WATCHMEN: Director's Cut or Ultimate Cut?

[radewagon]

If you like the Graphic Novel, definitely go with the ultimate cut. It does much more than just integrate Black Freighter into the story and even if it only did that, it would still be better than, as many have suggested, simply watching the black freighter by itself. In the comic, the BF is not supposed to be read separately. It is supposed to be integrated. I think it was nice of Warner to allow it to be viewed separately, but that was never really its purpose.
Also, a lot of people seem to be forgetting the most important addition to the Ultimate Cut. The life on the street segments with the two Bernies are absolutely necessary to the comic and it's nice to see some of that brought into the movie. I think the film used the doomsday clock to try and show the relative tension that was permeating the world. In the graphic novel, that tension is showed much more effectively through the dialogue of everyday people discussing world event's at Bernie's news stand. This footage, much more than the heavily publicized Black Freighter footage is what really makes the Ultimate Cut worth watching. Well, for Watchmen fans, anyway.

[dbduece]

Or you could simply use the approach I took, also known as....

HOW TO MAKE THE BESTEST, MOST ULTIMATEST VERSION OF WATCHMEN FOR UNDER 30 BUCKS...

1) Start with the 3-disc Director's Cut (<10 bucks)
2) Continue with the 5-disc Ultimate Cut DVD set new or used, whichever is cheaper....< 15 bucks usually)
3) Finish with the Motion Comic Book blu ray (5-10 bucks)

Remove discs 2 and 3 from the Director's Cut and replace them with Disc 2 from the UC set and the Motion Comic Book. Now you have the best of all possible worlds...the Maximum Mode of the DC, the generally best regarded version of Watchmen, the complete offering of features including Under the Hood (yes, they're in SD but hey, get over it), and the Motion Comic Book. The only thing missing is the Black Freighter, which, to be honest, is not that great of a loss at all.

Sell the remaining portion of the UC carcass and the other bits and pieces as a single lot on ebay as I did and recoup your expenses even more!

[karlosfunkster]

Originally Posted by radewagon

If you like the Graphic Novel, definitely go with the ultimate cut. It does much more than just integrate Black Freighter into the story and even if it only did that, it would still be better than, as many have suggested, simply watching the black freighter by itself. In the comic, the BF is not supposed to be read separately. It is supposed to be integrated. I think it was nice of Warner to allow it to be viewed separately, but that was never really its purpose.
Also, a lot of people seem to be forgetting the most important addition to the Ultimate Cut. The life on the street segments with the two Bernies are absolutely necessary to the comic and it's nice to see some of that brought into the movie. I think the film used the doomsday clock to try and show the relative tension that was permeating the world. In the graphic novel, that tension is showed much more effectively through the dialogue of everyday people discussing world event's at Bernie's news stand. This footage, much more than the heavily publicized Black Freighter footage is what really makes the Ultimate Cut worth watching. Well, for Watchmen fans, anyway.

The Ultimate Cut, is for me as a 'FAN OF THE GRAPHIC NOVEL', the best by a looooong way. The points above pretty much sum it up nicely, so thanks for that!


As a casual watcher I imagine many would be fine with the shorter cut/s. If you're a fan of the movie already, go with teh Ultimate Cut - it's the whole story.

[karlosfunkster]

Originally Posted by dbduece

Or you could simply use the approach I took, also known as....

HOW TO MAKE THE BESTEST, MOST ULTIMATEST VERSION OF WATCHMEN FOR UNDER 30 BUCKS...

1) Start with the 3-disc Director's Cut (<10 bucks)
2) Continue with the 5-disc Ultimate Cut DVD set new or used, whichever is cheaper....< 15 bucks usually)
3) Finish with the Motion Comic Book blu ray (5-10 bucks)

Remove discs 2 and 3 from the Director's Cut and replace them with Disc 2 from the UC set and the Motion Comic Book. Now you have the best of all possible worlds...the Maximum Mode of the DC, the generally best regarded version of Watchmen, the complete offering of features including Under the Hood (yes, they're in SD but hey, get over it), and the Motion Comic Book. The only thing missing is the Black Freighter, which, to be honest, is not that great of a loss at all.

Sell the remaining portion of the UC carcass and the other bits and pieces as a single lot on ebay as I did and recoup your expenses even more!

Wow! Couldn't disagree more, the Black Freighter adds an entire subtext to the film that explains the state of mind of ozymandias and at times Rorschach. It deepens the film immeasurably - BUT, as a casual fan it's wholly unnesccassary - but the 2 Bernies (everday people) element is missed.

[karlosfunkster]

Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute

Director's Cut. I have no idea why anyone would want an animation within a film...

I suggest to all the people who are fans of the film to read the Graphic Novel and then tell me there's no need for it!!

[karlosfunkster]

Originally Posted by Freekman

I have tried to justify purchasing the Ultimate Cut in the past, but at it's price, and considering I already own the Director's Cut, I can't find a good reason to purchase it. I mean, I'm a strong Watchmen fan, but after seeing The Tales of the Black Freighter (which I didn't especially like) and being disappointed that the Motion Comics were only made with one voice actor, the Director's Cut would be far much better to purchase.

If you've already bought the Directors Cut, then I can understand why you wouldn't pay again - I wouldn't either - despite my fandom. I just waited for the Ultimate Cut so I didn't have to double dip....

[eco10530]

There is a used copy of the UE on amazon for about $35 shipped! Someone grab it!

Glad to see someone bought it!