MovieChat Forums > Little Shop of Horrors (1986) Discussion > Love the original (restored) ending - s...

Love the original (restored) ending - should have left it as was!

posted 10 years ago by decmcg
10 replies | jump to latest

Having seen the studio-edited/reshot ("original" theatrical) release of the film a hundred times, I'd always loved the film for what it was, but was well aware that the ending had been changed (due to preview audiences reaction at the leads characters dying at the end) and that it wasn't the way it was all intended to pan out... plus always felt that them changing it by (thanks to a convenient live electricity wire) having Audrey 2 killed and the leads live was well quite simply just a cop-out at a typical Hollywood happy-ending!

Though now being able to view the recovered and restored "director's cut" in all its marvellous o.t.t. glory, have to say the filmmakers and stars were right in that the studio should just have left it as is/was. With the "Godzilla" ending attached - yes it's sad Seymour and Audrey fall prey and Audrey 2 prevails - but that in itself along with the amazing spectacle of an ending which follows undoubtedly brings the film up and out of Skid Row and on to an entirely new dramatic level (plus one more in-tune to the stage version of the musical on which the film based)... and to a climax I feel is way more satisfying overall.

[–] decmcg 9 years ago

Though I wonder why if they really HAD to change that original ending back in the day - surely they could have come up with a way (i.e. a re-shoot) which would have allowed Seymour and Audrey to survive, but still live to see the plant go on to thrive and conquer... leading in to the intended Audrey2-conquers ending!?

[–] EndlessUniverse 9 years ago

If Oz and Ashman had portrayed Seymour in the film as amoral as he was in the original play, I think the more faithful ending wouldve worked better. However, the lack of Seymour's murders beyond Mushnik (which is only hinted at in the WP), as well as leaving out "It's Just the Gas" made the character too likeable. I don't think the theatrical ending is perfect either, but it does to fit in a little better with the tone set up previously. Especially when you take "Green Mother" into account. Having the sequence set right after Audrey's death just feels mean, and a lot darker than the rest of the film imo.

[–] Wombstar 9 years ago

Because likable characters shouldn't die 

[–] EndlessUniverse 9 years ago

That's not what I'm arguing. I'm arguing that the DC ending is an abrupt shift in tone from the rest of the theatrical cut. Had the original deleted scenes from the workprint been left in as well, I might call the DC the superior version.

[–] doughboyjonesmkii 9 years ago

I also agree with that sentiment. There are things about the original ending I like but man it does shift gears way too hard.

I'm genuinely convinced that every movie would be better with Arnold Schwarzenegger in it.

[–] EndlessUniverse 9 years ago

Certainly a harsh transition, though I mainly agree with the fact that every movie is better with Arnold Scwarzenegger.

[–] billybarnett806 9 years ago

An abrupt shift? You didn't find the plants taking over funny? I sure did.

"Like my great grandpappy used to say, when life gives you booty, make bootyade!"-Big E of New Day

[–] EndlessUniverse 9 years ago

The "Don't Feed the Plants" finale definitely had the right tone and was a good conclusion. However, the deaths of Audrey and Seymour were too grim, what with Seymour nearly committing suicide and Audrey II now mocking Seymour's grief at Audrey's death with "Mean Green Mother from Outer Space". But that's just me.

[–] doughboyjonesmkii 9 years ago

Exactly. Seymour was more of a hapless dope being manipulated by the evil plant rather than a deliberate greedy murderer. Just look at him he always just looks confused, torn, frightened and just plain in over his head. Not exactly Charles Manson. The people he killed weren't exactly the most sympathetic characters, either(Orin being an abusive sociopath and Mushnik treating him like garbage the whole movie then blackmailing him).

Other than overhauling the whole thing to make Seymour more evil the only real way to work in the original ending that I can think of is to pass it all off as a dream, Seymour wakes up throws away the plan, punches out Orin and runs away with Audrey. Then you get the moral about runaway greed AND a happy ending. But that's just my humble opinion.

I'm genuinely convinced that every movie would be better with Arnold Schwarzenegger in it.

[–] inlibrislibertum 9 years ago

I agree with you. I've seen the stage play many times, and the ending works. I don't mind it. But I've never been able to bring myself to watch the DC of the movie. I couldn't bear to see that Seymour and that Audrey get eaten.