2009 Oscar Pool

The ‘New’ New World (Director’s Cut Coming in October)

June 24th, 2008
Written By: Kurt Halfyard

Interesting news from our friend Joseph over at Cinexcellence. A new cut of Terrence Malick’s sublime retelling of the Pocahontas story is due out on DVD this October. According to businesswire.com, the new version will:

“…[feature] more than 30 minutes of never-before-seen footage, heightening the viewing experience with more battles, more intensity and more visual splendor. Also included is a comprehensive, ten-part documentary – Making the New World – which captures the unique creative challenges filmmakers faced.”

Personally, I think that the current version is nigh on perfect. Yet I am still curious to get lost in a 25% longer version of the film. Wouldn’t it be nice if a limited theatrical run (certainly the best place to watch this film) resulted from this new cut. Heck, while I’m in fantasy land, considering that Malick used a high-res filmstock when shooting this film, a blow-up to IMAX would be pretty swell.

For a taste of what might be in this new cut, a fabulous deleted scene of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas ‘exploring each other’ is under the seat.

5 response about The ‘New’ New World (Director’s Cut Coming in October) »

  1. Kurt, you made my day. I had heard about this longer cut when the film first premiered and there was talk of it coming out on dvd but now finally it is in sight.

    I wonder if the recluse Malick will actually talk on the documentary.

    My favorite Malick film, a filmmaker that gets better and better with every film he makes… his next, the Tree of Life, sure to continue the trend.

    Comment by rot — June 24, 2008 @ 8:21 am

  2. I don’t think that this is the original festival version of the film that played before Malick trimmed it down and streamlined it. At least I hope it isn’t. I’d rather see a newer, ‘few years in hindsight’ re-cut of the film. Hmmm.

    Comment by Kurt Halfyard — June 24, 2008 @ 8:27 am

  3. This film alone could inspire me to go blu-ray

    Comment by rot — June 24, 2008 @ 8:49 am

  4. Sweet. Haven’t sat down to watch this properly yet, saw it on a plane a couple of years ago and I’ve never picked up the DVD so this will be great.

    Comment by swarez — June 24, 2008 @ 8:59 am

  5. This was the first Malick I ever saw and I was mesmerized by every moment. I absolutely love the fact that the film feels like two stories but it works so well as one, gorgeously languid epic. I never picked it up on DVD but I’m certainly looking forward to adding it to my shelf and taking it in for a third time.

    Comment by Marina Antunes — June 24, 2008 @ 9:45 am

Leave a comment

Name
Email
Web Site
Check out our music and literature blog at MorePop.rowthree.com Subscribe iTunes Movies We Watched DVD Shop Twitter Feed Canada Podcasts Canadian Cultural Podcasts Movie Club Podcast OFC Top 100 L.A.M.B.