Friday The 13th SEs/Box Set Info Coming on September 19th!? - Page 15

Thanks for the info guys.

SPOILERS


It seemed like this was originally a three hour movie cut down to 90 minutes. The reason I say that is the first 55 minutes go on for so long that the rest of the film seems rushed. The final thirty minutes were wonderful IMO, although I was expecting the first ending, which I thought was funny. However, by playing the joke I thought it hurt the slasher part of the film because we never saw any of the murders, which clearly set up the ending. However, after that first ending I was expecting the cast to be killed in the final few minutes by a real killer, so if that was in the book and filmed, I wonder why it was cut for that tacked on ending? Perhaps not a three hour movie but after the 90 minute mark, another 30 minutes with this alternate ending. I thought there was some nice suspense in the final ten minutes so it's a shame they didn't continue the joke with real murders happening.

If I'm remembering correctly, in the film the teens are supposed to stay at the house from Friday until the boat picks them up on Monday. The first kid gets "killed" Friday night with the gag being let out of the bag on Saturday night. This would have left them with another day at the house so I'm guessing this is when the real killer would have shown up.

It's also interesting to note that this "joke" film was released a year after F13 5, which of course had a certain joke played on the crowd.

What is even stranger is that some of the scenes in the book are actually set up in the movie, but nothing is done with them.

Examples:

The pranks Muffy supposedly left in the rooms. She did leave pranks, but we find out some of these items like the newspaper clippings and the abortion tape were not some of them.

The kitchen confrontation between Buffy/Muffy and Nan in the kitchen that nothing is done with. It just cuts off into nowhere. Described more in the book and added to later. Muffy is confused to no end about the whole thing. Thats why she looks confused in the film as well.

Skip and how he says "nothing bad ever happens to Muffy". A few other comments. His what seems to be hate of his father.

An interesting Muffy subplot involving nightmares. She has dreams that someone is trying to kill her. She believes she is just very nervous from what we find out later is the prank she is going to try and pull off. Although it did seem a little Elm Street like to me.

So, I would assume most was shot and just left on the cutting room floor.

Here are the days missing in the movie.

Thursday night (the beginning of the book) and Sunday (the entire last day and night in the book about 40 pages). Not to mention moments here and there from the remaining days.

I'd love to get a copy of the book. I agree, there are MANY parts the movies sets up, but does nothing with.

I do think it's a pretty original movie for having that as the ending, but I also would LOVE a longer DVD edition with the extended ending.

REGARDING FRIDAY THE 13TH SPECIAL EDITIONS BOX SET...

How can it be that there may not be commentaries for #1 and #4 when it was reported on Tom Savini's site months ago that he had recently completed commentary tracks for the projected box set with Sean Cunningham and Joseph Zito?
Why would Tom Savin's own official site lie about such a thing? What could possibly be the motivation for this? Why all of this talk of ALL of the footage being lost when John Carl Buechler stated on his site that he personally posesses an uncut print of #7, and Kane Hodder stated at a convention recently that he also has his own copy. Perhaps this is only a work-print, and that is the explanation. But this commentary thing has me really baffled. The thing that really gets me is how they apparantly now plan on fittng two films per disc. Are they taking a cue from Universal who recently crammed several movies per disc on the recent Classic Monsters sets, such as the "Frankenstein Legacy" set? At least the "Nightmare On Elm Street Collection" had one film per disc, so that each DVD cover could display the individual title art on its spine for that particular entry. The "Nightmare Set" was seven films altogether plus a bonus disc, the "Friday Set" would only have to accomidate one more film (eight) plus a potential bonus disc. Instead of fitting two films per disc, I think they should split the films up into two sets of four, so that the first collection would end with "The Final Chapter" and the second collection would begin with "A New Begginning". It just seems strange to see the title "Final Chapter" staring at you from the very middle of a series collection, so that would be a rather nifty solution. Plus, fans would not have to pay so much at one time, they could purchase the first collection and save up to get the second collection later. Some have speculated that Paramount would loose money by doing this due to the fact that so many people would only buy the first set, but I think this is a moot point, since those who are not at all interested in any entries past #4 would most likely just get the individual discs anyway. Breaking the box up could potentially allow more room for goodies per disc, save money for the consumer, make the fans happier, and make Paramount more money overall. One thing keeps coming back to my mind, and that's the fact that if they are consumer saavy they will include Alice Cooper's music video for "He's Back: The Man Behind the Mask", and advertise this as part of the package. This music video is not currently available on any DVD or even VHS releases that I am aware of, so this could potentially bring in some of the die-hard Alice Cooper collectors out there, lol!

