Why No Unrated Monster's Ball?

So are you saying we should order this one from The Great White North?

Max

 

I want this title so bad right now, but I actually think I'll wait until it shows up on DVD here just to get it uncut. This might take a long while since it was just released unto theaters.

 

sooo... the version shown in Canadian THEATERS was the NC-17 version, if I understand correctly? Or is it the Canadian DVD that will carry the NC-17 version?

thanks

 

I can answer this one.

Canada did get the cut of the film that would have received an NC-17 in the US. Basically it contained more of the Billy Bob/Halle Berry love scene and I believe the Heath Ledger prostitute scene was also a tad longer.

The US only got an "R" rated cut which trimmed what I've heard was two minutes.

As for the DVD. Lions Gate discs are the same in US and Canada the only difference is who handles the distribution. Trimark/Studio Home Entertainment in the US and Columbia Tristar. The content of the discs is indentical.

That said the only version being released on DVD is the R rated cut.

This is direct quote from an email from my source at Lions Gate

 

Damn, I could have needed that information about a better release coming later before I ordered this title

 

This probably doesn't address the question at hand, but I also think one issue is that you can't release something as "unrated" if it has, indeed, been rated. Something that was submitted to the MPAA and got "NC-17" on it can't then just be released as "unrated" to avoid that rating.
Unless I significantly misunderstand how that all works, which I wouldn't rule out.

 

Robert,
Actually releasing something as unrated is for the most part just as bad as NC 17.

The Big problem comes when you try to get theaters to show it. As theaters stopped owning their own land and often even their own buildings it has become increasingly common for theaters (Especially those linked to malls) to have a lease that says they are not allowed to show movies unless they are rated and nothing more then an R rating as well.

So while you could turn around and release something as unrated, it does not really get you much better then an NC-17 does in the way of theaters that can show it or that will show it.

I remember back aways it was common for some older theaters that were not faced with these leases to show movies as NR or UR because they were to extreme to get an R rating.


Max

 

I stand corrected. And educated.

 

Would these deleted scenes on the R-rated DVD contain the "extended" scenes cut for the R-rated Theatrical version?
Just a thought.