MovieChat Forums > Legend (1986) Discussion > Give me back the Theatrical Release

Give me back the Theatrical Release

posted 16 years ago by randomlynx
72 replies | jump to latest

Seriously, the Director's Cut is forgettable and just overall not that good. I remember Legend as being a somewhat dreamlike and definitely eighties fantasy which remains a good movie in a cult sort of way. I couldn't believe it was the same movie, glad I owned the original release before seeing the director's cut.

The change in soundtrack was singly the biggest mistake. Whatever their original intentions, Tangerine Dream did the superior soundtrack. Besides the two voiced songs which were quite memorable, scenes like Lilly's dance sequence took on a whole different feel from the beautifully broken melody by TD to the bland Goldsmith song (it had a few beats which I was starting to enjoy and then quickly flattened out again). Goldsmith does good stuff but in this case it was very typical for a fantasy movie for that time, but it felt especially bland after knowing the previous soundtrack.

The additional/extended scenes didn't add anything and mostly took away from the feel. The only scene I thought was worthwhile was the extended scene with Meg - it made a heckuva lot more sense in the longer version rather than confused fight with Jack in the shortened theatrical version. But everything else wasn't necessary - especially the longer ending.

I prefer the original version, actually I find that in many cases the original is better - there are reasons why certain sequences are shortened or cut out entirely. Maybe it's not always for the best but overall, usually it's usually better to keep the original reasons you loved a movie over trying to change the entire feel for a few extra minutes of footage.

[–] Chihuahua-tership_Down 13 years ago

I couldn't agree more. I have a set with both editions and I popped the director's cut in as I hadn't watched it since purchasing the dvd many years ago. My reaction was largely & . What the hell did they do to the music/score? I feel almost bad in saying that as the notes with the dvd say that the director's cut was really the movie that Scott wanted to make. Sorry , but it just wasn't very good.

[–] joncmayol 12 years ago

The Directors cut seemed to be less triumphant, less mythical, and less ethereal. I like the TD soundtrack as well as the JG sountrack. Somehow, the TD doesn't sound as cookie cutter to me. It also feels less real, and that is sort of the point isn't it? I feel the extended scenes were alright on the most part, but not worth the time invested in them. With so little added by the additional scenes, I feel we could do better things with that time. Time=Money after all, and the only lengthened scene I really enjoyed was Meg's. The unicorn scene was less interesting the way it is in the DC. The end, drags on too long, and the characters seem very changed by it.

---"Welcome to my nation!" Urei Pracrastei---

[–] T-eschberger 12 years ago

I enjoy both versions of the film. But I gravitate towards the US release. For one thing, the extended scenes really don't add anything new to the story that wasn't explained. Sure, we get Jack and Lily, more Gump, more Meg (That is the only scene that I really wish was longer in the US Cut) but it really doesn't shed new light on anything, just pads the film out. Both versions have the same unanswered questions: Why was Blunder evil then good? Was he like double agent or something? What exactly are those conveniently placed weapons Gump knows about? Why are they there?
The point of a Directors Cut is to add to the over all narrative and texture of the film. Aliens for example adds much more depth in the DC. As well as T2, The Abyss and LOTR's. Scott's own Blade Runner and Kingdom of Heaven as well. All of these are Directors Cuts that feel superior in storytelling than the theatrical versions. The DC of Legend is just...alternate. Not bad, but not really a marked improvement either.
Many seem to be calling the JG score bland. I wouldn't go that far. I think it's a great score, one of my favorites of his actually. It just doesn't fit Legend like a glove the way TD does. The TD score (as well as some of the cut out visuals like the glowing blue Darkness with neon green eyes and nails) add a dreamlike, mystical feeling to the film that is simply lost in the DC. The DC plays out more like a standard fairy tale and lacks that dreamlike tone and atmosphere. TD's score is also more powerful in most scenes. Someone mentioned the scene when Blix and the Goblins are approaching the cabin. The TD score adds much more terror to that scene then the JG score does. The dress scene and unicorn theme also apply. The JG score is more layered, nuanced, but it could be applied to a handful of other films imo. The TD score just WORKS in ways I can't really express at the moment. The best I can do is spout the same words people have been spouting for pages now: Dreamlike, ethereal, mystical...you get the picture.

[–] Enigmanic1 12 years ago

I absolutely agree with the OP.

The original soundtrack felt more immersive and seemed to fit the scenes better. Plus the song at the end of the movie sounded like crap compared to the original cut.

I would personally prefer an HD version of the original cut.