As you probably know, Hollywood movies usually don’t have the length stated in their script, or at least not according to the director’s original version.
As studios tend to cut various scenes from a film for length reasons or simply because those parts are not appealing to test audiences, the filmmakers later release their extended or director’s cut, which is the pure vision of the final work.
Sucker Punch
Remember how hated Zack Snyder‘s theatrical cut of this original creation was? Well, the director soon released the entire cut of Sucker Punch, which restored much of the action, the meaning behind some unfinished shots in what was seen on screen, and practically changed one’s view of this film.
Sin City
While the stories laid out in the theatrical cut are interesting enough on their own,
Robert Rodriguez restored less-than-vital parts of each segment for his extended cut, which helps to spark questions about narrative development for various characters. Plus, who could resist seeing new scenes that continue the film’s visual tone?
Blade Runner
It is an unrivaled classic; however, upon its release, it received so many unnecessary cuts that it is truly incredible how it achieved its modern status. However, in the editing tweaks after its official release, Ridley Scott approved a final cut that not only removes the horrible voiceover and unnecessary ending but also restores some magnificent scenes that contributed, now yes, to its current status.
The Lord of the Rings saga and The Hobbit
We all know that Peter Jackson shoots tons of film stock in his movies, mainly those based on the already extensive stories of JRR Tolkien. This extra always helps, perhaps not so much on the narrative side but in terms of character building and the one-of-a-kind visual spectacle. The best thing is that fans automatically look forward to buying the extended cut because it is imposing and much more faithful to the author’s vision.
Much like Blade Runner, the official release of Terry Gilliam’s epic tale was plagued with problems, as the studio cut the author’s catastrophic vision in favor of a happy ending. Fortunately, Gilliam fought back against the Hollywood brass, and the director’s cut released by the Criterion Collection is now definitively the final cut of the film and one of the best feature films ever made.