Alexander,

I dont think Paramount will break up this set at the beginning. Maybe down the road. This is another reason why the 2 movies per disc seems strange. Paramount wont be able to break up the set for individual releases.

The reason they wont is so people like myself wont only buy certain ones.

But, that idea is great you have there. I do know a good group of people who are interested in the early Jason human years (1-4), but not the later years.

There are also some that are interested in the later years, but, not the early years.

There is a whole group who is interested in both.

You also have the group like me who is interested in several throughout.

There are even people who have chosen Part 8 as the only one they would buy (I still havent been able to figure out this group yet. It is such an odd situation).

If Paramount is planning multiple series releases for the Friday franchise they better give us ample warning because I have no intentions nor desires to upgrade multi-disc boxsets of this calibur every other year. That's just as, if not even more disrespectful than the stance Paramount seems to be taking now regarding this series release. It would be nice if someone from the studio would finally speak up in regards to all of this controversy...

I'd welcome a revisit in the future, because I sure as shit ain't getting this release

From Aug 30, 2003....said by Martin Blythe on Page one of this thread...

"Well, I'm "dying" to prove you all wrong but will hold my tongue. Did anyone decide to answer the challenge to shoot a F13 homage for the Maniafest/Cinescape announcement? If you missed it, go back to how this thread opened."

Well Martin, now many of us are dying to prove you right.

To be fair on Martin, he may have been told one thing, but the higher ups may have changed their minds...
It does happen.
Still it's about time someone from Parammount came here & at the least explained what went on with this lack of a proper search for vault footage. Or are they now too terrified to reply?

Simon...I believe that you have already answered that question.

:b

The thing I can't stand about this industry is the secrecy. I know studios can't come out and say a great deal about certain things because of Legal mumbo jumbo and because things are subject to change at any time. But, at the same time, I'm sure there are many things that can safely be said, but studios will not do so. Even if answers are not to our liking, at least you would have an answer. Some studios have been forthcoming about certain issues, and it is appreciated.

In regards to the F.T.T. set even though nothing has been confirmed, I think most of us are regarding the leaked info as the cat being out of the bag. I agree that it would be nice if Martin Blythe could provide some kind of response. It may not be what we want to hear, but at least we would have some kind of official word and then we could get on with our lives. And perhaps there are even legitamate reasons for the apparent lack of features we have been looking for.

The only F.T.T. I have bought on DVD was Part 3 so I could finally see it in Scope. So, if I can find this set selling for cheap enough, I'll probably pick it up. But, any official word about what is going on sure would be nice.

Of course, there is always the fact that fan outcry has been known to change studio's plans from time to time. Maybe that is going on as we speak (I'm sure Martin Blythe must be reading this thread) It's a long shot to be sure. But, who knows?

The following information was posted on the Bloody Disgusting site (a very reliable and well-respected site for film fans despite the dubious sounding monicker) several months ago late last year:

Tom Savini Adds His Voice
[ Horror In Your House | Posted by: MrDisgustingon 10.08.03 @ 08:06 am ]

"Over at Tom Savini's official website it states, "Tom has been contacted by the folks doing the new SE edition of the Friday the 13th DVD. They are setting up times and dates to record a commentary track. It may be a joint track with Sean Cunningham and Joe Zito. No release info yet, but the ball is rolling on this and we should see it in the near future." Now does this mean the DVD from the Special Edition box-set? Watch for the box-set in the fourth quarter of 2004."

