Prometheus: The Restoration Cut

I'm a little bit in love with craigamore right now. That's a wonderful way to express it. The Trailer Trick was a bait and switch scheme. I'm actually quite familiar with that, because Japanese trailers are traditionally MUCH better than the films they sell. Again, marketing. It's a fact of our lives and just as much as money, it makes the world go around. Honestly, I'm not sure that 21 minutes pulled out of *any* hat—no matter how magical—could show us that *film that was being sold in the first couple of trailers, but I really really really want them to at least *try* to cut that release. @Engineering — I'm really happy for you that you like [i]Prometheus[/i] (as is) as much as you do. I honestly am. I don't dislike it. I accept this cut for what it is and I've seen it many times already. But, I constantly have to [u]forgive it[/u] for not being what I believe (based on precedent) is possible. If it can be(come) an [i]Inception[/i] or a [i]Blade Runner[/i] Director's Cut or or a [i]KoH[/i] DC, then BRING IT ON! Perhaps if the folks at WB who saw [i]Inception[/i] prove all of the detractors wrong had been those pulling the strings at FOX on [i]Prometheus[/i], I'd never have posted this topic to start with. The *audience* is [u]smarter[/u] than the studios believe. They simply do NOT turn out in droves to see films that have been subjected to inferior editing—no matter which power at be mandates those particular redactions.

@Sukkal...While I do love Prometheus I don't hold it in Blade Runner regard. I probably like it more than I like Inception. Not that it's in any way a better film than Inception. You know what I mean? There are films that I like better than other films even though in my heart of hearts the other film is better. Make sense? As far as the KoH DC I'm not sure if I like it or Prometheus better. Actually, I do like Prometheus better. Prometheus being sci-fi and in the Alien universe pushes it over the top for me. I do obviously hold the KoH DC in high regard regardless of my distaste for Orlando Bloom. Don't get me wrong, I understand why Scott cast Bloom but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Someone was saying to me the other day that they would rather have seen someone like Russell Crowe for KoH but that would make no sense at all. Anyway, point is, Prometheus has it's flaws. I know and accept that. I think a DC or extended cut COULD be better but I also think it might not be better as well. It all depends on what Scott held back. I'm sure we all remember right before the rating was released when Fox and Scott saying that not a frame would be cut to earn a PG-13. That what was going to be given to the ratings board was Scott's vision. Personally, if what we've seen is in fact Scott's vision and those statements weren't just lip service, then I'm happy with what we have. However, if Scott was asked to hold back certain things because they "went off on a tangent" like they said about KoH then I will be super fu%king excited as what we may have in store could be something great indeed.

I think you're all talking about the Political Economis (or Strategic Drip-feeding) of the Hollywood (aka lawyers) system - it's cynical and it's a gamble. 1) original Blade Runner - loved it. 2) Prometheus soundtrack - loved it.

sukkal I still really like Star Trek IV and the Captains LDS... LOL Ridley my do a directors cut but I doubt it on Prometheus... BR2 is in full development and hopefully P2 will soon be right behind it.

@Engineering— Stuff was cut about the Engineers. The images of the Elders before the sacrifice is proof of that. [url=http://i.imgur.com/FVS75.jpg][img]http://i.imgur.com/FVS75.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://ifonlyuk.com/interviews/interview-daniel-twiss/]Daniel Twiss’ interview[/url] in which he talks about "learning his lines ('words') in Engineer ('Alien')" is also proof of that. In the cut we know, the Sacrifice Engineer does not speak. I personally would have sat there and watched NOTHING but the sacrifice ceremony for 45 minutes listening to [url=http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/prometheus-original-motion/id527304464][i]Life[/i][/url] over and over again and been thrilled, so if they want to bring all of that back and even cut out the hammerpede AND mutant Fifield's triumphant return to the garage, it'll be a much better film for ME. I think it is *POSSIBLE* that FOX realized (BEFORE anything went to ratings) that a lot of the stuff revolving around the Engineers themselves was "different enough" and "important enough" that it could be pulled out to make another version of the film that could as FreePlanet puts it: "strategically feed the drip." I am hopeful that there is another cut of the film that they feel is superior (or at least DIFFERENT) enough that it will significantly augment their revenue stream. Now, I'm not commenting on the scruples of doing that for more money—please be your own judge—I'm saying that I WANT to believe that that there is another version of this film out there that contains content that is WORTHY of more cash outlay (from the audience). @FreePlanet — You are absolutely correct. It is a GAMBLE.

