Cut of this film. Generally, I prefer the Director's Cuts, as this version was the directors original intent without studio interference/time constraints, but pass on the Extended Cuts, which is just a longer version repackaged by the studio for double-dips. Obviously there are some exceptions. Also, queue is pronounced like the letter "Q"

10-01-2009, 11:51 PM	#5
Moviefan1203 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Pennsylvania, USA Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:45	Ridley Scotts directors cut is leaps and bounds better than the theatrical cut. I think it's a prime example of a studio not allowing the director to make the film the way he wants. These directors are hired make films, let them do their jobs.

10-02-2009, 12:06 AM	#6
Blu Myers Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Haddonfield, IL Home Theater Gallery:17 4K collection:37 Blu-ray collection:655 Digital collection:10 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:108	Never has there been a movie that was leaps and bound better by the director's cut than KOH. It changed a mediocre movie into a masterpiece imo. Do yourself a huge favor and go with the dc.

10-02-2009, 08:28 AM	#7
BigFoot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Slovenia (EU) Home Theater Gallery:20 4K collection:77 Blu-ray collection:484 DVD collection:299	Definitely watch the DC, it is a much much better film.

10-02-2009, 10:31 AM	#9
sbjork Active Member Member since:Oct 2008	It is worth noting that both versions are really "Director's cuts." No one forced Scott to trim the theatrical version. That said, the longer version is indeed his preferred cut in the absence of time restraints, and it is indeed a vastly superior version of the film. I would recommend skipping the theatrical version entirely at this point and sticking to the longer version. Ridley Scott is a very interesting director when it comes to this kind of thing. The original theatrical versions of Blade Runner and Legend, while significantly altered from the films as intended and tested, are nevertheless his "director's cuts." In both cases, he made the alterations himself, based on suggestions from the studio. Scott has stated that he considers the studios to be his partners, not the enemy. After all, they are the ones putting up the money to make the film. Nevertheless, he has had second thoughts about some of these alterations, which has led to the later releases. The nice thing about the modern world of home video is that you can have both versions available.

10-02-2009, 11:23 AM	#11
Mr.White Banned Member since:Jan 2009 Blu-ray collection:502 Blu-ray reviews:29	The dir cut. is the much better cut and is the one that should heve been released in theaters. Yes it is over 3 hrs. but it's SO much better. The blu-ray has great PQ & audio and the only film related extra is the trailer for the film. Buy this blu-ray for the great quality film, and it's now affordable to boot!

10-02-2009, 11:34 AM	#12
sfmarine Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Swan Station aDdIcTeD 2 LOST PSN:U5MC51473 Home Theater Gallery:18 4K collection:931 Blu-ray collection:2312 DVD collection:276 MA collection:461 Digital collection:492 iTunes collection:534 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:43	I hated KOH until I saw the DC!

10-02-2009, 12:14 PM	#13
SillyMammo Expert Member Member since:Aug 2008 4K collection:426 Blu-ray collection:1086 Trading Score:2	Director's cut all the way. The DC actually adds plot threads that were completely removed from the theatrical version.

10-02-2009, 05:56 PM	#14
Cisco in HD Senior Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:West Palm Beach, FL Trading Score:3	I agree with the consensus so far, DC all the way. It's a better, fuller movie than the theatrical cut.

10-02-2009, 05:56 PM	#15
Chordata Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Home of N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys Blu-ray collection:75 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	Directors Cut. It adds so much more context to the story. It's a little longer, but it's worth it.

10-02-2009, 06:14 PM	#16
bandit29 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Chicago, IL Blu-ray collection:88 DVD collection:17 MA collection:3 Digital collection:117 Prime collection:1	Another vote for the Directors Cut. Long movie though

10-02-2009, 06:41 PM	#17
Fighter Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Oct 2009 Location:☣☣☣☣☣ Blu-ray collection:14	I love long epic movies...but man, I just couldn't get into this one. It felt very uneven, like it jumped around a lot, without having smooth editing...that's just me, my friends love the film....that's cool Though I'm totally obsessed with Ridley's Scott's 'Blade Runner' and 'Alien' Masterpieces!

10-02-2009, 07:06 PM	#18
Lord_Stewie Blu-ray Baron Member since:May 2007 Blu-ray collection:396 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	The Director's Cut is much better, and its more explaining/detailed storywise. Just make sure you have a good 4-5 hours of nothing to do.

07-10-2021, 02:24 AM	#19
jeffm2016 Active Member Member since:Sep 2016 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:64	Does the ultimate edition pretty much have everything? If anything is missing what edition is it?

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