| Total Recall (1990) |
| Director |
Paul Verhoeven |
| Cut Formats | Film, VHS, DVD, HD DVD, Blu-ray |
| Classifications |
MA (5/12/2005 - DVD), M (20/9/1990 - 112 mins film, 5/6/1990 - 109 mins film), R (24/5/1990 - 104 mins film) |
| Comments |
The infamous Aussie M version was released on VHS,
along with the longer but still censored theatrical version, rated R 18+. For its DVD debut,
the film was reclassified from R to MA 15+ without cuts. Both the local single-disc DVD
(Columbia Tri-Star) and the two-disc special edition DVD (Universal) contain the
cut theatrical version.
The apparent discrepancies of the listed OFLC running times cannot be explained.
As usual, the OFLC database cannot be trusted except to provide the most basic information.
The Australian HD DVD (Universal) has a running time of 113:26 60hz,
while the single disc edition DVD runs to 108:19 PAL or the equivalent of 112:50 NTSC. The
difference of 36 seconds cannot be accounted for without doing a side-by-side comparison.
A Blu Ray disc (Lionsgate) of Total Recall is also available in America.
There have been no reports of restored censored footage in these HD releases.
Note that the local HD DVD was not submitted for OFLC reclassification, nor did it need to be
since the version presumably matched a previously classified release.
"Unbelievably, the US distributors derided
Columbia's Australian office for not contesting the R classification stronger
after the OFLC awarded it! Verhoeven and Schwarzenegger got involved in
the local war of words with the OFLC (via faxed memorandums). Columbia
Australia inflamed the situation by only releasing the M rated versions
to theatres, and not making the R rated version available to exhibitors.
There was much derision upon Columbia's decision to release dual classification
versions come its video release. But by then, the damage had been done.
Exhibitors were up in arms that they were not offered the uncut version
for theatrical engagements." [M. C. Thomason] |
| Cut Footage |
Several bloody bullet hits and Richter's
arms being sliced off as the elevator passes a concrete platform where cut from the Australian
M version that was prepared by Columbia for the film's cinema run. These cuts were made to
the already trimmed theatrical print from the US, which was cut down from a US X rating to
the more commercially viable R rating.
"The [MPAA] cuts were as follows:
(a) The scene, where Quiad uses a pedetrian as a shield against the
bad guy's fire, was originally more bloody (even now it's incredibly graphic).
(b) The midget stabbing Richter's aide originally showed "the ol' inout,
inout" more graphically.
(c) The shot of Benny's death was cropped to avoid graphic nastiness
(the drill coming through from his stomach).
There was some talk years ago of the unrated director's
cut being relased on Pioneer laserdisc, but the release was (for some reason)
dropped." [Source: The ATTIC] |
| Reason |
(a) Cut before release to secure a US R rating. (b) The Australian
cinema print was cut further to secure an Aussie M rating. |
| Uncut Releases |
None yet. Our DVDs still contain are the censored theatrical version. |
| Entry Last Updated |
10/11/2007 |