comment #1

JD says ...

The three hour version sounds more like a work-in-progress than a director's cut. In all the interviews I've read, Fincher has said there were 1 or 2 scenes he wishes he could put back in and now it sounds like he's doing just that and nothing more. Of course, the real reason this release is an event is because of the high regard most of us have for the multi-disc releases of Seven, Fight Club and Panic Room, not to mention the UK DVD of The Game (which is basically just the Criterion laserdisc ported over to DVD). In any case, knowing Fincher's perfectionism, I don't think he would ever release a rough, fatty version of this movie. I know, some of you think Zodiac already is fatty, but I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, it's one of the most precise and exacting films of the decade.

comment #2

p.Vice says ...

I believe the plan is to release a new director's cut each year with 3-4 minutes added each time. We should expect to see the full movie sometime around 2015.

comment #3

Alan Cerny says ...

This is actually good news to me. Now I don't feel overly compelled to hold on to the theatrical release DVD.

comment #4

gruver1 says ...

Wells to JD and the world: "Zodiac" is one of the most precise and exacting films of all time.

comment #5

lazarus says ...

JD, what's exactly on that special edition of The Game? I own a laserdisc player and would definitely hunt this down if there's a commentary. I still think that film is way underrated.

comment #6

BurmaShave says ...

From the beggining to the end, the film was 157 minutes. I've walked it.

comment #7

jeffmcm says ...

Now hang on. One of the most precise and exacting films of this year, sure. Of all time? Be realistic. One of the most precise and exacting films of all time wouldn't have such an uncertain, vague central performance (I'm looking at you, Gyllenhaal).

comment #8

erniesouchak says ...

I just got this from Netflix, and the packaging lists it at 158 minutes. It holds up well for a second viewing, but I agree that the main character is a weak link. One of the most precise and exacting films of all time? Hmmmm. Not sure about that one.

comment #9

Walter Sobchak says ...

I like "Zodiac" quite a bit, but I don't know if I need three hours of it...

It was nice to see "Hurdy Gurdy Man" used so effectively in a cool film...

the only better application of that song I've seen is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke-mejqpPF4

comment #10

christian says ...

i've seen the director's cut and the extra footage is primarily character bits, little jokes, etc. the longest scene is probably edwards and ruffalo giving the da (unseen on a speaker phone) the list of evidence to get a search warrant for arthur leigh's trailer.

comment #11

JD says ...

Here's the UK version of The Game, complete with most of the Criterion extras. It's a pretty solid release, but amazon.co.uk doesn't seem to carry it for some reason:

http://tinyurl.com/2nwmgv

comment #12

corey3rd says ...

Did he shoot an actual ending to the movie or will we still be stuck with reading how it "wrapped up."

comment #13

TL says ...

Contents of the Criterion LD of The Game:

This Director Approved special edition features:

* New widescreen (2.35:1) digital transfer supervised by director David Fincher
* New Dolby Digital® discrete 5.1 channel surround sound mix supervised by sound designer Ren Klyce, optimized for home theater viewing
* Screen-specific audio commentary by David Fincher, actor Michael Douglas, screenwriters John Brancato and Michael Ferris, digital animation supervisor Richard "Dr." Baily, production designer Jeffrey Beecroft, visual effects supervisor Kevin Haug, visual effects producer Robyn D'Arcy and director of photography Harris Savides
* Behind the scenes footage shot exclusively for the Criterion Collection special edition
* Storyboards and production design drawings
* Alternate ending
* The original widescreen theatrical trailer and teaser trailer
* Psychological test film

comment #14

soundoftheground says ...

regardless of the running time are they planning on re-mastering this version? the original looks like shite at times.

comment #15

JD says ...

Yeah, the contents of The Game DVD and LD are the same. All those other people also appear on the DVD commentary, though they're not listed on the HMV site.

comment #16

Midwest Doug says ...

I'm missing something with Zodiac. I liked it, respected it, really enjoyed the performances of Robert Downey Jr. and Anthony Edwards, but wasn't blown away by it. Perhaps I got too wrapped up in my own frustrations about the reality the movie portrays (senseless murder, things falling through the cracks, no resolution to the case), I couldn't take everything in.

comment #17

christian says ...

and then there's the two minute black screen scene set to changing music to show the passage of time. probably fincher's boldest stroke.

comment #18

DavidF says ...

There's a misconception that a director's cut has to be longer.

For example, the "director's cut" of Alien now out on DVD is actually a few minutes SHORTER despite having additional scenes.

If you're getting what the director wanted the length shouldn't matter. If you want to see the longest possible cut, that's your business. I want to see Fincher's cut, whether it's 30 mins or 157 or 162 or 180.

