Avengers (movie) Director's Cut - Page 2

For me the picture's one of those illicit pleasures. You know you shouldn't like the picture, but you do. Maybe there's a masochistic side to me, but I enjoy (very) occasionally running the film just to marvel at how far removed from the classic tv series the movie is. I proudly keep my copy of the movie alongside my collection of the Rigg/ Thorson/ Lumley episodes, and perversely I'd be sorry not to have a copy of it. It's a salutory lesson that a big budget and star names aren't a substitute for style. If you can pick it up in a bargain bin, do by all means. The picture's not completely awful, it's just an enormous disappointment. I think a Director's Cut would be great - it would certainly settle a lot of arguments about the movie.

I'm sorry if this offends Fiennes fans, but personally I'd rate him marginally more irritating in the movie than I found Jar Jar Binks.

Well, the diversity of opinion in this thread made me curious, so for $5.99, I decided to see for myself and get the disc from DDD. That's less money than it would have cost me to see it in the theater six years ago.

If I hate it, well... hey, I need a new doorstop.

Well, it's not as big of a perversion from the original series as Warners' Scooby Doo and Catwoman films.

See a pattern here? Warners' making films of existing properties and totally screwing them over. I mean, why bother to make the film in the first place!

(At least their idea of a Jack Black slacker comedy Green Lantern has been shot down).

I SIGNED IT!!
Thank you!!!

I did not understand why the film didn't have the footage put back in for home video release. Yes they knew it was going to bomb and cut it down to 90 minutes to squeeze in as many showings the first weekend before the reviews hit. I actually read a favorable review in our local paper. Yes, it bombed. Yes, no one went to see it, but for video complete the film!!
I liked the movie and would pick up a full cut. It should've been done originally for video as I said.

The Saint should also be released with the alternate ending as well. Just a plug for that one.

Oh and yes by the way, both of these films got me into the old shows and I am a fan of those now as well!!

JulianK - Thanks for the link to the site. Interesting read on the deleted scenes. I also remember many scenes in the trailer not ending up in the film.

Sounds like a lot of the fighting scenes were toned down for the edited cut they released.

I found this one interesting:

16) In this notorious torture sequence, we are introduced to the Teddy Bear suit , for the first time, in which Sir August rhythmically slices up a scientist's face, set to Pavorotti (?), with his sharp baton. This is a scene still. Those who saw the test screenings months ago may have forgotten details, but this "over the top" sequene is rarely forgotten. Perhaps a key sequence that prompted many respondents to claim that the film was "so strange that it made them feel uncomfortable".

Also, I think the film would've been more interesting with the way it started actually seeing the bad Emma breaking into Prospero Labs.

I still don't see the logic of NOT putting the extra footage back into the film for video release.

The Avengers movie is a greatly misunderstood and hugely underestimated piece of 90s cinema. It's visually stunning, incorporating marvelous costumes and amazing retro set designs. The look & feel of the film recaptures the spirit of the original 60s series completely, recreating the sterile 'Avengerland' enviroment in which John Steed and Emma Peel act out their adventure. It's true the chemistry between the two leads doesn't match that of originals Macnee and Rigg, but Ralph Fiennes & Uma Thurman on a stand alone basis were superb as the British secret agents John Steed & Mrs.Peel. The movie deserves to be seen as the director and producer originally intended us to see it. It was literally butchered in the editing room at the 11th hour. No other movie deserves a director cut more than The Avengers. I have spent the last six years devoted to supporting this film and I have no intention of giving up my fight to see the movie in all its full glory now. I loved this film the day I first saw it in 1998 and feel as passionately about it now as I did six years ago. Please visit 'The Avengers 98' website & PLEASE sign the director cut petition. The petition will eventually be printed off and believe me I will hand deliver it to Warner Bros. personally !
Ian.

Ever hear of a little movie called THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS?

I'm just teasing you. I wish you the best of luck with this.

I watched my $5.99 copy of the film last night, and I observed a few things which I think contributed to the film's failure.

The biggest problem is that the film is too dark. Like every movie these days, everything is dark. Whereas the original show was bright (even for B&W) and often took place in daylight. When the show changed to color, bright, primary colors were used which were eye-catching and interesting to look at (a staple of many 60s shows that were introducing color to audiences). The movie looks drab and too similar to every other movie of its era for it to stand out or be memorable. Same goes for all the computer screen imagery -- there were lots of glowing computer screens in dark rooms to give the movie that "techno" look. But it looks dated and strains for atmosphere, when the old show used clunky computers and big rooms for a futuristic look, which still looks more engaging that the glowing computer imagery and dark rooms of the movie.

(The latter day Star Trek projects are guilty of the same dark atmospheres. The original show and TNG were bright, optimistic shows that were visually interesting. Voyager and Enterprise were drab exercises in bleak surroundings where everything was in shadow.)

The much-discussed edits really ruin any chance the story had to be engaging. The way the film is cut, situations change abrasively and characters don't develop. Worst of all, you never get a sense you really know what is going on.

