Derek's Reviews and...stuff.: CARRIE: The Director's Cut

Carrie: The Director's Cut.

Back in mid-2011, the remake of Carrie was announced. Fans of the original were pissed, fans of the novel were intrigued, and with a huge teenage actress attached to the project everyone thought the latest remake of Carrie was going to be a new re-telling of the classic story for a new generation who hasn't seen the original film or doesn't want to watch movies made decades ago. Instead of doing the original shot-by-shot, Kimberly Peirce and producer Kevin Misher said in interviews they were going to base the new movie off of King's original book. That idea was attempted 11 years before the remake of Carrie hit theaters. In 2002, a made for television movie of Carrie aired on NBC as a backdoor pilot (a standalone movie, such that it can be broadcast in its own right even if not picked up as a series) for a potential TV series continuing the story of Carrie where the movie left off. It was closer to King's book by including scenes like Carrie bringing a rain of stones onto her house as a child, the White Commission, and Carrie destroying her town. The film got mediocre reviews from critics, bad ratings, and most fans of the original Carrie wonder why people enjoy the 2002 version. However, just like the Carrie remake I will be discussing today, Carrie (2002) wasn't the only movie with cut scenes. It has been stated that a full hour was cut from Carrie (2002) and the full hour was a sub-plot with actress Jasmine Guy as a psychic investigator. Filler was the last thing that movie needed but I would love to see that footage resurface someday, but that is very unlikely due to the new Blu-Ray release only having commentary as an extra. I like to think that footage was destroyed because NBC knew a DVD or VHS with extended footage wouldn't sell well so they saw no need for keeping it. However, I'm pretty sure the studio behind Carrie's DVD and Blu-Ray release knows pretty damn well many people want a director's cut and if they made a director's cut release people would forgive the movie Peirce made. Which brings me to the mystery of the cut footage of Carrie (2013) and the potential release for a director's cut...

All of these descriptions of cut footage is taken from people who attended the test screenings (Which I believe is 100% accurate. An IMDB user posted a thread about the missing footage he saw at the test showings a week after Carrie hit theaters. He described deleted scenes on the DVD like the rain of stones and the hospital ending which was never mentioned before Carrie got it's theatrical release. They aren't time travelers.) like IMDB users, actors and extras behind the film, interviews with Kevin Misher and Kimberly Peirce, deleted scenes from the DVD, and shots and scenes from the trailers and behind the scenes footage:

- Hail: Otherwise known as "The Rain of Stones" [This was originally the opening scene]:

You can find this scene on the Blu-Ray and YouTube if you are fine with two second pauses to avoid copyright infringement. However, if you have good eyes you can clearly tell Estelle's interview with The White Commission was cut from the Blu-Ray version of this deleted scene. In

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's original script (which I will not link or share) the dialogue was almost identical to the dialogue in the deleted scene. In the script he also combined Estelle's White Commission interview (now as an adult) with the scene of her and Carrie discussing before chunks of ice destroy the White house. If you go on her IMDB page you can see she was uncredited as "Estelle Parsons". I also have a Twitter screen cap of her talking about the cutting room floor of Carrie.

- The White Commission: The film had integrated several courtroom scenes with witnesses giving testimonies of their experiences with Carrie White leading to the prom incident, essentially structuring the film as a series of flashbacks and recollections. It begins with an Interview with an adult Estelle Parsons [who witnessed the Hail as a teenager], Sheriff Otis Doyle, Dr. Dean L. McDuffy, Erika Gogan, Ms. Arlene Walsh, and others who had some kind of experience with Carrie White or theories about the Black Prom:

As said above, Michelle Nolden had a scene in the White Commission. The actor who played Sheriff Otis Doyle is uncredited on IMDB and the threads from people who attended the test screenings sound legit. Also, Mouna Traoré had a scene of her cut from the movie. Many fans speculate her boyfriend died in the electrocution scene or got hit by a sharp star decoration and it cut to the scene of Mouna being interviewed at the Commission. She responded to a fan on Twitter about her cut scene by telling him to buy the DVD to see her "other scene".

