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L.A. Confidential Recut
Updated
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Genre:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1997
Original Running Time:
138 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
126 minutes
Time Cut:
12 minutes
Additional Links:
Synopsis:
L.A. Confidential with less focus on Bud White and Lynn Bracken and an ending more in line with the overall tone of the film.
Intention:
I absolutely love L.A. Confidential. But usually when I re-watch it, I find myself skipping past most of the Bud White and Lynn Bracken scenes. I wanted to create an edit that would cut out the parts of their storyline that kind of drag the movie. As well, I felt like the ending was a little too upbeat.
This is the first in my “Quick Fix” series. QuickFixes are simple fanedits of films I enjoy. The primary intention is to trim the movie here and there to improve pacing, tone or characters. These aren’t edits that substantially fix a bad movie. If you don’t like the source movie you won’t care for this fanedit.
This is the first in my “Quick Fix” series. QuickFixes are simple fanedits of films I enjoy. The primary intention is to trim the movie here and there to improve pacing, tone or characters. These aren’t edits that substantially fix a bad movie. If you don’t like the source movie you won’t care for this fanedit.
Special Thanks:
Thanks to Gatos and BlueYoda for previewing my workprint and giving great feedback.
Release Information:
DVD
Special Features:
Isolated Music-Only Audio Track, Drinking Game subtitle track
Cuts and Additions:
I trimmed almost every scene Bud and Lynn have together and cut the ending.
Cut list:
- Added FanEdit.org video logo. Added “Recut by Neglify” to the title.
- Trimmed the beginning and ending of Bud going to Lynn’s house for the first time.
- Cut out Bud and Lynn’s first sex scene.
- Trimmed their scene in bed together. Cut out reference to Bisbee, Arizona and cut it before Bud starts talking about the Night Owl case.
- Re-ordered the scene with Exley taking Inez out of the hospital. It used to come before the above scene but now it’s right after.
- Cut out scene of Exley and Lynn at the police station. As well, trimmed two lines of dialogue between Exley and Bud right before this scene.
- Cut the epilogue. The film fades to black on the image of Exley holding up his badge to the police.
- Removed the upbeat music during the end credits and replaced it with Jerry Goldsmith’s main theme. (As well I added an extra music track in the credits.)
- Cut out the “Badge of Honor” bits from the end credits as they didn’t fit with this edit.
Cut list:
- Added FanEdit.org video logo. Added “Recut by Neglify” to the title.
- Trimmed the beginning and ending of Bud going to Lynn’s house for the first time.
- Cut out Bud and Lynn’s first sex scene.
- Trimmed their scene in bed together. Cut out reference to Bisbee, Arizona and cut it before Bud starts talking about the Night Owl case.
- Re-ordered the scene with Exley taking Inez out of the hospital. It used to come before the above scene but now it’s right after.
- Cut out scene of Exley and Lynn at the police station. As well, trimmed two lines of dialogue between Exley and Bud right before this scene.
- Cut the epilogue. The film fades to black on the image of Exley holding up his badge to the police.
- Removed the upbeat music during the end credits and replaced it with Jerry Goldsmith’s main theme. (As well I added an extra music track in the credits.)
- Cut out the “Badge of Honor” bits from the end credits as they didn’t fit with this edit.
Trailer
This Fanedit Was Nominated for "Best Fanedit By A New Editor" in the 4th Annual Fanedit Awards
This Fanedit Was Nominated for "Best Fanedit By A New Editor" in the 4th Annual Fanedit Awards
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Genre:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1997
Original Running Time:
138 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
126 minutes
Time Cut:
12 minutes
Additional Links:
Synopsis:
L.A. Confidential with less focus on Bud White and Lynn Bracken and an ending more in line with the overall tone of the film.
Intention:
I absolutely love L.A. Confidential. But usually when I re-watch it, I find myself skipping past most of the Bud White and Lynn Bracken scenes. I wanted to create an edit that would cut out the parts of their storyline that kind of drag the movie. As well, I felt like the ending was a little too upbeat.
This is the first in my “Quick Fix” series. QuickFixes are simple fanedits of films I enjoy. The primary intention is to trim the movie here and there to improve pacing, tone or characters. These aren’t edits that substantially fix a bad movie. If you don’t like the source movie you won’t care for this fanedit.
