ALEXANDER: Director's Cut, Coming August 2nd!

From Davis DVD:

Here's a peek at Warner Home Video's upcoming two-disc release of Alexander: Director's Cut. The special edition release is being billed as the "breathtaking new cut of Oliver Stone's sweeping epic film." Click on the thumbnail for a better look. One thing's for sure, the only way to get the theatrical cut would seem to be one of the many non-region 1 editions (see the Regional Spy section for more). Stay tuned for complete disc specs soon.


This is being released on August 2nd...

That's hot that they are releasing it as a Director's Cut. I hope it has more gay stuff in it . I doubt it will though. They'd be more likely to take it out than leave it in just to please the masses. Well I think they should say "fuck them," but that's just me .

Anyway, the artwork is pretty decent. I hope I like the movie enough to buy it since it will be a 2-Disc Director's Cut.


I'll check it out just for the homoerotic stuff .

They should have released it in July though. It will be a big renter, and would have been even bigger in July. August is when the rental numbers start to slow down and get smaller.


Attached Image (Click thumbnail to expand)

This was a great and underrated movie that I definitely plan on purchasing. Love the artwork.

I'm counting the days..

From DVD Answers:

Title: Alexander
Starring: Colin Farrell
Released: 2nd August 2005
SRP: $29.95 Each

Further Details

Warner has announced theatrical and director's cut releases of Oliver Stone's Alexander which stars Colin Farrell, Val Kilmer, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie. Both will be available to own from the 2nd August this year, priced at around $29.95 a piece. Each will carry a lovely 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Extra material on the theatrical edition will include a commentary by Oliver Stone and historian Robin Lane Fox, a Resurrecting Alexander documentary which explores the filming of Alexander, a Perfect is the Enemy of God documentary that provides an in depth look at the details that go into the filming of an epic and a featurette on the soundtrack. Warner has yet to confirm the features on the director's cut, although seeing as they are priced the same - features could be identical. Also worth noting, Warner lists the Director's Cut runtime as being 167 minutes, and the theatrical cut at 175 minutes. Make sure you stay tuned for further details, and the official artwork.


Hopefully that's a mistake, otherwise the Director's Cut took scenes out. I had heard before about a version that would take out scenes concerning Alexander's bisexuality, but I didn't think that would happen. However it looks as if that might be the case. And if so I must say THIS IS FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!! A Director's Cut is not supposed to be shorter and have scenes removed! It's supposed to be longer and give you the opportunity to see the version you were meant to see. If they did remove scenes for the Director's Cut then man does that piss me off! Some people thinking that they're getting a longer version will buy/rent it, since Director's Cut versions aren't supposed to have stuff removed. This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard! I'm really hoping this is just a mistake!

I bought the director's cut off of EThaiCD the other day. I'll tell you the differences when I get it in a few days.

ANYWAYS, I'll be buying the theatrical cut, which I found excellent.

But is it the same Director's Cut that is going to be released here?

Yes.

Are you absolutely 100% sure?

Is the Director's Cut you bought shorter? Did it say the runtime where you bought it?

Are you absolutely 100% sure?

Is the Director's Cut you bought shorter? Did it say the runtime where you bought it?

Yes I am. It listed the same running time.

It listed the same runtime as the DC version announced now or as the theatrical version?

It listed the same runtime as the DC version announced now or as the theatrical version?

The director's cut

It listed the same runtime as the DC version announced now or as the theatrical version?

The director's cut

Oh my Ellen! So that means it's shorter? That is so fucking stupid. And why did you even buy the DC if it's shorter?


This should be called ALEXANDER: CLOSED-MINDED HOMOPHOBES CUT. It's a version all of the homophobes and closed-minded people can watch and they won't have to see anything gay.

It listed the same runtime as the DC version announced now or as the theatrical version?

The director's cut

Oh my Ellen! So that means it's shorter? That is so fucking stupid. And why did you even buy the DC if it's shorter?

Oops, my bad, it's actually 171 minutes, whatever that means I just checked.

From someone who posted their opinion on the DC DVD of Alexander on DVD Answers:

SHORTER?!

