I just saw this film for the first time last night. Needless to say, it is genius. It makes me wish more and more that Blatty is some day allowed to create a Director's Cut for TEIII. Anyhow...
What is the difference between the 118 minute version, and the 99 minute version? I plan on buying the DVD, but would like to know this information ahead of time.
I'm not a control freak, I just like things my way
Umm, actually there are several versions of the Ninth Configuration. Blatty has cut, re-cut, then re-cut the film a few different ways.
One key difference that I'm aware of:
The final conversation between Kane and Cutshaw, when Cutshaw leaves the room the camera pans down as Kane's bloody arm falls from beneath the blanket. A knife also drops to the floor, implying he took his own life (later confirmed by the note).
Blatty shot an alternate "safer" version of this, and at one point decided to use that as one "official director's cut". The alternate version played the exact same way minus the knife. Later on, when Cutshaw reads Kane's final letter, the wording reveals Kane's wounds came from the bar fight and Kane allowed himself to bleed to death.
Even further down the road, Blatty cut the film again (another "official" director's cut) where Blatty re-instated the "Suicide" version of the ending.
Which DVD contains which cut of the Ninth Configuration ... I dunno. But there's a difference you can be on the lookout for.
EDIT: The version I saw ran 114 minutes, contained the original suicide ending, and featured a commentary by Blatty and Mark Kermode. It also showed the alternate ending along with text explaining the context of how it came to be. It also contained a number of deleted scenes. To my knowledge, it's the most recent release of the film.
---
Truffaut: Do dreams have a bearing on your work?
Hitchcock: Daydreams, probably.
...I assume it's a safe bet to just go ahead and get this one..? http://www.amazon.com/Ninth-Configuration-Tom-Atkins/dp/B0000696IA/sr=1-1/qid=1163241386/ref=sr_1_1/002-2972698-8833662?ie=UTF8&s=dvd
I'm not a control freak, I just like things my way
I'm pretty sure that's the version Netflix sent me, which is the only version of the film I've seen ... so if nothing else you can rent it from Netflix and see for yourself.
All of my knowledge of the Ninth Configuration comes from that rental, and the things stated in the featurette and commentaries by William Peter Blatty, himself.
Several times during the commentary, Blatty mentions how he had cut the film several different ways, and talks about some of the scenes that were cut and later restored. Another example (besides the ending) I can think of off the top of my head, one of the inmates dances and sings in blackface makeup while a black inmate watches. It was cut from some versions (restored in the version I saw) because blackface is potentially offensive despite the context in which it appears in the film.
But like I said, I can't give a definitive answer on what appears in any other DVD than the one Netflix sent me. I can't tell you which is the best DVD. The Ninth Configuration is a film that's been on my long list of movies to see, that I've only just recently gotten around to.
---
Truffaut: Do dreams have a bearing on your work?
Hitchcock: Daydreams, probably.
I appreciate the info. I'll soon be getting the DVD. The film is pretty amazing.
Now I can only hope that Blatty is allowed to create his own cut of TEIII some day..
I'm not a control freak, I just like things my way
I adore the dialogue in Blatty films.
True to form, Ninth Configuration had some wickedly clever exchanges.
Father Dyer in Exorcist III (and both novels) is my all time favorite fictitious priest.
And yeah, after reading Legion, a DC of Exorcist III is much needed.
---
Truffaut: Do dreams have a bearing on your work?
Hitchcock: Daydreams, probably.
...I hope that what they say of the original reels no longer existing isn't really true.
And, incidentally, I heard Blatty is in the process of writing one more book.
Incidentally, ever notice that the word 'incidentally' is repeatedly used in the man's movies? LOL, that's your Blatty trivia of the day..
I'm not a control freak, I just like things my way
Another example (besides the ending) I can think of off the top of my head, one of the inmates dances and sings in blackface makeup while a black inmate watches. It was cut from some versions (restored in the version I saw) because blackface is potentially offensive despite the context in which it appears in the film.A little late here, but I had heard it was because the home video department of Warner Bros. didn't want to fork over the dough to pay for the performance rights.
A little late here, but I had heard it was because the home video department of Warner Bros. didn't want to fork over the dough to pay for the performance rights.
That "Let the Right One In" business was pretty ridiculous, wasn't it? I'm glad they bothered to fix it (is the improved version available yet?); not so glad that I have to shell out again for the same movie.
shareThat "Let the Right One In" business was pretty ridiculous, wasn't it? I'm glad they bothered to fix it (is the improved version available yet?); not so glad that I have to shell out again for the same movie.