This is the first in my “Quick Fix” series. QuickFixes are simple fanedits of films I enjoy. The primary intention is to trim the movie here and there to improve pacing, tone or characters. These aren’t edits that substantially fix a bad movie. If you don’t like the source movie you won’t care for this fanedit.
Special Thanks:
Thanks to Gatos and BlueYoda for previewing my workprint and giving great feedback.
Release Information:
DVD
Special Features:
Isolated Music-Only Audio Track, Drinking Game subtitle track
Cuts and Additions:
I trimmed almost every scene Bud and Lynn have together and cut the ending.
Cut list:
- Added FanEdit.org video logo. Added “Recut by Neglify” to the title.
- Trimmed the beginning and ending of Bud going to Lynn’s house for the first time.
- Cut out Bud and Lynn’s first sex scene.
- Trimmed their scene in bed together. Cut out reference to Bisbee, Arizona and cut it before Bud starts talking about the Night Owl case.
- Re-ordered the scene with Exley taking Inez out of the hospital. It used to come before the above scene but now it’s right after.
- Cut out scene of Exley and Lynn at the police station. As well, trimmed two lines of dialogue between Exley and Bud right before this scene.
- Cut the epilogue. The film fades to black on the image of Exley holding up his badge to the police.
- Removed the upbeat music during the end credits and replaced it with Jerry Goldsmith’s main theme. (As well I added an extra music track in the credits.)
- Cut out the “Badge of Honor” bits from the end credits as they didn’t fit with this edit.
Cut list:
- Added FanEdit.org video logo. Added “Recut by Neglify” to the title.
- Trimmed the beginning and ending of Bud going to Lynn’s house for the first time.
- Cut out Bud and Lynn’s first sex scene.
- Trimmed their scene in bed together. Cut out reference to Bisbee, Arizona and cut it before Bud starts talking about the Night Owl case.
- Re-ordered the scene with Exley taking Inez out of the hospital. It used to come before the above scene but now it’s right after.
- Cut out scene of Exley and Lynn at the police station. As well, trimmed two lines of dialogue between Exley and Bud right before this scene.
- Cut the epilogue. The film fades to black on the image of Exley holding up his badge to the police.
- Removed the upbeat music during the end credits and replaced it with Jerry Goldsmith’s main theme. (As well I added an extra music track in the credits.)
- Cut out the “Badge of Honor” bits from the end credits as they didn’t fit with this edit.
Cover art by Neglify (DOWNLOAD HERE)
Trailer
This Fanedit Was Nominated for "Best Fanedit By A New Editor" in the 4th Annual Fanedit Awards
This Fanedit Was Nominated for "Best Fanedit By A New Editor" in the 4th Annual Fanedit Awards
Trusted Reviewer reviews
(Updated: August 26, 2017)
Overall rating
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
8.0
What a pleasure L.A. CONFIDENTIAL is. A story of cops burdened by their corruption and their consciences, lots of moral ambiguity, and wonderful characterizations and acting. But while I admire the film, I didn’t quite love it when I last saw it several years ago. I wondered, could Neglify’s edit change my mind?
Let’s begin by accentuating the positive. Technically, the edit works on its own terms. Meaning there are no holes created in story, character, etc., and I didn’t detect a single issue in audio or video editing. If I didn’t know the movie beforehand, I wouldn’t have guessed it was an edit.
Some of the choices really worked for me. The editor cuts the beginning and ending from Bud meeting Lynn – following the rule of “enter late, leave early” – a good way to maintain audience interest. And nothing is really lost. In fact, it’s a gain: budding romance is still suggested, but with more subtlety.
I was also happy to skip Bud and Lynn’s first love scene, which felt like it was included in the original simply to tick the “sex” box for the marketing campaign. We don’t need to peep on the couple’s private time. Besides, we get to be voyeurs again when Ed and Jack watch them through a window later.
Other changes I didn’t enjoy as much. Sure, we don’t need Bud discussing the Nite Owl case with Lynn. But I missed the grace note of her Arizona backstory, which gives the character something of a life outside her relation to the film’s events. I also missed Ed talking to Lynn at the station, which provides a breather between scenes of corpses piling up. Without that scene, things start to feel rushed.
Rushed is how I would describe the ending, as well: a big action sequence, fade out, roll credits. To me, the arrival of a film’s end credits feels like the closing of a book. Here, I wanted to linger on the last page a little longer, i.e. I wanted an extra 5 seconds of black with nothing but Jerry Goldsmith’s music before the end credits rolled.
