Gods and Generals theatrical cut? (1 Viewer)

[Dave Molinarolo]

OK, am I to understand that WB's 7/15 release of "Gods and Generals" will only be a theatrical release of the film?

As I understood from earlier rumors is that an eventual DVD release will get the 5 or 6 hour extended version.

I'm wondering that because "Gettysburg" is now OOP, that WB will re-release both films in all new extended cuts of both films. IIRC, there was an extended cut of Gettysburg available in a $100 collectible VHS box set back in the mid-90s.

And of course the original Gettysburg DVD was in DD 5.0 and as a flipper. I'm guessing this new Gods and Generals will be a flipper to, because the screenshot of Gods on Deep Discount clearly shows a snapper case.

In any case, I'll probably pick up this theatrical version, and then get the re-issues later on.

 

[Brian E]

AFAIK they have no plans to do a 5 or 6 hour version of Gods. IIRC in the chat they said Gettysburg was pulled due to some legal issues. They were asked about the longer cut, but I don't recall what they said. It's in the chat transcript though.

 

[Haden]

This film shouldn't have been a theatrical release anyway. It just doesn't work as one, especially edited down to 3 hours (it definitely felt like too much was missing). It's obvious it was really filmed to be a 5-6 hours mini-series, and we'll probably see the extended version aired on TNT in a year or so. That's where it should have premiered in the first place. And I'm betting that's why we're not getting the extended cut on DVD yet. Turner wants to save it for a television premiere first, and then release it on DVD after he's milked it on TNT for a couple of months.

 

[Dave Molinarolo]

Gettysburg was pulled for legal reasons? After all this time? What changed?

 

[Bruce Hedtke]

I'm guessing this new Gods and Generals will be a flipper to, because the screenshot of Gods on Deep Discount clearly shows a snapper case.

Ouch. I guess it could be possible to get it on one side...but the video/audio quality wouldn't be good and there would be no room for extras.

Bruce

 

[Richard Gilmore]

After seeing Gods and Generals, my wife and I desperately wanted to see Gettysburg, but since the DVD is out of print, the cheapest I could get it was about $35. Not wanting to do that I got the Laserdisc off of Ebay for $10. I am hoping for a re-release of the DVD - it would have made sense and money to release it right around the Gods and Generals showings. Until then, at least I have seen it.

 

[Brian E]

Here's the snippet from the chat.

MattHritz I was wondering if you have any plans to release a "Gettysburg" special
edition? I know there is 23 minutes of extra footage that's not included in the
current release and only in the collector's set on VHS. Will the Gods and Generals
7/15 release be only the theatrical version, hoping for the rumored 6 hour version

Warner GETTYSBURG is currently withdrawn from U.S. release due to legal problems.
GODS AND GENERALS will be the theatrical cut

 

[GerardoHP]

If this film had been meant to be a miniseries, it wouldn't have been filmed in the scope format but in 1.85:1, like Gettysburg. This was most definitely intended as a theatrical release.

 

[Dan M]

Good point, GerardoHP

G&G plays much more like it was meant for the cinema as opposed to Gettysburg. You can actually tell where the commercial breaks are supposed to go during Gettysburg



I was really looking forward to the director's cut of G&G though. It did feel severely chopped up.

 

[GarySchrock]

You can actually tell where the commercial breaks are supposed to go during Gettysburg

Hmm, that's interesting, I'd never really noticed it. Although I wonder if that's really more of an effect of the chapter breaks in the book, which it follows incredibly close, rather than planned commercial breaks. (I actually saw it in the theater originally).

 

[Mike_Richardson]

If this film had been meant to be a miniseries, it wouldn't have been filmed in the scope format but in 1.85:1, like Gettysburg. This was most definitely intended as a theatrical release.

Well, it might have been INTENDED to be both. Why else would someone shoot a 6 hr movie? So they can cut it in half and get rid of most of its subplots? That footage was shot with the knowledge that it could well be placed back on TV and video...the director said as much BEFORE the movie was even released!

 

[Randy Korstick]

For the record Gods and Generals was cut to 3:45 minutes not 3 hours and the original directors cut is rumored to be 5 1/2 hours so cut in half is a bit of an exaggeration.

 

[Josh Lowe]

And of course the original Gettysburg DVD was in DD 5.0 and as a flipper. I'm guessing this new Gods and Generals will be a flipper to, because the screenshot of Gods on Deep Discount clearly shows a snapper case.

I would bet on G&G being a flipper considering it's Warner Brothers. Just the way it is.

As for Gettysburg being pulled, I had no idea about this. I have it and it's one of my favorite "throw it in if nothing else looks good" films. It's somewhat accurate and has its moments. And yes, you can see where the editing breaks are for commercials. Also, the way the film itself (Gettysburg) is structured lends itself to a miniseries format, with different characters having their "big speeches" almost in order.

Gods and Generals was definitely filmed to be presented in the theater from the outset.

 

[Dan M]

I have no problem with G&G as well as Gettysburg being a flipper. They both were presented with an intermission at the theater so it seems only fitting.

Not to mention picture quality would be better splitting up the movie. This is important in my book. Warner has some excellent looking discs these days!