Someone has been posting original VHS workprints from Carolco Picture’s 1993 classic Stallone action film Cliffhanger. For those who don’t know, workprints like these are early edits of the film, usually created by the director and editor for the producers to view and give feedback on the film. The Cliffhanger rushes are notable for having significantly more violence then would eventually appear in the R-rated version of the movie. It’s not clear whether the bosses at Carolco or the MPAA made the demand to reduce the violence, but whoever uploaded the workprints has also helpfully uploaded HD versions of the finished scenes as they appear in the film, so you can compare the two. It’s an interesting peek behind the scenes of how action films are made, and also worth mentioning now as a possible reboot/sequel to cliffhanger is being mulled. Here are the links to the workprint scenes and the scenes as they appeared in theaters.
Frank’s Death: Workprint / Final Version
Plane Shootout: Workprint / Final Version
Brett’s Death: Workprint / Final Version
Pilot’s Death: Workprint / Final Version
Delmar & Tucker Fight: Workprint / Final Version
Kristal’s Death: Workprint / Final Version
Traver’s Death: Workprint / Final Version
Kynette & Gabe Fight: Workprint / Final Version
Final Fight: Workprint / Final Version
I’ve been watching these for the last couple hours. They’re fascinating to me, because a lot of those small edits completely change the tone of some of the scenes. Also, a lot of the action scenes in this had, in the original unedited version, a much more Peckinpah-type feel to them. It’s a shame they were cut down / had the slow-motion violence removed, because it gave the action a grandiose, operatic feel. And if you can’t let Renny Harlin get grandiose and operatic, what good is it to hire him?