Lastly, I wonder if the editor considered keeping the final scenes of Ed being questioned and receiving a hero’s medal (of course, Lynn would have to be removed from this). These scenes could add some character interest after all the action while still providing a suitably cynical finish. Or were these scenes considered part of the unnecessary Hollywood happy ending with Bud and Lynn?
I’m not sure I’ve succeeded at accentuating the positive in my review… But to be honest, I find that song pretty annoying. So one more positive point: thank you for removing that song from the end credits.
In summary: I appreciated L.A. CONFIDENTIAL RECUT for its subtler romance and for dropping the sugary ending. But a little too much material was cut and the conclusion felt rushed, so I ended up enjoying the edit about as much as the original. 8.5/10.
Let’s begin by accentuating the positive. Technically, the edit works on its own terms. Meaning there are no holes created in story, character, etc., and I didn’t detect a single issue in audio or video editing. If I didn’t know the movie beforehand, I wouldn’t have guessed it was an edit.
Some of the choices really worked for me. The editor cuts the beginning and ending from Bud meeting Lynn – following the rule of “enter late, leave early” – a good way to maintain audience interest. And nothing is really lost. In fact, it’s a gain: budding romance is still suggested, but with more subtlety.
I was also happy to skip Bud and Lynn’s first love scene, which felt like it was included in the original simply to tick the “sex” box for the marketing campaign. We don’t need to peep on the couple’s private time. Besides, we get to be voyeurs again when Ed and Jack watch them through a window later.
Other changes I didn’t enjoy as much. Sure, we don’t need Bud discussing the Nite Owl case with Lynn. But I missed the grace note of her Arizona backstory, which gives the character something of a life outside her relation to the film’s events. I also missed Ed talking to Lynn at the station, which provides a breather between scenes of corpses piling up. Without that scene, things start to feel rushed.
Rushed is how I would describe the ending, as well: a big action sequence, fade out, roll credits. To me, the arrival of a film’s end credits feels like the closing of a book. Here, I wanted to linger on the last page a little longer, i.e. I wanted an extra 5 seconds of black with nothing but Jerry Goldsmith’s music before the end credits rolled.
Lastly, I wonder if the editor considered keeping the final scenes of Ed being questioned and receiving a hero’s medal (of course, Lynn would have to be removed from this). These scenes could add some character interest after all the action while still providing a suitably cynical finish. Or were these scenes considered part of the unnecessary Hollywood happy ending with Bud and Lynn?
I’m not sure I’ve succeeded at accentuating the positive in my review… But to be honest, I find that song pretty annoying. So one more positive point: thank you for removing that song from the end credits.
In summary: I appreciated L.A. CONFIDENTIAL RECUT for its subtler romance and for dropping the sugary ending. But a little too much material was cut and the conclusion felt rushed, so I ended up enjoying the edit about as much as the original. 8.5/10.
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
8.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Terrific work.
Having not seen the original film for 5 or 6 years, it was distant enough in my memory for me not to get nitpicky about exactly what was missing and just enjoy the ride.
This edit is an excellent example of a how a change of emphasis to a good film can yield a fanedit with really interesting results, provided the narrative is treated with utmost respect. And that's what Neglify is done here.
Firstly, I felt that I totally understood Bud and Lynn's relationship - no more footage was needed. And secondly, the story ended in exactly the right place - very powerful. These two changes put the film's focus back more on Ed's story, and to very good effect.
Technically it's great - no seams or bumps that I could see/hear.
Wouldn't mind a nice x264 encode in addition to the DVD9 however. The pic would be a little sharper.
Having not seen the original film for 5 or 6 years, it was distant enough in my memory for me not to get nitpicky about exactly what was missing and just enjoy the ride.
This edit is an excellent example of a how a change of emphasis to a good film can yield a fanedit with really interesting results, provided the narrative is treated with utmost respect. And that's what Neglify is done here.
Firstly, I felt that I totally understood Bud and Lynn's relationship - no more footage was needed. And secondly, the story ended in exactly the right place - very powerful. These two changes put the film's focus back more on Ed's story, and to very good effect.
Technically it's great - no seams or bumps that I could see/hear.
Wouldn't mind a nice x264 encode in addition to the DVD9 however. The pic would be a little sharper.
User Review
Format Watched
DVD
Overall rating
9.7
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
9.0
A crackling, tightly paced crime noir tale!
