MovieChat Forums > Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1990) Discussion > Director's cut

Director's cut

posted 12 years ago by mrsmish
2 replies | jump to latest

Just saw the 120-minute version on cable for the first time, and only after reading these boards (and finding the ending from the director's cut on YouTube) did I realize that Alfredo kept Elena and Toto apart. It's possible I may have blinked at some point and missed that revelation in the shorter version, but I don't think so.

What made me seek out this board (and then the director's cut) was a line spoken by Alfredo's widow - she told Toto that Alfredo's final words to Toto's mother were that she must "never let him know."

So of course I thought, "Never let him know what?"

Certainly not the usual cliche movie "never let him know" scenario that Alfredo was his real father? Obviously not, but it had to be something important, right?

But apparently not so important to whoever edited the film to be more forthcoming in revealing it.

That said, I agree with other posters that the director's cut ending was better left out of the film. Felt too forced and cliche. Too Hollywood.

Did I miss something in the cut version? (I have no objection to watching it again, I loved it!)

[–] wind_highlander 12 years ago

Having just seen the film I've got to say that whatever reason Alfredo had to separate both lovers it was not a logical and sensitive one. What did he gain from that? What reason in heaven must he have had to want them apart? He tells her that "loves come and go and you'll find another". Hello?

Another point on the same line of thought: If Elena made such an incredible effort to let him know where she could be reached and remembered him for the rest of her life, why did she, firstly, marry such a sucker as the dumbest guy in town and secondly, why did she just give Salvatore up in the end??? Just for her marriage's sake? Cause one's got to behave? No letters or furtive calls at least now and then? Let's just turn the page and have wonderful memories?? Hello?

[–] MartyScorsey 11 years ago

She realised it was a mistake to revisit the past to begin with. As Alfredo told Toto, you should resist nostalgia - the past is not how you remember it. Just because they made a mistake on that night does not mean they have to continue that mistake - both have different lives now.

=========================

'Days of London' - The Olympic Games, Hans Zimmer style! http://tinyurl.com/bbbkfxf