The Altering of The French Connection and Home Video Overview
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 มิ.ย. 2023
- #thefrenchconnection #censoringfilms #filmpreservation #homevideohistory #physicalmedia
Disney’s editing of The French Connection has set a dangerous new precedent for the preservation of all motion pictures. Their decision to go in and remove an entire sequence from the film and say nothing so that all iterations in circulation are now altered in a way that resembles an old sloppy broadcast television edit of a film is completely reprehensible and without merit. There honestly has not been enough pushback since the news of this really broke. I first heard about it in 2022, but couldn’t find out any more details. Now that this is the version in major circulation and has been seen on TCM, the criterion channel, film festivals and has replaced even digital copies purchased and held in individual’s streaming libraries is absolutely insane. Disney’s decades of revisionism must end and should and here. This needs to be reversed immediately, and actually acknowledged. In addition to removing the offensive word in this one seen an entire central line to the lead character’s psychology has also been removed which is extraordinarily detrimental to the film’s impact as this scene comes very early in the runtime.
I also discuss the film’s video history in a brief overview, which also gets out another long-standing problem with this film: The original Mono audio mix was missing and unavailable from all video and other presentations for nearly 30 years. (EDIT: It did reappear finally on the horrid 2009 Blu-ray release which I wasn't aware of having avoided that disc like the plague. This lossy mono seems to be the same track that was then ported to the 2012 Signature BD.) This is the other primary reason why the 2012 signature series Blu-ray is so incredibly important. - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
EDIT: The mono mix did reappear finally on the horrid 2009 Blu-ray release with the atrocious new master Friedkin supervised. I wasn't aware of this factor having avoided that disc like the plague. This lossy mono seems to be the same track that was then ported to the 2012 Signature BD. Thanks to KevinStriker for pointing this out!
To elaborate, both Blu-rays include the 5.1 mix introduced with the DVD, the ubiquitous Dolby Stereo mix, and the original Mono (in that order). In fact, the Signature Series disc is more like a patch since Fox did as little as possible outside of the new image transfer. Same audio, menus, etc. and going from two Blu-rays to a single BD-50. Downsizing means we lose Friedkin's introduction and restoration featurette for being irrelevant, but we also lose the vintage Mark Kermode documentary, "The Poughkeepsie Shuffle".
I'm just thankful that I bought the DVD and both Blu-ray discs in 2016 after CinemaTyler's excellent Locations video and avoided the eBay panic years in advance.
The so called 'offensive' word is not even that offensive. It represents the tribalism that all of mankind has by its very nature. At that point, calling it 'offensive' at all is just giving these "elitists" more excuse to commit more horrendous revisionism than they already have done.
@@KevinStriker I always figured the signature disc was a retransfer of whatever the scan was but done properly and then everything else was based on the 2009 disc design. I’m just happy it was done and if it hadn’t been for the backlash it’s likely we would’ve been stuck with the horrid first disc.
I think the Dolby Stereo may have been done for a theatrical reissue like the Taxi Driver first remix.
Pretty crazy that Friedkin died a month after you post this video. And I was only watching Sorcerer a few weeks ago, too. RIP, Billy.
Brilliant and well put critique about The French Connection. Though I knew a little bit about the Friedkin debacle, I didn't know about the Roizman situation. My concern is how far in the future will these media corps take this process. Streaming is the perfect way to prevent people from seeing a film in its original presentation, and when physical is gone, everyone will be trapped with whatever these corps push out for public consumption. I'm just grateful that we do have people like yourself who are willing to discuss these issues at length and also promote the correct path toward the right release. We're living in strange times, and this demonstrates that the future isn't as technologically utopic with streaming, especially with the amount of revision and hidden alteration that I suspect will come to fit an agenda of social change. Thanks for your indepth and knowledgeable insight. Just ordered the Owen Roizman corrected version. Thanks again.
20th Century Fox selling to Disney is one of the biggest mistakes a major studio has ever made. As of today there's more complaints about streaming platforms than ever before when it comes to films. The change in The French Connection is a prime example of a studio trying to change history. The era captured on film needs to be preserved. Thank goodness we have physical media ...VHS, Beta, Laserdisc, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu Ray ...if you have any of these formats keep them !
What a great video!
Ufornately, considering the lack of interest in classic films of modern audiences, the decline of physical media and the over reliance in streaming services, this revisionism in movies is very easy to happen. If this type of practice continues, i have the felling that certain movies (specially classic ones) will simply disapear.
It's utterly deplorable that films are now being censored and sanitized, akin to book burning. This is one reason I, too, champion- and collect- physical, tactile copies of movies which will ultimately be altered and butchered by Disney.
