After principal photography wrapped up on HALLOWEEN 6 (Then going by the name, HALLOWEEN 666: THE ORIGIN OF MICHAEL MYERS), Joe Chappelle began cutting the film together. When the rough cut was done, sad news was announced to HALLOWEEN fans that actor Donald Pleasence, who had played the part of Dr. Sam Loomis in HALLOWEEN 1-6, had passed away. After his death, numerous reshoots were scheduled, and many cuts were made for the final film. All of the reshoots and cuts are what became the somewhat confusing film in the series that we all know as HALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS. The original cut of the film, has become really well-known among fans who call it the HALLOWEEN 6 PRODUCER'S CUT. It features 43 minutes of deleted scenes, alternate takes, and an alternate ending that answers most, if not all of the questions raised in HALLOWEEN 6. Lets take a look at this rough cut of the film.
The first notable difference of this version, is that there are no quick flash cut montages at all in the film, and the opening titles have a different look (The "A" in HALLOWEEN is a Thorn symbol and "6" is in the title). As the Man in Black performs the ritualistic ceremony, Dr. Loomis gives the opening narration instead of Tommy Doyle, which is followed by a flashback to the finale of HALLOWEEN 5, where we see Jamie walk into the police station and find Michael being pulled by two ski-masked figures into the back of a van, before she is kidnapped by the Man in Black.
When we first get to see Loomis, and meet Dr. Wynn, much more dialogue is featured. It is mentioned that Loomis had a stroke in 1989 and had plastic surgery done to repair his burn scars. The next big change to note is when Jamie reaches the farm, where the scene is played out much differently. In this cut, Jamie walks into the barn and sits down to rest, but Michael soon sneaks in and simply stabs her with a knife. At the breakfast table, we get a little bigger explanation as to why Danny holds the knife to John's stomach, a small scene where John disowns Kara, and we see Michael watching Kara as she goes to class. When Loomis and Wynn go to the barn the next day, Loomis talks to Jamie who is still alive but does not respond. Later on in the film, Jamie has a flashback where we find that Michael is the father of her baby. After the dream sequence, she is shot and killed by the Man in Black. Later on, we get an extended explanation from Tommy about Thorn that answers many questions, a reason as to why Michael kills Barry Simms, and John Strode dying without his head exploding. When Tommy and Loomis get to Smith's Grove, an alternate conversation between Loomis and Wynn is shown, that reveals much more than the final cut's did, telling us that Wynn is the protector of Michael. We also get an alternate ending that will shock you and make you wish so hard that it was used and a sequel was made to let you know what happens.
The acting in this film is great! Paul Rudd (Tommy Doyle) is solid and so is Marianne Hagan (Kara). Both give credible performances. Devin Gardner (Danny) follows in Danielle Harris' footsteps in doing incredible acting as the young kid being terrorized by Michael. I liked him a lot. Donald Pleasence (Loomis) has MUCH more to do here and it's so great seeing more of him. It will also make you more pissed off at Director Joe Chappelle for cutting so many of his scenes out! J.C. Brandy (Jamie) has many more scenes in this cut and she does what she needs to very well. George P. Wilbur (The Shape) has put on a little weight since his HALLOWEEN 4 days but he still has some evil in him. Unfortunately this time his mask isn't as terrifying, but it still looks nice.
The soundtrack is one of the biggest changes in the film. We get much more eerie themes and we get a version of the HALLOWEEN theme that is much closer to the original. I personally liked it better. NOTE: If you really enjoy the music in this cut, I suggest you purchase the official soundtrack, which features most of the music from this version.
Directing wise, the film looks good with a good use of lighting. However, the slow motion is vacant from this version along with the flash montages. As good as the directing is, I despise Chappelle, who requested to Alan Howarth that the HALLOWEEN theme be downplayed and that the music consist more of sound effects. He is also the reason that many of Loomis' great scenes seen in this cut were deleted from the theatrical print, because he thought Loomis' character was boring! HOW THE HELL DID THIS GUY GET THE JOB!!?
Do I suggest you run out and get this alternate cut? YES I DO! I kept hearing great stuff about this rough cut of the film so I ran out and got myself a copy and loved it! It answers many of the questions we've been asking since the release of HALLOWEEN 6, we get much more of Loomis, a greater soundtrack, and a much more thought out ending that'll make you wish you could see what happens! Where can you get it? Some HALLOWEEN fan sites sell copies, but your best chance is eBay where I purchased mine. Good luck finding it, and enjoy! |