A part of me feels bad for poor Kim, as I enjoy her performance in the original (though definitely not Oscar worthy) but this edit clearly proves this movie works wonderfully with less of her.
I still love the original, but this alternate version moves swiftly and the tension remains taunt throughout. The new ending by Neglify is far more fitting for a noir tale and I applaud his choice.
It should be noted, I watched this one with my bride who is a crime movie addict, and she LOVED this edit, and could not believe anything had been cut out until I popped in the original afterwards for comparison. So fantastic work Neg!
Thumbs UP!
A part of me feels bad for poor Kim, as I enjoy her performance in the original (though definitely not Oscar worthy) but this edit clearly proves this movie works wonderfully with less of her.
I still love the original, but this alternate version moves swiftly and the tension remains taunt throughout. The new ending by Neglify is far more fitting for a noir tale and I applaud his choice.
It should be noted, I watched this one with my bride who is a crime movie addict, and she LOVED this edit, and could not believe anything had been cut out until I popped in the original afterwards for comparison. So fantastic work Neg!
Thumbs UP!
User Review
Format Watched
Digital
(Updated: July 22, 2014)
Overall rating
9.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
8.0
Narrative
8.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Pretty freaking swell edit.
First of all, I would like to apologize to Neglify, as it has taken me a very long time to finally watch this. Second of all, I would like to thank Neglify for making such a cool edit.
Here, LA Confidential is a non-stop noir thriller. And it's awesome. Why don't they make movies like this anymore? I know the phrase is overused, but I really feel like we're missing out. Anyway, seamless editing here. Really seamless. I knew I was missing stuff from the original, but from where? I didn't know. Really flawless editing. And a lot less Kim Basinger. That's always a plus.
So I guess the question is, did I prefer this version to the original? I think my answer is no. Like I said, here LA Confidential is a non-stop noir thriller. I just feel like the original is all of that and then some. But I really love this edit. Cutting back on Basinger and removing the epilogue really does work very well. I'm glad to have this version of the film as well as the original. Awesome work.
First of all, I would like to apologize to Neglify, as it has taken me a very long time to finally watch this. Second of all, I would like to thank Neglify for making such a cool edit.
Here, LA Confidential is a non-stop noir thriller. And it's awesome. Why don't they make movies like this anymore? I know the phrase is overused, but I really feel like we're missing out. Anyway, seamless editing here. Really seamless. I knew I was missing stuff from the original, but from where? I didn't know. Really flawless editing. And a lot less Kim Basinger. That's always a plus.
So I guess the question is, did I prefer this version to the original? I think my answer is no. Like I said, here LA Confidential is a non-stop noir thriller. I just feel like the original is all of that and then some. But I really love this edit. Cutting back on Basinger and removing the epilogue really does work very well. I'm glad to have this version of the film as well as the original. Awesome work.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
DVD
Overall rating
9.8
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
10.0
I like the original too. A great movie where "mister brain" needs to team with "mister muscle" to solve the intrigue.
Now, Neglify's edit is, IMO, better than what I remember the original to be.
I always loved Kim Basinger, but isn't it strange that in two recent fanedits that I saw (Batman - Descent Into Mystery by Dwight Fry and this one)removing a lot of Kim's scenes helps a lot the pacing! It simply flows better than what I remember.
A great "simple" fanedit, where the movie is still the same but, IMO, improved.
Great video and audio quality, nice menu and presentation.
Now, Neglify's edit is, IMO, better than what I remember the original to be.
I always loved Kim Basinger, but isn't it strange that in two recent fanedits that I saw (Batman - Descent Into Mystery by Dwight Fry and this one)removing a lot of Kim's scenes helps a lot the pacing! It simply flows better than what I remember.
A great "simple" fanedit, where the movie is still the same but, IMO, improved.
Great video and audio quality, nice menu and presentation.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
User reviews
11 reviews
Overall rating
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
9.3(6)
Audio Editing
9.8(6)
Visual Editing
9.8(6)
Narrative
9.3(6)
Enjoyment
8.9(11)
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
8.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Wonderful edit. This takes a really good movie and makes it great in my opinion.
A/V Quality: 8/10 - No complaints at all, good DVD quality
Visual Editing: 10/10 - Great work. No noticeable seams at all when lots of little things are trimmed. Technically top notch.
Audio Editing: 10/10 - Also great work. Nothing noticeable at all other than great music.
