| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Gandalf |
Posted - April 11 2005 : 12:31:18 AM
I'm starting this new thread to make sure that some really interesting stuff I posted doesn't get lost on this message board.
The most relevant posts are in the thread "Alice looks towrd Uncas" at this URL:
http://www.mohicanpress.com/messageboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3030&whichpage=2
To summarize, a recent LA Times article came out which indicated that the DVD distributors are actively recruiting fan input in order to generate new DVD products out of their large libraries of movie and TV shows that have up to now been sitting idly, not earning their keep. The interest on both sides is pretty obvious. Fans have this passion for some old TV show or movie, and the DVD companies want to make money and will put just about anything the fans want on these DVDs, especially if they know the fans will buy the stuff.
People on this message board have been actively involved with trying to get Michael Mann to do a new DVD of "Last of the Mohicans", but I think this has been the wrong approach. Certainly it has not worked so far.
Read the article in that other thread. The LA Times makes it clear that fans of other TV shows and movies have been able to get the DVD they want by actively engaging in a dialogue with the DVD distributors, who are eager for fan input.
I e-mailed Elaine Dutka, the writer of that LA Times article (her email address, like all LA Times writers, is Her.Name@latimes.com - Elaine.Dutka@latimes.com) and she told me that the contact person at Fox (the DVD distributor for LOTM) is Steve Feldstein, and his phone number is 310-369-5369.
I would recommend that people ask for a 3-disc Special Edition version of LOTM - the Preview Version, the Main Theatrical Release version, and the Director's Cut version, all together. Squeezed into this DVD set could be the additional Deleted Footage, "Making of" stuff, and of course, commentary from as many people from the cast and crew as they can get.
This isn't a pipe dream. As has been posted onto the Amazon.com customer review section for the movie "Bladerunner" a 3-disc Special Edition Version has been in the works with a similar lineup of 3 versions of the movie. This Special Edition has been held up only by some sort of a legal/personal dispute with the owners of the movie.
If "MacGyver" can make a comeback as a DVD, surely the fans of LOTM can get the DVD that they want.
SO GET TO WORK EVERYBODY! Let Steve Feldstein know about this great website and about how much you care about this movie, and about how much you want to buy this DVD, and all the extra stuff that you want to see back in this movie, especially the Alice-Uncas love story (which exists in the Preview Version).
|
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Redbird |
Posted - June 08 2005 : 12:37:37 PM
Okay guys, is it just me - or is there actually a very quick shot of some birds that look like they've been startled into flight, as part of the scene where they're attacked on the George Road? I could have sworn I saw it in the VHS version... And I *know* the panther was there in the bushes - was he supposed to be doing something else? I'll definitely have to go back and check out Eric's notes again! :-) |
| chasis_22 |
Posted - June 06 2005 : 2:40:48 PM
Hmmmm don't get the whole purple pigeons thing but that is probably a good thing. Anyways, I am definitely going to send an e-mail to have a triple dvd set released. It is nice to see the newcomers so involved already! Let's see if we can't get our movie we want! Oh and by the way silent thunder, I am right beside ya with my torch! |
| Lurking Huron9787 |
Posted - June 01 2005 : 11:42:09 AM
The story I heard on the blue pidgeons is this, they wanted them to look like passenger pidgeons, of course passenger pidgeons are extinct so they used another variety. The blue paint was supposed to make them appear grey. Something about the light they were being filmed in. |
| Lurking Huron9900 |
Posted - June 01 2005 : 01:30:27 AM
I think, that if the extra scenes or whatever don't exist, they should at LEAST release the original theatrical version on DVD here in the US. As far as special features go, the Directors Edition doesn't even have the trailer (which you can find on the internet) or any good info on any of the cast. They could at least do that, you know? |
| silentthunder |
Posted - May 30 2005 : 01:16:30 AM
Purple pigeons?? I can't picture that either. 
Anyway, if there is anything out there worth seeing and it can be made available to us, then I'm all for it. In my opinion, it's worth trying to see how far we get with our requests rather than not trying at all. My e-mail to Mr. Feldstein was send a while ago but I'll keep trying.  |
| Fitz Williams |
Posted - May 28 2005 : 10:07:37 AM
Purple changed to blue last summer. I guess it was the rain :-) And then there was the panther in the bushes by the creek. Thankfully we were spared all that.
