The reason for "alternate" ending?

[deejay]

Not exactly an "alternate" ending, but in one version of the movie, why were a few critical words changed in the letter from Kane that Cutshaw read?

[Ryan]

Here you go:

"Kane's Great Sacrifice"

From its earliest incarnation as a short sixties novel entitled Twinkle, Twinkle, "Killer" Kane, the story of The Ninth Configuration has climaxed with the character of Kane taking his own life in order to give Cutshaw one of example of a genuinely selfless act. During the filming of Kane's final moments, in which a bloody knife is seen to drop from his hand, actor Stacy Keach apparently entreated Blatty to shoot a 'safety take' without the knife. Although all early release versions of the film use the 'knife-drop' shot, the later 'Director's Cut', which was struck for New World in the mid-eighties, utilized the 'non-knife' take for which Keach argued. Blatty's reasons for this crucial change were complex, but centered ultimately on a theological problem raised by the possibility that Kane's actions could be interpreted as suicide, a sin in Catholic doctrine. Removing the shot of the knife allowed the viewer to imagine that, rather than killing himself, Kane was simply allowing himself to die from a wound inflicted in the deadly bar-room brawl. Although this version stood for some years as the definitive 'Director's Cut', Blatty ultimately considered his decision to change the ending to have been a mistake. Thus, the original 'knife-drop' has been restored especially for this Blue Dolphin DVD release. Here is the alternate 'non-knife' version.

"Kane's Letter From Beyond The Grave"

Having substituted the 'non-knife' shot of Kane's demise, Blatty contacted Stacy Keach to re-record Kane's farewell letter to Cutshaw, clarifying the suggestion that he had not killed himself, but rather had allowed himself to die. Although the picture itself remained unchanged, Keach's new voice-over (which was recorded at Blatty's house) entirely redefined the nature of Kane's sacrifice, beginning with the words "At the end, the biker's knife slipped in..." This version of the letter is the one heard in the so-called 'Director's Cut' released by New World in the mid-eighties, the subsequent Warner Home version in the US, and indeed the Blue Dolphin UK theatrical re-release print in 1999. It has been replaced with its original counterpart especially for the Blue Dolphin DVD release, following Blatty's eleventh hour change of heart regarding the 'softer' ending.

[deejay]

I wasn't even aware there was a "soft" ending until just recently.To me, removing Kane's self-sacrifice totally negated the point of the movie and the conversations between Kane and Cutshaw. Kane taking his own life meant he gave Cutshaw the "One Example" he was so desperately seeking. I believe the banner Kane saw hanging in the church foreshadowed what he ultimately needed to do. I also think it was brilliant that the banner text was formatted in such a way that it could be read either as "I have given you an example" or as "Have I given you an example". Anyway, the original ending had a tremendous impact on my overall appreciation of the movie. On a side note, I first watched the movie back in 1982-83 with some buddies when I was a Marine stationed in the U.K. I remember two scenes that got loud OOH-RAH's. The first was the brawl in the bar (obviously) and the other was actually when the civilian cop wanted to go get Kane but the two Marines blocked the door and told him "Hold it right there, pal". We were like, Hell Yeah! We take care of our OWN, mother fucker! Sorry to be so graphic but that was our true sentiment. Gotta tell it like it was. :-)

Thanks for explaining the alternate ending and providing the videos. This is a great site you have here and I appreciate having found it. - deejay

[Ryan]

I remember two scenes that got loud OOH-RAH's. The first was the brawl in the bar (obviously) and the other was actually when the civilian cop wanted to go get Kane but the two Marines blocked the door and told him "Hold it right there, pal". We were like, Hell Yeah! We take care of our OWN, mother fucker! Sorry to be so graphic but that was our true sentiment. Gotta tell it like it was. :-)

Thanks for explaining the alternate ending and providing the videos. This is a great site you have here and I appreciate having found it. - deejay

I just shared that little anecdote with Bill Blatty, I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it.

Thank you for the comments re: the website. I hope you enjoy your stay here.