The Panic in Needle Park (1971) (Limited Edition to 3000)

[easydreamer]

The TT release includes the isolated score, which is actually the rejected score, not used in the film at all. This is a rare gem, and would be worth every penny, I guess.

More details are here:

http://www.twilighttimemovies.com/ne...-needle-park-/
http://www.twilighttimemovies.com/ne...ing-the-score/

[baheidstu]

Watched this for the first time tonight. I noticed that the blu-ray said the film was rated PG, but that posters for the film said it was rated R. Did some checking and per the MPAA website, it was edited for a re-rating in 1973. Anyone know what was (presumably) removed from this film to get the PG? I'm hoping the blu-ray contains the full version and that the PG rating is just a holdover. The film as it is, is relatively tame by today's standards but does contain some brief nudity and some other mature content such as close-up depictions of drug use.

[Val Lewton]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

Watched this for the first time tonight. I noticed that the blu-ray said the film was rated PG, but that posters for the film said it was rated R. Did some checking and per the MPAA website, it was edited for a re-rating in 1973. Anyone know what was (presumably) removed from this film to get the PG? I'm hoping the blu-ray contains the full version and that the PG rating is just a holdover. The film as it is, is relatively tame by today's standards but does contain some brief nudity and some other mature content such as close-up depictions of drug use.

This film came out in 1971, before there was a PG rating in place. Back then the ratings were G, GP, R, and X. It was given an R in '71. MPAA introduced PG in '72(back when PG actually meant parental guidance suggested). It's possible that it was resubmitted not to get a lower rating, but because the ratings system itself changed.

[ScorpionReleasing]

Originally Posted by Val Lewton

This film came out in 1971, before there was a PG rating in place. Back then the ratings were G, GP, R, and X. It was given an R in '71. MPAA introduced PG in '72(back when PG actually meant parental guidance suggested). It's possible that it was resubmitted not to get a lower rating, but because the ratings system itself changed.

actually many films back them was cut from R to get a PG so it can play in matinee showings, or schools, for wider appeal. films like this, SOLDIER BLUE, etc.

I believe despite the rating on sleeve, this is the R cut.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by Val Lewton

It's possible that it was resubmitted not to get a lower rating, but because the ratings system itself changed.

Not that its definitive, but the IMDb does say that the PG and R rated versions are two different cuts. Unspecified language and drug use was removed.

I did some quick math based on the listings on dvdcompare, the blu ray is listed as 109min, 43sec. Putting that as the film length would translate to a PAL length of 105min 20sec. The PAL DVD is 105min 9sec. That probably isn't enough time difference to make significant language cuts, so my guess would be that it's the same cut with a different distributor card at the head of it.

I'd love to find something that details the differences.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by Val Lewton

This film came out in 1971, before there was a PG rating in place. Back then the ratings were G, GP, R, and X. It was given an R in '71. MPAA introduced PG in '72(back when PG actually meant parental guidance suggested). It's possible that it was resubmitted not to get a lower rating, but because the ratings system itself changed.

The PG rating was just a rebrand of the GP rating, which was a rebrand of the M rating, so it would have received either of those instead of the R rating if your theory was correct. Thanks for playing though.

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

Not that its definitive, but the IMDb does say that the PG and R rated versions are two different cuts. Unspecified language and drug use was removed.

I did some quick math based on the listings on dvdcompare, the blu ray is listed as 109min, 43sec. Putting that as the film length would translate to a PAL length of 105min 20sec. The PAL DVD is 105min 9sec. That probably isn't enough time difference to make significant language cuts, so my guess would be that it's the same cut with a different distributor card at the head of it.

I'd love to find something that details the differences.

I would too. Like I said, I'm hoping that the bluray is uncut and that the PG rating is just a holdover from a cut version.

[thatguamguy]

More info at this link. A few people who seem pretty familiar with the film are saying that the Twilight Time disc appears uncut and the "PG" was a mistake. But then other people seem to say that it's the same cut as the DVD, which some other sources (outside of that link, I mean) suggest was cut.

https://hashed.io/c150244/the-panic-...ed-pg-even-now

Based on random things I am seeing on-line, I think it's probably the original R-rated cut, but I'm definitely not fully confident of that yet.

[thatguamguy]

BTW, did anybody else hear about the screening at the Tarantino theater earlier this year?

I have a friend who goes to the New Bev a lot who missed that double feature (with Scarecrow), but got a tweet from a friend who said "Scarecrow is running late because Tarantino showed up with Pacino to give an impromptu Q&A about Panic in Needle Park."

[Twilight Time]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

More info at this link. A few people who seem pretty familiar with the film are saying that the Twilight Time disc appears uncut and the "PG" was a mistake. But then other people seem to say that it's the same cut as the DVD, which some other sources (outside of that link, I mean) suggest was cut.

https://hashed.io/c150244/the-panic-...ed-pg-even-now

Based on random things I am seeing on-line, I think it's probably the original R-rated cut, but I'm definitely not fully confident of that yet.

The TT Blu-ray is completely uncut.

[thatguamguy]

Cool, thanks for confirming.

[TheBoss062]

This one of the few movies I think I've watched to have absolutely no musical score whatsoever, and it really shows how much of an impact music can have on a movie.

[blugremlin]

Golly....prolly pretty factual...but has to be one of the most depressing and downbeat films I ever watched...sorry-but one viewing is a-plenty for me-kudos though, for Al Pacino and Kitty Winn for their absolutely believable performances.

[Marcmovie1]

Finally watched this a few years ago. Great performances but I don't know if I'd watch it again. Really depressing. Love the poster though. It absolutely captures the bleak spirit of the movie.

[Black Sun]

I watched this for the first time last night and was very impressed. Wonderful performance by Pacino; I was really taken by how good he was in this. I haven't listened to the isolated score yet, but I think the lack of music works to this film's advantage. Chilling stuff, and much leaner and meaner than the far more popular "Midnight Cowboy" (which I also love). Not a film for everyone, but one that everyone should probably see.

Gorgeous transfer, too.

[blurayisnice]

Not a lot of enthusiasm for one of the most realistic films about drug addiction/abuse. Essential viewing for Al Pacino fans and people who love gritty drama's and "New York Stories".



Criterion should give this a proper treatment, I believe it's a perfect film for that label. The French released a nice set... unfortunately not "English friendly".

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Not a lot of enthusiasm for one of the most realistic films about drug addiction/abuse. Essential viewing for Al Pacino fans and people who love gritty drama's and "New York Stories".



Criterion should give this a proper treatment, I believe it's a perfect film for that label. The French released a nice set... unfortunately not "English friendly".

Love this brutal realistic film, one of Al’s best.

[Dailyan]

Pacino is fine but the real star, imo, is Kitty Winn.