The Crow: city of angels – Second Coming
by DCPWhat is it about? To let people see the true intention of the film, before Miramax crapped all over the director, and to hopefully get enough people wanting to contact Miramax after seeing it so that the real Director’s cut will be released offically to DVD.
member ratings:
(17 votes, average: 9.12 out of 10, rated)
Loading ...
Tagline: Recut. Retitled. Resurrected.
Original film name: The crow: city of angels
New film name: The crow: city of angels – Second coming
Film studio name: Miramax/Dimension films (Disney)
Edit crew name: DCP (Digital Clay Productions)
Date original film was released: August 30th, 1996
Date edit was released: December 1st, 2007
Original runtime: 91 minutes
New runtime: 112 minutes
___________________
Disc one: The movie
___________________
Via subtitled animatics, this recut, extended edition restores the story and structure that Miramax completely cut from the film after taking control away from director Tim Pope. Miramax then released a very fake “director’s cut” to the public in 1996, with the real cut never seeing the light of day. This is the most complete version to date!
Approx. 26 minutes longer than theatrical version.
Single layer.
_______________________
Disc two: Bonus DVD-ROM (pending; may become video_ts)
_______________________
This disc contains additional unused animatics, rare alternate material,trailers, music videos, interviews, picture galleries and much more!
Single layer.
___________
Tech specs:
___________
Dolby digital 5.1
Anamorphic widescreen
Enlish audio
NTSC
________
Changes:
________
Deleted footage and story elements restored; corrected scene order; timeline supertitles re-inserted. Cleaned up
image quality from previous releases. Corrected sound issues. Removed several technical mistakes, such as goofs,
safety wires and crew members appearing on-screen. Added a few personal editing touches to certain scenes.
_____
Goal:
_____
To let people see the true intention of the film, before Miramax crapped all over the director, and
to hopefully get enough people wanting to contact Miramax after seeing it so that the real Director’s cut
will be released offically to DVD.
___________
The result:
___________
The movie’s intended slower, more deliberate pacing is appearant, and is not erratic and all over the place like the
released version. This edit lets the movie breathe. It is quite different in tone.
_____
Other
_____
It should be noted that this is more of an informational (ideally for existing fans of the movie), artsy/experimental piece, so sitting down in a quiet room with like-minded viewers is necessary to cath the story. This is definately not a “party” edit, and attempting to view this in such an environment would be not a very good idea. (I found the last bit out the hard way lol). Normally, i wouldn’t use such methods to create an edit, but since the missing scenes are otherwise unavailable and are so important to the movie’s storyline, i had to find another way to tell the story that was intended to be told, so i came up with the animatic idea.
You probably will not see another edit from me like this with animatics in it. It is just that this movie was an extreme case that needed “patching” very badly. The techniques that i use in this edit are comparable to what you may see in older silent films, where footage is no longer available. Stills and music are used to fill in the gaps, such as the “restored” version of Metropolis and Greed. The style is also similar to the animated intro in the extended cut of 2004’s The Punisher, although i was working on this well before then.
This movie has gone through an estimated 2,600 cuts & edits (big & small) for the “restoration”. (Miramax did a big number on this one).
__________________________
Current FOOTAGE additions:
__________________________
Extended execution sequence of Ashe and Danny killed by gang on pier:
1.) Extra shots of Nemo with his camcorder saying “Lights! Camera! Action!” and Spider monkey telling Danny “You’re wasting your breath, angelito, no ones up there listening!”
2.) Brief closeup of Danny’s bloody face after Kali shoots him.
3.) Extra shot of Ashe crying as Curve walks up to him.
4.) Curve gives Ashe the “kiss of death” before killing him.
5.) During Sarah’s dream, Ashe’s soul is seen being lifted out of the water by the Crow.
6.) Quick shot of the Crow on Ashe’s shoulder during Sarah’s dream.
7.) Extended dialogue sequence between Sarah and Noah. Sarah says the candy skull tastes “like shit” and then gets serious and tells Noah that she thinks “Someone else is coming back.” Brief deleted shot of Curve approaching the tattoo parlor.
8.) Before Ashe has his face painted by Sarah, I’ve inserted a deleted shot, which is an alternate camera angle: Sarah runs her fingers through Ashe’s hair, and she moves her face really close to his.. she seemingly almost kisses him! Although this is a short shot, it is definately a very important one for the deleted Ashe/Sarah love subplot to form — and this shot, more than any other in the film shows just how strange Sarah has become being “fascinated” with dead things – And Ashe from the get-go.
