haute tension trimmed for R rating and dubbed in english

[Paul0889]

http://bloody-disgusting.com/index.php?Show=3378&Template=newsfull

Dread Central writes:

"Last week we had a reader calling himself Jinx drop us a line from a theater road show where he ran into some Lions Gate reps who told him Tension (retitled for release here in the States to High Tension) was being trimmed for an R-rated release so it could naturally get wider exposure - one of the key reasons everyone tries to avoid an NC-17 these days, more theater play. We didn't want to run with this news like our asses were on fire until we heard more, so, we contacted LGF.

What we received back was a statement from director Aja himself who tells us, "The version of 'High Tension' that you are about to see is a dubbed English translation of the original French-language film, featuring Cecile de France's own voice in the part of Marie. The new version has also been re-edited slightly, resulting in a running time that is about one minute shorter than the original. 'High Tension' was conceived as an ode to the 1970's American horror/slasher films I loved as a teenager; so it is a source of great satisfaction to me that American audiences will now be able to experience the film on the same visceral level as French audiences, without the distraction of subtitles. Every filmmaker hopes that his or her work will be seen by the largest audience possible. Now, as an English language film, 'High Tension' has the opportunity to travel to U.S. theaters. I want to thank Lions Gate Films for making this possible."

[John Gargo]

"without the distraction of subtitles."

Holy shnikes, we were about to pay good money to see this movie and those fuckers were going to make us READ during the damn thing? Thank God they spared us that awful burden... it was enough of a distraction that we had to read the showtimes for the movie outside the theater. Let's all thank Lions Gate for being so gosh darn considerate!!!!

:banana:

[Hellbilly]

Thank god I own the uncut & un-dubbed French DVD.

[Grim]

Well this put a damper on my day. They had been saying all this time that it would be uncut, saying they wanted to release something provocative, only to pull this shit. If this is true then fuck Lions Gate.

[baggio]

reading is bad

[baggio]

http://bloody-disgusting.com/index.php?Show=3378&Template=newsfull

Dread Central writes:

"Last week we had a reader calling himself Jinx drop us a line from a theater road show where he ran into some Lions Gate reps who told him Tension (retitled for release here in the States to High Tension) was being trimmed for an R-rated release so it could naturally get wider exposure - one of the key reasons everyone tries to avoid an NC-17 these days, more theater play. We didn't want to run with this news like our asses were on fire until we heard more, so, we contacted LGF.

What we received back was a statement from director Aja himself who tells us, "The version of 'High Tension' that you are about to see is a dubbed English translation of the original French-language film, featuring Cecile de France's own voice in the part of Marie. The new version has also been re-edited slightly, resulting in a running time that is about one minute shorter than the original. 'High Tension' was conceived as an ode to the 1970's American horror/slasher films I loved as a teenager; so it is a source of great satisfaction to me that American audiences will now be able to experience the film on the same visceral level as French audiences, without the distraction of subtitles. Every filmmaker hopes that his or her work will be seen by the largest audience possible. Now, as an English language film, 'High Tension' has the opportunity to travel to U.S. theaters. I want to thank Lions Gate Films for making this possible."
quick ? what is your avatar from.

[SaviniFan]

Doesn't make a lick of difference to me since I already own the uncut, subbed/dubbed DVD. If LG fucks up and only releases it to region 1 DVD with the theatrical cut then I'll just stick with my current.

[Paul0889]

quick ? what is your avatar from.

dawn of the dead(2004)

[Paul0889]

it said it is cut about one minute. that prolly means its the same version as the old cut korean dvd

[Paff]

Oh c'mon, who didn't see this coming? Seriously.

[Deus Ex Machina]

if it's a homage to 70's horror films then the badly synched dialogue that dubbing creates is perfect.

[Cujo108]

Yeah, this was obviously going to happen. This is Lions Gate after all. Always saying they'll release uncut versions on DVD and never delivering, so I had no reason to believe they'd go through with a NC-17. I'll just stick with my foreign disc.

[dmeister]

I think dubbing is most annoying when they don't produce voice-overs that are consistent with the characters and the obvious on-screen interaction (what I like to call the Kung-Fu Theater effect). Having an actress do her own voice-over should prevent many of these issues though. And French doesn't seem to be a language that gets wildly out of sync with English. Frankly, the dubbed French film, Brotherhood of the Wolf, had some of the best voice-overs I've ever seen and never detracted from my viewing experience.

