Well now this thread has me going again.
Recently, I did a close review of the original 1979 theatrical release of ALIEN, versus the 2003 so-called "director's cut." of ALIEN, which from now on I will simply call the DC.
Many anons are aware that the DC contains extra footage.
However, what many anons do NOT realize is that both the TR and the DC EACH has MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE, not present in the other. In other words, the DC not only ADDS material, it also SUBTRACTS some material from the TR.
Below, I will detail the differences from memory as best I can (there's about 7 per cut). I made a big graphic of this like a few months ago but I've thrown it out.
The following material is exclusive to the DC ONLY:
-Lambert actually plays the mysterious alien message for the senior staff to listen to, early.
-When the away team gets back, Ripley and Lambert have a bitchslap catfight which is quickly broken up. I never liked this add-on, although it makes sense I guess.
-Brett's kill sequence is cut very differently. We get long overhead shots of Brett, and also we see the Adult, hanging for a split second, for the first time. I like the latter cut.
-Moreover, Ripley and Parker chase after the captured Brett, only to see a trail of blood.
-This is the one change that substantitally alters the plot of the film, as I said. While escaping the ship, Ripley finds Dallas and Brett themselves being transformed into eggs, which she then burns. This establishes the "kill me" trope, and it also suggests a variant life cycle from what Cameron later developed. They are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but they certainly do clash. It's a nice sinister variant on the life cycle, but for a more cohesive franchise, this belongs back on the cutting room floor.
-The Alien briefly regards Jones locked in his pet-box, and violently SWATS the box aside.
NOW, the stuff people don' know about. the TR-ONLY stuff. cont.