TWOK - Theatrical Cut vs Director's Cut

[Botany Bay]

Guys,

Just got the Blu-Ray of TWOK, which is the theatrical cut for some reason.

I hadn't seen this cut in years, and was surprised how much I missed all the extra scenes and alternate takes used in the Director's edition of 200X.

IMO, the choices Meyer made later on were much better. For example : how could you leave out the scenes establishing that the young engineer is Scotty's nephew?

Which cut do you prefer?

 

[shadowedgalaxy]

I have the VHS (theatrical cut) and the DVD (director's cut), and I still can't tell the difference between them.

 

[Mike Farley]

I like the bit in Engineering that reveals Peter Preston is Scottie's nephew, but I think the rest of it was better off on the cutting room floor.

 

[Harvey]

I like the longer cut. It's just a little bit of added color for the characters and the film, although I'm impressed at how well the awkward cuts in the medical bay scene of the theatrical cut work. Still, the difference between the two versions is minor, which is why I'm looking to get TWOK on Blu-Ray at some point, since it at least got a decent transfer.

 

[Jeyl]

Saavik: Admiral, what happens if the reliant fails to follow us into the nebula?

More of Saavik being one step ahead of everyone is always better.

 

[Chrisisall]

Theatrical. Leaner, meaner.

 

[David cgc]

The only thing I don't prefer about the director's cut is the delivery of some of the lines in the extended scenes. They could've cut into the theatrical version of McCoy's line at the end of the engineering scene, and I don't really think "That's for us to know and Reliant to find out" was worth the use of the more awkward take. But "That young man, he's my son," and "We're alive only because I knew something about these ships that he didn't," more than make up for that little bit of awkwardness.

 

[Data Holmes]

Directors cut... Only thing I don't like about it is Nimoy's delivery of fascinating in the "that's my son" exchange in the jeferies tube.

 

[Sky]

I just realized I've never seen the director's cut.
All the versions I've ever owned - VHS, DVD, remastered - have been theatrical cuts.

 

[Harvey]

I like the alternate take of the Regula One scene. The added camera movement makes it more dynamic. It is a bit weird hearing line deliveries that are slightly different than what I've heard fifty times before, but I've grown used to it.

 

[David cgc]

Directors cut... Only thing I don't like about it is Nimoy's delivery of fascinating in the "that's my son" exchange in the jeferies tube.

I, on the other hand, like how sarcastic he sounds.

 

[Kegg]

I don't think the line about Saavik being half-Romulan has ever been included on the DVDs, has it (as a deleted bit, that is)? I did see that once on a trailer online in rather shabby quality.

That said, Director's Cut would be my preference but not by any great degree - it's no significant improvement over the rather smooth original.

 

[Harvey]

I've only seen the line about her Romulan heritage in the Show West (might be getting the name wrong) Trailer, which I assume you're making reference to. I don't know about the recent Blu-Ray, but I don't think it's included there, either.

 

[Kegg]

Pity. I suppose as a line left on the cutting room floor it's not substantive enough to be a deleted scene, but it is one of the more interesting things cut out of the movie.

 

[Harvey]

That and Khan's baby. I wish that footage (or even a reference to it) would find its way on a special feature someday. Not that I want it back in the movie, but it's interesting enough that it should be seen.

 

[ChristopherPike]

Sad in a way... that no DVD featurette discusses either of these dropped plots.

No need for Mr. Meyer to reinstate them in the film, since he must've thought there was sufficient reason to litter the cutting room floor with surviving Khan siblings and careless talk about Saavik. Just show whatever footage exists in a documentary and add some "what-if" insight to a classic movie.

I like the Theatrical best and first saw the restored/alternate takes in 2002 when the Director's Edition DVD came out. Having thought I knew TWOK like the back of my hand for two decades, the added material felt jarring and slightly odd. I like those scenes for the added character moments they bring, but having lived without them for so long... they're flagged up in my mind whenever I watch the newer cut. There's a drop out moment (the only way I can really describe it) which still doesn't feel that seamless.

 

[Kegg]

That and Khan's baby. I wish that footage (or even a reference to it) would find its way on a special feature someday.

I'd never even heard of that, and I knew about some pretty crazy versions of the story and the odd completely pointless fact. Kudos, sir.

 

[Kelso]

^ Middy recently posted a pic.

http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=102909&highlight=khan+baby

 

[Harvey]

It was on this board that I learned about it. There's an image or two on the FAQ page, and a brief description of the scene.

Though now I'm curious to hear about the odd completely pointless fact, since I revel in such things.

 

[Kegg]

Well... uh... nothing that obscure, just stuff like Joachim supposed to having been Joaquin from the original episode. That is fairly pointless, no?