9.) This is a deleted shot where Sibyl is seen walking up to a Curve, right before she says that Ashe can’t be hurt or feel pain. Aside from being a nice shot, it also fixes the continuity in the release version (she just suddenly appears on screen).
10.) Ashe flashback while talking to Sarah in apartment: He and Danny are walking through water, and Ashe tells him “There’s nothing to be afraid of up here.”
11.) During the conversation Ashe and Sarah, Ashe grabs Sarah’s face, he says “No.. no!” he stands up. This is an aternate/cut shot.
12.) Judah asks Sibyl can (Ashe’s) “his power be taken?”. She says “The bird is the key.. the lifeforce that flows within it.”
13.) The crow lands on Ashe’s shoulder after he breaks through the side of the bridge with his motorcycle.
14.) Alternate shot of Kali falling out of the window.
15.) After Ashe has thrown Kali out of the window, he is seen in shadow form morphing from huge crow to human.
16.) Alternate Judah death via heavily modified footage from another film.
17.) Ashe tells the dying Sarah that “You can’t die.. I STAYED for you.. I LOVE you..” Sarah smiles.
18.) Deleted shot of Ashe kissing Sarah after she has died.
19.) Short deleted shot of Sarah’s face after she’s died (essential for the next shot below).
20.) I re-created a short special effect of the painting appearing in Sarah’s eyes for the above shot (as was supposed to happen, like in the uncut version).
___________________
ANIMATIC sequences:
___________________
21.) Ashe dreams while underwater, remembering reading stories to Danny.
22.) Ashe refuses to accept that he is dead, so Sarah stabs a kitchen
knife into his chest to prove it.
23.) Additional dialogue from Sarah as she paints Ashe’s face.
24.) After the drug lab explosion, the Crow is waiting for Curve. The crow then flies off the powerlines, causing a chain of palm trees to explode. Curve now realizes his tattoo is a “sign” that he’s marked.
25.) The scene where Curve tell’s Judah that the drug lab has been destroyed is extended. Sibyl tells Judah that his enemy wears the mask of the crow. He says he’s heard the legends, and to “let him come, then.”
26.) As Ashe has killed Nemo, the stripper Holly Daze tries to run out of the building. Ashe grabs her and looks into her eyes. He tells her that she should value what’s left of her soul and to never come back “here” again.
27.) Extended dialogue bewteen Ashe and Sarah. Ashe tells her he needed to “See her again.” Sarah tells Ashe that she knows how everything ends – “Blood. Violence.” When Ashe asks what will happen if he doesn’t want to go back after his “mission” is over, Sarah says he’ll be “damned”. Ashe reaches out and touches Sarah’s chest, but then pulls his hand away, realizing he’s starting to let himself fall for the living.
28.) Ashe finds a postcard in Sarah’s loft. He looks at it and tells Sarah that he’s been there, saying he took Danny last summer. (In the released version, the scene starts by Ashe saying “I took Danny last summer”, confusing the viewer — where did he take Danny? The extended bit here clears this up). Then, there’s extended dialogue between Ashe and Sarah before he leaves to finish his mission: When Ashe tells Sarah “We can’t do this.” and that he must leave, Sarah tells him “I know” and that she wishes she had met him before.
29.) After Kali kills Noah with the needle, Curve runs out of the parlor in pain, clutching at his chest. His “Crow” tattoo is bleeding.
30.) Extra bit of Ashe shooting up the club; he shoots at the bartenders before leaving.
31.) After dragging the injured Curve into the water, Ashe steals Curves gun and puts it into his coat.
32.) Extended death of Kali. After thrown out of the window, she lies on the ground with a broken back and can’t move. Kali begs Ashe to kill her, but he smiles and refuses as he stands over her, telling her that he has already sent her to Hell. He turns his back on her and leaves her to die a slow death.
33.) Judah tells the captured Sarah about the time he nearly died as a child after falling under icy water. He tells her that ever since then, he’s known that Death would be coming back for him. He says that Ashe is that Death, but that he will escape again by trading places with him.
34.) After falling from the tower, Ashe sees the ghost of Danny. They briefly “re-unite” and then Danny tells his dad that it’s time to go back. Ashe says he can’t, that he must stay to help Sarah. Danny tells him that he’ll never be able to return to the land of the dead. Ashe chooses to stay. Danny leaves, but Ashe goes after him. He grabs who he believes to be Danny and takes his mask off. Only this time it’s a drunken dwarf laughing and making fun of Ashe.
