MovieChat Forums > Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1990) Discussion > almost 2 different movies

almost 2 different movies

posted 14 years ago by rongve_p
5 replies | jump to latest

I just watched the Director's Cut of Cinema Paradiso. And I'm not sure wich one was the best. I think that DC becomes more of a love story between Toto and Elena, and that you almost forget the friendship between Toto and Alfredo. But it was interresting to see why Salvatore was a bit sad in the last scene where he is going to watch Alfredo's gift.

The Original, or the short version, was really beautiful, and it showed the story of Toto and Alfredo and his days with the love of his life(Elena), wich he lost. But through the whole short cut you still have the warm feeling of the friendship between Alfredo and Toto.

I'm not sure wich one is the best because they are very different(in my opinion), but Cinema Paradiso is one of the greatest films ever made.

[–] bhousemadrigals 14 years ago

Well, I see the DC as being part of the original vision of Tornatore's, as the adult love story between Toto and Elena was created because of what Alfredo had done. In the end while watching the film clips, I think Toto was wistful as he reflected on all that had happened with Alfredo and Elena, in the same way that one would feel a little melancholy because the one woman he loved the most ended up with someone else. But I would imagine that Toto would move on with his life, still love Elena in a special way, and eventually find a new love and finally settle down not out of depression or melancholy, but out of acceptance and inner peace. One of my favorite movies of all time!

[–] spira84 14 years ago

i think they could have made a better cut than both. The director's cut shows a lot more, but maybe it's too much. Few scenes are totally useless, really.

that's how i feel about it.

[–] Gutch220 13 years ago

What versions are you people talking about? 123 minute, 155 minute, or 173 minute version?

[–] spira84 13 years ago

i didn't know there were an "intermediate version."

i assume we were talking about the shortest and the longest ones.

[–] JTGleason 13 years ago

As I understand from from other posts, Tornatore made the original 173 minute version, but was forced by the Italian studios to cut it to 155 mins. The 155 min version first premiered in Italy and bombed. Miramax bought the international rights to it, and Weinstein cut to down to the 123 min version.

After the 123 min version became a worldwide success, Miramax then released the original 173 min version as the Director's cut. The 155 min version will not be available on blue ray, as the 123/173 min versions were combined as a double CD, and are the common versions seen now.

Director Tornatore's 155 min cut version was the original premiere, the cut 123 min version was the original international premiere, but the 173 min version was Director Tornatore's original cut... confused yet?

The 123 min version is the best... BTW!