In the meantime, be thankful that DVD is allowing things like this or the Donner version of Superman II or the forthcoming Blade Runner set, to even exist.

Now, when is Fincher gonna be nice and put together his version of Alien3, with commentary??

comment #19

JD says ...

Fincher has said that his cut of Alien 3 could never exist because they didn't let him shoot many of the scenes that were central to his vision. Plus, he doesn't want to subject himself to that movie ever again.

comment #20

Jack Price says ...

Awesome, Christian, I was just about to ask about that scene.

Do you know if any of the extended murders are going back into the director's cut? I know Fincher had to reshoot a lot of that material in order to bring down the running time (particularly the opening scene, which seems far more abrupt than it did in the script). I recall reading how he felt some of the reshoots helped, while others hurt.

comment #21

Hickenlooper says ...

This is one I definitely plan to own. I thought the theatrical version was brilliant. Perhaps the best American film in over a decade. It haunted me for days. I, too, am hoping the Director's cut is close to three hours.

comment #22

Walter Sobchak says ...

Yo Hickenlooper..... there you are.... I FINALLY saw "Factory Girl" last night... (sorry it took so long)... I liked it quite a bit... love Factory stuff... your Nico was brilliant... the film really seemed to capture the mojo of the time and place without being hazy-eyed reverent... I liked that it was a bit cynical of that scene and not your typical hagiographical slobber... (i.e. "weren't the 60's bitchin', man!") good sountrack, too... I liked the avoiding of cliched 60's songs... (i.e. no "All Along the Watchtower" or "Get Together")

Go Blues
Go Cards in '08
R.I.P. The Parkmore

comment #23

York "Budd" Durden says ...

I felt the same way as Hickenlooper about Zodiac, perhaps even more passionately. I walked out and called my wife to tell her I'd just seen the best American movie in...well, I didn't know how long.
I went back the next day and felt even more strongly about the experience.

I wish I could say I'd seen Factory Girl at last, but it has been Very Long Wait in my netflix queue ever since the release date (and I live in a netflix hub town).

comment #24

corey3rd says ...

sometimes if you take a DVD that's Long Wait off your queue and add it back, you'll get a "Now."

comment #25

source188 says ...

What makes Zodiac so engrossing and effective is the fact that Fincher is an obsessed man, an obsessive filmmaker. Add to that that the Zodiac case itself is a labyrinth of mystery powerful enough to poses anyone and the result is a definitive examination of the specifically forbidding atmosphere this case has built. This film goes/grows far deeper than just the case itself and the men behind it.

comment #26

christian says ...

i appreciate the attention to detail, but i still think the cg stuff is obvious and distracting.

comment #27

JD says ...

So Jeff, why isn't Zodiac in the Oscar Balloon... not even in the "if there was a God" category? Someone needs to start pushing this movie for serious awards consideration. Maybe that's part of the reason for the expanded DVD.

comment #28

carla kolchak says ...

There's a misconception that a director's cut has to be longer. For example, the "director's cut" of Alien now out on DVD is actually a few minutes SHORTER despite having additional scenes. If you're getting what the director wanted the length shouldn't matter.
-DavidF

True. I would like to see this.

comment #29

christian says ...

the "director's cut" of ALIEN is not at all. scott has said so, and it's a bad job of eliminating great moments of mood and rhythm, not to mention changing the alien warning signal to a far less effective version than the original.

comment #30

Admiral82 says ...

Blood Simple directors cut is shorter then the original. Not sure I've ever seen the original...

comment #31

alan says ...

JD said: "Someone needs to start pushing this movie for serious awards consideration. Maybe that's part of the reason for the expanded DVD."

1/8/08: Release date of Zodiac Director's Cut DVD
1/12/08: Academy Award nomination polls close

Hmm....

comment #32

JD says ...

Might be a little tight for nominations, but it should work out very well when it comes to awards voting. Of course, Zodiac is far too unsentimental to win any substantial awards from the Academy.

comment #33

jjgittes says ...

"Zodiac" is a great film - I'd put it in the top 3 American films of this decade along with "Memento" (oh you think it's overrated? It's not), and "Munich".

I wasn't even that big a Fincher fan before "Zodiac" but it is a masterful film. The opening "Hurdy-Gurdy" murder sequence is among the most perfectly constructed killings you'll see in a film - heartbreaking, spellbinding, creepy, memorable, brilliantly set-up.

Oh and there's no problem with the central performance either - it's fine. But this is the director's show......and what a show it is.

comment #34

mf9design says ...

Speaking of the Criterion Edition LD of The Game. I have a copy of it that I am willing to sell. I got ride of my LD player year ago but held on to this because I knew how rare it was.

If interested, send me offers at forstm@southwestmsu.edu

I can provide pictures if requested.

Thanks,
Mitch