35.) Extended dialogue and “action” sequence between Ashe and Judah. Ashe pulls out Curve’s gun and unloads it into Judah’s chest. It has no effect. Ashe tries to punch Judah, but Judah crushes his hand.
36.) As Sibyl is freeing Sarah from her chains, Sarah asks “Why are you doing this?”. Sibly tells her “Ashe needs you now. More than ever. Go to him.”
37.) After the crows have taken Judah, Ashe looks down at his hands. His wounds close up and the blood is gone from his mouth. By passing through him, they have “cleaned” his body. This explains the goof in the release version where the blood on Ashe’s mouth is suddenly gone in the next shot when he lays down by Sarah on the ground.
38.) Extended dialogue sequence between Ashe and Sarah. Sarah gives Ashe her ring and tells him that “If two people really love each other, nothing can keep them apart.. nothing.” Ashe cries. Sarah tells him that she’ll wait for him, “Forever if i have to.”
39.) The director’s intended ending. Ashe is seen carrying Sarah through the church door. He lays her on the offrende and sits in one of the pews, looking at Sarah’s ring. The word “Forever” is inscribed inside of it. The priest from earlier in the film enters the church and, knowing that Ashe is walking dead, asks why he is “still here”. Ashe replies that he has no where to go. The priest asks what he will do then. A slightly aggravated Ashe says that the city is already full of shadows, and that one more won’t make a difference. Ashe leaves the church and rides through the city on his motorcycle. The end.
Additionally, several sound effects have been restored. New music cues inserted. Addtional songs used to fill in soundtrack for certain animatics. Others use the offical score.
Plus even more deleted material on the second disc that didn’t work in the animatic flow, which include:
40.) Sibyl freeing the beetle, and then smiling because she knew what was going to happen to Sarah, and led her to death on purpose — making her much more of a villain than seen in the release version.
An even more extended alternate ending:
41.) The little girl Grace is sober from Judah’s drugs and has found Sarah’s cat. Ashe tells her the cat looks like he needs a home.
42.) Ashe returns to Sarah’s apartment and reads from her journal.
And likely more that i can’t remember at the moment.
Still, several minutes of the movie remain missing, anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes. Some remaining missing things
are: Curve getting his tattoo, a long, several pre-death moments between Ashe and Danny, more interation amongst the
villains, non-flashback sequence of Ashe and Danny being dragged to the pier, Kali and Curve dig through papers in the tattoo shop after killing Noah to find Sarah’s home address.
The ending footage in the release version where Ashe tells Grace that he’s going to a “Better place” had to be cut because
it is from a Miramax re-shoot (or partial re-shoot) and does not match up with the “depressing” ending. A corrected ending replacement animatic piece was created in place of this, but it just did not fit as well as i would have liked.
Personal editing changes:
43.) New opening title sequence
44.) Trimmed beginning of scene where Curve goes into the Second coming club for the first time to ask Spidermonkey what his tatoo looks like.
45.) Reconstructed original edit of scene where Ashe asks Sarah how he survived using a low-quality reference clip. (I was able to use the sound, and layed DVD footage over it, recutting footage where needed). Contains score cue not found in release version.
46.) Recut version of of the scene has flashbacks of him and his son in the garage.
47.) Recut version of Ashe face-painting sequence
48.) Recut scene where Ashe chases Spidermonkey in the drug lab that more closely follows the originally-intended one.
49.) Recut first Ashe talking to priest scene to remove Miramax editing mistake (One priest being in two places at the same time).
50.) Curve fleeing from Ashe out of the Second comoing club plays out slightly differently.
51.) Curve’s freakout at Ashe has been toned down (the “You think i’m afraid?!” scene).
52.) Recut Ashe & Kali fight sequence.
53.) Some new score cues and songs added throughout the movie. (to be detailed later)
Toned down over-the-top sexual content:
54.) Candle wax pouring scene with topless women removed.
55.) Nemo’s peep-o-rama scene has been toned down.
56.) Sexual content in the scene where Ashe attacks Curve in the Second coming club has been slightly toned down.
