I often wonder about deleted scenes. There’s a reason scenes are deleted – usually because they don’t fit in with the flow of the story or they just make the movie too long. Often they’re just not good enough.
All screenplay writers should know to write too many scenes as the director is always going to want to cut a few scenes (to prove control), although they’ll film everything if the producer holding the money isn’t close by.
Sometimes scenes are requested to be altered. There’s a story about a graphic explosion of a 747 in the show, 24. It was changed considerably because of the likeness and closeness of the 9/11 (murder) incident.
Most, but not all, movies are shown to test audiences before they get released to the general public. The audience is then asked for detailed views about what they’ve seen. I have to add here that I wonder how some movies got through the test screening process and were released as they are and how many producers ignored the viewer’s suggestions for changes to the movie when they should have listened.
This can lead to scenes being deleted for varying reasons. Perhaps the movie was too long. Maybe a character was introduced that didn’t need to be; their introduction possibly confused the audience and it was seen that by removing the character the film flows better.
The running time of a movie is an important point. If it’s a kid’s movie, then apart form Harry Potter where you have to keep the kids sat still for around five hours, most kid’s movies are shorter than most regular movies. This is, however, changing as more animated movies hit the two hour plus mark. Some movies like Mamma Mia! could have easily lasted another hour, but I guess we’ve all sat in a movie and wondered why they didn’t cut out a good half hour to help keep us awake.
Marketing will tell us how long a movie should be; marketing experts are always right – you ask them.
When we get to see deleted scenes on a DVD release, they can often be without correct colour adaptation, sync audio and timing. This is because they were considered for the delete pile before they completed the final processing of the movie.
Some scenes get cut in length. Often a scene goes on too long at the director’s request. They can then decide later to cut down to the part that matters.
Next there are alternate endings. How often a typical Hollywood movie has that sugary tasting ending when even after blowing up the whole world people still get to hug and kiss and make up. Alternate ending sometimes show us the ending the director really wanted. Perhaps more directors should fight for the ending that’s best merited rather than listen to marketing studios who insist that we have the nice sit down and a pleasant cup of tea finish.
On balance, most deleted scenes are cut for valid reasons. Which scenes should have stayed and not just been filmed for the DVD extra’s part of the package?
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