Everyone needs to take a "Mohican" tour with Eric. That guy has more stories than you can imagine and loves to tell them. It gives you a new perspective on all the locals. |
| richfed |
Posted - May 28 2005 : 08:07:58 AM
Purple ... they were purple pigeons, actually.
You can read about them, and a lot more, in a little chat we did with Eric Hurley many, many moons ago. See: The World of Soldier #2. Enjoy! |
| misschanelno5 |
Posted - May 28 2005 : 07:58:51 AM
HOLY SMOKES ... 
I could be wrong, but I think the first move would/should be finding out if footage exists (and apparently, what the heck it IS if it does!) before a lot of effort is directed toward this Feldstein character.
Blue pigeons? I can't get over that! 
|
| Fitz Williams |
Posted - May 28 2005 : 12:49:42 AM
I don't know if that one is in the archives or not. But it was something to the effect that Mann wanted to show Cora halucinating in the forest on the way to Fort William Henry (which makes no sense at all, given her character, the story, etc.), so the plan was to release a flock of blue pidgeons. Why? I have no idea. And since pidgeons aren't blue, they simply spray painted them. So much for PITA. Thankfully this never made it out of the cutting room, if that far. There is probably other such footage that was cut, so just saying that there was three hours of film originally available doesn't mean that you would want all of it included in a DVD. Maybe the current DVD has all that is worth seeing. If you add back the snippets that were in the VHS, that may be all the movie that there is. |
| misschanelno5 |
Posted - May 27 2005 : 11:05:47 PM
teehee ... I can only imagine the stories he had to tell.
Will you give me the scoop on the blue pigeon ... or will you make me sift through the archives for it?  |
| Fitz Williams |
Posted - May 27 2005 : 8:35:06 PM
After listening to Eric Hurley's stories at Linville last summer, I have come to realize that is footage that should NOT be in LOTM. An example is the blue pidgeon thing. |
| Donna |
Posted - May 27 2005 : 12:46:44 PM
I sent my email to Mr. Feldstein on May 8th. Of course I didn't
receive any reply back.
I told him how I like the new scenes in the Director's cut but that I
wanted the deleted scenes back. I told him they could make this movie
much longer and we'll buy it.
We know there is a lot more footage well preserved by Fox if you'll
read the link that Rich provided. It has the interview with Michael
Mann. In it Mann tells why he took out the Clannad song that we all love.
I doubt that we'll ever see our ultimate LOTM version unless Mr. Feldstein
is unindated with requests. Thousands I would guess....
I did my part. Now every single fan needs to write him too!
Donna |
| misschanelno5 |
Posted - May 26 2005 : 6:49:44 PM
I agree that the theatrical and director's cut are great as they stand, and I definately appreciate the artistic control those releases use. (Could they have inspired so much here if the final product hadn't been directed with a firm hand? I don't feel that they could!)
Still, if there is extra footage, I'd be curious to see it! 
Maybe the first step should be finding out if this nest of footage actually does exist. If it turns out some "unseen" stuff is out there, THEN the deluge could follow from this group. Until then, it seems like there's too much uncertainty. No one really knows what, specifically, to ask for.
Appears it could go either way as to whether extra goodies are really out there ... |
| Doc M |
Posted - May 26 2005 : 3:55:48 PM
Well, I don't know that I count as "wise" but I'm certainly an
elder member of this Board. My comments are not meant to put
a damper on anyone's enthusiasm, but I'm inclined to agree with
Redbird. I think back in 1992, Michael Mann shot what he shot, cut a
lot of it "in the camera," and that's it.
I've seen every version of this movie that there is, including
all the odd snippets that were occasionally added in broadcast
viewings, and I don't think there's any "treasure trove" of
scenes just waiting to be added to another DVD. I don't know where
the idea of this huge extra Uncas/Alice love story came from -- it's
not in the shooting script that I have, and I've never seen any
reference to it. Like everybody, I wish there was more of everything -- especially my beloved Hawkeye -- but I'm content to
let the movie stand as it is now, in both the VHS and DVD versions.