Lastly, much as I liked Fiennes and Thurman, they didn't have much chemistry, which is essential to this movie. Fiennes lacked Patrick Macnee's charm and his ability to always have a smile and a chuckle ready to diffuse a situation. Fiennes' character was sullen more often than not.

Overall, I'd say I enjoyed seeing it because I am a fan of the original show, and I can trace some of the elements in the movie to the show, but it doesn't have enough in common with the show for it to really be worthy of the name. As such, it is simply another Hollywood exercise in putting a famous brand-name on a product movie and hoping people will buy. Given the movie's dark tone and the show's bright optimism, I'm not surprised it failed.

I have to defend this movie as well. I saw it in the theater and bought the DVD back in 98 or 99. I think the movie is very funny actually. British humor doesn't always go over well here in the States. That might be another reason for it's box office demise.

I think the cinematography is a bit underrated as well. I love the colors of movie. They stick out in my mind very well.

Anyways, I would rather watch this any day over Van Helsing, The Hulk or Daredevil.

I think visually the film is stunning, from the grubby exterior of the ministry underground HQ to the colourful splendor of Sir Augusts vast home. I don't find it dark at all and i'm glad they didn't go over the top with those 'dated' 60s Batman & Robin style techno colour schemes - fine for the 60s but not now.

Sam - Nail. Head. Hit.

Saxon -

Ditto.

Re: Avengers (movie) Director's Cut

I really think this would be an easy release for Warner Bros.
Now as it's about 10 years later, the film does have a decent enough following. With the fact that the full film was screened and scored with music (the full score is available on cd), I don't understand the logic in not releasing the full film on DVD. In fact, I've wondered about this since it was first released on home video. I can understand the studio making a decision and cutting theater screenings, but on home video it should be allowed to be seen the whole way through as it was created by the director.

Please continue to support this and sign the petition.

http://www.theavengers-movie.com/

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/theavengersmovie/

Re: Avengers (movie) Director's Cut

Wow, this is a blast from the past. Would Warner's really be willing to throw good money after bad? Should they?

If there was a valid reason to revisit this title then they might certainly consider it (I think the authorized re-working of Superman II was a labor of love not necessarily done with one eye on the bottom line) but would there really be enough interest in this to even recover the pressing cost?

The fact is that this was rejected by both casual movie fans and hardcore Avengers fanatics like me. Who would the audience be?

I just noticed that one poster mentioned (three years ago!) that Diana Rigg only wore leathers once, but I think he meant to say that she only wore them once in the color series, as she is seen in them repeatedly in the b&w series.

Anyway, as I said before, best of luck to those who want it but I can't help believing that a longer version of it is just more of a bad thing.

Re: Avengers (movie) Director's Cut

Considering this movie just a little less than Alexander did in the US (adjusted for inflation, but also considering the budgets as well) and the fact that Alexander was revisited twice on DVD, why shouldn't this one get that treatment as well? The director isn't as prolific as Oliver Stone though.

Also very itneresting the film ran 2 and half hours originally, I remember being into tape trading around that era and could never find the workprint floating around, though I did see the near 3 hr version of Practical Magic, another WB bomb I think.

Re: Avengers (movie) Director's Cut

Never say never and I would like to see an extended cut with extras but... didn't Warners say in the last chat that they had "no plans" to revisit this title?

Re: Avengers (movie) Director's Cut

Ian, I agree with all your comments. I have always liked the film, and would love for a true Director's Cut to be released. There is so much material that was cut from the film and it wouldn't cost a fortune for Warners to complete a project like this. Given that Warners are quite pro-active when it comes to releasing extended films for the home entertainment market, there may be just a glimmer of hope for a future DC release.

I actually visited all the UK locations utilised in the film and documented a shot-for-shot comparison that was intended for a film location book that, unfortunately, never saw the light of day (it also contained all the Bond film locations around the UK amongst other high profile films). My favorite of all the locations used in the film is a tiny village called Hambledon, where Steed undergoes some training at the beginning of the film. Such a delightful location (and one that was also utilised in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).

Here's hoping this underrated film gets the extended edition that it truly deserves.

Regards
James

Re: Avengers (movie) Director's Cut

Maybe I'm crazy, but I can't understand watching any of these four movies again.

Of course, I saw all four, so I probably am crazy.

Also, I own 'Battlefield: Earth'.

My main beef with 'The Avengers', aside from everything everybody here said, was the utter waste of Eddie Izzard. Of course, now, years later, I realize that pretty much every movie he's in wastes him.

Re: Avengers (movie) Director's Cut

With The Avengers film though, the movie has been completed with score, etc. Why not release the full version on video? The film is completed already with complete score, etc...

Like I said there is minimal cost for WB to do this. There's no putting the film together, etc like for Superman II.

This would be an easy release for WB.

Please sign the petition!

Re: Avengers (movie) Director's Cut

I just watched the film again recently. I also found a UK making of book. It contained a few pics of deleted scenes from the full version of the film.

This is worth checking out too.
Myspace.com Blogs - The Avengers: Reconstructed - The Avengers Movie MySpace Blog

It's a video overview of the opening of the film as it is in the full cut.

Great site with more info too.
The Avengers Movie Homepage

I think this would make a great HD-DVD and Blu ray release as well.