Don Siegel's Directors Cut of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is sans the framing scenes (plus the added narration). Originally released at 80 minutes, this rare version (if it still exists) is 76 minutes, deleting the studio-imposed prologue and epilogue. What was a very good film at its longer running time is a masterpiece in Siegel's version.
Never heard of this one before. Thanks !
The opening and ending sequences and the narration were added to the film at the insistence of the studio, and were shot a few months after principal photography was completed. According to a 1969 Films and Filming article, Siegel claimed that Allied Artists studio heads also wanted to edit out some other moments from the film, but it is unclear whether this was done.
Don Siegel's Directors Cut of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is sans the framing scenes (plus the added narration). Originally released at 80 minutes, this rare version (if it still exists) is 76 minutes, deleting the studio-imposed prologue and epilogue. What was a very good film at its longer running time is a masterpiece in Siegel's version.
Never heard of this one before. Thanks !
The opening and ending sequences and the narration were added to the film at the insistence of the studio, and were shot a few months after principal photography was completed. According to a 1969 Films and Filming article, Siegel claimed that Allied Artists studio heads also wanted to edit out some other moments from the film, but it is unclear whether this was done.
It's worth remembering this story about David Lean during the restoration of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. He was trimming one shot (among many), and an assistant objected, "That's a beautiful shot." "Yes," Lean answered, "but this film is full of beautiful shots. The important thing is to keep the story moving." Lean, of course, was a master cutter long before he started to direct.
