We have just uploaded the 177th episode of the Alien vs. Predator Galaxy Podcast (right-click and save as to download). For our first podcast episode of 2024, regular hosts Corporal Hicks, RidgeTop and Xenomorphine are joined by special community guest Nightmare Asylum to start the year of Alien’s 45th anniversary of discussing the differences between the Director’s Cut and the Theatrical Cut!
We discuss the major differences – added and removed scenes – between the two cuts, our preferences between the two and plenty more!
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Rez I don't really mind, both are okay except for the HORRIBLE intro in the DC.
Weird since I don't really think the director's cut is better than the theatrical one.
I now only watch A3's assembly cut though, which I think is far better than theatrical.
I think we actually agree in the end.
Yeah that's my point, those movies didn't cut bits out at the expense of the new bits, we got all of it and don't have to pick between movies that have different scenes removed/replaced.
I prefer the Cameron style " long road"
Like entire characters and subplots are resolved in the extended LotR that are lost in the theatrical versions. That's why those movies feel better longer; they're actually able to develop the story more fully.
I get that, I'm saying is more like I already know how the movie unfolds and A Directors will rarely add anything that was integral to the original, it ends up more like "oh that's kind of interesting"
I still usually like the originals better, but I just want to see more "stuff" usually, more word building, more of the characters. I think most of the extended cut versions of movies (Aliens, LOTR, The Abyss etc), they just feel better with more. Personal preference obviously!
Some directors end up liking the finished version fine (like Scott) and others try to get their version released.
I feel like the extended/Directors cut movies though should be just about volume regardless of pacing (within reason). They already made that movie, trying to make another one seems like double dipping.
As long as one scene doesn't contradict another, they should put as much in as possible. After all it's likely us that's going to buy/watch it and not Mr pacing issues.
Going to listen to the pod now at work !
is there a known cut like that which is downloadable? a fan cut perhaps?
We have editors for a reason.
There's a few out there.
I put together an extended cut, using as much of the deleted material as was possible. My edit runs at about 2hrs and 19 mins. Turned out okay - very viewable - but nothing beats an official product released (with previously-unreleased material added).
is there a cut of alien where the deleted scenes(not polished or altered) were just inserted either fan made or otherwise?
Slapping every cut scene back in makes for a slow movie. Like the Alien 3 Special Edition, minus the repetition.
https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=62824.msg2424524#msg2424524
As AvPG's resident lab tech/parasitologist there are some parasites, specifically plasmodium species(cause of malaria) that have an asexual and sexual stage of reproduction depending on the situation. I
As far as nematodes go, humans are the definitive host and some organisms produce either fertilized eggs or larvae that may be infective to a new host.
Stay tuned for more fun facts with AvPGs resident lab tech/parasitologist.
Wow. I didn't know that.
To be honest I'm not really sure which version of the film I like more. Like most of you there are aspects of both releases that I enjoy. I like the inclusion of the lambert's slap into scene. It really adds to the emotion and tension of the moment.
I also prefer the shorter cut of Brett's death. I feel in this case " less is more." You don't even really see the whole design of Alien until later in the film which adds to the horror of the creature design in my opinion.
Boy oh boy I've got to agree with Xenomorphine with yaphett Kottos delivery of his description of the Alien size. He sells the f**k out of it. You absolutely believe Parker saw something huge.
As a side note: I really appreciated the inclusion of the distress signal audio(before and after director's cut.) in podcast. I could get used to that feature.
Great job guys!
Almost forgot the biggest inclusion. The egg morphing. It's cool and I appreciate it as a potential life cycle(nerd-splaining) but I prefer the film with out it.
Agreed.
Apparently everything thrown in - including unreleased material. Would love to see it for the 50th anniversary.
Knowing how the filmmakers used insects as inspiration for how the alien gestates inside a host before hatching, doe's anyone know whether it's possible for a species to reproduce with multiple life cycles?
I've recently been wondering how the egg morphing would work. I obviously not a scientist, but could the cocoon break down Dallas and Brett on a cellular level and then using their matter create the new eggs? I heard that James Cameron thought it was a dumb idea.
Wasn't the alien also dying towards the end of the film and that's why it was hiding amongst the machinery in the narcissus?
Anyway I still prefer the Original film. Like others have said the editing in the director's Cut feels messy. Although I did enjoy the cleaned up deleted egg scene. The original deleted scene felt a little rough. I didn't like the new alien transmission sounds, still prefer the deleted scene's original sound. The first time I watched the DC on DVD the scene where the alien hits the cat box made me jump out of my skin! 🤣
Actually, you're right. I have to take that part back. I was thinking that at that stage things were so dire the expedient thing to do was to get the f**k outta there but she obviously placed a high measure of importance on the scuttle, and at great risk to herself.
TC
So what happened to Dallas? Apparently he wasn't killed or eaten; so what did the Alien do to him? The missing cocoon sequence answers this mystery.
More than that, it answers the much larger question of what the Alien's motives are. Up until this scene, it's been nothing more than a nasty monster with a penchant for killing people. Once we see the Brett and Dallas eggs, we get an a-ha moment as we recognise the eggs as identical to the ones from the derelict. Now we understand that the motives of the Alien are one of completing its life cycle.
We also infer that each one of those derelict eggs was originally another victim of the Alien, attacked and parasitised many years ago, perhaps even thousands or even millions of years ago. Once we understand that, we realise that if the Brett and Dallas eggs are left to their own devices they will, in turn, spawn a new source of Alien infestation and the cycle will continue.
Ripley also realises this. That's why she decides to blow up the ship instead of heading directly to the shuttle. She wants to terminate the cycle instead of leaving the eggs to perpetuate the Alien species upon discovery by a hapless space-farer some time in the future. (In the original version of the script she doesn't set the self-destruct until after learning of the egg-morphing.)
In terms of the writing, the cocoon sequence adds a nice structure to the story. The Brett and Dallas eggs create a circularity to the plot in which we end up back at the beginning. We thought we were just watching a sequence of kills, 10 Little Indians-style, but now we understand that the movie has been carefully laying out the life-cycle of the Alien through all its component stages. I find that very satisfying and it's why I think the DC is the superior version.
TC
Could you post the DVD cover, please? I like the design - it reminds me of the 1979 Official Movie Magazine.
I'm checking with the fella. I'm not sure if he still has it available online these days.
Always partial to the Theatrical of all the films myself. This one especially.
Too many cuts makes the second half of the film go way too fast and Riddles was right the first time to cut the cocoon scene.
Ben Burrt's OG signal was better too.
yes all the way!
It's the only part of the film when I have to suspend my disbelief. It's a shame because I think a bit of better editing could easily fix it.
I do wish they'd fix this too. It's the only real revisionism for Alien I'd accept. lol