DVD Review HTF REVIEW: Waxwork/Waxwork 2 (1 Viewer)

[Brian Kidd]

When WAXWORK was released in 1988, it was still common for smaller films to get theatrical releases before they went to video. Very few true Direct-to-Video productions were around until the 1990's (unless one counts porn). WAXWORK didn't go into theaters by accident and only in major cities as I saw it in Charleston, WV. Trust me, we never got "limited release" ANYTHING. Such fine fare as 976-EVIL and GATES OF HELL were staples of our local theaters. In fact, this was pretty much the end of being able to see smaller independent films right alongside standard Hollywood fare at the local cineplex. I greatly miss the variety.

 

[Matt Pelham]

I was really looking forward to this disc until I found out it wasn't the uncut version of the first film.

NO SALE!

Add this one to the list, along with the F13th sequels and Return of the Living Dead III.

 

[Michael Elliott]

MATT---The film could be uncut but I can't say for certain until someone with the LD gives the complete running time. I was told the LD ran 97 minutes 14 seconds. The DVD runs 97 minutes and 07 seconds, which is why I said it was the R-rated version. Someone at Maniacs rented the R-rated VHS and said the running time is just over 95 minutes. If the LD only ran 97 minutes and 07 seconds then the DVD would be uncut.

 

[Michael Elliott]

I updated the review to show that this is the uncut version of the film. A guy with the LD gave the running time at 97 minutes 07 seconds. The LD did run seven seconds longer but this was just a promo, which had nothing to do with the film.

 

[Andy Olivera]

Aha! I hearby retract my previous comments and place this on my must-buy list.

 

[Michael Elliott]

Sorry if the review mislead anyone. I had two other people check the uncut LD, uncut VHS and the R-rated VHS. There's no question this is uncut.

 

[Brian Kidd]

That's cool about it being uncut. It's still MAR, though.

 

[Dave Anderson]

Damin is correct in regards to the fact that Dragon did not interview the director for their DVD. They simply slapped on an older featurette created as a promotional piece.

Also, Artisan's new DVD is absolutely CUT. First, the uncut LD's running time is 97 minutes, 40 seconds. It's actually a little longer, but I cut out several seconds of 'black screen' that were before the side change and after the final 'Waxwork' image shows up after the credits roll. Those few seconds after the final 'Waxwork' might be included in the official runtime, I don't know. But I know the 3-4 seconds of black screen before the side change should not be there. Regardless, at the very least, the uncut LD is 97 minutes, 40 seconds.

Second, just compare the uncut LD/VHS or R2 DVDs with Artisan's domestic DVD. You'll see quite clearly that some of the gorier footage is missing. Go to the scene where that guy's leg is being gnawed - a few clips missing there. There are some others - just compare the gorier scenes and it's easy to find them.

At some point I'll review Artisan's double feature DVD and include screen shots of the missing footage, just as I did in my R1 review for Return of the Living Dead 3.

As for the aspect ratio, I simply went by the information I got from Artisan and Dragon. They both claim 1.33:1 is the OAR. Does that mean it's true? No, but it's the best I could do. One thing is clear, no one here has the means to prove otherwise. Unfortunately, neither Artisan or Dragon had a way - or at least a way they would pass on to me - to contact Anthony Hickox. I'm by no means an expert when it comes to determining the specifics surrounding aspect ratios, so I won't argue this point either way.

 

[Ryan Wishton]

Uncut or Not Uncut??? That is the question on this forum... Which is it really???

Ok, I am looking for the best DVD of Waxwork available... I want uncut and good quality... I could care less about Waxwork 2...

I have a region free player, so region is not an issue...

So, which Waxaork DVD is the best to own overall as in picture/sound and uncut???

 

[Dave Anderson]

Ryan,

I thought I just summed it up.

First, I own all the versions that I've mentioned. I'm not going by what someone else is telling me. I've checked all of this myself. I own the uncut LD, the uncut R2 PAL DVD (Columbia), the uncut R2 PAL SE DVD (Dragon), and the cut domestic R1 DVD (Artisan).

1) Artisan's R1 DVD is the R-Rated version and it is cut.

2) Dragon's R2 DVD is the unrated version and is uncut.