@patch — If the Restoration of which I speak *exists, it's more or less cut and in some can already...

@Sukkal...[quote] [b] "Stuff was cut about the Engineers. The images of the Elders before the sacrifice is proof of that."[/b][/quote] Can I ask why you directed this statement at me? Did I in some way make you think that I believe there isn't any cut footage? I'm sorry but I just can't agree that they could just add 45 extra minutes of whatever and that would make the film better. Take Alien for example. Pretty cool stuff cut out but is one version really that much BETTER than the other? No. You may prefer one over the other but neither is far superior. That said, I do believe that there is a great chance that there is a better cut out there. I've stated that already many, many times in this and other threads. In fact here's a small quote from a longer post from this very thread... [quote][b]"Basically, when Scott filmed KoH there were certain scenes he shot with and without a pretty major character. This character being in or out of the film made a major difference. Much like Weyland might if there were a version of the film where, say, he was never hidden from the crew in stasis. Not saying they filmed that. Just saying that the KoH DC and evidence of a lot of different "versions" of things that we veiwed in the tralier leads me to believe there's a much different cut of this film than Scott and Fox has let on."[/b][/quote] I'm just wondering what I said that made you direct that post towards me. I'm not offended or anything. Just wondering. Also, why did you choose to call it the "restoration cut"? Regardless of what anyone calls it there is another cut of the film to be shown. Nothing to wish for in that regard. Whether it's a DC or FC or RC there is another one out there. The question is will it be worse, better or equal to the original cut.

In regards to the KoH theatrical cut and what was actually cut from Scott's version of the film, this was all public knowledge when the film came out. Maybe not "public" but it was talked about that Fox and Scott did not agree on what was shown theatrically. In the case of Prometheus, Fox stated that what was going to the ratings board was Ridley's cut. If this is true, I trust that if Ridley cut something out of Prometheus of his own fruition it was 99% the right choice. I've never seen anything that Scott has cut out of his film of his own free will that I thought absolutely made the film better. Usually, if Scott cuts something, it's the right choice. IMO, of course.

jenskarlsson: I completely agree with everything you said. I think in the future Prometheus will be considered a classic the same as Bladerunner. Would I love to see an extended cut of Prometheus? Sure! But I still was satisfied with the current version too.

Naaa blade runner made sense all the way through people were just shocked by it. Prometheus doesnt makes sense in parts and there are some very questionable decisions in the film on more than one occasion only a proper revamp would save it (or possibly media like online or in sequels to prop it up) and its almost impossible to make it a classic now. But not impossible of course! If the 2nd part isnt better it will die a horrible death :( ...

Sukkal, don't you think like Harry's 'Life' sounds like it belongs in one of those 1970's Big Country-like wagon-train prospector westerns? PS: Ridley Scott's an ARTIST, a TWEAKER.

Yes lots of people dont realise that directors dont have a grip on everything that happens they merley guide it much like writers too - the writer has no control over how the actor interprets the script etc. etc. . The director only sees a tiny percentage of the work being done on a film - agreed its the most important parts normally. Even the editing is done with input from another person...