I'm happy to report that this issue seems to have been fixed, as the version available on Max is the uncensored version with no edits. Maybe Disney actually listened.
This has always been a constant in Hollywood - studio censorship, intrusive editing practices and revisionism - it's all about corporate politics and their ever-increasing power moves to have it their way. I recently watched Columbia's THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT and realized that the only versions currently available, for whatever reason, have seriously compromised Buck Henry's screenplay by removing the controversial use of the F-word. Look how long Richard Nixon's sensibilities were appeased by removing the song "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men" from the original theatrical release of 1776. This kind of thing occurs all the time and it has always been a shame. Of course, there are an equal amount of restorations that bring back long-lost material to classic films like KING KONG, PSYCHO, SPARTACUS etc., so it's a double-edged sword so to speak, although now that Disney has the Fox Library, I guess there's no chance in hell that I'll ever get to see Joseph L. Mankiewicz' two-part version of 1963's CLEOPATRA (always on my personal wish list, even though Darryl F. Zanuck supposedly personally trashed all the cut material).
I would generally disagree with you on a lot of the stereo remasters of original mono mixes though. I've preferred the stereo versions most of the time (IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG to name a few). Friedkin, as a matter of fact, has frequently approved stereo remixes on his films, including THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE EXORCIST and CRUISING. Of course, it's always appropriate to include the mono mixes for purists. So many monaural films had alternate 6-track sound for 70mm blow-ups that really improved the mono presentations as well (TARAS BULBA, CASINO ROYALE '67, THE CARPETBAGGERS, THE WILD BUNCH).
Anyway, I'm now glad I have all the Fox Signature edition blu-rays, and agree with you on continuing the good fight for the protection of our classic film heritage.
I just hope that Friedkin wasn't so browbeat by the "PC police" that he just relented to the pressure. Otherwise, it's UNFATHOMABLE to me that he, or any other legit director, would agree to this type of artistic violation.
MANY YEARS ago, I went to a preview screening of "Crimes of Passion." (1984). Afterwards, I had a one-on-one discussion with Ken Russell. We discussed the potential of cuts to the rather explicit film prior to general release, particularly with respect to a specific sex act scene.
Russell's response: "I would as soon let them cut off my right arm than let them cut that scene!" I can't imagine Friedkin being any less adamant. (BTW, ironically, that particular scene WAS cut for the general release!)
Thank you VERY much for this video. Your clarification made sure I just bought the right one at $9.99. All I have, until the disc arrives, is an MKV of the film and the extras, and it is missing the original mono. Now I know for sure that I picked the right one, as I was going a little mad trying to research it myself, lol. Please keep up the good work!
WELL SAID!!! I am beyond furious over this!!
Great video, Spencer. I couldn’t have said it better. Audio preservation alone is something that is of vast importance to me. I can’t even fathom how a company can be so insanely horrid to alter a film like this the way Disney did. I procrastinated far too long on getting this blu ray. Funnily enough I almost grabbed it from barnes and noble a week before this whole news broke. Luckily I got the 2012 disc coming from Amazon at normal price!
Greetings from Santiago de Chile. Thank you for your excellent video about the "The French Connection". While I was watching your video I tracked the last copy of the Signature Collection for less than US$20. My father was a great fan of these film and gave me the DVD version and now, due to the circumstances I bought the edition you suggest. I have my fingers crossed that with the financial issues that Disney and WB are suffering (by some executives incompetence) many films of their libraries would be licensed to label boutiques as a way to earn some "cash". These could be a great way to finally obtain editions that could use all the advantages of the tools given by audio and video technologies. Thank you for your advise and keep us bringing more of these brilliant video essays. Adiós amigo.
The philosophy of 5.1 remixes of this kind seem to be "muffle the original aural landscape to the point that the high fidelity new foley and effects of a detectably newer vintage suffocate it". What the hell is the point of adding a loud engine sound to a passing vehicle when that's not what's supposed to be emphasized on during the chase sequence.
Direct comparison: th-cam.com/video/A0W0cZnLoIU/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much for doing this!
Censorship is the enemy of art, and revisionism the enemy of history. Thank you for calling out this transgression against The French Connection, and for underlining just how important physical media is when something so egregious is allowed to be perpetrated against our cultural heritage. As you pointed out, there ought to be a law against such things.
Last week I was able to purchase the 2012 release of The French Connection in the Filmmakers Signature Series, and I only paid about ten dollars for it. Or rather, one-hundred and ten Norwegian kroner. I also tested out the mono mix, and, like you said, it is superior in every way to the 5.1 remix. It was only after I started watching your channel that I became aware of the importance (and superiority) of original sound mixes and why they should always be included when a remix is done for a particular Blu-ray release, so thank you for that too.
