Was 'The Abyss: Special Edition' finished to 35mm?

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Stan of Vegas

THE ABYSS was finished on film. James Cameron wanted that because the extended version of "Aliens" was only finished on video. At the time (1991) there was no way of projecting the extended version of "Aliens" witch is why the SE of "Aliens" was never shown theatrically prior to its home video release. (With todays technology that is no longer a problem) James Cameron wanted extended version of "The Abyss" to have a theatrical life. That is why it was finished on film.

I think there's a disclaimer of sorts (explanation is probably a better word) in the laserdisc liner notes for why there's a frame "skip" in-between the new footage and older cut of The Abyss SE...funny thing is, I didn't really notice it opening night of the SE's theatrical run, but if you point them out, then I'm looking for them, and sure enough, those tiny little blips are there...the result of the splices to add the new footage.