We all love this movie and it's wonderful, but it's never been a
cult favorite like some of the scifi things. In 1992 it would not have been terribly common to think of saving all the cut stuff for possible inclusion in some later format. People were mostly renting,
not buying, videos. At some point you have to respect the director's vision of what he wanted the movie to be, and just let it go.
Also, this topic has been hashed and rehashed so many times on the
Board over the past few years that speaking for myself, I just
don't have anything left to say on the topic. I'm done chewed out.
This is all strictly my own opinion, of course -- I'm probably in the minority, but that's why you won't see this particular GGGG getting involved in this.
Doc M |
| richfed |
Posted - May 26 2005 : 06:49:14 AM
You might be on to something there ... I did send an E-mail, though. But, hey, I actually LIKE the Expanded Edition!
Experience tells me any push for anything needs an organizer/leader to be effective and reach fruition. This effort is lacking that ... so far. |
| misschanelno5 |
Posted - May 25 2005 : 7:02:32 PM
I can't help but notice most of the spirit behind this effort is coming from many of the newer folks. (Not that that's not great that they -- we -- are fired up!) But none of the "wise elders", if you will, seem to be on board, with the exception of a few comments by Rich. Which makes me wonder why?
My assumption is that after the last campaign, which helped bring about the somewhat disappointing director's cut DVD, the enthsiasm for another push just isn't there. Am I right? Weigh in and let us all know what you think. |
| pala |
Posted - May 24 2005 : 1:45:03 PM
Hi guys, this is Pala, I just sent my email. I hope he decides to make a new DVD of the film. We need to see MORE of Last of the Mohicans. I would love to see how the Alice/Uncas realationship would've turned out. People who haven't sent in their letters---please do so now!!!!! Help LOTM OUT!!!!! If we all work together we will get a new dvd of the film. YEA!!!!!!!! |
| Gasaka Soquilla |
Posted - May 21 2005 : 8:25:49 PM
*IF* a "special edition" dvd were to be produced (& I for one am for this) then I'd like to see some "goofs" digitally removed (i.e. elk handler / bus / & megaphone man). In this day & age of computer generated effects I never understood why Michael Mann didn't do this with the re-eleased "Directors Cut"? |
| Lookbackatme |
Posted - May 18 2005 : 2:43:35 PM
Just a thought: I'm sure I read somewhere here that at one point LOTM was 3 hours long, so perhaps there would be some extra footage after all?! Though I do agree, we are never going to get the amount of additional features that can be seen on DVDs for films such as LOTR, but I think an insight from a historical perspective would be fascinating.
Lookbackatme |
| Redbird |
Posted - May 17 2005 : 5:08:36 PM
I've been following and coming back to this thread and of course, like so many of us, I would love to see a much more expanded version come out on DVD, with the deleted scenes and dialogue restored, as well as lots of additional footage. And of course actors, directors, production, writers commentary would also be welcome... maybe even throw in a couple historians for good measure? After watching the extended versions of two of the "Lord of the Rings" series though; a thought that originally nagged me after seeing the DVD of LOTM, reared it's ugly head again. Today's viewers have quickly become accustomed to all sorts of additional material being available on almost every new film that comes out in DVD format. And directors and producers have now had time to adapt to this fact and plan for the possibilities it affords. Someone can shoot a film now, knowing that even though much of the footage will not make the theatrical release, it can be presented in another format later on. Peter Jackson's LOTR was filmed with this in mind; I'm not at all sure that LOTM was. I guess what I'm getting at here is the scary idea that we might not have a huge amount of "workable" footage to deal with? There may not be large, cohesive parts of the narrative there to add. My first impression of the DVD version, as a former film school student (and *not* as a rabid LOTM fan) was "Jeeesh... if this is the extended footage, then Michael Mann must have had a really clean cut to start with!". I've heard of directors that are able to work that way. They know exactly what they want before they ever start shooting a particular scene; and if they adhere closely to the script they're working with, they may not end up with much extra material at all. This takes someone with talent and not just concern for the budget, or the film would suffer. I wonder if MM's TV background hadn't helped him hone some of that ability. So, it *is* a scary thought - but what if (other than the Uncas & Alice scene) there really isn't that much footage to add? YIKES!! It would be a testament to MM's skill as a filmmaker, but would sure be a real bummer for the rest of us! |
| richfed |
Posted - May 17 2005 : 06:36:06 AM
See: http://www.mohicanpress.com/mo06036.html Paula ... |
| Paula |
Posted - May 16 2005 : 08:14:30 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Gandalf
Steve Feldstein's e-mail addresss is:
steve.feldstein@fox.com
Let him know of your interest! Tell him what you want to see in a new DVD. Tell him why just having the Director's Cut version available on DVD in the U.S. is not enough.
