7-30-02 Latest News

Heavenly Creatures DVD debate continues.....
Lewman @ 5:23 pm EST

Well just read this on www.aintitcoolnews.com

Hi,

Someone showed me your article about the original pan&scan announcement of Heavenly Creatures.

Unfortunately, the 2.35:1 letterboxing is the most minor issue (and actually a controversial one since the film was originally made in 1.66:1) with the upcoming release of Heavenly Creatures on DVD, since the film was heavily censored my Miramax before it's release in the US and several other countries!

In case you weren't already aware, there are several problems with the Miramax *edited* versions of Heavenly Creatures:

Heavenly Creatures was originally released in New Zealand to much critical acclaim at a length of 108 minutes.

After it was shown uncut in just a few other countries, Miramax purchased distribution rights to most fo the rest of the world, but made Peter Jackson remove 9 minutes from the original version because they were "too Brittish for American audiences". However, there were several other edits made to censor content Miramax/Disney thought was not suitable for general audiences, including violence to clay people, more dream sequences, and even the final shot of the film was removed, significantly changing the effect of the ending!

Miramax did later allow Peter Jackson to restore 3 of the 9 removed minutes to the UK release only, so there are actually 3 different cuts of the film in existance now... (The "workprint" version is just the original New Zealand uncut version with a timecode on it used to make the US edits...)

As for the aspect ratio, the film was shot in 1.66:1, and matted to 2.35:1 for theatrical releases, but the matte was opened for home video releases in all countries other than the US/Canada - we got a Pan&scan of the already matted 2.35:1 image, so we missed almost 3/4 of the original image on video (as did the Canadian DVD)

The ideal presentation of Heavenly Creatures will be open matte 16:9 enhanced 1.66:1 with matting via subtitles (as was done very nicely on Pioneer's Bride of Re-Animator DVD) with a seamless branching presentation of all 3 versions of the film.

Unless they clearly state otherwise, I believe that Miramax unfortunately intends to release only the most edited version, and not even include the cut scenes and shots as extras on the DVD.

however, I think only a serious letter writing campaign has any chance of succeeding unfortunately, but you never know...

-GregorM

Well what do you guys think? This is turning into quite a dilemna. Now the way I see it is that Miramax will no doubt release HC in the US version. I remember seeing HC for the first time at the cinema a few years back, the ratio was incorrect and it was the US cut. After being so used to the UK cut, I remember watching it and yelping when i saw some of my faviourte scenes had been cut out! I don't want this to happen again when I see HC on DVD for the first time.

So what can we do? Well to be honest unless we break into Miramax, pin down Harvey Weinstein, point a gun at his head and say 'Harvey give me a seamless branching, correct ratio, dolby 5.1 version of Heavenly Creatures now! Or say goodbye to mr.left testicle' We havent got a hope in hell.

BUT what has helped in the past are signature campaigns. So I urge you all to go visit this link and put your name down.

Its worth a shit at least, even if the current DVD gets released maybe theres hope of a later SE of Heavenly Creatures. Here's hoping!