Payback (1999) (Director's Cut)

[MassiveMovieBuff]

It's weird. I preferred the director's cut ever since it came out but after a couple more viewings of the theatrical cut (which I hadn't seen since it first came out on video in 1999) I think I prefer it slightly more. I love both versions bottom line though. I really dig the cobalt blue tint on the theatrical cut as well.

[DukeTogo84]

Just got the U.K. version with the theatrical, and have the say, the PQ wasn't all that great compared to the Director's Cut. While I think the theatrical is a much more entertaining experience, I do it needs to be remastered as it almost looks like an upscaled DVD or something.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Just got the U.K. version with the theatrical, and have the say, the PQ wasn't all that great compared to the Director's Cut. While I think the theatrical is a much more entertaining experience, I do it needs to be remastered as it almost looks like an upscaled DVD or something.

This was actually brought up a while ago a couple/few pages back. I'm on the end of the spectrum that agrees it could be improved but is a basically a good transfer.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

This was actually brought up a while ago a couple/few pages back. I'm on the end of the spectrum that agrees it could be improved but is a basically a good transfer.

Yeah, looking at it some more it's not as based as I initially thought, but I think it could be improved. I think it has to do a lot with the color as the Directors Cut seems to have a lot more detail due to the color.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Yeah, looking at it some more it's not as based as I initially thought, but I think it could be improved. I think it has to do a lot with the color as the Directors Cut seems to have a lot more detail due to the color.

Yeah comparing the two versions can make it tricky due to the grittier/grainier look of the director's cut along with the blue tint and softer look of the theatrical making the theatrical look worse than it really is. They really are basically two different films pretty much.

[edmonddantes]

Liked the director's cut, he's so mean in this, almost to the point of caricature. Definitely a better movie than the theatrical release, and it looks so much better. Think the only thing the theatrical has over the DC is Chris Boardman's music, which is more preponderant. The story in the DC, being considerably shorter, has a couple of holes, but overall is a great shout to the late 60s-early 70s hard hitting urban thrillers with lee marvin and gene hackman.

found funny how the director cut has very little makeup in the actors and actresses and you can see so many skin imperfections that you aren't used to seeing in a big Hollywood product. I mean that happens in plenty of BD and particularly 4k (lost highway), HD exposes skin imperfections for sure, but I thought it was much more evident in this.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Any other fans of the Parker novels around here?

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Just got the U.K. version with the theatrical, and have the say, the PQ wasn't all that great compared to the Director's Cut. While I think the theatrical is a much more entertaining experience, I do it needs to be remastered as it almost looks like an upscaled DVD or something.

I liked the cool look of the theatrical version.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by slimdude

I liked the cool look of the theatrical version.

[cheez avenger]

Straight Up edition is my favorite cut. A 4K disc would be epic. Let them do a 4K two-pack.

[Gunsnroses092789]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Straight Up edition is my favorite cut. A 4K disc would be epic. Let them do a 4K two-pack.

Yeah, this is in my top 3 for 4K UHD upgrades. The straight up director's cut, please. I could do without the theatrical cut.

Originally Posted by hanshotfirst1138

Any other fans of the Parker novels around here?

Me. I've read The Hunter 3 times, as well as The Man With The Getaway Face and The Outfit.

[Streamingsux]

Vastly prefer the theatrical version. Admittedly for reasons that have more to do with entertainment value than artistic merit..

[Jorvic]

This is a slightly unfair comparison because the last time I watched the Theatrical version was many years ago – but watched the Director's Cut very recently for the first time and think I prefer it to the Theatrical because the play on the noir conventions feels more apparent, giving it a clearer intention and identity. Perhaps the ending is better too.

[DukeTogo84]

I think I like the theatrical more as it's more entertaining overall, while the director's cut is probably the better film overall. I wouldn't be surprised if Kino picked this up and that we might get a 4K release.

[Markgway]

Theatrical cut is the one for me.

[Gunsnroses092789]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I think I like the theatrical more as it's more entertaining overall, while the director's cut is probably the better film overall. I wouldn't be surprised if Kino picked this up and that we might get a 4K release.

Fair assessment. I strongly prefer the director's cut, but I can definitely see people finding the theatrical more exciting.

And Kino picking this up for 4K would be a dream come true. I kind of doubt it unless it has a pre-existing 4K HDR master though.

[soaptrail]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Theatrical cut is the one for me.

I heard about the directors cut and was super excited when it came out. I bought it on DVD and watched it and realized it was not for me and I love the theatrical much more. This might be the only movie I say that for.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Gunsnroses092789

And Kino picking this up for 4K would be a dream come true. I kind of doubt it unless it has a pre-existing 4K HDR master though.

I wonder how the director's cut was assembled. There has to be an article from back in the day explaining the workflow. It wasn't that long ago...

[Gunsnroses092789]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

I wonder how the director's cut was assembled. There has to be an article from back in the day explaining the workflow. It wasn't that long ago...

I believe it says on a special feature on the Blu-ray. I think it was done on film, not a DI, but I can't say if it was done with the negative or an interpositive, or what elements exactly.

[Hombre1]

Theatrical cut is the one for me. Thats def. the better one!