Narrative: 10/10 - The pace of this movie at times was the only real complaint I had with the theatrical cut. This expert trimming makes it flow really well from start to finish, in my opinion. The ending is supremely better than the original.
Enjoyment: 10/10 - Total replacement of my theatrical cut. Improvement on an awesome movie. The title in red is kinda odd surrounded by the yellow credits but that's the most minor complaint imaginable. Highly recommended!
A/V Quality: 8/10 - No complaints at all, good DVD quality
Visual Editing: 10/10 - Great work. No noticeable seams at all when lots of little things are trimmed. Technically top notch.
Audio Editing: 10/10 - Also great work. Nothing noticeable at all other than great music.
Narrative: 10/10 - The pace of this movie at times was the only real complaint I had with the theatrical cut. This expert trimming makes it flow really well from start to finish, in my opinion. The ending is supremely better than the original.
Enjoyment: 10/10 - Total replacement of my theatrical cut. Improvement on an awesome movie. The title in red is kinda odd surrounded by the yellow credits but that's the most minor complaint imaginable. Highly recommended!
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
DVD
Overall rating
9.7
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
9.0
I have no problems with the original film, but enjoyed Neglify's recut version. The editing is perfect, and if I had not seen the original, I would not know that this had been fanedited. All the cuts are well thought out and the ending works well.
Video and audio quality are high. I liked the DVD menus, but scope does not really work for menus, so in my opinion the main menu video should have been cropped to 1.78:1 or integrated into some sort of background. I like the lettering, and the drinking game is a nice touch. There is good cover art by the faneditor.
All in all, this is great work. Well done, Neg!
Video and audio quality are high. I liked the DVD menus, but scope does not really work for menus, so in my opinion the main menu video should have been cropped to 1.78:1 or integrated into some sort of background. I like the lettering, and the drinking game is a nice touch. There is good cover art by the faneditor.
All in all, this is great work. Well done, Neg!
(Updated: October 01, 2012)
Overall rating
9.2
Audio/Video Quality
9.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
9.0
I watched an MP4 of this wich has good PQ for an MP4.
There are volume issues where action scenes are generally louder than dialog scenes, but this is due to the source wich has a fair bit more dynamic range than I care for, no fault of the editor, so Neg loses no points here, but I wanted to mention it.
Nice job on the "recut" title addition, looks just right.
I felt that the scene where Bud confronts Lynn about Ed and the Photos didn't have
as much emotional weight as in the Theatrical version, probably because of the reduced
screen time between Bud & Lynn, then again with the different approach/ending it makes more sense in the context of the edit.
I think the end credits come on a bit too soon, if it we're my edit I would have tried to have the
sounds of the cop cars arriving and what not continue for maybe 10 seconds after the screen fades to black, then bring in the credits/music for a more atmospheric conclusion.
A very nice alternative to the original version for those who want a grittier movie with less romance. Do I think it's better than the original? No, I think they both work equally well, I'll watch this edit again!
Well done, Neg. :-)
There are volume issues where action scenes are generally louder than dialog scenes, but this is due to the source wich has a fair bit more dynamic range than I care for, no fault of the editor, so Neg loses no points here, but I wanted to mention it.
Nice job on the "recut" title addition, looks just right.
I felt that the scene where Bud confronts Lynn about Ed and the Photos didn't have
as much emotional weight as in the Theatrical version, probably because of the reduced
screen time between Bud & Lynn, then again with the different approach/ending it makes more sense in the context of the edit.
I think the end credits come on a bit too soon, if it we're my edit I would have tried to have the
sounds of the cop cars arriving and what not continue for maybe 10 seconds after the screen fades to black, then bring in the credits/music for a more atmospheric conclusion.
A very nice alternative to the original version for those who want a grittier movie with less romance. Do I think it's better than the original? No, I think they both work equally well, I'll watch this edit again!
Well done, Neg. :-)
(Updated: August 30, 2012)
Overall rating
9.0
Audio/Video Quality
N/A
Audio Editing
N/A
Visual Editing
N/A
Narrative
N/A
Enjoyment
9.0
May 17, 2012
*This rating was given before reviews were required*
*This rating was given before reviews were required*
(Updated: August 30, 2012)
Overall rating
9.0
Audio/Video Quality
N/A
Audio Editing
N/A
Visual Editing
N/A
Narrative
N/A
Enjoyment
9.0
March 7, 2012
*This rating was given before reviews were required*
*This rating was given before reviews were required*