3) The UK R2 and Aussie R4 DVDs are unrated and uncut.

IMO the ultimate version to own is the Dragon disc. It features essentially the same transfer as the R2/R4 DVDs and has the benefits of some extras. If the extras don't mean much to you, get either the R2 or R4 DVD as they should be slightly cheaper.

 

[Ryan Wishton]

Thanks Dave...

Somehow I missed your post... Maybe I was writing mine when you posted yours...

 

[Michael Elliott]

Dave, since you are a fan of this film, was there more than one video version? Was the uncut LD longer than the uncut VHS?

The reason I'm asking, after reading your post I went and got the R-rated VHS and the uncut VHS. The uncut VHS runs the exact same time as the DVD. The R-rated version ran just over 95 minutes, which is 2 minutes shorter than the DVD, so it's impossible for the DVD to be the R-rated cut. If you compare the two, the R-rated version is missing every single frame of gore.

From the R-version video:

The werewolf scene is missing pretty much all the gor from the guy who is ripped in half. On the DVD we see his head splitting open but on the R-rated version we see none of this. As soon as the werewolf grabs him, we get a few quick edits and the scenes is then over. On the DVD, we get the full impact of violence and gore, which is on the uncut VHS and DVD.

In the vampire seqment there are many things missing in the R-rated version. For starters, the guy on the table (leg missing) has several cuts including the scenes of the rat chewing on his leg. Another cut happens when the "hero" starts killing off the female vampires. Blood is pouring out of the victims yet this is cut out in the R-rated vhs. Also on the R-rated VHS one of the vampires stabs a guy in the knee. On the DVD we see the blade enter and the gore that follows. On the R-rated vhs we get a quick edit, which doesn't show the knife going in.


Artisan DVD: 97 minutes 07 seconds
Uncut VHS: 97 minutes 07 seconds
R-rated VSH: 95 minutes 14 seconds (cutting off ads at the end)

I have had three different people say that the "uncut LD" runs at 97 minutes and 07 seconds with anything not in the movie being cut out (black screen, Vestron logo at end, opening Vestron logo).

The Artisan DVD is the same running time as the Uncut video (minus the logos) so it's rather hard to believe that a second "uncut" version is out there. If so, that makes three versions of WAXWORK, which is available to fans. We've got the R-rated version, a cut "uncut" video and then an uncut LD.

It's funny but the uncut VHS and uncut LD give the runtime as 100 minutes while the R-rated video gives the runtime at 97 minutes.

This is the first time I've watched a video in nearly 4 years but I've also got a copy of WAXWORK from a Cinemax showing so I'll clock it. I've got four versions here that I've been going through so I'll check the fourth one tonight.

 

[Michael Elliott]

The version aired on Cinemax has the exact same running time as the R-rated video.

 

[Dave Anderson]

Michael,

I have no answer to your question, as I've never owned the VHS. As far as I know, both the uncut VHS and the uncut LD are identical. They were released in the same time frame, after all.

All I'm telling you is what I checked this morning - the uncut LD is 97 minutes and 40 seconds. I have the LD sitting here beside me, so you can take my word for it. From the quick comparison I did, the DVD is indeed the R rated cut and is in fact missing gore.

When I get around to doing a review of Artisan's DVD, I'll do a more detailed analysis. Perhaps I'm mistaken, though I doubt it as I've seen the movie enough times to know each scene and what is in it. Still, anything is possible.

 

[Michael Elliott]

Perhaps there are three versions out there. This is exactly why I hate all these releases from around the world. The Artisan DVD is the same as the "unrated" VHS but it appears that isn't really uncut since the LD runs longer.

I also noticed that the "mummy/head crush" scene is cut on the R-rated version.

If the LD runs longer then apparently it was the first true uncut release of the film. Vestron's first VHS release runs 95 minutes (cover says 97, which is the unrated run time) then their second release runs 97 minutes (cover states 100 minutes like the DVD).

So, if you recommend the Dragon disc then that's where people should certainly go. I was hoping you'd turn up since you know the film better than I do. I haven't seen the LD or the two import DVDs.

 

[Dave Anderson]

Well, now you have me starting to doubt my earlier statements, Michael. I'm going to need to take a closer look sometime this week.