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Posted: 20 Dec 2008, 22:53
by IronMonkey
Grim, I've no idea about the DVD, I don't own it. But I would imagine it won't be any different, why would they could the "why so serious" line?
You're just getting yourself confused again...
saltysam wrote:someone elsewhere said the scene in question was in the trailer but not in the finished cinema version anyway.
To be honest, I can't really remember it being any different in the cinema to what I watched last night on BD.
Posted: 20 Dec 2008, 23:03
by Markgway
All I remember is that in the cinema version you know that The Joker has placed his knife in the gangster's mouth, which he press against the inside gums... then it cuts to a from behind shot and The Joker's arm moves as the scene cuts. It's clear that he's cut thru his cheek even though you don't see any detail. I haven't yet seen any home release. It's probable that all BDs and DVDs were mastered from the PG-13 print which in theory could have been snipped. Remember a matter fo frames were removed from the likes of M:I2, Charlie's Angels and A History of Violence. Whereas the UK cinema versions of all three were uncut.
Posted: 21 Dec 2008, 23:25
by grim_tales
What happened to the other posts in this thread?

Posted: 22 Dec 2008, 00:44
by bradavon
Posted: 22 Dec 2008, 10:13
by grim_tales
Thanks Brad

Posted: 22 Dec 2008, 11:48
by Markgway
Posted: 22 Dec 2008, 18:22
by grim_tales
What's so funny?
Posted: 22 Dec 2008, 18:52
by IronMonkey
Why so serious?
Posted: 23 Dec 2008, 00:06
by grim_tales
Ho ho good one

Posted: 23 Dec 2008, 08:47
by Markgway
Appears to be that ALL home versions are cut because the print used is the PG-13 version which was slightly censored in the face-cutting scene. Looks like the UK cinema print was (possibly) uncut. Same thing happened with M:I2 and Charlie's Angels. Chances of seeing an uncut version on DVD or BD are very slim.
Posted: 23 Dec 2008, 09:53
by bradavon
Is that definitely confirmed?
It's not surprising when so many BDs (which I bet affected the DVD too, although it shouldn't have) are authored for America first, then the rest of the world.
We got the USA Fearless BD.
Posted: 23 Dec 2008, 12:09
by Markgway
I can't say definately as I haven't seen them myself but it appears to be the case.
If I hear anything more or contrary I'll post.
Posted: 23 Dec 2008, 17:06
by jimmyscab
I may have to download CAM bootleg just to confirm!
Posted: 24 Dec 2008, 00:43
by Shingster
jimmyscab wrote:I may have to download CAM bootleg just to confirm!
You know, i'm shocked people haven't done this already and provided a definitive opinion. There is the impending IMAX re-release of course.
Posted: 24 Dec 2008, 11:43
by bradavon
IMAX re-release, where?
Posted: 24 Dec 2008, 15:25
by saltysam
bradavon wrote:IMAX re-release, where?
i heard it was going to be in an IMAX cinema

Posted: 24 Dec 2008, 17:58
by bradavon
It already has been, unless you mean it's being re-released, got it.
Posted: 25 Dec 2008, 11:14
by Yi-Long
That's a shame about it being cut. Now I'll have to download it untill they release an uncut version.
Posted: 25 Dec 2008, 12:04
by Shingster
OK, I decided to "acquire" a camcorder boot of Dark Knight to get to the bottom of this. Asfar as I can tell, this is what people are saying is what originally happened in theatres:
"In the cinema version heath ledger puts the Stanley knife in the hoodlum's mouth and from a reverse shot the viewer sees the joker thrust his hand. The reverse shot was quite effective because you only saw heath moving his arm then the reaction of the other hoodlum as the body fell to the floor. "
This clearly doesn't happen in the boot I checked (which was a cinema rip as you can hear the audience at the start). What happens is Joker delivers his speech with the knife in his victim's mouth, then he says "Why so serious" and we cut instantly to the guy's friend who is being restrained, we get an audio cue from the score that suggests the Joker has slashed his victim's mouth while we watch his friend flinching heavily (actually thrusting forward), then it cuts to the Joker letting go of his victim, and his limp body falling to the floor.
There is no thrusting motion, it's actually the flinching of the victim's friend and the score that suggestion any motion/slashing at all. This is a common and effective trick filmmakers use when they want to imply a violent act without actually showing it.
Posted: 25 Dec 2008, 13:13
by Markgway
Was it a UK-based camcorder boot?
If it was American then it would be the same (cut?) PG-13 version.
Posted: 25 Dec 2008, 19:20
by Shingster
Ah, well that I couldn't say, but I bet it's almost certainly a US job. Are people saying the US always had an edited down version now? That sounds extremely unlikely given a US PG-13 film will always have more leniency on the violence than a UK 12A (which is our PG-13).
I don't remember there being reports of the US edit being cut down when the film was initially released in cinemas, but then again I don't really pay attention most of the time!
Posted: 25 Dec 2008, 23:07
by bradavon
Posted: 26 Dec 2008, 06:36
by Markgway
Shingster wrote:Are people saying the US always had an edited down version now?
Yes. It's been suggested that the cut was made for a PG-13 rating.
That sounds extremely unlikely given a US PG-13 film will always have more leniency on the violence than a UK 12A (which is our PG-13).
That used to be the case... not so much now. The UK version of Casino Royale had more violence than in America for example. Terminator 3 was a 12A here and an 'R' in the US. The BBFC are way more lenient (probably too lenient) than they were.
I don't remember there being reports of the US edit being cut down when the film was initially released in cinemas, but then again I don't really pay attention most of the time!
Maybe not the sort of thing you'd notice until you have it in your home on rewind.
Posted: 26 Dec 2008, 11:40
by jimmyscab
Damn so the quest goes on!
Thanks for looking into it though Shingster.
Posted: 26 Dec 2008, 12:30
by bradavon
Markgway wrote:The BBFC are way more lenient (probably too lenient) than they were.
I thought you were against all forms of cuts?
I'd say they mostly get it right nowadays.