57.) Cut all villain flashback sequences when Ashe encounters them (when possible). This actually wasn’t so much of a personal editing choice as i really don’t think these were intended to be in the movie by the director. I believe they are something that Miramax came up with to during cutting to make City of angels more like a copy of The crow, and to make the movie more “flashy”. Flashbacks do work in the first movie, but here they don’t really have a purpose. They are not missed in my opinion. Edit: I have learned that there were never supposed to be these flashbacks in the movie. I’ve been told that it’s stated in the “Diary” book of the film.
Audio restorations:
59.) Sound of Ashe smashing Nemo’s eyes into his skull.
59.) Original audio take of Ashe telling Ashe that he has to finish what he started. (This is a more “gentle” take, which was changed in the release version because the love story aspect was removed).
Images:
cover art by Sprug’s Decapitated Head (DOWNLOAD HERE):
cover art by Sprug’s Decapitated Head (dowload here)::
You must own the original movie before acquiring any FanEdited movie. We here at FanEdit.org respect the company’s copyrights, and don’t want to infringe on any company’s rights. Thank you, FE!
Maybe downloadable from Fanedit.info through Rapidshare (enter and download at your own risk and responsibility)
Holy crap this is a great release!!
I’ll have to give this one a review after I’ve seen it. Thanks so very much for this AMAZING release. I’ve always been a fan of the mood, look and design of The Crow: City of Angels and have longed for a day when a director’s cut would be made available. I own the Crow boxset which features an extended cut of the film, but I had always heard there was so much more. Thanks again for this AWESOME fanedit.
Review by skyliss81 — December 31, 2007 @ 6:32 am
Hello Skyliss! I’m looking forward to your review! And you are very welcome, I hope you enjoy it!
Review by Sprug — January 1, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
Hey there, it’s DVDFuture, formerly Skyliss81 (had to change my username–I changed my internet provider and lost my old email),
Sorry it took so long to get back to you regarding my review of your fantastic pseudo-workprint of “The Crow: City of Angels.” I must say, this was a daunting, amazingly complex undertaking you have done. The film is meticulously edited, crafted, re-scored and reworked. In short, I loved it.
It’s a brilliant way to present the material of what could have, and should have been. “The Crow: City of Angels” is a deeply flawed film in it’s theatrical and DVD form. But, even before hearing about a workprint cut of the film, I saw something deeper and more sincere hidden beneath the film’s dank bowels. It amazes me what director Tim Pope did with only $12 million. The design of this film is simply extraordinary, complex and unique in ways I can’t describe. If this were released today as a stand-alone film in March, a great time for graphic novel movies (V for Vendetta, Sin City, 300), it would be a hit. It’s just an amazingly designed, crafted and executed film with sincere performances that was marred by post-production studio tampering.
I recall seeing an ad for the workprint version of this film on pay-per-view many years ago, but missed my opportunity to see and record it. At the time, for some unknown reasons, Dimension didn’t release Unrated versions of their films on DVD. I don’t get why they didn’t tap into this market, but they didn’t. Instead, they sent them to pay-per-view. I also recall seeing a pay-per-view Unrated cut of “Scream.” I think I saw others, but can’t recall off-hand, what they were. I wish someone still had the true workprint of this film, but as it stands, Sprug has compiled the most complete version of the film we have today.
With that stated, I must warn folks that this is a heavily compiled workprint meaning, this film is chuck full of animatics and stills. Does this take away from the film itself? Sort of. But it does tell a much more sincere, deeper story–the story of a director’s crushed vision. If you look beyond the cuts and lagging pace and study what you see, you’ll find a truly remarkable filmgoing experience. It’s not going to be for everyone, but if you love this film, you will love this cut.
The video quality is top notch. The film actually looks a bit better than my DVD. The editing is smooth, but the cut scenes are pixelated as they came from a web source. Stills and animatics are added quite frequent, but again, they are professionally edited, seamlessly blended with the film’s theatrical material. There are numerous additional music cues and songs added to this cut that work relatively well, but are a bit too loud, particularly the songs towards the end of the film. i found them to be distracting because of this. Additional sounds cues and additional visual effects are seamlessly added and blended into the film, again painting a clearer picture of director Tim Pope’s daring vision.
This is a solid fanedit, one that must be seen by fans. The sheer amount of care and detail that went into this cut is wholly commendable. Now, I hope that Dimension sees this cut and ratifies their ten-year-old mistake with a “True Director’s Cut.”
Thank you Sprug, for giving us the closest representation and redeeming Tim Pope’s fantastic work.