Who would want to buy a Directors Cut that’s shorter than the Theatrical Version? The appeal of a Directors Cut is additional scenes. If the director cut’s something out or ‘changes’ something by removing scenes, the appeal disappears and it just becomes an annoyance. Apparently he’s going to cut out some of the scenes dealing with Alexander’s ‘sexuality’ but it sounds more like conforming to the ‘larger audiences’ tastes, when he should do what he wants with it, the way he sees it, with no compromises. It’s so sad that a bunch of homophobes can’t stand the ‘sexual aspect’ of the movie and actually have to deal with their ignorant feelings. The fact that Alexander was bisexual is actually one of the most interesting parts about him, since that was so forbidden at the time. If it’s cut, so is some of the intrigue. I’m not saying that I actually want more ‘gay action’ but if some scenes of ‘homosexuality’ are needed and that’s one of the things that will make the movie better (since I heard it was horrible) then it should stay. I guess I will rent the Theatrical Version.


Exactly! Oliver Stone and Warner Brothers are just conforming to the masses instead of sticking by it and the way it was supposed to be seen. What a bunch of pussies! Lions Gate should have released this since they wouldn't cut the gay stuff out. They actually have some balls.

I'm actually thinking I won't see this one at all now. I'm too disappointed in them for what they're doing. Sure, the theatrical version will still be available, but this just makes me not want to support them and the movie. I think I'll boycott it.

At least they are making the theatrical version available and it will probably be the one seen the most often in video stores, etc. You should still rent it since it isn't the film's fault that this happened. Plus it would make Gun and I happy

Does the WB truly believe ALEXANDER bombed here because of homosexuality? First, they butcher Stone's JFK for theatres and now his ALEXANDER for DVD..

I'll buy the theatrical version..

I don't understand why they're editing the gay scenes. They're not graphic at all and there's only a single same sex kiss. Besides, the only people who would care if the homoerotic elements are removed are Red State homophobes, who wouldn't know either way and will probably boycott ALEXANDER in any version because they remember hearing it had homosexual issues in it.

I'd wager this is all the WB though. I just can't see Oliver Stone (a diehard liberal) editing his film in this manner. It smells of studio intervention..

I don't know what I'll do. I'd kind of like to see the theatrical version, but this makes me not want to support the movie and company. Plus, my main video store will have the Director's Cut because they always get Unrated versions and Director's Cuts of stuff, since they are usually the better versions (well, when they actually have different stuff and it's not just a gimmick with one quick little change that doesn't make a difference), so if I want to rent it I'd have to get it from the other video store and it will only be a one night rental until it has been out for a few weeks, then it will be a 7 day rental. I wouldn't get through it in one night and would only rent it once it was a one week rental.

I hope you'll still see it.. Its one of the few mainstream films to address homo/bisexuality, even if the studio has dumbly decided to tamper with it for DVD.

Exactly Mike! Just get it from Blockbuster Online or something. Or you could blind buy it, since I think you would enjoy it. You should still definitely see it.

I wouldn't blind buy it because I honestly don't think I'd like it enough. And I wouldn't want to waste a Blockbuster Online rental on it .

Just wait awhile and rent it at the other store, when its not a short rental period film. Also.. Are you absoutely sure the one video store will not receive a few copies of the theatrical version. If its a mom & pop video store, you should talk to your friend there and tell them to get the longer version..

I don't think they will get the theatrical version too. They never get two versions. It's Movie Gallery and the manager isn't in charge of ordering anymore. They used to give her an extra $150 to purchase titles that people requested but then they stopped and now only send her whatever and she has no say in it at all. I can't even make a request for her to give them. That really sucks.

I'm thinking again that I might not see this one. I'm just too pissed about what they are doing. Obviously it's the fault of both Stone and Warner Bros. for doing this so I can't bring myself to support either by renting this. And I actually hope this isn't a huge renter now. I was kind of hoping it would do solid before and figured it would be a big renter, but now if they release this stupid "Director's Cut" I won't be rooting for it anymore.

Well, it comes out in August, so details could change. And I'll let you know if the director's cut eliminates the gay references.

Well I wish the details would change, but I kind of doubt they will. GLAAD needs to protest and make everyone aware of this . Maybe then they'd change their minds . I doubt it though if the DVD is already made.