Yet, only days ago, the following "news item" was reported on the Goalie Terror forum and Camp Crystal Lake Sites:Re: UPDATED FRIDAY THE 13th BOXED SET (SPECS!)
« Reply #9 on: Apr 23rd, 2004, 8:35pm »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HERE'S SOME INFO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rumors and speculation have been flying about the 'net regarding what's actually going to comprise Paramount's 8 film Friday the 13th box set. Well wait no more, 'cause today CCL.com unleashes some inside info for 'ya. Contrary to what was said earlier, the set will be 5 discs (4 flippers and a bonus material disc) instead of the previously reported 9 discs.

So far, the following commentary tracks have been recorded:

Part 6: Director Tom McLoughlin
Part 7: Director John Carl Buechler and Kane Hodder
Part 8: Writer/Director Rob Hedden
Part 3: Cast commenatry, featuring Dana Kimmell, Paul Kratka, Richard Brooker, Larry Zerner and will be moderated by Peter M. Bracke.

Word around the campfire is that Toolbox (the DVD producers) don't want the fans to be dissapointed, and are pushing to get tracks for parts 1 and 4 recorded."

Okay. Now I am really confused. If it was reported late last year that Tom Savini had recorded comentary track(s) with Sean Cunningham and Joseph Zito, how can it now be that the folks putting together the F13 DVD set are now scrambling to assemble tracks for the original film and "The Final Chapter" so as not to "dissapoint the fans"?
Shouldn't these tracks already exist if this news about recording tracks was issued on Tom's site way back last year? Does anyone know just what is really going on here?
Something is very, very wrong, but I am not sure what. Somebody needs to offer us all some valid explanations.

There's got to be a commentary track from Zito and/or Savini for THE FINAL CHAPTER. Has to be. I mean, they both participated in the disc commentary for THE PROWLER and they certainly seem willing and able (though what Paramount is thinking is another story).

Tom Savini provided his own gore outtakes/home movie for THE PROWLER, and likewise for DAY OF THE DEAD. I've also seen Savini's home video footage for FRIDAY 4 on that old "SCREAM GREATS" Savini VHS tape, where you see Ted White being made up as Jason and the attempts at trying to have the "dummy" of Jason sliding down the machete for the ending.

Alexander,

Great find. Your right. Seeing as he ws contracted to do one, I wonder what ever happened with this?

hmm.

Can there be some huge gaps in this recent news?

If so, lets all shout yeah...

Look into this more if you can. Do you happen to have the link to his website?

If so, this would be very interesting to post and see what those who posted the recent news have to say about this.

The plot thickens. It sure would be great if we had some word from Paramount about this. They seem to be the only one of the involved parties with their lips sealed tight.

Could it be that commentaries were recorded but it turned out there's no room on the discs for them?

That's doubtful. If they're doing double-sided discs, they're probably using dual-layered DVD-18s, so that leaves 9 gigs per side. You could fit a movie with a bunch of audio tracks and a few extras with that much space...and they aren't even putting any extras with the movies.

Matt,

I think he was kidding.

Meaning that they are so busy cramming discs with multiple movies that they have no room to fit anything else.

I think he was being sarcastic although I am not sure.

It said on savini's site that he "was finished working on the DVD's."

I'm not sure if it was every confirmed that he "RECORDED" the commentaries, only that it was planned.

I have a feeling he did interviews, and they ended up not having him do a commentary after all.

That would make sense considering the info we've been getting.

Actually, I really was wondering. For some reason, the thought of using DVD-18 for the movies seems unlikely to me. These movies are short enough where you would not need dual layer if they were going for few extras on the movie discs. So I was thinking space could be an issue. I guess we'll see. Were the originals on DVD-9?

