Which version is the best version of this movie, in your opinion?
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tetragrammatoncleric — 11 years ago(March 27, 2015 07:16 PM)
How is this even a debate?
The uncut version sets up the
ring trick
at the end of the movie and exposes a whole new dimension of character depth. I thought the original was pretty good, but it always seemed like something was lacking. Then I found out there was a Director's Cut version that included all those missing scenes and it was like a whole different movie. The difference was surreal. It elevated it to masterpiece status and became my favorite movie at that point.
Justincblount
: From my perspective, this argument is like saying, "Well, some people want a bite taken out of their sandwich when they get a happy meal it's all down to personal preference."
Hahahah! Exactly! -
DFC-2 — 11 years ago(March 28, 2015 05:17 AM)
Then I found out there was a Director's Cut version that included all those missing scenes and it was like a whole different movie.
The shorter version is Besson's director's cut. It was the only version in existence anywhere in the world until the Summer of 1996. When asked why he then released a longer version (interview in 2000), Besson responded that the short version was his director's cut, but he had about 20 minutes of footage that nobody had seen, so he put out an extended version for fans in a few Paris theaters over the Summer of 1996. This version was carried around the world on DVDs, thanks to a request from Japan, and is called the International version.
http://www.imdb.com/board/10110413/board/thread/2406531?d=41099842&p=3#41099842
The original script called for a teenaged Mathilda, someone who would participate in killing and die in the end like Leon(he auditioned girls between 15 and 18, Portman was initially rejected because she was too young).
When he ended up choosing the 11-year-old Portman instead, he changed the script to one where her childhood was protected and she survived. The powerful Russian Roulette sequence set up what he hoped would be a humorous montage, but it also showed her not only as a happy participant in killing but celebrating it all afterwards. That destroyed the premise of the film for those looking for more than explosions and drama.
Using the Happy meal example, it is more like a sandwich with a double helping of spice in it or one with just the usual fixings. There are people who like extra spice, but it is a debatable question. -
bowilly-88704 — 9 years ago(July 16, 2016 09:50 AM)
I saw The Professional at the theater, but I had never seen the long version Leon, until around 2001 or 2002. It was like seeing the movie for the first time again. A lot of emotional content between the two main characters was added with these new scenes, which may be my favorite thing about the film. It instantly became my favorite version and I believe a more heartfelt story between Leon and Mathilda
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GorillazButter — 9 years ago(July 30, 2016 03:45 AM)
I prefer the shorter version mainly just for the pacing and I agree with Besson on the tone it set for the character.
But the extra scenes don't make me uncomfortable and I still watch the longer version sometimes. Both are good.I'd love to see you in the moonlight with your head thrown back and your body on fire.
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lavaside-60237 — 9 years ago(August 18, 2016 09:56 PM)
All the pedophilia tension in the longer version makes it a completely different movie.
I thought it was an all time great film. Went to show it to someone and it was the longer version, the 1st time I had seen it, and all the scenes they had taken out of the theatrical made me feel like a creep recommending it.
WAY over the top with it.
It would have been hard for me to even be a part of the project with a director wanting to keep shooting those scenes.
If you haven't seen the longer version, don't watch it. It will taint it for you.
To be with another woman, that is French. To get caught, that is American. -
bowilly-88704 — 9 years ago(August 21, 2016 12:04 PM)
For anyone that has not seen this film,or the long version, there are a couple of post in this thread, that are the perfect example of someone bashing the film because they don't understand it. They always rely on the pedo scenario, when they try to make a point. Then they slam Besson, and anyone involved with the film, because they are unable or unwilling to see the story as it was intended. This story has been told many times and many different ways, this one is no exception. Although the story is complex, it is also very simple. I believe this is a great film, but don't take my word for it, or anyone else's, watch both versions of the film for yourself, and make up your own mind.
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Yucahaor — 9 years ago(September 09, 2016 10:31 AM)
Extended version is better only because it has some pretty memorable scenes like the dinner scene at the restaurant and the montage of the apprenticeship. But perhaps one of the best scenes in the movie is only found in the extended scene. And that is the scene where Leon tells Mathilda about his past lover's fate. It was such a beautifully poignant scene, that I can never watch the theatrical version ever again.
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bowilly-88704 — 9 years ago(September 11, 2016 08:07 AM)
Learning about Leon's past, and the reason why he became an assassin, was an important element to his character that was missing before. I agree, that was a very sad moment for both of them. To me, that entire scene was beautifully captured by everyone involved.