~R.L., DVDFUTURE
Review by dvdfuture — January 23, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
I have to thank you for such an amazing job you have done here. I loved City of Angels but always felt something was missing and after reading many of the stories about the troubled production of the film it became quite clear that there was quite a lot missing. What you have done here is filled the gaps with every scrap of info and resources available. Thank you again for giving us this taste of what could have been!!
Review by ergoforce — February 8, 2008 @ 11:17 am
Wow guys! Sorry for the late response, I just now saw your posts! Thank you so much for your comments! I am glad you enjoyed this edit! It really is a shame what Miramax did. I do hold out hope that one day we will get to see Tim’s full cut. DVDFuture, very nice in-depth review! I fully agree with you on the budget. What Tim & crew did with their limited budget is really amazing! They really did create an alternate reality. It’s what I like to call a “tragically beautiful” environment.
You are very welcome guys and once again thank you for your comments!!
Review by Sprug — February 27, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
Thank You Thank You! Ever since I seen this film 4 times in the theatres back in the day, I always wondered about all the flaws and wierd story telling i seen in the original version. I knew their were parts left out of this film! This was the coolest version and in my opinion and way better! So sad in the end! Almost like a romeo and juliet! This film is really only for TRUE crow fans. You edited the film perfectly! True high quality. Wish the animatic parts were raw footage but this is the best we hope to get. Please release the second disk soon I want to support the real directors cut version!
Review by burgles123 — March 28, 2008 @ 5:05 am
Ok! I have watched this film twice already! I love this version soo much better!!!!!
Review by burgles123 — April 9, 2008 @ 10:13 pm
Just watched this back to back with the first Crow film. This edit creates a true follow on from the Brandon Lee film. I always like the sequel, but there were problems. It felt hacked up… which was the case thanks to Miramax. This edit attempts to fix these problems as much as possible and creates a film that is as close to what Tim Pope, the director, originally wanted. The film is so much darker than the original cut (which is saying something, it was pretty dark already). Without giving anything away, the new ending could have been the beginning of a new franchise of Crow films, using this character. Miramax/Dimension!!! Listen to the fans, let Tim Pope recut the film the way he wanted and re-release it, you will make everyone happy, and probably a boat load of cash!!!!
Review by orcdoc — April 14, 2008 @ 10:20 pm
I TOTALLY Agree! This cut was WAY better!
Review by burgles123 — April 15, 2008 @ 5:02 am
I downloaded the songs that were used in this new version. The songs you chose were awsome! Good line up! Evanescence,Linda Perry! Awsome mix!! Still the love story was soo sad. I fell in love with the crow again! I seen it 3 times already!
Review by burgles123 — April 15, 2008 @ 7:07 am
Well thank you very much! I can’t tell you how happy I am that fellow fans are enjoying this cut!
Burgles: Well you are very much welcome! I agree about the flow of the movie being “weird” in the released version. It’s just a mess. Miramax strung random footage together in which they felt resembled the scenes from the first movie the closest to make a copy of it. Of course this wasn’t a very bright idea at all, and in cutting the film the way they did, it lost it’s heart. It’s awesome that you like this cut better and that you’ve watched it 3 times!! And I am glad you like the extended soundtracks I added to the movie. I tried to carefully choose songs that would fit in. I am very thankful that “Good enough” by Evanescence came along when it did. No other song was working with the ending I had put together. : – )
Orcdoc: Tim Pope set out (and did) make a very dark film. My guess is that Miramax was afraid(?) of this as a mainstream movie. They should’ve known beforehand that Pope isn’t the type to make a cookie cutter Hollywood film. I agree that the franchise could’ve went in a totally different (and probably better) direction had Miramax left the movie alone. Would’ve even made a great TV series I say!
Oh, and Burgles about the 2nd disc. I am sorry for the delay. I have been working on resolving several audio issues. I promise though that it is still coming!
Review by Sprug — April 24, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
one part in your edit I didnt like was the baby cry you added to the fight scene as ashe picked up the doll head. That was kinda corny. The mood of the silend doll head was cool. But when you added that annoying baby cry to it it felt stupid. That is the ONLY thing I found annoying in this fantastic edit.
Review by burgles123 — April 28, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
I’m sorry you don’t liike the baby sound. At the time of adding it, I thought: what if at the moment in the movie, Ashe was recalling his son cry when he was born holding him for the first time, and with the memories of Danny being killed at such a young age, it would help to reflect that Ashe has gone crazy (someone hearing a doll’s head crying would have a screw loose). It’s only what he’s hearing in his own head and not literal. But either way, I can understand some people not liking the change. Thank you for you honesty.
