Nightbreed: The Director's Cut (1990) (Limited Edition - SOLD OUT)

[Bumblefeet]

Originally Posted by Blu MacReady

sounds like we're getting two very different films in this set and if the DC isn't as good as expected then this is the only way to have the TC, which is a great movie.....I guess the reason most here have wanted either/both on blu, being a fan of the TC

Well it's a case of liking an existing movie already and hoping the new version will make it even better. I can compare it to Dark City, of which I really liked the theatrical cut, but once I saw the director's cut I discovered a better movie. It's not always the case but something tells me that Barker's original intent will be an improvement. If not, it will still be great to have both as well as all the material that didn't make it etc.

[Blu MacReady]

Originally Posted by Bumblefeet

Well it's a case of liking an existing movie already and hoping the new version will make it even better. I can compare it to Dark City, of which I really liked the theatrical cut, but once I saw the director's cut I discovered a better movie. It's not always the case but something tells me that Barker's original intent will be an improvement. If not, it will still be great to have both as well as all the material that didn't make it etc.

I was the same with a Dark City.

I'm expecting the Nightbreed DC to be better, I'm just aiming to be helpful and remind those who like this film and mention cancelling the 3 disc to be aware, the movie they like is only included in the 3disc set.

As you say, not all DCs are a certain better movie. This isn't just an extra scene at the beginning to flesh out a character more, like Lethal Weapon. This is a complete reworking and ending.

[balthazar_bee]

Maybe it's been too long since I've seen Nightbreed, but this line in Dread Central's review just cracked me up:

[Show spoiler]

I do have one very minor qualm, though: there’s a weird edit at the end, when Lylesburg is preparing to release the Berserkers and one of the plaid-clad yokels pops his noggin with a rifle shot.

If revisiting this movie is half as rewarding as reading this sentence, I'm going to love this set.

[Mr. Thomsen]

I initially pre-ordered the LE with a 'better safe than sorry' mindset, as I have never been a big fan of the theatrical cut. But I must say these early reviews have gotten me all excited! Can't wait for Amazon to ship it out.

[DirkUSA]

Originally Posted by Undeadcow

Oh man is that a good point, what the hell? I knew something was fishy about this set and that just confirms it. I am so pissed right now.

[atamo]

Originally Posted by Bumblefeet

This isn't an assembly cut like they did for Alien 3, Nightbreed is a director's cut meaning that Barker decided to leave out stuff he was obviously forced to put in with the theatrical, and restore and expand scenes that got cut.

Although Fincher was not involved with Alien 3, that is not a great example, because Alien 3 replaces some of the theatrical footage with alternate takes (the alien's birth), so is actually closer to what is being done with Nightbreed, just not director approved - it is more or less what Fincher was doing until the studio stepped in. Lethal Weapon "Director's Cut" is an example of a film where they just added deleted scenes back in for the sake of a re-release.

As for the term "Director's Cut", many people just think it means the same as extended version, but there are several examples where the director's cut is shorter: Alien and Picnic at Hanging Rock immediately come to mind.

[Hek_qwerr]

just finished paying mine off on amazon

[dlbsyst]

I can think of two examples of movies that did not benefit from a director's cut. Alien and Amadeus were better in their original Theatrical versions IMO.

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by Bumblefeet

This isn't an assembly cut like they did for Alien 3, Nightbreed is a director's cut meaning that Barker decided to leave out stuff he was obviously forced to put in with the theatrical, and restore and expand scenes that got cut.

I watched the new DC over the weekend. Personally, I can't imagine why anyone would want an "assembly cut" that runs over 2.5 hours -- by all accounts the Cabal Cut was way too long. They also threw every scrap of film from the theatrical re-shoots and Barker's original together so it would've been incredibly bloated. Even at a full 2 hours this version feels a little bit long to me, but it's still a much better film than the theatrical cut in every way. The tone of the film is different, characterizations are clearer and make more sense, the focus of the film is on the monsters instead of David Cronenberg's character. You really see how much the studio disliked the film and wanted to streamline it into more of a slasher film than a horror/fantasy type of hybrid, which is what Barker wanted.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by shamus

^^^^ seriously considering canceling the limited edition...