Keep in mind that many American films also go through looping when actors are called back in to touch up the dialogue in some scenes, and we seldom notice.

dmeister

[hots4]

FUCK LIONS GATE! what the hell is wrong with these people, most people have seen this now uncut anyway, and the few that were waiting for it at the cinema will now stay well away and get the uncut dvd instead (i would hope!), And you'll also probably find that they will release this cut version onto dvd also!!!! they stink, there worst than paramount who now seem to have had some sense kicked into them as they have now anounced that 'team america' will be released on dvd in may uncut!!!! will the friday the 13th series follow!!! anyway back to the original point, let's hope people stay away from the lions gate release and teach these idiots a lesson!

[Tien21]

If it wasnt for Lions Gate, good movies like Open Water, and SAW might not have ever seen as much exposure as they did. So I am not going to start boycotting their stuff like some of you tend to do. They are still the most daring Film Studio today in my eyes. I chose rather to hate the MPAA and their NC-17 rating which I see as unneeded.

[Paul0889]

if the info is true i can see why they decided to release a trimmed R rated version since it'll now be played in more theaters and more teenagers will get into it which is probably the film's main target audience here in the US

[rxfiend]

sad thing is, LG will probably release a R rated dvd, as they have done with the other films rather than uncut (whats with them not liking uncut dvds?!). at any rate, i'm glad i picked up a foreign disc. LG isn't getting my money.

[Cujo108]

If it wasnt for Lions Gate, good movies like Open Water, and SAW might not have ever seen as much exposure as they did. So I am not going to start boycotting their stuff like some of you tend to do. They are still the most daring Film Studio today in my eyes. I chose rather to hate the MPAA and their NC-17 rating which I see as unneeded.

I could tolerate the cut versions playing theaters if they'd actually release the uncut versions on DVD. Other studios do it, so why doesn't LG grow some balls and do the same? Not just that, but they blatantly lie saying that they will release the uncut versions on disc. I don't find them to be that daring at all, they just know there's money to be made off of horror. Until they start releasing the uncut versions of their cut releases on DVD, they will no longer get my cash for said releases.

[Lyle Horowitz]

Which DVD to get and where to get it?

[bigwes15]

I totally agree with Cujo108. Fango has been licking Lions Gate's balls for quite some time now, but their highly anticipated unrated and uncut DVD's never seem to materialize (House of 1000 Corpses and Cabin Fever off the top of my head). I am sure that Tension will see the same gutless DVD release. What's the deal, LG?

[rxfiend]

i'm still waiting for the uncut dvd of Rules of Attraction. I heard the Euro releases are uncut. Besides, stores like Walmart and such now carry unrated discs, so why they still insist on R rated dvds is beyond me....

[BloodMan]

Lyle... The UK release with commentary... at Xploited or Diabolik. :)

[zombi3]

I knew Lions Gate would puss out at the last minute. Asswipes. :fuck:

[thrashard76]

Ever hear of a little movie called The Passion Of The Christ for Christ's sakes Lion's Gate! The whole movie is loaded with subtitles and made shitloads of $$$! LG needs to stop fucking with its dwindling fanbase and offer up the shit everyone wants.

[John Gargo]

Lions Gates entertainment are fucking pieces of shit, that's what. We should all go to the official website and send them all e-mails telling them that they're pieces of shit for releasing this dubbed and cut, and that they'll end up releasing this cut on DVD. Fuckers.

[Semerrill]

that sucks i read in fangoria that it was uncut,what all was cut out of the korea version

[aoiookami]

well, there goes my respect for Lions Gate, looks like I'll be ordering that UK SE dvd within the next month however ;)

[baggio]

dawn of the dead(2004)
Yea now I remember that scene, dawn of the dead 2004. I saw so many horror movies this year that scene passed my mind.


thanks

[foller]

Hi,
have you ever heard of the DVD Version from Austria by "MC One"? It is the uncut version (87 minutes, Pal), it has English, German, and French audio options (all 3 Dolby Digital 5.1), 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, perfect picture quality. You can get it at www.dtm.at for approx 19 Euro.

[X-human]

I'm not surprised by this, but it is disheartening. Today, horror needs to be NC-17 to be the most effective. It's the simple truth of the matter. I can understand the filmmakers selling out, they have to. But Lion's Gate really needs to have their cage rattled. I still haven't bought House of 1,000 Corpses, Cabin Fever and Saw because I'm waiting for it uncut. I'm not going to waste my money untill then.

[bigwes15]

I think you'll be waiting for quite some time, X-Human. Lions Gate has infinitely less balls when it comes down to doing things rather than announcing them boldly.

[hassan chaup]

That's it. I hereby totally give up on Lion's Gate. Met a few of em over the years and had hopes, but I think no one there gives two shits anymore.
That Sucks

[darklight]

The R2 UK release is uncut. It also has the original French audio track with English subtitles. NOt a bad film but I've seen it done with a bit more thought in various other types of horror flicks that head down the old twist at the end road...

