Movies that are better as cutdowns

[Phil Moors]

I don’t know if this topic has come up before but I am aware of a few films that were improved by leaving the bulk of the film on the floor. Therefore I will start the ball rolling.

1. Raise the Titanic - the full feature is interminable, but Derann’s 2 x 400 version is much better and is still quite leisurely.

2. Bandolero - I had never seen the full feature until recently on dvd. James Stewart, Dean Martin and Raquel Welch. How
Can a western be so poor. The 400’ version is quite exciting and omits large amounts of Raquel’s.
Poor acting and phoney Mexican accent.

I am sure other members will want to add to the list, please feel free to nominate your Golden Cutdowns that are better than the full length feature.

[Lincoln Thorn]

I’d say SuperGirl is much better as a digest than when I saw the full feature!

[Graham Ritchie]

Can't really think of any Phil, I would always prefer the full feature although "Airplane" does come close .

[Larry Arpin]

I always thought STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE was better as 3X400 foot version. I only saw THE MUPPET MOVIE as a digest and was disappointed when I saw the feature.

[Ed Gordon]

If you include include trailers (the ultimate cut down), the list of features that disappointed would indeed be very long!

[Marshall Crist]

I think the Ken Films 400' cutdown of THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN is arguably better than the feature.

[Patrick Walsh]

I have always liked THE TOWERING INFERNO 3x400ft and WHERE EAGLES DARE 3x400ft digests

[Barry Attwood]

Xanadu is the best example of a great double album compared to the padded out feature, it really works well as a 32 minute cut, whereas the feature is a one time watch

[Melvin England]

1941 !

[Mitchell Dvoskin]

Many years ago I made my own 35mm cutdown of Xanadu. It consisted of the opening credits, all the musical numbers back to back, and the end credits. It ran about 1 hour and fits perfectly on 1 big reel for screening without having to change reels. It plays much better than the full film. What were they thinking when they cast a guy who could not sing or dance as the male lead in a musical.

[Patrick Walsh]

Derann's cutdown of 633 SQUADRON is very enjoyable

[Nantawat Kittiwarakul]

Not small-gauge digest edit but...

CINEMA PARADISO, director's cut vs international cut - this should be a prime example of "more doesn't always means better".

[Osi Osgood]

Wow! You're own custom digest of XANADU! I envy that! The neat thing is that it includes the Gene Kelly dance, which, in my opinion, is one of the high points of that film!

[Brian Fretwell]

I'd say the Steve Martin film "The Jerk" is better as a cut down. I thought it a bit rambling in its full length version when I saw it on TV after having the 2x400ft for several years.