Review by Sprug — April 29, 2008 @ 3:29 am
This is a work of pure fan obsession and sheer passion for a movie and i’m glad you did this….it’s really good. I too believe that this movie had some good things going on but just felt short changed by the Miramax release.
Obviously you haven’t made a “GOOD” film here, more of an interactive “What if” scenario. It’s got some good stuff in here and just makes me wish the movie wasn’t fucked with so badly even more so.
Here’s hoping for a proper version someday….will never happen but, there’s a small chance I suppose.
Good Job.
Review by AnEyeOut — May 2, 2008 @ 11:51 pm
A suggestion you can put at the ending of the film.
Ashe drivesaway with his bike and the screen gos place you can put in this text.
“Ashe forevered wondered in the city of angels,
living forever in its shadows,
watching the city turn darker,
never to be reunited with the one he loved……”
Would wrap up this film perfectly!
Then start your end credits.
What do you think? I felt when I showed this to friends they always asked me. “Did he die? Did he go back to heaven?”
This prologue to the film after he ride off can wrap it up perfectly.
Miramax could have put this into the film,if they were not going to do other sequals to this film but just leave it as a tragic ending!
Review by burgles123 — May 3, 2008 @ 8:32 pm
never to be reunited with the ones he loved…
sorry typo i meant “ones”
Review by burgles123 — May 3, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
And maybe you can show the movie poster part of ashe looking over the city of angels. I always loved the cover art and always wanted to see it in the film. Just pull the image far as you enter the text slowly. AAWWW YEA add this I would love it! If you do do it please let me know asap. I have seen the your film 4 times already!
Review by burgles123 — May 3, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
Just wanted to let u know that your fanedit made it into the official website here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crow:_City_of_Angels
You are the only fanedit of this film on the web. GOOD JOB!!!!
Review by burgles123 — May 4, 2008 @ 7:34 am
Lets all sign the petition! http://www.petitiononline.com/Crow2COA/petition.html
and email miramax! http://video.movies.go.com/contactus.html
Its time to get the real City of angels released to the public!
Review by burgles123 — May 4, 2008 @ 7:58 am
I downloaded the movie and it will not open. What must I use to open it and burn it?
Review by CravenCorvo — May 11, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
Did you download all 40 parts? Now you have to unzip it using a rar program. The program is free for a short time. A free trial. Here is the website to download the program. http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
Choose WinRAR 3.71.
Be patient it is a user frendly program but read everything and start your unzipping process. Once you have unzipped the rar files you can watch the movie on your PC or burn everything you have unzipped to a DVD disk. I have burned mine to a DVD disk but for some strange reason it will only play on my PC and not on any DVD player.
I hope you will enjoy this film I have seen it 5 times already!
Review by burgles123 — May 12, 2008 @ 12:08 am
I have found an awsome tribute to The Crow City of Angels. The song used was very good and the mix of the video mix was perfect. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgrslP-WaIs
Review by burgles123 — May 12, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
Hi Craven! There’s some info for you now over at the forum that may help you out (in the Second coming topic of course). Good luck!.
Burgles, about your idea for the ending: I actually did test this exact thing very early on in the editing process, but it didn’t work for a few reasons. The text made the ending feel anticlimactic to me. That aside though, the ending was meant to be a bit ambiguous.
But
[SPOILER warning for those who haven't seen the edit]
While I understand the question of what became of Ashe later (did he eventually rot away?, etc. – that’s the part meant to be slightly ambigious), Ashe had been cursed to walk the earth for the choice he made, and he told the priest at the end that he’d be staying in the city (‘one more shadow won’t make a difference’). I like endings like these, because they make me think about it even after the movie is over.
I agree with you on the City of angels poster art. The image of Ashe looking over the city is one of my favorites. That art was meant to reflect the original ending as a sort of “bookend” to the movie. So you are spot-on with that. It shows he is watching over the city after the movie has ended. I remember watching the released version for the first time and wondering about the VHS cover because it made no sense to me due to the hacked ending. But then I learned of how the ending was supposed to be and thinking “AHA! It all makes sense now!”.
If you’ve not seen it, the movie ‘Underworld’ has a nice homage to City of angels in it, with the main character perched by a gargoyle, looking over the city. Even the movie poster/DVD cover is a nod to City of angels’ cover. Really neat!