Seeing films as disposable commodities is the attitude that lead to the majority of silent films being lost.
Thanks for putting this out there, was curious as to what your presentation would be (kind of already guessed your broad thoughts). Very glad I was able to acquire the Signature Series Blu-ray online.
Put in my copy to check out the Mono track, and I was able to almost immediately find a good example. When Doyle goes into a bar and tells people to get up against the wall, some things fall off the bar and hit the floor. The sound of those hitting the floor is much clearer on the mono track.
I’ve just watched the French Connection on Disney here in the Uk no cuts have been made
Absolute travesty that I film of sheer brilliance like The French connection has been savagely cut. Luckily I own it on Physical media
In its entirety.
thank you very much for making this crystal clear… i owned the old release of FC1+2 from 2009…
and since i am from germany there was no follow up signature release…
so first i thought i was safe with my 2009 release… but no… thank you for letting me know i wasn‘t…
So i just got the 2012 release from the US for 10$ + shipping and customs… which is great because now i also got that sweet mono track… and a decent transfer…
always a joy listening to your in depth excursions into the undepths of home video releases…
I have a bad feeling this (revisionism) will start growing by leaps and bounds in the very near future. I can't even imagine what's going to happen (maybe it's already started?) to classic Westem films and TV series.
That's the thing - I find it hard to believe that it hasn't happened before and we just don't know about it!
It has already started. We're living in an increasingly totalitarian society.
I am so glad I have hung onto my 2012 Filmmaker's Series Blu Ray. I once also had the 09 release simply because it had an additional documentary not ported to the '12 edition but since let it go cause I figured not worth hanging onto it for one measly doc.
Moral of the story is always buy physical media if you want to keep something. You don't own what's stored in the cloud.
I remember reading a while ago that Kino Lorber was planning to release the 4K blu-ray of part 1 and part 2 in the near future but I haven’t heard anything since
Off-topic but it would be on any of tour videos. Have you ever given Vinegar Syndrome a chance? I'd love to see your take on even their most mainstream releases, such as Road House, Death Wish II, Cloak and Dagger, or Six-String Samurai.
I remember having the Fox VHS cassette with the horrible 'stereo' soundtrack...it was a phasey mess.
I placed my order for it yesterday over at Amazon. Its scheduled to ship in the middle of July. I hope they actually go through in fulfilling it on that date!
I am glad I picked the 2012 Blu-ray for £10 on your recommendation last year.
I have the same DVD as you, and both Blu Ray versions, for a while all I could find was the crappy 1st Blu Ray release, then my library of all places was getting rid of the 2nd version
With someone in the household having a HBO Max (US) subscription I deicded to check out their copy over there and the film seems to be uncut again.
That's weird. You're right. Currently uncut on MAX, but on the other platforms I checked, TH-cam and Fandango (VUDU) it is still edited.
Great video, enjoyed it.
As usual very illuminating. 👍
Are they going to edit out the scene towards the end of Silver Streak between Richard Prior and Patrick McGoohan ?
What is also strange Spence is that the Puerto Rican slur uttered during the car jacking scene was, as far as I know not removed also. My guess is Disney didn't remove that b/c they were clueless about it. The entire Disney corporation needs to be completely overhauled.
Yeah, that seems to be the only edit so it’s apparently something that got flagged in their system and nothing else seems to have really been messed with. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was automatically flagged and they have some sort of list of things that will get edited if their system flags it.
I hear ya. I'm still in shock William Friedkin hasn't said anything. Also, as you know, Disney is legally prohibited from altering this film in any way since it is in the National Film Registry. I'm furious over this!
@@garymoviefan4294 I've hoped the LoC or the Academy would weigh in but nothing as of yet.
I watched it on Disney Plus (UK) last week and it didn't cut that scene out. Which is very strange. Have they reversed the decision or is it only the US version that was changed?
The European streamers seem to have a different version. It's still unknown if the censored digital master was uploaded and sent out to all US outlets deliberately or mistakenly.
@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusaderAh that makes sense. Thanks for saying.
someone needs to get a petition going to Fix this movie so that the original version can be available more
modern audiences Need to have access to classic cinema
Is the Mono mix on the 2008 Blu-ray not the original mix also? (Haven't watched yet, but I read the thumbnail)
Well, shoot. I never bought the 2009 disc because of the horrible transfer debacle and now I see the little mono mention on the back cover. Somebody at Fox must’ve stuck it on like they randomly did orignal audio and then that made it over to the 2012 Signature disc when they did the new transfer. Now I need to tweak the thumbnail. Wish I had realized that before making the video.🤦🏻♂️
I updated the thumbnail and made a pinned comment. Thanks for mentioning this!