- The found footage that had been filmed by Freddy "Beak" Holt - and there is currently speculation that other found footage from gymnasium security cameras also played a role in the film:

Coming from an article about the Carrie remake having found footage and a tweet from an actor who played a character that filmed everyone with a camera at prom, it's safe to say the film had small elements of found footage. Based off this article, the Carrie remake was going to incorporate some found footage. I speculate the footage we would have seen is Sue's video diary, some footage at prom, footage from security cameras during the prom massacre (which was in Roberto's script), and maybe some more footage of the period video. Actor Connor Price also said a lot was cut out after a fan asked if he was in the movie more.

- Sue's Video-Diary:
The user who posted the details about the hospital ending a week after Carrie was released in theaters talked about Sue's video diary. This was in Roberto's script and was most likely filmed due to the found footage article I posted above.

- Scenes detailing more in depth character development:
Kimberly Peirce added many details to the characters of Carrie to flesh them out. She made a more confident Carrie by making her stand up to her mother, a more sadistic Chris who got more development in any other versions, and a Tommy who just takes Carrie to prom because he's a nice guy who wants to please his girlfriend. Many scenes with more character motive and development were cut like Chris bullying Carrie at the pool (which I will discuss down below), the mean girls talking to Sue, and Chris taunting Carrie when Chris realizes she isn't the center of attention. The movie moved way too fast and didn't take a breath so some time to develop characters would have helped.

- "Wipe that smile off your face" - Chris to Carrie at the pool:

Shown in trailers, TV spots, and the B-roll which included more dialogue like Chris saying "You like that Carrie?" when she looks at Tommy and Sue kissing. This wouldn't have impacted the film at all and I think Chris telling Carrie she eats shit after messing up at a volleyball game is more organic and natural, but this would be nice to see.

- The locker room scene [extended] - Chris turning the cell-phone toward herself and the mean girls:

In the trailers you can see a shot not present in the film - Chris pointing the cellphone to herself and her friends. Why was this cut? I have no idea. The first picture clearly shows the video camera is recording Chris and her friends which makes Tina's line "But I'm in it!" more relevant.

- Scenes involving social media - Facebook in particular: The e-mail from Chris to Donna Kellogg. "So I’m out of prom and my [censored] father says he won’t give them what they deserve.":

People who attended test screenings said the film had more social media. Kimberly Peirce also said she got the idea of Carrie after hearing about tragic teen suicides and watching videos of cyber bullying.

- Billy's wild ride [The "blowjob scene" - similar to the 1976 version]:

You can watch this on the Blu-Ray. I don't like it at all but I know Kim wishes she left it in.

- Chris and Tina kiss [extended]:

You can watch this on the Blu-Ray. Probably cut for timing though Kimberly said she wanted more sex in the film in the scene's commentary. I mean, it makes sense. Carrie is a coming of age film.

- Tommy and Sue's backseat love scene [extended]

- A scene featuring actress Ally Feliciano: The mean girls teasing and making fun of Carrie. This scene supposedly took place before the bathroom [mirror shattering] scene.

- An interaction between Carrie and Chris outside the dress shop:

THIS is what pisses me off the most. Carrie (2002) attempted this with a scene of Chris talking to Carrie at school (even though she's suspended) and telling her that she's sorry and Sue will be her new best friend. I really wanted to see verbal interaction with Carrie and her main tormenter instead of the drawn-out physical interaction we saw at the end of the movie. However, a person from the test screenings said it was filmed with one angle. Maybe that's why they cut it.

- The confrontation between Sue and the mean girls:

Confirmed by actress Samantha Weinstein on Twitter. This would have been really interesting. I love the idea of Carrie becoming the new pretty "it girl" after Tommy invites her to prom and Sue becomes the torment instead of the tormenter. A person who went to the test screenings said Samantha's character just told Sue to watch her back.

- Drive to the pig farm [extended]:

On the Blu-Ray. Wish this was kept.

- Carrie levitates Margaret [extended]:

On the Blu-Ray. I like the line "You must renounce this power! You must give it up!" but the effects are horrible.