Review by Sprug — May 16, 2008 @ 11:19 am
On some of your animatics have you considered using the comic version. I just recieved the comic in the mail and a lot of parts are already in the comic.
Review by burgles123 — May 23, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
Hi Sprug – I was waiting for your fan-edition of this movie for YEARS now!!!! Great, you finally DID it … and now I understand, why it took you so long!! =)))
Well, I don’t think, I will ever get the hardware-DVD … as you told me before? It took painfully long to download your version by torrent – but it was worth every second of the 4 days. Can’t wait for your second disc release. =)
Big praise and congratulations – first of all! – Great timing, pacing, – choosing the fitting music scores for your extended scenes. Just perfect! You have a really great talent for things like cutting and such!!!
I am glad, you could use the stills/photos of my website this extensionally …
Am I right, if I assume, that they were from my site? Most of the stills, that is.
Anyway – it was a great 10th anniversary. THANKS for your effort!
Oh, one little comment though: the scene, when Ashe and Judah were fighting … Judah is not just coming out of his tower and suddenly grabbing Ashe by his collar – I mean, there is the fighting scene first (that was still in the theatre-version) – and that is, why Ashe is bleeding this badly from internal wounds by the kicking and punshing and such. When he was still laying on the bed of flowers he was not bleeding out of his mouth from the falling.
Not as badly, that is. That comes later because of the punshing and such.
In your version it looks as if Ashe bleeds because of the downfall.
Anyway, that is just some little “critical” comment – and not something, that really matters for the whole being of the REAL movie-version by Sprug!!!
For some kind of “afterwords” to explain, what path Ashe is walking now towards the end – I prefere the ending as it is (done by Sprug) – but if there had to be some comment before the running of the credits … I would think of the lines, that the novelization/book of the movie has in it. Something out of Sarahs yournal. Have to look into the book for the right quotation – but I remember, that I always thought, that was some fitting lines.
Again – GREAT work done here. Finally a TRUE version of the movie. – Mh, is there a comic/graphic novell of the movie?
Shit, I am totally outdated, I guess. Babies do have that influence on time schedule and life-planning, I guess. =)))
Greetings from Germany!
Review by crowwings — June 10, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Alright I am a HUGE fan of the Crow. I can’t remember how many times I’ve watched it. When City of Angels came out I watched it once and pretty much hated it. Then Salvation came out I liked that one. I watched it quite a few times. I further went back and tried to watch City of Angels again because I really “wanted” to like it. It didn’t make sense to me how the other 2 films could be so cool and that one be such crap.
I thought maybe I was too drunk when I first saw it, maybe I was too young and didn’t get it (19 when it came out).
Well, I watched it a couple more times in recent years and still could not bring myself to like it at all.
UNTIL NOW!
I can’t even remember how the theatrical version went but I can honestly say Second Coming blew it away! I really, really enjoyed this. I wanna watch it again. The story made so much more sense and actually feels like a Crow-type movie.
AMAZING JOB the animatics didn’t take away from the film much at all for me, it kinda gave it the comicbook feel which is appropriate anyway.
I had one problem. The logo at the beginning. Looked like some cheap GIF animation with the sparkly *city of angels*. I hated that it looked like an 80’s movie logo or something. Did not fit the movie for me. Should’ve been plain. Minor gripe.
I became a member just to leave this comment. KEEP UP THE EXCELLENTASTIC WORK!
12 out of 10 stars for you!!!!!
Review by caseybarlow — June 10, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
If anyone didnt know the old woman in the church is saying to the priest “Santa Muerte” That means “Angel of Death” Then she says “He Can Not Rest”
Review by draven656 — June 25, 2008 @ 7:51 am
The old Woman in the church is saying “Angel of Death …Angel of Death…He cannot Rest” that is why the poeple in the church turn and look at ashe scared because she was reffering to ashe that he was the angel of death he cannot rest he was sent to pure the evil in the city of angels!
Review by draven656 — June 25, 2008 @ 7:53 am
First let me state that I really appreciate your intent for this edit, restoring what the studio seems to have mercilessly hacked out of the Director’s vision. Credit to you for that.
Watching this project, I was prepared to accept a certain shortcomings if you will (i.e. sub-par video sources, switching between live action and stills with titles.) This was all based on your comments. All well and good, given the noble intent.
The Review:
From a video/audio perspective, I noticed no jarring cuts. Audio levels were all good. I didn’t realize you had replaced some songs until afterwards, the ultimate compliment.
