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- Watcher in the Woods: Best of Both Worlds Edit, The
Watcher in the Woods: Best of Both Worlds Edit, The
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Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Genre:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1980
Original Running Time:
84
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
90
Available in HD?
Additional Links:
Brief Synopsis:
This is a fun and strange little movie from 1980, a time when Disney was trying to expand into other genres. In this case, horror (though quite mild even by that day's standards). The original ending was not well received as it did not clearly explain what happened. It was subsequently removed and reshot with a less frightening and exposition heavy ending. Having finally acquired a Blu-Ray to source the highest quality available, I've cut both endings together and find they complement each very well. I've also put back in an alternative intro and all the extended or deleted scenes.
Intention:
I wanted to share the lesser-known original ending to this wild little Disney experiment from the 80s.
Additional Notes:
This is one of Bette Davis' final film roles.
Release Information:
Digital
Cuts and Additions:
I removed the opening credits sequence and replaced it with an alternate version
Between 62 and 67 minutes there are multiple deleted or extended scenes added back (Disney had any references to witchcraft cut)
At around 79 minutes the alternate ending starts
At around 83 minutes the original ending begins crosscutting with the alternate (avoiding any continuity issues between the two)
Between 62 and 67 minutes there are multiple deleted or extended scenes added back (Disney had any references to witchcraft cut)
At around 79 minutes the alternate ending starts
At around 83 minutes the original ending begins crosscutting with the alternate (avoiding any continuity issues between the two)
User reviews
2 reviews
Overall rating
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
9.0(2)
Audio Editing
9.5(2)
Visual Editing
10.0(2)
Narrative
9.5(2)
Enjoyment
10.0(2)
(Updated: November 28, 2023)
Overall rating
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
9.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Combining the two endings was very cleverly done and technically well executed and is a big improvement on either ending by themselves. In the original I never understood the explanation for what had happened and this version helps with that although it still is confusing for me. I don't blame TriggeredPoney for this. It's a fault of the source material. The effects on the alien spaceship feel dated/unfinished but again not the editors fault. This is the best version of Watcher in the Woods.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
P
Overall rating
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
9.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
I don't remember even seeing this all the way through as a kid, but I've heard it was a seminal film for a lot of people, so I'm surprised more aren't jumping on this improved fanedit! It's an easy recommend as a way to rewatch a favorite or as an alternative viewing. My thoughts on the film in general are here: https://boxd.it/562jqF
For this fanedit, the principle differences for most people will be in the beginning and the ending. The former is an alternate scene that is good on its own but honestly doesn't connect much to the rest of the film. The latter is a lot better, essentially the compilation ending that all fans of this film have been waiting for!
As to quality: there is audio dubbing in one spot where the character is clearly not talking, seemingly at several other points too although those are not close-up shots and so seem like they might have been in the original film that way. The beginning scene is very degraded in terms of video quality but that works well for setting the creepy tone. The rest of the scenes edited into the film were relatively seemless for me. Though the ending is kind of fragmented, that's just the nature of the footage there is to work with...there is no version of this film that has a fully-fleshed out ending that doesn't feel a bit abrupt.
That said, this is a shelf-replacer, and the only real change I might make is ditching the alternate opening. Thanks to TriggeredPuppy for their excellent work!
For this fanedit, the principle differences for most people will be in the beginning and the ending. The former is an alternate scene that is good on its own but honestly doesn't connect much to the rest of the film. The latter is a lot better, essentially the compilation ending that all fans of this film have been waiting for!
As to quality: there is audio dubbing in one spot where the character is clearly not talking, seemingly at several other points too although those are not close-up shots and so seem like they might have been in the original film that way. The beginning scene is very degraded in terms of video quality but that works well for setting the creepy tone. The rest of the scenes edited into the film were relatively seemless for me. Though the ending is kind of fragmented, that's just the nature of the footage there is to work with...there is no version of this film that has a fully-fleshed out ending that doesn't feel a bit abrupt.
That said, this is a shelf-replacer, and the only real change I might make is ditching the alternate opening. Thanks to TriggeredPuppy for their excellent work!
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
M