I saw the original Broadway cast production and it was wonderful! The opening scene alone is worth seeing live on stage. After Adams' monologue, which he delivers on the stage apron in front of a closed curtain (the movie inserted the dialog between McNair & Adams in the bell tower), the house curtain literally flies up on the orchestra's downbeat. Wow!! I never saw a stage curtain open so fast.
Of the two video releases, the director's cut is by far the best. I'm glad they were able to reconstruct "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men" as it is a crucial piece within the musical. Several other original large cuts, also crucial in the story line, have been restored.
I never did understand, nor have I found any explanation, as to why they cut the remaining verses out of "Piddle Twiddle." I can only surmise that this cut was made before shooting.
My only complaint is in the orchestra track. In "Mollases to Rum to Slaves" the orchestration, or it's post-production, misses out on the deep bass drums. The climax was anything but climatic. It's a huge, powerful number (listen to the original Broadway recording).
The other place is in the finale. At the end, the orchestra is so loud, Secretary Charles Thomas is literally yelling the final role call. The movie does use the original closing, showing the signers' names; done with a scrim in the stage version.
Fantastic movie and well worth adding to your collection.
Of the two video releases, the director's cut is by far the best. I'm glad they were able to reconstruct "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men" as it is a crucial piece within the musical. Several other original large cuts, also crucial in the story line, have been restored.
I never did understand, nor have I found any explanation, as to why they cut the remaining verses out of "Piddle Twiddle." I can only surmise that this cut was made before shooting.
My only complaint is in the orchestra track. In "Mollases to Rum to Slaves" the orchestration, or it's post-production, misses out on the deep bass drums. The climax was anything but climatic. It's a huge, powerful number (listen to the original Broadway recording).
The other place is in the finale. At the end, the orchestra is so loud, Secretary Charles Thomas is literally yelling the final role call. The movie does use the original closing, showing the signers' names; done with a scrim in the stage version.
Fantastic movie and well worth adding to your collection.