- The meaningful conversation between Miss Desjardin and Carrie at prom:

I wish this stayed in the final cut or at least was put into the deleted scenes. I wanted to see Carrie have the happiest night of her life before the blood dump so that means putting in anything that makes you happy for Carrie to make the end of the movie more tragic.

- Tommy and Carrie kissing:

On the Blu-Ray. Really liked this scene.

- Billy kisses Chris:

On the Blu-Ray.

- Margaret escaping from the closet and cutting herself with a knife:

On the Blu-Ray.

- Sue tries to call Tommy from outside the school to warn him but he rejects the call:

I wish this stayed in the film too. The IMDB user at the test screening said he saw this in the cut and Tommy rejecting the call made him seem creepy. It makes the prom scene more tragic because if Tommy answered the call the whole situation could have been avoided.

- Chris and Billy rushing from the school [after the blood dump] to find that Sue's parked automobile is blocking them from leaving:

This seems useless but it would have been a nice deleted scene. Screencap proof below:

- The prom scene as a whole which was said to be longer and more violent than the theatrical version:

Probably the worst place this suffered. You can tell a lot was cut from the prom scene by watching it closely. After the star hits the stage and burns it quickly cuts to students running past the bleachers which are in flames. How did the fire spread so quickly? In the trailer you can also see a scene of students running to the doors which was cut from the film. In the B-roll you can see a creepy scene of Carrie turning her head and looking up at the catwalk. Tina's death was extended and actresses Samantha Weinstein and Natalie Dale said stuff was cut from the prom massacre.

- Tina on fire [extended]:

On the Blu-Ray.

- A scene or shot revealing Erika and George's fate - According to Test-Audiences, George was impaled by one of the star decorations as Erika watched in horror:

I wish this was in the movie. George and Erika were useless but another bloody kill would have been cool.

- The electrocution scene which was supposed to be more graphic and longer. In the novel, it was described as a "crazy puppet dance". According to Test-Audiences, Carrie levitates herself and the "dead students" and "soars" passed them and out a window:

This was in King's novel and the 2002 version. Some sources say in the version they saw Carrie lifted the bodies and soared out of the window but other people say they just shook and danced and fell to the floor as Carrie flew. If you look closely you can see the people dancing and squirming but it's a blink and you'll miss it shot.

- Carrie using her telekinetic powers to kill some of the prom survivors who are outside the school:

Confirmed by an extra in the film. No one knows if he is true but over three people who claimed they saw the test screening said Carrie picked some people off outside before destroying the town.

- The town destruction - According to Test-Audiences, Carrie uses her telekinesis to set "some other buildings" on fire aside from the school: reference the teaser trailer:

Many people think this was filmed for the trailer but I don't think it was. Kevin Misher said in an interview "We aren't blowing up houses but we will be doing something different." when asked about the destruction and in the trailers the effects weren't on Avatar level but not on Asylum level either so it probably didn't cost much to film. I think they cut it out due to timing and the effects weren't probably finished (which means why it was not in any of the other teasers and TV spots to promote the film).

- Sue seeing Tommy's body being taken out on a stretcher and Miss Desjardin saying how sorry she is for what's happened:

Confirmed by people who went to the test screenings. Not sure if this is true but it would have been cool to see.

- Margaret's original death scene which was said to be closer to the novel:

I don't like the idea of doing the knives thing a second time so Margaret's original death (getting her heart crushed) would have been cool to see. Many people who went to the test screenings said they saw this and Kimberly mentioned this scene was re-shot.

- The multiple endings:

1) The first ending is very similar to the ending of the 1976 film but without the final twist: Sue Snell actually gets killed when Carrie pulls her into the ground.

2) The second ending is an exact replica of the original film where Snell gets pulled into the ground by Carrie but wakes up in her bed to find it's just a dream.

3) The third ending is after Carrie saves Sue by pushing her out of the house, which collapses from the falling stones. There's a bird's eye view of the wreckage of what used to be Carrie's home before we get a quick CGI zoom through a pit of debris, to a close-up of a now bloodied Carrie snapping her eyes open.