You can find it at www.play.com

[aoiookami]

You can find it at www.play.com

At that website, what is it listed as? I'm having trouble finding it

[dmeister]

Horror films just don't get NC-17 theatrical releases in the US. Not by Lion's Gate. Not by anyone. And most of you should know this already. It's not like they trimmed the damned thing down to PG-13 or something, which is often the case here. Sure, I can see people complaining about an R-rated DVD, but that's not what we're talking about here.

Similarly, subtitled horror movies very seldom see theatrical releases in the US, either. Lion's Gate plans to make money off this film, which means appealing to the lowest common denominator, not just "horror purists." I appreciate the fact that they at least went through the trouble to have the original actress do the voice-over.

I see a lot of people complaining about how Lion's Gate doesn't have the balls for this or that, but remember that they are one of the few major studios who actually specialize in risky, lower budget film releases, including the likes of:

Cube 1/2/3
May
Cabin Fever
American Psycho
Ju-On
Ginger Snaps 1/2/3
Open Water
Saw
The Eye
Frailty
Dagon
High Tension
Undead
House of a 1,000 Corpses 1/2

dmeister

[b0nkers]

At that website, what is it listed as? I'm having trouble finding it

try switchblade romance

[Paff]

Horror films just don't get NC-17 theatrical releases in the US. Not by Lion's Gate. Not by anyone.

Very true. And I would like to point out that a major reason for this is due to one corporation: Blockbuster

Blockbuster has a written-in-stone policy not to carry NC-17 movies. I'm talking about movies that have OFFICIALLY received the NC-17 rating from the MPAA, not "Unrated" versions of movies, which Ballbuster will actually carry from time to time.

So, say you're Lion's Gate. You KNOW, if you release Haute Tension in it's NC-17 form, it will NOT be carried at the nation's largest video chain. What do you do? Obviously, trim it to an R. Sure, some larger studios can release 2 cuts on video, but Lion's Gate is still pretty small. It's easier, and more cost effective, to scrap a NC-17 version, and just use the R

If any of you are complaining about the trimming, but still patronize Blockbuster, it's your own fault. For pete's sake people, STOP GOING TO BLOCKBUSTER!

[darklight]

At that website, what is it listed as? I'm having trouble finding it

Search for it under the title, SWITCHBLADE ROMANCE

[NickyDoyle]

Hmm, maybe we should remind LG President Tom Ortenberg about his comments stating an R-rating would be "gutting" the movie, or that his company would desire to have an adult rating without the "stench associated with it."

The trims wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for LG seeming standing proud, ready to destigmatize a rating and appear to care about Aja's violent vision only to pull the rug from right under the people most interested with what seems to be "it's just business" attitude.

I would've gone to see HT in theaters but forget that now; I'll wait for my UK disk to arrive.

[aoiookami]

Bump. Play.com does not ship to North America, can anyone else reccomend a good site to order that same version from? Thanks

[Semerrill]

xploited cinema

[Paul0889]

the lgf site now has a comment from the director saying that the trims are small but no scenes have been removed

[Grim]

Yeah, meaning that violence has been trimmed. The tent scene was still in the R-rated version of Jason Goes To Hell, but it still sucked compared to the uncut.

[bigwes15]

Paff, you are right and I had to put my money where my mouth was. Within the last week I dumped Blockbuster for good and am now doing all of my renting through netflix, which actually has a surprising number of genere titles and carries the unrated versions! The only "unrated" product that Blockbuster carries are those bullshit "unrated" versions of some comedies (van wilder, harold and kumar, girl next door, etc.) that add no explicit material to the original whatsoever and are probably longer than the original by about 2 seconds.

[shift]

Well it looks like then the US version is gonna suck. I love the furniture kill scene. , be sad if that was cut out. :(

[Ash28M]

I'm just glad i got a chance to see this film a couple of years ago at the Toronto film fest. It looks like it was my only chance to see this film in a theatre uncut and in it's orignal language.

[aoiookami]

My copy of the uncut SE just shipped today, so dosent matter for me regardless ;)
I love it how LG is saying "it's only a few seconds trimmed, so it dosent make that much of a difference". Well, if it didnt make a difference, then why did you do it?

[Franco]

Thanx, god! It's being screened in most cinemas here in Lima uncut and in original language.

[thrashard76]

I thought it was decided that the R1 release was to be released uncut and with the original and dubbed audio tracks?

[Myron Breck]

Yeah. Well. People gotta bitch.
I saw it in the theatre and on the R2 uncut DVD. Not much difference, frankly. Not much when you consider that Ms. Ellie just passed.....I gotta go put my head between my knees.....