Three years after the original Donnie Darko, Richard Kelly re-released the film.
If you haven't seen Donnie Darko: Director's Cut, I highly recommend it.  It explains a lot that the original, and even the DVD commentary, left out.  This is the way Kelly wanted the film to be, but had to abide by time restrictions (and probably because it was independent and didn't want to give it all away) and, purposely or not, create a cult following.  I'll try my best here to elaborate on what the new version includes.  Don't read the following if you want to see the film yourself first.

Additions

-The first deleted scene of the film, where Rose Darko asks Elizabeth (who is on the phone with Frank) about how she knew Donnie wasn't taking his medication anymore, is included.  This comes right before Donnie calls his mother a bitch.

-A couple of scenes where Donnie is waking up shows a closeup of his eye and a flash of Frank's mask.

-The walk that Donnie takes from being woken up by Frank and to actually see Frank for the first time is extended.  (A mistake in my opinion).

-The extended scene at the Holiday Inn from the DVD is included.

-At the PTA meeting (also a deleted scene on the DVD), Kittie tells Karen Pomeroy that there were urine and feces in her office, to which Karen responded, "whatever fits", or something to that effect.

-Between certain scenes in the movie, a chapter from Roberta Sparrow's book is shown.  A couple of choice words that help explain things a lot better.

-Poetry Day (a DVD scene) is included, where Donnie recites a poem he wrote that begins "A storm is coming", the gist of which is that Donnie is the one to save the world.

-Karen Pomeroy explains how Graham Greene's book is contraband in the school and proceeds to distribute new books to her students.

-The scene from the DVD where the English class is watching the film with the rabbits (based on the new book they're reading) is included.  This also explains the Deus ex Machina.

-There is an extended "Cunning Visions" scene shown in Health Class.

-Donnie and Gretchen at Carpathian Ridge.

-Donnie and Gretchen visit Grandma Death's house during the day and get no answer, but then she appears over her balcony to watch over them.

-Another DVD scene, showing Donnie carve Frank's face into a pumpkin, is included.

-The DVD scene in which Eddie is talking to his son about how he was more crazy when he was a kid than Donnie is is included as well.

-The DVD scene where Dr. Thurman tells Donnie that she's been giving him placebos is included.  One of the more pivotal scenes that should have been included in the original.

-An extended scene (which may or may not be fully on the DVD) between Donnie and Pomeroy is included before the "Cellar Door" bit.

-A touching scene where Donnie says goodbye to his mother and his sister Samantha before going to Star Search '88 is shown.  This was the best of the new scenes.

-After Frank runs over Gretchen and Donnie kills Frank, Grandma Death walks over to Donnie and tells him that there isn't much time left [to save the world].

Changes

-In the beginning scene where Donnie is biking home from the mountain, the song is changed. (Also a mistake in my opinion)*

-At the end, the flashback is more comprehensive and Gretchen's voiceover about the beauty in life is replaced by fireworks and digital effects (not as great an effect as the plain original scene).

-Although I may be mistaken, I don't think that in the original scene with Roberta Sparrow and Donnie, you could hear her actually say "Every living creature on Earth dies alone."  You can hear it now (or at least better).

*Taken from this article, "With the $290,000 invested into the new version, Kelly inserted previously cut scenes, created new special effects, improved the sound quality, and injected the soundtrack with '80s tracks too expensive for the original release (such as INXS' "Never Tear Us Apart")."

There are probably more, but I can't remember them all as I am doing this from memory.  Feel free to email me to let me know what I missed, or to tell me I did a great job.  Compliments are always welcome.  Complaints not so much.

Also, I feel with this Director's Cut, I don't have to elaborate on theories and new understandings on the film.  This new "Hollywood" version makes things pretty simplified.  Which may or may not be a good thing.  But hey, you have two versions now.

Page created: August 05, 2004, 11:55 PM