Christopher Webster [DVD News 03.03.11] post apocalyptic movie news scifi dvd dystopic



[UPDATE: The first 3:40 second of the Cyborg "Renegade" director's cut has been passed to us by Albert Pyun. This is definitely rough stuff, put together for fans so if don't expect Blu-ray quality. That being said, if you're the kind of person who is fascinated by how films are put together and how they can change, this cut will be a uncommon look back at the history of a film.]

An interesting discovery has been made that will probably interest hard core PA fans out there. Albert Pyun's longtime composer found the director's last cut of Cyborg before he left the picture after disputes with Cannon, Jean Claude Van Damme and producer Sheldon Lettichand. We're being told it's it's the cut before it had to be cut to get an R rating.

The copy found is a telecine of the actual workprint in widescreen dated October 8, 1988. It's only got a temp mix stereo track, but includes the original, never heard rock score by Tony Riparetti and Jim Saad which was eventually replaced by Kevin Bassinson's score.

WE talked to Pyun about it and he said: "What's cool about this is I think my editors at the time must have quietly had this made once they learned the film was gong to be taken over by JCVD. So its really a peek into the creative dispute between myself and Cannon/Van Damme and Van Damme's producer Sheldon Lettich.

Hopefully when viewed in comparison, it becomes evident where I was trying to go with a post apocalypse genre movie and why it was not well received by Cannon and JCVD. Its much darker than the released version."

Pyun is making DVD's and they start shipping Monday worldwide. I think for any movie fan, this is an opportunity considering no one's really seen this version.

If you're interested in in getting a disc should email curnanpictures [at] gmail.com.


About the cut:
The picture quality is degraded because of three principal reasons: 1) Its taken from the original well used 35mm work picture - so dust, scratches, splices and even tear repairs can be seen; 2) The work print is an uncorrected "one-lite" color print that was telecined uncorrected as well to low grade VHS tape; and 3) We had to create this cut from two VHS tapes, because they weren't the same version. My director's cut version (an anamorphic unsqueezed picture with time code windows) was missing scenes, shots and optical transitions so it just had "slug". I scavenged missing shots and scenes as possible from the composer's reference VHS tape which had a 4:3 cropped picture.

The soundtrack quality is also dodgy as its a stereo temp mix from the VHS and was done a bit down and dirty temp 22 years ago.

And it did not improve with age. The pristine copy of the Riparetti/Saad Soundtrack however will be on CD and can be purchased at: www.howlingwolfrecords.com

ReplicA (12 years ago) Reply

This is good news. I'm no longer a big fan of van damme movies, but this one sticks out in my memory as being fucking awesome. I saw this in the theatres as a kid, and still remember the entire experience very clearly. I'm looking forward to getting this cut, when I can. Thanks for the heads up.

Out of curiosity, is 1998 the correct year for this? Just curious.

agentorange (12 years ago) Reply

That was a typo. Should say 1988. Thanks.

Hank (12 years ago) Reply

Could it be that a couple of numbers changed places since it was released in '89? Great find though, should be cool. Remember seeing this back in the day and if I'm not mistaken there are a lot of characters named after guitars...

Albert Pyun (12 years ago) Reply

This version was telecine to VHS tape from the editorial 35mm work picture and stereo temp mix in Oct 1988. The main differences will be the entirely different music score by Tony Riparetti and Jim Saad and the more linear story telling with narration by Van Damme's character throughout the film. Its more art house and meditative than main stream 80's action. It tries to explore the interior life of Van Damme's character. It wasn't what the studio or JCVD wanted back in 1989 but it might find a more adventerous audience in 2011. Film viewing has evolved.

Albert Pyun
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Albert Pyun (12 years ago) Reply

Also, it's a version with all the graphic violence as it was not cut at that point to get its "R" rating.

Albert Pyun

Albert Pyun (12 years ago) Reply

But the image quality although widescreen is dodgy because it was taken from the actual one-lite work print used in the editing process, so it has splices, scratches, dirt and a little of my blood and tears. This same work print was turned over to Van Damme and he used it to edit the final release version. So the image is gritty but has the genuine reality of a picture in post without digital enhancements. Further it has a temp sound efx edit but no foley in the soundtrack. So the sound is a stereo temp mix intended for internal screenings.

