Well, you have a point.
Akala ko marami na akong alam sa Stanley Kubrick trivia, pero ngayon ko lang nalaman na 2 versions pala sa video ang The Shining.
Stanley Kubrick releases are always controversial. Warner may be doing it intentionally, in keeping with tradition.
Yes, it would have been better if they released both versions in one disc, but that would have been the non-controversial option.
I researched the net after reading Mr. Hankey's clarification, and here's what I found:
There are at least 3 versions:
1. 146-min. original theatrical version;
2. 144-min. U.S. theatrical version; and
3. 119-min. international version.
The original cut, rumored to have been destroyed by Kubrick, no longer exists.
On video, the two cuts are the U.S. version and the international version. Both versions were cut by Kubrick himself, so both can be called director's cuts since both had the director's own intent.
After playing to "generally bad reviews and erratic box-office in America," The Shining was preview-tested before its opening in London and a further 25 mins. were cut. Thus, we now have 2 versions, one from the U.S. release, and the shorter version for all releases outside the U.S.
After the commercial disaster of Barry Lyndon, Kubrick wanted a more box-office friendly movie for his next project, The Shining. That's why he was willing to cut scenes in response to criticism, as long as he himself would be doing the cutting.
Which is the definitive version?
You might say that it's the longer one because that was his original artistic vision before he responded to criticism.
Or you might say that it's the shorter one because that was his final editing decison for this film. Besides, he lived in England, and before his death, he approved the R2 DVD (short international version) for the U.K.