Spence, William Friedkin just passed away! I've seem him in interviews recently and I felt he didn't look all that well. I'm sure he didn't say anything about this subject most likely b/c he was ill.
I just saw the news. I was afraid that might be the reason why we hadn’t heard anything.
I'm BEYOND devastated! I would've given my right arm to be directed by him. I could listen to him talk about film for days on end. I believe I've heard EVERY commentary he did. I'm SO glad he lived long enough to see his films enter iconic status. I'm especially happy for him that he saw SORCERER get the respect it deserved all along.
I personally like the 2009 blu-ray, i will say it looks more bleak with the washed out color and grittiness of the grain structure looking like I’m watching a old washed out 35mm print
Hi Spencer, Singling out The French Connection for censorship of the N word while a film like Django Unchained can be viewed on streaming services and on TV broadcasts unaltered shows the stupidity of the whole thing
I wouldn't call it 'stupidity', i would call it double standard "elitist" tyranny.
That's why physical media is best.
Just see this video of ten months ago. Glad I own the old and great looking blu ray, but was hoping for a great 4K release but pass on it now IF it ever turns up. #disneysucks
A product of its time should reflect It's own time period, warts and all, If there are racial slurs we know better now, but this is a historical record and this should be reflected of that time and place. I'm a mixture of different cultures, but doesn't stop me from watching the film.
Besides the word in question was said by Roy Schneider.
Another reason to avoid digital and streaming.
Dude you and I are very similar in our love of the movie the French Connection. Loved your presentation.
By the way since you hate the 2009 disk would love to have it. :)
If you love something in 2023, a movie, a book, an album, etc. buy a hard-copy asap.
Hey you Damm Fool :)
I recently bought the French Connection combination with French Connection 2 set. The disks are blue labeled 2008. The first disk is the French Connection with some special features the original mono mix is NOT among them the second disk has the BBC documentary more features and William Freakin's explanation about his the color timing process etc and the third disk is the French Connection 2. When I put the disk one on the French connection it did look extremely grainy and spotty, The colors seemed okay a cold New York with 70s type colors, however when I adjusted my own television all its various levels it definitely really cleaned up the image so I was wondering well maybe if the image came out 1 way (directors vision) and it goes (plays) on a television that's already set up for its normal look say saturation at 6 as an example maybe it makes it the image look worse because the saturation is already pushed what do you think?
What would happen if Tarantino and Disney had a baby?
I guess that sorta happened if you count Disney buying Miramax.
@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusaderThat's pretty much what happened, Pulp Fiction through Kill Bill.
This is an hour long rant but what scene is actually ommitted @Damn Fool Idealistic Crusader ?!?
I wish people could understand that Billy Friedkin is responsible for this and not Disney. The man is infamous for his revisionist streak
if that is really true, then why have the UK/European releases not been cut as well? It's only the US (Disney) version that has been censored
How do you know this? Friedkin's never been a very PC dude.
This is pretty bad an I'm afraid this is only the beginning
I have the signature series blu ray so whatever I guess. Nobody cares either way, they're only watching marvel movies on disney. Get the movies you care about while you can, PC culture will kill film.
Can't spell Disney without "revisionism".
Yeah, I agree with you. How many times do you have to say it. Over and over and over again
Disney are dead.
Anyone who says this is PC culture doing this is laughable. Disney has edited films they have had the rights to for decades. Absolutely nothing new.
@@Chronically0nline Dude, Disney have edited Fantasia since forever and have not re-released Song of the South in its original form on home video ever, and it has hasn't had a real home video release since before the 1980s. Any source about Disney stuff from here to decades ago will tell you that. Or did disney just pull this mythical 4K restoration of the film that only exists your brain because they are afraid of what some twitter users might think. Touch grass and acknowledge the history of the company before just blaming everything on some people who have different views than you today.
@@unj In this specific instance of the French connection though, the censorship was precisely because of PC/leftist/cancel culture. Editing out an un-PC word. Song of the South was also censored for political reasons, so it's funny that you dishonestly use it to try and support your argument. Censorship of all types of media is on the rise, and for precisely the same reasons: Because it got the snowflakes panties in a twist. It's revisionist history, it's Orwellian, it's dishonest, and it's evil. But what do you expect from the Neo-marxist left? They're like cancer, destroying everything they touch.
You're clueless if you think this isn't to completely appease sensibilities of a fragile moderm audience.