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With Independence Day just around the corner, I wanted to start a completely new thread on that notorious patriotic musical: 1776. I know a lot of people here (including myself) like to have an annual viewing of the film on or around July 4th to get into the spirit, and with the 50th anniversary edition having been released (which now brings all 4 versions of the film together), I wanted to come here and ask: what is everyone's preferred cut of the film? Do you have a cut you consider to be the "definitive" cut? If so, do you watch different cuts for different times/ocassions?
The cut that I consider to be definitive is the 2015 "Extended Cut" that was put together for the Blu-ray release, primarily because all of the songs are featured in their entirety, and the sound and picture quality are absolutely stunning considering the history the film has been through. I watch this version just about every year, but I appreciate the other three cuts for different reasons, and will watch them on occasion.
Original Theatrical cut - being the shortest cut of them all, this is the version I like to watch when I want to sit down and watch the movie, but I don't feel I have quite the attention span to watch the almost 3 hour version. The picture and sound are great on the recent Blu-ray release (although it is only mono), and some editing choices seem very awkward to me compared to later cuts of the film.
'92 LaserDisc cut - Again, not the best sound or audio quality compared to the other cuts, but is always fun to watch for the overture and intermission music. Still prefer Extended cut over this one.
'02 Director's Cut - This is the version I typically show to friends and family who have never seen the show/film. It still runs quite longer than the original theatrical cut, but I feel that the inclusion of "Cool Considerate Men" is something that can't be passed up when introducing someone to this musical.
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The new Blu Ray release contains the two cuts from 2015 with the added bonus of the 72 theatrical cut (useless) and the 91 Laser Disc cut.
You will likely prefer for best overall picture quality the "extended" cut from the official release which has all the songs intact with no quality shift like in the LD cut. The LD cut has the added Overture/Entr'acte not in any other version and also from an aesthetic standpoint has the beautiful underscore in the John-Abigail scene prior to "Compliments" that Hunt removed for both 2015 cuts shorter and extended. If you don't mind those being absent, then the "Extended" cut is the best way to go. I would though insist on listening to the Hunt-Joe Caps commentary track on the LD cut version as it is far and away the best of the three commentaries available.
The version I always watch is a fan-created combination of the "director's cut" and the LD cut. Only four minutes of material is low quality picture (some of which could be improved if I did a new version sourcing the "extended" cut) and it gives me the Overture etc. and the critical underscoring moments.
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