A note about the titles (someone else noted this as well): the opening credit title has a sparkly effect that really doesn’t fit the film’s tone.
The music you used for the still sections was appropriate. The font I wasn’t too crazy about. The still video at times was poor, but again we must consider your sources. I’m not keen on the sound effects and animations you applied during these sections. It was interesting what you did with these parts, but the overall effect didn’t quite do it for me.
Another reviewer mentioned perhaps using the comic adaptation for the still footage. If the comic follows the uncut story, I would highly recommend trying to use that as your source. Some creative motion/transition effects could really help there as well.
The real problem with Crow 2 for me is in the source. Vincent Perez was OK as the Crow but I really found his accent to be a hindrance, only in the sense that it sort of stilted some of the dialogue. His diction didn’t really allow the impact to come through. The villain was pretty poor this time too- I think that guy was badly miscast. And the less said about Iggy Pop the better.
Another problem is they cloned many of the elements from the first film as well, the villain living in a high-rise (replete with Asian female assistant), Devils Night/Day of the Dead, capturing the crow etc. This merely invites comparison to the original, which will win every time in these situations.
The original film I rate a 2.
I give yours a 3, for your inspired and creative attempt at a solution.
I really like the idea, but it didn’t quite work for me in execution. Still, a noble effort, and I will gladly check out any of your future edits.
Review by jokersmailbag — September 2, 2008 @ 2:19 am
I am the director of this film and for me it was quite emotional seeing ‘the film that might have been’, ‘The Crow, Second Coming’. Thanks for putting this together and for your enormous efforts…
Review by tim pope — September 17, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
^ Wow, how friggin’ cool is that?!
Is this a fan edit first? The director of the original film thanking a fan editor for the release?
DCP, you magnificent bastard!
Review by Uncanny Antman — September 17, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
^ You’re right, this IS freakin cool, Antman! WOW! ^^Tim, you are very much welcome! It was the least I could do for my favorite director and film! Keep up the great work on your future projects and films, I am looking forward to seeing them! Your reply (and review on your website) has really made me happy beyond words, thank you Tim, and I hope I was able to serve your film some justice!
P.S. – Thanks for the review, draven656!
Review by Sprug — September 18, 2008 @ 1:00 am
^Oops, also thanks to CROWWINGS and caseybarlow for your reviews! CROWWINGS, I shall contact you soon.
Review by Sprug — September 18, 2008 @ 1:07 am
I know Star Wars Revisited is regarded as the best fanedit by many, but I’d say this is THE best fanedit .
Review by nuntype — September 21, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
The ultimate fan edit. Absolutely wonderful! I bought the boxset several years ago, and the second Crow film has always been a lackluster, but heartfelt adventure. This re-edit gives the Crow sequel heart and soul…
The cuts, movement of sequences, animatics, still shots, and new source music add a whole new element to this film not found in the original. It went from a shoddy D-rate Hollywood sequel to an artsy indie cult film favorite for me. That the director himself, Tim Pope, gives his approval to the re-edit speaks volumes for the dedication and talent that went into this effort.
It still has it’s flaws… Iggy, as much as I love his music, is just not that great of an actor. Some of the lines, even scripted in, are a bit corny, and the film overall can’t shake its poor production value, but Tim Pope’s true inspiration does seem to flow through with this edit despite these issues.Fans of fan edits owe it to themselves to witness what could have been.
Review by adrift — September 27, 2008 @ 9:09 am
I was sure I’d left you a review here. I’m astounded I haven’t.
My god. You’ve resurrected this film in a way I never thought possible. It was always a film to me that had all the atmosphere, scenarios, characters and music to be great. Yet somehow, it was crap. Yet I could see a decent film in there somewhere. I didn’t know Miramax had butchered it…I figured Pope was a shit director.
So much effort has gone into it and it’s worth it. This slows down the film, makes sense of the plot and I have to say, it’s this film I’ll be watching from now on. You’ve made this into a truely excellent film and dare I say it, is it better than The Crow? Much, much more of an emotional film. I love this cut.
If it really is Tim Pope who has ‘endorsed this’ – please Tim, get your vision re-released!!!
But DCP – as the third film titles – you really have made Salvation on this version!
Well done.
Review by white43 — November 10, 2008 @ 12:12 am
This is a lotbetter than the very weak original. It’s still not great, but you managed to make it a movie that did not bore the crap out of me.
Review by r8s8fr8 — November 27, 2009 @ 7:57 pm