I'm a big fan of the original version of Touch of Evil. I haven't seen the new "restored" version of the film. Does anyone who has seen both have a preference? Too bad, the studio didn't include both versions.

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THE EDEN MYTH: Rent it today at Hollywood Video!!!
www.edenmyth.com

I for one am excited by this, but I would have liked to have both versions. Still, it will be nice to see what Welles' vision for the film was and how much different the film will be. This is a must order DVD for me.

[This message has been edited by Topgun94 (edited July 19, 2000).]

I've seen the old version and have read a bit about what the restored version is like. It seems the only major difference is the opening not having titles or music, but the sounds of the street commotion in their place. I really believe that what's good for Orson is good for me. This movie is more about flash than substance anyway and I'm sure the restored version will be better in that respect.

I'll take this over Gladiator anyday.

Having seen each numerous times I can say that the only MAJOR difference is the opening. The glorious opening shot runs without titles and rather than play a variety of different musics seemingly coming from different store fronts and windows only the film's score plays. I'm actually not sure that I like this better. The lack of credits gives the film a sort of unofficial air and the shot actually feels like it drags a little without them. And the music also makes it drag. The multi-source sound mix was very atmospheric. The score is just the score.

Other changes throughout the film are subtle but deepen the charaters and add to it.

I only wish that they were providing the opening with multiple audio tracks and multiple angles so that you could decide which version you wanted to see.

Regardless, buy this disc. It's going to be fantastic.

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My DVDs
buskerdog.com

I know the original thumping music over the credits of Touch of Evil was not what Orson Welles wanted but I like it.

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THE EDEN MYTH: Rent it today at Hollywood Video!!!
www.edenmyth.com

I was reading through a book called The Best Movie Writing of 1999 - edited by Peter Bogdonovich. In it, there's an essay about the new version of Touch of Evil. The writer of the essay Rosenblum (sp) said that while editing the idenspensible book "This is Orson Welles" he found Welle's original memo to the studio. Ronsenblum was hired as a consultant in the restoration process. He said that there were two previous versions of Touch of Evil - one 93 minutes and the other which saw the light of day in the 70's was 108 minutes. He said the video release is a combination of both versions. Ronsenblum quotes editor Walter Murch describes his work as performing a skin graft - taking parts of film from one place and placing them in another. Ronsenblum suggests calling the new Touch a "revamp" and not a restoration. Murch said people are probably so used the original Touch that watching this new version might make some uncomfortable.

I very much enjoy the new version---but it's must more black comedy (humorwise) than the 93 minute version.

Did anyone else already see the EXCELLENT documentary that's going to be on the disc? I stumbled upon it while watching ENCORE of all places. They showed the documentary (it was 75 minutes...if you notice they've edited it down about 15 minutes on the DVD stats) and then they showed the "Director's Cut" of the film itself. I have a VERY bad VHS dub of it, so I'm looking forward to this DVD very much!

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Electric2k

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[This message has been edited by Electric2k (edited July 20, 2000).]

the documentary is good but I think it clocks in at about one hour or 1:05. I think you'll get the whole documentary when the film comes out.

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Tony Block

The version I saw on Encore was 75 minutes. The disc said about 1 hour, so there was some footage cut...

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Electric2k

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