I've heard its not just the gay content, but the scenes of Alexander youth's, Ptolemy's (Hopkins) scenes, etc. I can't fucking stand it.. Hopefully I can easily find the theatrical version..

I've actually heard that too. However I just heard that the scenes of his childhood were moved to the beginning of the movie or something.

This may sound like a dumb question, but where are you guys hearing this?

Errr... In all of the articles you've posted, nowhere does it say that they've actually cut gay scenes out for sure. They could have added 20 more minutes of gay stuff in and taken out 28 minutes of other scenes. (I know that would never happen, but I'm just trying to show that you don't know what is staying and what is going)

I know, but since there was talk about this before I'm assuming that's what they did. Hopefully not, but we'll see.

The cover art for the shorter "Director's Cut" version actually sucks. It's incredibly cartoony.

Attached Image (Click thumbnail to expand)

The cover art for the theatrical version is much better.



Attached Image (Click thumbnail to expand)

I'm DEFINITELY getting the theatrical version now.

Theatrical version for moi. This "director's cut" is so foolish, its not a "director's cut," its a "edited version by the studio who believe this action film will play better to adult males without any offensive gay content" disc, not a "DC" disc.

I'd really like to talk to the manager at my video store and see if she could put up a little note/sign by the ALEXANDER DVD's saying the DC is actually not a longer version like one would believe, and is a shorter, edited version than what was seen in theaters. So if you want the original version then don't rent the DC.

She probably won't though since she could get in trouble and plus it likely wouldn't rent quite as well then so they wouldn't want to put one up.

Hopefully they'll receive plenty of theatrical versions, though. At my rental store, usually they receive NO theatrical versions of films released unrated (i.e.: HAROLD & KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE, AMERICAN WEDDING, DARKNESS, and NATIONAL LAMPOON'S GOLD DIGGERS).

I hope the director's cut isn't readily available now. This is such a cheap ploy

My main video store usually always gets the Unrated versions/Director's Cuts and not the theatrical ones of movies that have both, so I don't think my video store will have any of the theatrical version unless it's in VHS form since I'm not sure if they'll have the DC available in VHS right away or not.

From Zap2it.com:

Stone's 'Alexander' Trims Concern GLAAD
Wed, May 25, 2005, 11:05 AM PT

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com)- Oliver Stone's theatrical cut of "Alexander" upset many of the nation's top film critics, but his shorter DVD cut is now upsetting the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

On August 2, Warner Home Video is scheduled to release two versions of Stone's epic box office disappointment. The original cut will be available, as will what is described as a "Special Edition Director's Cut," which is eight minutes shorter.

Stone originally released "Alexander" with a 175 minute running time and despite a rumored budget of over $150 million, the film made less than $35 million domestic. In recent interviews, Stone has discussed the edited version which downplays references to Alexander's (Colin Farrell) relationship with Hephaistion (Jared Leto) in an effort to reach out to more mainstream viewers.

"For someone known as a fearless, uncompromising filmmaker, Stone has really compromised his own artistic integrity," says GLAAD Entertainment Media Director Damon Romine. "This is not a special edition director's cut, it's an abridgment designed to pander to the lowest common denominator."

Although a number of critics complained that the film's gay subplot was already marginalized and nearly negligible in the theatrical cut, Stone has attributed much of the film's failure to an inability to play in Middle America. GLAAD, unsurprisingly, thinks that Stone's cut is heading in the wrong direction. The organization, is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, goes so far as to imply that what would really make DVD buyers excited is more gay romance.

"Calling this DVD a 'director's cut' and wrapping it up in an attractive new package does a disservice to consumers who believe they are getting something more for their money, not less," Romine continues. "What could really boost the DVD's profile would be to further explore Alexander and Hephaistion's relationship, not edit it out."


This shit happening with the DVD is complete bullshit. I'm not going to support it. Fuck Stone and Warner Bros. People will be tricked into buying the Director's Cut, thinking they're getting more when they're really getting less.

And, I must say, I follow ALEXANDER message boards and artices and have yet to see Stone say he edited the gay themes for DVD. He has said the gay themes may've harmed it in middle America box office receipts, but never have I read him say "I am going to edit it for DVD." I believe that article has a large BS %.