Back a few pages, someone asked what was cut from JASON X to earn an "R" rating. The screw scene was slightly trimmed, and Dr. Wimmer (David Cronenberg)'s death was also slightly trimmed. Also, the filmmakers used an alternate angle of Adrienne's face smashing scene that was less graphic. Also, several other non-violent scenes were cut for pacing reasons, but New Line mysteriously neglected to include them on the DVD.

And I agree that some of the bonehead morons interviewed on the JASON X documetaries really made horror fans look bad. It's almost as if that was the documentarian's intention.


Also, no gore was cut from FREDDY VS JASON to earn an "R" rating. The director said this somewhere along the line. It is the first film in the F13 series not to be cut for an "R" rating.

Are sure about the Jason X cuts? Everything I've read about the cuts said it was just a few frames.

I know it must have been said a million times so far in this thread, but I want to express my real disappointment at the news that there will be no unrated versions in this set.

As I'm sure many people have said already: No unrated = No sale.

man, how hard would it be for someone from Paramount to confirm or deny this? I mean really.

Mr Blythe has been great with us here, always contributing when possible. we appreciate him hanging around here so much. Which is why his silence is killing me right now (no pun intended).

Can anyone at Paramount please chime in?

Hate to be thought of as presumptuous, as it's a trait I despise in others, but...IMO I think Paramount are well aware they have shafted the fans with this forthcoming release & as such they wouldn’t dare explain ‘their’ reasons.
Let's see the evidence, from reputable sources connected to the production, no uncut restorations (in fact no authorised searches of the Paramount vault for the cut footage), two films on one disc - oh that's right they’ve done that to keep the end costs down or cut their losses, depending on where your allegence lies.
I mean come on, since when has Paramount done the consumer a favour?
Let's release bare bones, then lacklustre SE's & after we've exhausted those we'll save the great stuff for HD-DVD at a premium price a few years after that!

I've worked within the film industry & have many close friends working in the home video side, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see their long term plan. If others don't think that's the way things are going then you deserve to spend all your disposable income on this slap in the face of a Friday the 13th special edition set.

I could be completely wrong & am failing to include Paramount’s no unrated features policy, if that’s the case then I completely understand why no one from Paramount would show themselves here.

Simon, Paramount has provided us with good transfers and good audio, many titles don't even get that much. If they hadn't release that then the fan would be complaining that it taking them too long to release them. Maybe there plan is to release them bare-bones so anyone who wants them right now can have them and then work on a SE. As for uncut footage it been said repeatly most uncut footage is thrown away, why would they have need for it? Look at UHF all the uncut footage was put a VHS tape and given to Wierd Al and it stay in his closet for years. Paramount seems to be making an effort but they can't make what isn't there.

Eric,
The issue is not about what Paramount have already provided, most if not all of Paramount's transfers contain decent picture & audio. And that old chestnut regarding delayed releases doesn't wash either.
Obviously their plan was to release bare-bones & revisit in SE format, it's just how SE is the issue or have I not made that clear enough above?
It's already been stated Paramount have not allowed a thorough search of their vaults for uncut footage, so how do we know the footage no longer exists?

As I've said before, production trims could be stored anywhere, but until a proper search has been conducted...

Paramount don't seem to care enough, they never have with this franchise, And those who think otherwise clearly don't have all the facts. It was an embaressment for them, a fact I've heard from several journalists some of whom were conected with the productions of parts 5, 6 & 7.

At the end of the day, it's their no unrated feature policy that's castraighted this franchise & sadly continues to do so in 2004.

It seems to be a sad fact that this upcoming 'Friday the 13th' box set will the THE horror film let-down in DVD history.

There's no reason for me to buy this set, and I will push for other's to save their money as well. We can make Paramount regret this, as Im sure they will, or already are after reading countless posts like:

Mike