Warner Responds!

Here's the story so far.

On January 26, 2000 I sent a letter to Warren Lieberfarb, President of Warner Home Video, blasting their handling of two subjects: Babylon 5 and Eyes Wide Shut. While I figured this would land on deaf ears, apparently one subject of my letter didn't, Eyes Wide Shut.

Warner has sent me a letter responding to my dis-pleasure towards the R rated Eyes Wide Shut, here it is in its entirety.

February 17, 2000

Mr. Daniel Linzmeier
Fit Productions
236 N. Broadway Ave.
Baypoint, CA 94565

Dear Mr. Linzmeier,

We thank you for your letter of February 1, 2000 and appreciate the opinions you expressed.

It has been a long standing Warner Bros. tradition to respect and honor Mr. Kubrick and his vision. There is a misconception that there are two versions of "Eyes Wide Shut." The film distributed internationally is exactly the same in length and content as the US version. The only difference is the 'digital amendment' that was required for the US version was removed for international distribution. The VHS and DVD release of "Eyes Wide Shut" remains in accord with the way in which the film was released theatrically around the world and a policy consistent with the release of all Mr. Kubrick's films, both past and present.

During the theatrical release of the film Mrs. Kubrick made the following statement:

"Stanley was in control of every aspect of his film for almost three decades. With "Eyes Wide Shut" he had to deliver an "R" rated film as per contract. It was during the editing period that it dawned on him that he may have been a bit over-optimistic in this respect when filming a particular scene, focusing on substance rather than form. Should the need arise to alter this scene in order to satisfy the rating board, digital technology was to be employed to obscure any offending images. It turned out that 65 seconds of explicit sex between extras in a party scene had to be amended in this way without altering the essence of the scene or making any cuts. The only difference therefore in how American eyes will see "Eyes Wide Shut" lies in these 65 seconds. I would like to publicly thank Warner Bros, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman for their commitment and dedication to preserving and protecting Stanley's vision, for completely respecting his wishes and their unending support and friendship."

Special features have been added to the DVD version including interviews with Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Steven Speilberg which we trust will allow views an unprecedented insight into the creation of this masterwork. We will be forwarding you a complementary copy of this DVD as soon as they become available.

Yours truly,

Pamela Godfrey
Vice President, Worldwide Publicity

I'm honored that Mrs. Godfrey took the time to respond to some of my questions, but this smells like a form letter.

Look, I know that Kubrick is no longer with us, we'll never truely know what his wishes for the "Eyes Wide Shut" video release were. This is certain, Warner has still dropped the ball on this release.

In the first paragraph alone it says:

"There is a misconception that there are two versions of "Eyes Wide Shut." The film distributed internationally is exactly the same in length and content as the US version. The only difference is the 'digital amendment' that was required for the US version was removed for international distribution."

What? A misconception of two versions? I'm sorry, but if a film is released with any alterations between territories, that is a different version. Period. I don't care if the length and content are the same. "Digital amendment" is an alteration, and a different version of the film.

I would like to hear a comment from Mrs. Kubrick about the current controversy over the video release. I am not stupid, there are only two reasons the R rated edition is going to be released in the US. Blockbuster Video and future re-issue sales.

There is no reason the un-rated/NC-17 cut of the film couldn't be released now. Universal's "American Pie" is a current example. Take a look at the sales stats, did any chain, save Blockbuster, Hollywood , Best Buy or Wall Mart buy the R rated disc? Did any self respecting collector not buy the un-rated edition when given the choice?

I understand how some people are sensitive to mature subject matter. They may not want to expose their children to the rather sexually explicit content of "American Pie" or "Eyes Wide Shut." They do have an option, don't buy or rent the product! My freedom to view a film should not be dictated by the paranoid few that need more of a life.

*On a side note, who actually takes the time to still frame a Disney film looking for lude images? Better yet, would I have even known about the nude pictures in "The Rescuers," if it hadn't been recalled?

When all is said and done, I find it funny that Warner will send me a copy of a title I don't want for free. Maybe I shold have griped and said I don't want Babylon 5 on LD, maybe they would have finished it off. SIGH!

Dan Linzmeier, FIT Production
Fitprod@aol.com
Home
Editorials
Copyright 1999-2000, FIT Productions