Which version of Cinema Paradiso is best?

[Emanef]

Just got the Miramax R1 disk which has both the directors and the theatrical releases on. I've not seen the film yet, and will watch one version then the other in a few weeks.

Which is the best one to watch first?

[Richie]

It's a toughy that because although the longer version is the true original cut many people prefer the shorter version as it seems more 'magical' in a lot of ways.

Go with the shorter version first I would. To tell you what is added in the longer version would ruin the film if you've never seen it.

I've only ever owned the longer version on vhs & dvd (had the shorter one off tv) but I am going to get the Miramax disc to have the shorter version because frankly even though I like the longer cut I still much prefer the shorter!

HTH! :)

[Mike]

Personally, I think the longer cut is immeasurably the better film but it's nowhere near as straightforwardly likeable as the short one. I'd watch the short one first then watch the longer one.

[foilman]

The first version I saw was the shorter one, which I loved, but after seeing the longer one I don't think I'd want to go back to the shorter one. There's a whole crucial (well, I think so) plot element that is just left alone in the short one and never revisited... I really like the way it plays out.

I gave the longer version to my parents & they loved it too, despite not having seen the original cut.

Anyway, great film!

[Paul Bennison]

Short -- then long.

I prefer the directors cut, but it's been ages since I saw the short version.

The footage added to the directors cut gives it a different tone entirely and I think you'll enjoy the further exploration of Salvatore's life in the long version after you've seen the shorter version.

[Emanef]

Thanks guys! All four recommend the shorter first so that'll do me....!

:thumbs:

[spudman]

Shorter!!!!

[Paul Moran]

I saw the short version on TV, bought the DVD and found it was the longer Director's Cut. I prefer the long version.

[kfung]

Saw the long version first, then saw the shorter version.

Prefer the longer version as it takes the story further.

[cervaro]

I saw the short version first, then the long version, and held out for the latter on DVD. Don't think I'd want to go back to the shorter version now to be honest.

[Squirrel God]

Last night, I watched Cinema Paradiso for the first time ever. One of those films that I have always meant to check out, but never seemed to get round to. Anyway, the end result was that I absolutely loved it - it's a fantastic film! Made me quite tearful in some places :cry:

I watched the New Version. I then flipped the disk and scanned through the theatrical version. I couldn't believe what was missing! All the moments that really raised the film to outstanding levels were gone :(

[Alan b]

Moving to World Cinema & DVD Forum

[Full Tense]

I've only seen the shorter version despite getting the R1, as the side with the longer version was faulty about an hr in (and this was a replacement for another faulty one, which Amazon had refunded me for). I did enjoy the theatrical version, and it was very moving.. it's interesting to read of the varying opinions of people regarding the two versions. I'm tempted to get the R2 CE now.

[lintone]

I love the shorter version,but the directors cut is horrible,all the stuff in the middle is just too much baggage and it loses all the magic and innocence of the original.