Classic example of censorship making things worse *MAJOR SPOILERS*
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Dressed to Kill
Waiting2BShocked — 14 years ago(February 29, 2012 11:01 AM)
As staunch fans of the film know, the US 'R' rated version - which was apparently sold internationally - considerably dilutes Kate's elevator murder.
In the uncut version, the 'coup de grace' is shown. As the climax to some generally more explicit slashing and dicing, 'Bobby' finally slashes Kate's neck arteries, which will obviously result in a fairly swift demise no matter how quickly the medics could arrive on the scene.
In its truncated form however, this particular shot is eliminated along with several others; as a result of which, the supposedly 'toned down' sequence just comes across as a bit of showy slashing with a bucket of blood having been sloppily sloshed around.
For me, all that achieves is to remove that realistic edge of 'painful' murder from what has ensued. Since we don't see the actual injury that makes Kate plausbily die, it feels like a more 'superficially enjoyable' screen spectacle because it is a bit bloody; rather than being a gruelling, harrowing sequence depicting the prolonged actuality involved in getting a human body to die - which is far more soberingly horrific. -
baheidstu-351-733122 — 13 years ago(December 14, 2012 03:44 PM)
Correct, although with the censors doing this, it actually brings this film more into line as a Psycho tribute, because it was the principle of not actually showing the death blows that Hitchcock used to make the shower scene more disturbing.
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anthonycashmere — 12 years ago(July 11, 2013 12:56 PM)
Board,
I have the unrated film version on DVD. I dont care what anyone else says, the murder scene in the elevator is so horrifically graphic, on the unrated version, that I am spooked to the point of paranoia, about entering and exiting elevators. That scene of violence is so vicious, and cold blooded. It just maakes me think about all of the real weirdo's, in real life, that are engaging in such acticity, somewhere in this world. What a truly horroriffic scene of terror!!! Thanks, Brian for my wonderful nightmares, I will be suffering from with the aftereffects of this film.
Anthony Cashmere
It isn't fair, using the living, to bring back the dead!!!-THE SCREAMING SKULL -
jbartelone — 12 years ago(October 17, 2013 11:13 PM)
I have never seen the X-rated version of Dressed to Kill, but have read it is much more graphic just the R-rated version and the commercial TV prints. I agree what some have said that the R-rated version gives the film more of "Hitchcock" "Psycho" effect concerning the murders where everything is not spelled out for the viewer. For this reason, I think the R-rated version is better.
Joe -
bliss66 — 10 years ago(December 25, 2015 04:05 PM)
To me, the unrated version of this scene is just over the top. I prefer the restraint of the R-rated version; it's gruesome enough. The indulgence of the unrated version takes me out of the story. It lacks artistry.
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gobears87 — 9 years ago(August 20, 2016 03:28 AM)
To me, the unrated version of this scene is just over the top. I prefer the restraint of the R-rated version; it's gruesome enough. The indulgence of the unrated version takes me out of the story. It lacks artistry.
Yes, I agree.