Region 2 and 4 DVDs have come out with the Main Theatrical Release - that would be Europe and Australia - Fox does not have the rights to this movie outside of the U.S., Warner does.
 Hi Gandalf
Will e mail Steve Feldstein now! I am in the UK and did not even know that there was a Director's Cut of LOTM! Out of interest, do you know what is in the Director's Cut that is not contained in the main release.
|
| Lurking Huron6314 |
Posted - May 15 2005 : 10:45:24 PM
Wicked good email, Joyce! |
| Lurking Huron9977 |
Posted - May 14 2005 : 3:39:20 PM
Mr. Feldstein,
Over the years, Fox has put out an amazing number of high quality movies, on the big screen, on VHS, and on DVD. However, I can believe that one of your most beloved movies of all time, The Last of the Mohicans, would get to disregarded. I know that a special Director's edition of this film has been released, but, as many people believe, this edition does nothing to expand or improve the film, but rather cuts footage that was in the first version of the film. This is quite unheard of. This "extended" edition is not five minutes longer than the original, and certainly not of the same quality.
Fans had eagerly awaited that new edition, only to be bitterly disappointed. It contained none of the scenes they had been waiting to see, such as the now infamous, Uncas and Alice scene, that I know many people want to see. Online one can find countless fans of The Last of the Mohicans pining away for a scene with these two characters, whose storyline was so harshly taken apart. I know many people are even unaware of their relationship, while others don't even believe there was one. I deeply believe that a new edition of the film with restored footage would immensly help in the understanding and scope of the film. Other fans would also like to see some mistakes in the film rectified.
No matter the reason, I believe a new version of The Last of the Mohicans, with all possible footage restored would be immensly beneficial, both to ardent fans, occasional movie lovers, and Fox Entertainment. It is my belief that Fox could greatly profit from a new release of The Last of the Mohicans. Fans had no great love for the previously released director's edition DVD, and many are warning other lovers of the movie to stay away from the DVD. A new, beloved edition would undoubtedly spur profits. I know that a new version with restored footage would be purchased by an innumerable population of movie lovers and fans.
Thank you,
Joyce Lane
---this is my email! now send your!--- |
| Lookbackatme |
Posted - May 12 2005 : 12:40:09 PM
Hello
I would be very much interested in trying to get a new version of the DVD release - am especially dying to see "that" uncas & Alice seen.
I read somewhere that you can start an online petition, and I think this would be a good idea. Recently, a programme that I very much enjoyed here in the UK had no plans to be released, so fans set up an online petition, gaining 1000 signatures, and the DVD was released 5 months later, though I should stress, they were obviously not as big a company as what we are dealing with here!
Hopefully they will listen to us eager fans!!! *fingers crosses*
Lookbackatme |
|
Around The Site:
~ What's New? ~
Pathfinding
|
Mohican Gatherings
|
Mohican Musings
|
LOTM Script
|
History
|
Musical Musings
|
Storefronts on the Frontier
Off the Beaten Trail
|
Links
Of Special Interest:
The Eric Schweig Gallery
|
From the Ramparts
|
The Listening Room
|
Against All Odds
|
The Video Clips Index
DISCLAIMER
Tune, 40, used by permission - composed by Ron Clarke
|
![The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]](images/wwwboard.gif "The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]")