4) The fourth ending is of Sue making a final speech to the court where she says the line heard in the teaser trailer about Carrie being just a girl, not a monster. This is spoken over scenes of Sue and her family visiting the cemetery. Sue goes to Carrie's grave, which shows the headstone tagged up and vandalized. She leaves her flowers and just walks away. Nothing scary, just a very somber closing shot of the headstone.

5) The fifth ending is after Carrie's house is destroyed by the falling stones. The movie flashes forward to several months later and we see Sue in the hospital surrounded by doctors and nurses, ready to give birth. They're trying to calm her down but Sue begins to struggle, saying she feels something is wrong. Suddenly, a very bloody hand (covered in afterbirth) erupts from between Sue's legs, reaching up and gripping her arm. She screams in terror and we see that she is having a nightmare, being held down by her parents while the camera pans over to a wall where we are shown a large crucifix hanging in her room.

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com/news/ni56265005/

The user made that thread a week after Carrie hit theaters. He/she predicted the opening scene, Estelle being at the Commission, Tommy and Carrie kissing, and the birth ending which were never mentioned in articles or interviews before the film was released in theaters. He/she obviously isn't a time traveler.

So this brings me to the conclusion about the Carrie's director's cut. If you are a diehard fan of the 1976 film who HATED the remake you are probably thinking "The movie still sucked. How will this footage make the movie better than it was?" Well, the cut footage sounds like it would have made the movie stand on it's own two feet more than it already does in my opinion. More character development is a bonus for a movie and it helps us feel bad or happy when they die. The prom scene was so short and it needed more blood and brutal violence for a bigger impact. Carrie destroying her town sounds awesome and it would have had better effects than in 2002 with it's PS2 looking explosions. I would have loved to see some interaction with the mean girls and especially the scene with Carrie and Chris. Also, the film lacked the social media angle which it promised to have lots of. A lot of teen suicides are caused by online harassment so more social media could have made the film more tragic for the Carrie character.

You may also be thinking "The movie did horrible on it's DVD sales and it underperformed in the box office. No one wants a director's cut because it's been two years. Get over it dude, it won't ever happen." Let's take a moment to think about other films. The Da Vinci Code, for instance, was released in 2006, got it's theatrical DVD release six months later. Then, THREE YEARS passed before it got a Director's Cut with more footage. A movie called Nightbreed had a "cable cut" with 40 more minutes of extra footage (just like Carrie!) but it was never officially released. Fans made a petition for it and after 13,000 signatures were gained, a company released Nightbreed on Blu-Ray and DVD. The Exorcist was released to theaters in December of 1973. It wasn't until December of 2010 when it finally received its Extended Director's Cut. The years or sales don't matter in some cases, fan demand does. And there is a lot of damn demand for the director's cut release.

You can currently sign the petition for an extended director's cut. No one knows if the studio wants 20,000 or 13,000 but the point is to keep getting more signatures so the studio is aware of the petition effort and the want for a director's cut release. You can post it on Tumblr and Twitter with the hashtag #carrie, #horrormovie, #stephenking, etc. You can post it to horror pages and email it to horror sites telling them there is a huge petition for a director's cut release and mention what was cut.

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/carriepetition

You can also contact the studios directly by calling them at 1-888-223-2369. They encourage Carrie fans to call every month or so and every month we usually get some type of new answer. Marketing is keeping their eye on the petition and there is no release date for it yet. If they weren't considering releasing it, they said they have no plans. If they say "there is no release date" they could be currently working on a release or waiting for more signatures to happen.

Thank you if you enjoyed my blog post and please sign the petition! Let me know if you liked my blog post or shared the petition in the comments. I will be doing more blog posts soon! Also, I'm providing some extra screen caps and credit to where I got information and pictures from. Thank you.

Roberto (the screenwriter) said they filmed a scene with mean girls harassing Carrie in the bathroom and taunting her. Test audiences said this scene was filmed as well. I would love to see it!