I liked this movie, and I'm thinking of buying the German dvd box with the original longer version. What was cut though? A whole hour is a lot, was the story changed much?
Would it be worth it to buy the longer version?
I don't know for sure, but I heard they may have cut a lot of the middle story, which would be the part featuring Brad Davis as the "second" chief! This would be a major shame because Davis' performance as the twisted, racist cop Sonny Butts is probably the best in the mini-series. It's best to see the whole thing...if that's at all possible!
shareIn spite of all the "cut" worries, I recently broke down, purchased and watched the shorter DVD US version of Chiefs and for the life of me could not find the "cuts" people seem worried about on this board. The story line remained intact and was just as great as I remembered it to be when originally shown on TV. All of the evilness of the Brad Davis character's seemed to be well portrayed and not lacking in the least bit. Everything seemed to be there and I was not disappointed at all... as a matter of fact I was very pleased and would recomend this DVD to any Chief fans... with one disclaimer: It had been 24 years since I originally saw this mini-series and I could have forgotten the parts they cut but whatever was cut didn't seem to effect the story for me.
a picture is worth a thousand words...
I know this has been over a year since it was posted to, but a significant cut to the original VHS release was when Will Lee's son Billy and his friend Tyler as young boys are playing in a barn at the end of the street, when Foxy Funderburke comes in and masturbates in one of the stalls of the barn. They secretly watch.
Another scene is where Hugh Holmes is talking to FDR in a car and he pulls away splashing mud on Will Lee's uniform as he is walking across the street to see Hugh. Hugh asks hims if he knew who that was and Will said he didn't care.
And another scene is when Sonny Butts tries to rape a young woman at the public swimming pool in the picnic area.
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Im just watching the series and the rape-scene with Butts is not cut out. This is btw the vhs-version sold in Sweden and its 207 minutes in Pal-format.
sharethe part where sonny butts says "you tell his majesty hugh holmes i want a parade" was cut out of the version I saw as well.
shareDavis's performance was too good to cut out, he was ultra scary as the pyschotic cop
No Justice Just Us
And another scene is when Sonny Butts tries to rape a young woman at the public swimming pool in the picnic area.
My copy is from the two tape VHS from 1980 something and it has the above scene but not the others
See some stars here
http://www.vbphoto.biz/
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I have watched parts one and two on the German DVD and found the following scenes not included on the VHS released in the US in the late 80s early 90s.
In Part 1....
- Each of the council members are introduced as they leave their homes and businesses to attend the meeting regarding electing a chief.
- Foxy Funderburke takes a puppy to Chief Lee's home for the children.
- The scene where T.T. Holmes is outfitting Will Henry is extended.
- Will Henry patrols the streets on a Saturday and prevents a confrontation when a young white man flirts with a black girl.
- The scene where FDR visits with Hugh Holmes. When I read that below I really thought it was made up.
- Foxy sees Will Jr. on the street and asks him how he likes the puppy and offers to take him duck hunting one day.
- An extended scene of Will Henry talking to Foxy on his 2nd visit to his home.
- When Hoss Spence first arrives after taking over Will's old farm, he tries to buy the horse Apple, but Joshua says the horse has a bad foot, angering Hoss Spence.
- An extended scene where the grocer catches Joshua Cole with the stolen ham.
- When first visiting Justin County, Will Henry converses with a deputy who says the second murdered boy has been buried all ready.
In Part 2....
- Billy Lee and his new wife are traveling down the road and celebrating their future when the car they are driving gives out.
- Sonny Butts tries to flirt with Ellie Lee when she and Trish go to Foxy's to purchase a puppy.
- Ellie and Trish purchase the gun that they later use when the Klan visits Will Henry's home. Trish says she is hunting "Yellow bellied white sheets" or something to that effect.
- As Sonny awaits the grand jury's decision in his office, he envisions the parade that will follow after he exposes Foxy Funderburke. He leaves his office and tells the trooper to pass on to "His majesty Hugh Holmes" that he wants a parade.
These are all the scenes I recall at this time. Truth be told, they did not add much to the film for me, aside from maybe Foxy giving the kids the puppy, resulting in him being less "odd" in the eyes of others, but even more so in that of the audience when the truth comes out.
The nearly full 4 hours is on YouTube and free. Type in the search "Chiefs mini series."
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