Fatal Attraction: Audience Test 2021 - 1080p 60 fps Upgrade

Updated
fatalatrract_front
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1987
Original Running Time:
119
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
120
Time Cut:
8
Time Added:
9
Subtitles Available?
Available in HD?
Brief Synopsis:
This puts back the original ending that preview test audiences saw, upscaled and improved.
Intention:
This is how the movie originally ended but it tested poorly so reshoots were ordered. Glenn Close held back for 2 weeks but caved in contractually and the ending was reshot for a more revengeful end. Unfortunately, the original ending is heavily telegraphed throughout the film, and it was a surprise to me at least when it ended per the theatrical version coz the end I saw coming did not emerge. Well now its back and upscaled since the only source material is in SD.

In the 2002 Special Edition DVD, Close comments that she had concerns re-shooting the movie’s ending because she believed, and was backed by psychiatrists, that the character would have taken the course of action as originally depicted. She gave in on her concerns, however, and recorded the new sequence after having fought against the change for two weeks The movie was initially released in Japan with the original ending. The original ending first appeared on a special edition VHS and LaserDisc release by Paramount in 1992, and was included on the film’s DVD release several years later.
Additional Notes:
This was an old SD edit I did 11 years. It was fraught with issues including a bad rip, strobbing and more. The source material was upscaled to 1080 p, and 60 fps, and looks as good as it can. The print is a little dirty to begin with but soon clears up. The intention was to then render at 720p, but it looks great in 1080, so no change made to the 1080 upscale.
Other Sources:
Best of Puccini CD: Madam Butterfly
Release Information:
Digital
Special Features
Theatrical ending follows the end credits
Editing Details:
Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) was originally scripted to end the film differntly.
The result is a differnt path for Dan (Michael Douglas) in the movie with a dramatically different last 20 minutes (don’t want to spoil it completely.
In fact all the clues to the originally shot ending are in the film. It is telegraphed in advance and I recall expecting that “alternate ending” when I saw the film.
Although Beth (Ann Archer) saves the day (though in a different way), test audiences did not respond well to the film as originally concieved.
They felt Beth deserved revenge, particularly in view of her threat to kill Alex if she came near the family again.
This resulted in a three-week reshoot for the action-filled sequence in the bathroom and Alex’s death by gunshot as originally released in the theatrical version.
Her shooting by Beth juxtaposes the two characters, with Alex becoming the victim and Beth taking violent action to protect her family. The apparent death in the bath device was inspired by the French film “Les Diaboliques (1954)”.

In the 2002 Special Edition DVD, Close comments that she had concerns re-shooting the movie’s ending because she believed, and was backed by psychiatrists, that the character would have taken the course of action as originally depicted. She gave in on her concerns, however, and recorded the new sequence after having fought against the change for two weeks The movie was initially released in Japan with the original ending. The original ending first appeared on a special edition VHS and LaserDisc release by Paramount in 1992, and was included on the film’s DVD release several years later.

This fan edit re-instates that ending which required aspect ratio correction, sound effects and ambient sound to be added, colour correction, the extension of one critical shot (via a slow mo slight of hand) and crucially the insertion of the appropriate piece of music from the opera, Madam Butterfly.
Cuts and Additions:
New opening titles created in correct font
Adrian Lynn Film added
Wraith credit added at both ends of the film
All technical issues corrected
Theatrical ending is also included post end credit roll
Upscaled to 1080p 60 fps for best look considering the DVD source is SD
Cover art by Wraith (DOWNLOAD HERE)
image

User reviews

6 reviews
 
100%
7-9 stars
 
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1-3 stars
 
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Overall rating
 
9.7
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.2(6)
Audio Editing
 
9.8(6)
Visual Editing
 
9.8(6)
Narrative
 
9.8(6)
Enjoyment
 
10.0(6)
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Overall rating
 
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
During the mid-80's to mid-90's sexy thriller era, Fatal Attraction set a high bar that wasn't reached until Basic Instinct a few years later. I I was unaware of the original ending, and it seems a shame it went unused. Tonally it makes much more sense and makes the film feel more whole, although maybe slightly less thrilling. Wraith's replacement of the ending is flawless, the color and sound are terrific. This is the best way to watch this film, and the only way for me from now on.

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
P
Top 500 Reviewer 10 reviews
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Overall rating
 
9.8
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
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10.0
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10.0
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10.0
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10.0
Great work by Wraith to provide us with this original ending. I highly enjoyed this edit; it gave the movie a different feel.

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Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
T
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Overall rating
 
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
 
8.0
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10.0
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10.0
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9.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
The original ending is definitely the way to watch this one. Poignant and realistic. As far as the technical elements of the edit, both the audio and video were clean and enjoyable. This one is highly recommended.

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
S
Top 500 Reviewer 6 reviews
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10.0
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10.0
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10.0
Apologies to Wraith, I requested this edit over a year ago and only just remembered it when I saw it on an external drive I'd misplaced. So I finally got around to watching it. I had originally intended to watch this with my mother as she was a big Glenn Close fan, but I lost her back in April.
With so few reviews for this I don't want to say niche film because it was a big film on release, but I imagine it would have a fairly limited modern audience, in addition this is a film where only the ending has been changed so again might sway people from wanting to check it out.
The original film came out in an era where men reigned supreme, both Dan and Alex begin an affair but it seems like only Alex is villified, I know that her unhinged status worsens as the film progresses, but we're never given any reason to like or symopathize with her. For Dan we see him with his family and are expected to root for him just for the sake of it. I think just changing the ending gives a little something back to Alex and to Glenn Close's performance in general, a moment where we just acknowledge where this has left her (Alex, not Glenn) emotionally and not everything needs to have a conveniently gift wrapped ending.

Thank you

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Yes
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Digital
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10.0
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10.0
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10.0
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10.0
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10.0
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10.0
Terrific, the only version of this i would watch now.
Wraith, great job.

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
W
1 reviews
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