@Engineering— I addressed you directly due to: [quote=Engineering][i]...Anyway, point is, Prometheus has it's flaws. I know and accept that. I think a DC or extended cut COULD be better but I also think it might not be better as well. [u]It all depends on what Scott held back.[/u] I'm sure we all remember right before the rating was released when Fox and Scott saying that not a frame would be cut to earn a PG-13. That what was going to be given to the ratings board was Scott's vision. Personally, if what we've seen is in fact Scott's vision and those statements weren't just lip service, then I'm happy with what we have. [u]However, if Scott was asked to hold back certain things because they "went off on a tangent" like they said about KoH then I will be super fu%king excited as what we may have in store could be something great indeed.[/u][/i][/quote] I'm sorry if you felt I was challenging you. I was not. I can see certain people at FOX considering an Engineer "Life Creation Ceremony" as a [u]tangent[/u]. I can also see others at FOX considering it something that is big enough that it could get people [u]super fu%king excited[/u]. I call it the "Restoration Cut" because I want to see the FULL CONTENT *RESTORED* to the film; as in the case of [i]Kingdom of Heaven[/i]. Having the Engineers conceived, cast, dressed by wardrobe and made up with prosthetics, and taught lines in their own unique language, which was developed by a PhD; and then having that captured on film and intentionally REMOVED from the story seems uncomfortably *ODD* to me. My [u]intuition[/u] is at play here, undeniably, but something is not quite right. It is completely *possible* that during the filmmaking process Ridley had a radical "change of heart" about who the Engineers are and what role they are supposed to play in the bigger picture of the story (assuming the vision of [i]Paradise[/i] is to come to fruition). It is conceivable that the shot and in-the-can dialogue or behavior was at odds with that *modified* vision. If that is the case, then I can see excising them from the film to the extent that that has been done. [u]However[/u], it then becomes QUITE odd for FOX to have released the stills of the Elders that they have; almost like *teasers*. It is difficult for me to imagine extra footage of the Engineers speaking and engaging in traditional behaviors in the same league as "it was a mistake for Noomi to beat up on Ian with an ax; because it belittled his majesty." Excepting David 8, there is NOTHING in the film more interesting to me than the characters of the Engineers (and all that relates to THEM and that they imply), so I find it more than strange for them to have been CUT and then LEAKED by FOX... @FreePlanet— Yes, I definitely get that vibe out of the horns in [i]Life[/i], but it's "bigger" and more majestic than that too. Though, it's hard to be bigger than the Grand Canyon and it's quite evocative of that kind of scenery. There is almost no "West" wilder than a virtually lifeless planet, huh?

I surrender and am quite dubious about purchasing [url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/prometheus-deleted-scenes-will-include-more-david-the-engineer-additional-opening-closing-moments-more-20120816]this blu-ray release[/url].

@Sukkal...This thread being bumped made me realize I never read you're response. Here's mine... Quote=Sukkal... [b][i]"I can see certain people at FOX considering an Engineer "Life Creation Ceremony" as a tangent. I can also see others at FOX considering it something that is big enough that it could get people super fu%king excited. "[/i][/b] I know what this statement 'means' I guess I just don't quite get what you're trying to say. If you mean that maybe Fox cut out the "Life Creation Ceremony" because they felt it wenty off on a tangent then that point is moot if what both Fox and Scott have said about the theatrical being Scott's cut and that he didn't take anything out that he didn't want to. As far as everything being "restored" I guess I'm nitpicking but that would be called the "workprint" not the "restoration cut." In the case of the Kingdom of Heaven Director's Cut, that was a totally different situation. That was in no way a "restoration cut" as the film was made 2 ways. One with and one without. One is the theatrical and one is the director's cut. Scott cut scenes from both of those. Great point about Ridley changing his mind about the Engineers and their roles. That could very well be the case. Personally, I think he just wanted to keep them more mysterious, fitting with how the SJ was in Alien, or Freddy was in the first Nighmare on Elm Street or any number of other example of a character being much more interesting if you see them less or know less about them. But knowing about the "space Jesus theory" and how Scott said they were going to go with it but it was too obvious points to a change of direction. It'll be very interesting to find out. I find the Engineers more interesting than David. It's close and I think David's story might be more dominant though.