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Because of a really positive review???? Or do you just mean that makes it sound like there's no reason to watch the theatrical version again.

I'm sure that's what he meant. I'm thinking the same.

[atamo]

Originally Posted by dlbsyst

I can think of two examples of movies that did not benefit from a director's cut. Alien and Amadeus were better in their original Theatrical versions IMO.

In the case of Alien, although they call it a director's cut, Ridley Scott admits that it is more of a gimmick and he prefers the theatrical, which is his real director's cut.

[Jr7936]

today on deep discount.com with the 15% off coupon night breed limited can be had for 55 something which includes shipping

[Blu MacReady]

Originally Posted by dlbsyst

I can think of two examples of movies that did not benefit from a director's cut. Alien and Amadeus were better in their original Theatrical versions IMO.

A good few say a Rob Zombies Halloween TC is better.

[Blu MacReady]

Originally Posted by dlbsyst

I can think of two examples of movies that did not benefit from a director's cut. Alien and Amadeus were better in their original Theatrical versions IMO.

What about the original Star Wars trilogy? Many prefer the unaltered TCs. Has adding in scenes, changing character profiles and so on improved them?

Most fans have bought SW on blu, but crave the original unaltered.

Think there is an argument for both sides. I'd rather have it all and the choice. Plus I'd prefer to see the TC in HD and retire my DVD. But I really like the TC and those who don't like it won't want it.

[DMRI2006]

Think there is an argument for both sides.

I think there's a huge difference between a movie a director signs off on, and then later "tinkers" with -- like Amadeus, or Alien, or Apocalypse Now, or the Star Wars films -- as opposed to NIGHTBREED, where the studio damaged the film against the Director's intent.

The theatrical version might be the film viewers are familiar with -- but creatively, it's not the film Barker originally made from the very start, and the reshoots were done at the insistence of the someone else. It's always been a compromised product.

Ths NIGHTBREED is the movie he set out to make the whole time, making it a vastly different situation compared to other films where viewers might like the theatrical cut better. In other cases, the movie may have been "right" the first time and then a director changed their minds about it. Here, the film has never been shown the way Barker envisioned it. Whole different scenario.

[stvn1974]

Never had a problem with inserting back in or doing alternate takes of scenes that were originally shot at the time of the movie. Even my favorite movie, which is Blade Runner The Final Cut, used CGI to fix errors and even took a shot from another film and used it brilliantly IMO. Then you have the Star Wars films where every single added shot was pointless and is terrible. Even the Emperor change in Empire is worse for me because while the actual actor is there this time the dialogue is changed and not for the better.

[Sukie]

Originally Posted by Undeadcow

Oh man is that a good point, what the hell? I knew something was fishy about this set and that just confirms it. I am so pissed right now.

It was just that I was under the impression that the Director's Cut was going to be 40mins longer, and that it was going to look like a whole new film. My bad I guess.

[shamus]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

I'm sure that's what he meant. I'm thinking the same.

yes... sorry. Thats what I meant. Why pay so much more for the theatrical when I might never watch it.

[NoirFan]

It's weird that they haven't sold out of the poster for the deluxe edition - aren't those usually limited to 300 copies or so? They must have printed over a thousand of them, as they've sold at least 1,000 copies of the limited edition on their site.

[Bumblefeet]

Originally Posted by Sukie

It was just that I was under the impression that the Director's Cut was going to be 40mins longer, and that it was going to look like a whole new film. My bad I guess.

Don't underestimate the impact the new material will have, I'm sure scenes we were familiar with will now be a totally new experience. As for the "a whole new film", were you expecting a sequel of sorts lol? I trust the judgment of Barker and the people who put this together.