Extremely Scary Thought: Can Streaming Video Companies Edit Movies!?!?

[Alan Gordon]

What's worse, digital streaming can even touch you in your bathing suit area without your consent.

[avs commenter]

I'm literally shaking right now thinking about how a movie I bought on Itunes for $9.99 might at some point in the future be slightly different than when I originally watched it.

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

I'm literally shaking right now thinking about how a movie I bought on Itunes for $9.99 might at some point in the future be slightly different than when I originally watched it.

Counterpoint: Forces of Nature still uses the old dirty master even when it finally debuted on Paramount+ today and Broken Arrow is stereo only on iTunes despite the French dub being in 5.1 surround. Movies Anywhere has the stereo version of Broken Arrow too.

So unless a studio/distributor actually makes an effort, like Disney does, you really have nothing to be afraid of.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

I just encountered something like this the other day but it's in regards to a CD. I bought The Essential Cypress Hill release at a used record store near me and the songs on the actual CDs are the uncensored versions but the digital copy is the censored versions. Very scary indeed especially when you consider the state that CDs are in today. I'm a physical media person through and through.

Kevin Smith said it best on his Clerks III UHD/BD intro. "What are you going to do when the cloud ain't there one day?"

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

Kevin Smith said it best on his Clerks III UHD/BD intro. "What are you going to do when the cloud ain't there one day?"

Get a sunburn.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

Get a sunburn.

Getting burned is definitely a good way to put it.

[Spyder550]

Studios can edit or censor digital movies just like they have also done so with physical media. Not all physical forms of media contain the original or theatrical release.

From my own experience with digital, I haven't come across anything edited. What I have seen are studios add a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie stating that it may contain sensitive content, for example, the blackface musical number in Holiday Inn is untouched. I can assume that if a studio chooses to leave blackface intact, they likely won't intentionally alter other films. It seems like the bar has been set. I can't speak to the blackface scenes in The Office being removed. I'm unsure if they are removed from purchased digital versions or on just on subscription streaming sites.

Digital stores contain multiple version of films like, theatrical, unrated, director's cut, extended cuts, final cuts, etc. Regardless of format, studios will censor as they see fit. When Disney altered physical media releases of The Lion King, The Rescuers and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, didn't bother me; their actions were justified IMO.

[Verisimilitude1984]

Sadly as others have already said, yes, they own it and can do what they want. Censorship being the driving issue. Just look at Disney and examples like Splash. You can't see Daryl Hannah's bottom anymore!

[sandman slim]

Originally Posted by Engage

Hey guys, this has been on my mind so much that I haven't been using my streaming video accounts even though I'm paying for it.

And then...

I'm not paranoid or anything...

Uhm... Who wants to tell him?

[ps3bd_owner]

Yes, for example on YouTube publishers/managers/creators can simply update their videos without reuploading it.

That sometimes is great when they replace SD footage with a HD remaster.

YouTube

While other times, they can replace with inferior quality or censor it.

Welcome to the Digital Era. You'll Own Nothing, and Be Happy. (:

[CivilTwilight]

Sure you could rip your disc but you can even more easily download your Itunes purchases if that's the route you want to take. When you buy a digital copy, you keep that movie even if it gets delisted from the storefront. I guess technically your purchase is replaced after it gets upgraded. However, it's very rare for me to want to own more than one version of a movie. The majority of the time, I'm happy to own a definitive version but when that isn't possible, the option still exists to buy the film in different formats. I already own multiple copies of all my favorites on DVD or blu ray. Most of them are either extended or alternate cuts, have special features, different aspect ratios, color timing, etc.

Generally the way I see it is that physical copies are for fans who like to watch their favorite films over and over again while digital caters mostly to those with widespread tastes who are more willing to take a chance on a random title. With physical, you also have a minority who collect from a particular label, but I found that to be a too expensive hobby for me. It's wild to me that so many classics haven't been released on any high def physical format yet a ton of z grade horror gets the deluxe treatment from these independent labels. Not to disparage those films in any way as I purchased quite a few of them during the last Arrow sale on Itunes.

I've discovered many great and unique films in my digital collecting that I never would have otherwise so for me it's been a win. In addition, I'm still supporting a format that allows the customer more control than the alternative of subscription services and exposing myself to films that are unlikely to get a disc release.

[CatBus]

Originally Posted by CivilTwilight

Generally the way I see it is that physical copies are for fans who like to watch their favorite films over and over again while digital caters mostly to those with widespread tastes who are more willing to take a chance on a random title.

IMO you're describing the same person dealing with different films. If you have broad tastes and want to take a chance on a random title, digital purchases are actually not your first stop -- streaming is. Then if you like it enough for more than one viewing, you buy it -- digital or physical.

Only if the streaming experience is so poor that you'd rather buy a bad movie than stream it would most people jump straight to purchasing/blind buys. But, to be fair, there ARE some streaming services that I'd describe that way.

[CivilTwilight]

Originally Posted by CatBus

IMO you're describing the same person dealing with different films. If you have broad tastes and want to take a chance on a random title, digital purchases are actually not your first stop -- streaming is. Then if you like it enough for more than one viewing, you buy it -- digital or physical.

Only if the streaming experience is so poor that you'd rather buy a bad movie than stream it would most people jump straight to purchasing/blind buys. But, to be fair, there ARE some streaming services that I'd describe that way.

That's certainly applies to a lot of people. However, I find it rather inconvenient to be subscribed to so many streaming services where the rights can lapse at any moment. I rather watch what I want when it's convenient for me. There's also the case that many new releases don't end up on any streaming services for months if at all.

That said, I am subscribed to a few streaming services mostly for the exclusive content. However it's becoming so fractured, I just wish that the titles would be available to rent or purchase rather than launching on some random service.

[Undeadcow]

It's also possible that digital content could be updated for the better with a new remaster, better sound, added bonus features, or even legit superior content tweaks.

[Liquid_Swords]

Originally Posted by Undeadcow

It's also possible that digital content could be updated for the better with a new remaster, better sound, added bonus features, or even legit superior content tweaks.

I read somewhere about that. Maybe it was Kaleidescape. Could be wrong though.

[WonkaBedknobs83]

The second movie in my username is the answer to your question: a resounding "yes."

[nickg]

Can and will, if they arent already. its not surprising, they can just edit out any 'objectionable' parts from the streaming service if need be. add in "disclaimers",even if its one you bought to stream(ie from vudU) nothing is stopping them. only way to make sure you version you love is always there for you is to buy it physically and make backupd

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by nickg

Can and will, if they arent already. its not surprising, they can just edit out any 'objectionable' parts from the streaming service if need be. add in "disclaimers",even if its one you bought to stream(ie from vudU) nothing is stopping them. only way to make sure you version you love is always there for you is to buy it physically and make backupd

I said it before: Disney already replaced the US Lilo & Stitch 2 packs with new pressings that have the UK cut of Lilo & Stitch.

Physical can be changed too and in a lot of cases, you won’t know these changes happened. The Executive Decision Blu-ray is slightly altered compared to the DVD.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit has had numerous alterations over the years on Laserdisc, VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K disc. The only way to get the original version is on Laserdisc at this point.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

I said it before: Disney already replaced the US Lilo & Stitch 2 packs with new pressings that have the UK cut of Lilo & Stitch.

Physical can be changed too and in a lot of cases, you won’t know these changes happened. The Executive Decision Blu-ray is slightly altered compared to the DVD.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit has had numerous alterations over the years on Laserdisc, VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K disc. The only way to get the original version is on Laserdisc at this point.

What's wrong with Executive Decision?

[jmb1381]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

What's wrong with Executive Decision?

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=2965833