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Gandalf
Lost in the Wilderness
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Posted - April 11 2005 : 12:31:18 AM
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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).
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richfed
Sachem
USA
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Fitz Williams
Colonial Militia
USA
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Posted - April 11 2005 : 08:22:34 AM
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This would make for a great premier showing at the Skyland Arts Cinema in 2006! Red carpet going out into the street, Madeleine Stowe arriving in a limo. Great possibilities. |
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chasis_22
Colonial Settler
USA
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Posted - April 11 2005 : 1:48:34 PM
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Did I read that right or was I dreaming? Did you say that the Uncas and Alice Love story does exsist! That's it I want the movie re-released and I want my added scenes. What do we have to do Gandalf? |
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Lurking Huron9787
Anonymous Guest
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Posted - April 11 2005 : 7:27:28 PM
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I'm wondering if it would be better to get a petition of sorts together (or a place where people could "sign" that we could later send) or if it would be better for people to contact Fox seperately? |
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UncasLover13
Colonial Settler
USA
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Posted - April 23 2005 : 8:00:36 PM
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Please keep me updated on what goes on guys! I'll do whatever I can to get the new version of LOTM, just let me know what I have to do!
--Nora
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pala
Pathfinder
USA
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Posted - April 24 2005 : 2:42:58 PM
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is that all to the new dvd of the movie, just alice/and uncas love scene or more? Anyway, I'm gonna write this Steve too, I'd love to have the new dvd! |
"I saw nothing that would lead me to the conclusion that it was other than a raid by savages bent on thievery." --Major Heyward |
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Lurking Huron9943
Anonymous Guest
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Posted - April 25 2005 : 7:41:10 PM
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I think we should ask for a special edition in general...with deleted scenes (including the Alice/Uncas ones of course ;D), maybe some commentaries and interviews with some of the actors and different versions of the film (i.e. original theatrical version, director's expanded, the mysterious "preview" version [if it exists]). I think if we're organized and can specifically say what kind of things we'd like to see it might make a better statement. |
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Lurking Huron9977
Anonymous Guest
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Posted - April 27 2005 : 9:03:36 PM
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is there an email address for this steve feldstein? |
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silentthunder
Pioneer
USA
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Posted - April 30 2005 : 03:39:13 AM
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Thanks for the info Gandalf Do you know if this guy Steve has an available e-mail address, or should I call the number you listed?? As you mentioned this isn't a pipe dream, and it can be done.... Thanks for all the information you have given us. C'mon everyone, let's grab our torches and get to work. Let's get Steve's attention and have our voices heard. Who's with me, my torch is ready!! |
Mitaku Oyasin... We are all related |
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Gandalf
Lost in the Wilderness
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Posted - May 04 2005 : 12:09:12 AM
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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. |
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aksara
Lost in the Wilderness
USA
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Posted - May 08 2005 : 2:42:53 PM
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Thank you for the info Gandalf. I have just sent my e-mail to Steve Feldstein and hope many others do the same. I am going to tell everyone I know! By the way, I am new here, having just discovered this website a few days ago. Of course, I have been a LOTM fan much longer. Hello everyone! It's great to find this place! |
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Lookbackatme
Pathfinder
United Kingdom
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Posted - May 12 2005 : 12:40:09 PM
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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 |
"Try as we might, happy as we were, we cannot go back." |
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Lurking Huron9977
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Posted - May 14 2005 : 3:39:20 PM
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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!--- |
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Lurking Huron6314
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Paula
Pathfinder
United Kingdom
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Posted - May 16 2005 : 08:14:30 AM
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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.
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richfed
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Redbird
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Posted - May 17 2005 : 5:08:36 PM
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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! |
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Lookbackatme
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Posted - May 18 2005 : 2:43:35 PM
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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 |
"Try as we might, happy as we were, we cannot go back." |
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Gasaka Soquilla
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Posted - May 21 2005 : 8:25:49 PM
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*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"? |
GasakaSoquilla (Lighthorse)
Adjutant; Joseph Brant's Volunteers BAR Unit #225 |
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pala
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Posted - May 24 2005 : 1:45:03 PM
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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!!!!!!!! |
"I saw nothing that would lead me to the conclusion that it was other than a raid by savages bent on thievery." --Major Heyward |
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misschanelno5
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Posted - May 25 2005 : 7:02:32 PM
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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. |
"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination." "Arguments are to be avoided; they are always vulgar and often convincing." -- Oscar Wilde |
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richfed
Sachem
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Posted - May 26 2005 : 06:49:14 AM
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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. |
Rich Mohican Press
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Doc M
Great Quack Healer of the Frontier
USA
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Posted - May 26 2005 : 3:55:48 PM
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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 |
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misschanelno5
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Posted - May 26 2005 : 6:49:44 PM
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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 ... |
"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination." "Arguments are to be avoided; they are always vulgar and often convincing." -- Oscar Wilde |
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Donna
Colonial Settler
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Posted - May 27 2005 : 12:46:44 PM
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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 |
Been onboard since 1998.
"Push hard, 'cos you got to clear the French outpost by dawn." |
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