Albert pyun

ReplicA (12 years ago) Reply

I'm psyched for it now! Extra gore tickles my fancy, and the fact the movie had a certain feeling I can't put my finger on, that wasn't really around in that day and age. Well, not for your average 14 year old movie goer with religious parents, that is... It felt dark, and burned out in the sun at the same time. Big fan of this one,will be trying to get a dvd of this when it's available.

Albert Pyun (12 years ago) Reply

I think my Director's Cut will also expalin the whole guitar concept behind the names. I'm very proud of it. Its really a different perspective on the post apocalpyic genre.

Albert Pyun
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MegaWhackMan (12 years ago) Reply

I'm so Excited by this News and I want to order a copy of the Director's Cut of Cyborg this is one of my Favorite Action movies and also I have a Pleasure to review. Me and of course the fans we all have to say Thank YOU so much letting us know of this.

ProMovieBlogger (12 years ago) Reply

I saw this in theater while in my teens as well. I love that part when they come out of the sewer and they chase JCVD and the girl.

"I like the misery."

"I like the death."

"Go to hell."

"Been there."

Looking forward to seeing this.

Anonymous (12 years ago) Reply

I fucking hate this sites censorship. You may as well be a part of the federal government. Fuck your censorship!

Why is my advocating for a upload to thepiratebay worse then albert pyun selling his unofficial cut illegally via gmail?? fuck you quiet earth

Albert Pyun (12 years ago) Reply

Dear Anonymous - I think this cut will present a challenge to a movie pirate because of how degraded the image is at it's source. I'm sure they will try and I wish them the best of luck. But I hope when it looks just a mass of pixels and artifacts, they will at least apologize to their downloaders. There are a few things we could do technically to help pirates get a better quality rip but I figure let them figure line doubling and up conversions for themselves. They movie will look okay on our DVD but its not like other digital files where the rip is a virtually duplicate.

And, by the way, I own this cut as part of my severence for being forced off the picture editing and I received the right to exploit this cut, which I own outright, however I wanted per that settlement. It just took 22 years because I thought it was lost forever.

Albert Pyun
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Albert Pyun (12 years ago) Reply

The ending is quite different in the DC version as Van Damme literally slices Fender in two in the final battle and Pearl Prophet emerges as the film's true villain.

Albert Pyun
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hamburgslinger (12 years ago) Reply

my bro is putting out the order now, cant wait to see this...the best thing happening since the workprint of Hard Target! thank you Mr. Pyun for this opportunity! God Bless!

hamburgslinger (12 years ago) Reply

I have to say the end fight is somewhat short, given its a FINAL fight...i liked the "normal" ending..i cant wait to see other fights and all the stuff we never got to see.
Its really sad how, in the movie business, things get lost and all the studio cuts most movies end up as...but well, a fan never gets enough of anything,lol... cant wait for the next cyborg püroject..if you get the ppl i have read about, im soo gonna watch that!

Tarek (12 years ago) Reply

Mr. Pyun! I love you man! please tell me your thoughts about the normal version, it still says an Albert Pyun film, why did you guys disagree on the release of the director's cut besides the rating factor. I must tell you that I Love this movie, just wondering how and where you found it after 22 years, please tell me because this movie means a lot to me and every little detail is appreciated, I mean after 22 years?! how?! and it's my favorite! reason is it's look and feel has something special and it brings back memories from when I was like 11, please explain how you lost it and how you found it. I love the normal version and it's rusty look it's just special Puyn, and where can I get more info about the movie? it's very underrated and it pisses me off to see people talk crap about it, well I guess it came back for a reason thank you so much please tell me how you lost and found it. The feel and look of this movie is out of this world and I want more.

robert (12 years ago) Reply

albert since you have answered on here who is the actor who talks to pearl before the surgery and welcomes her back on the original release? thanks

Jason (12 years ago) Reply

I will look into this for sure. How much is the DVD?

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