Rating: Unrated
Starring:
Anthony Hopkins as Old Ptolemy
David Bedella as Scribe
Jessie Kamm as Child Alexander
Angelina Jolie as Olympias
Val Kilmer as Philip
Connor Paolo as Young Alexander
Patrick Carroll as Young Hephaistion
Brian Blessed as Wrestling Trainer
Peter Williamson as Young Nearchus
Morgan Christopher Ferris as Young Cassander
Robert Earley as Young Ptolemy
Aleczander Gordon as Young Perdiccas
Christopher Plummer as Aristotle
Gary Stretch as Cleitus
Special Features:
The final cut: Over 45 minutes of never-before-seen footage
Free movie pass to see “300”
All-new introduction by Oliver Stone
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.40:1)
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Running Time: 214 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“Now available is an all new and completely unrated version of Oliver Stone’s incredible epic film, loaded with nearly 40 minutes of additional never-before-seen footage, that takes the film to a new level of realism and intensity. Restructured and expanded into two acts with one intermission, Oliver Stone’s vision is delivered the way he originally conceived and intended. With the new, unrated and graphic battle scenes and unadulterated sensuality, it’s the movie you couldn’t see in theatres, now available on DVD for the very first time!”
“Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut” is unrated. The theatrical version was rated R for violence and some sexuality/nudity.
Mini-Review:
I missed “Alexander” when it first hit theaters in 2004. I also missed the recut on DVD that followed. So this “Final Cut” was my first exposure to the film. Because of this I can’t compare this version to the previous ones, but I can rate this movie as a stand alone film.
There’s a lot to like about “Alexander.” I personally enjoyed the epic battles it featured. The action was well choreographed and the sweeping views of thousands of warriors were quite impressive. The cast also had a lot of actors I really like. I’ve always been impressed by Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie. Val Kilmer also stood out in his role as Alexander’s father. The locations and costumes are also quite stunning.
Unfortunately, as a biopic, it’s not that good. I don’t think I knew much more about Alexander the Great after watching this film than I did before it. Oliver Stone glosses over much of what makes him interesting in favor of focusing on Alexander’s bisexuality. Rather than focusing on his great military accomplishments and failures, we get scene after scene of him bedding various men. The movie also takes a bizarre left turn towards the end during a battle between Alexander and some elephant riding Indians. The screen suddenly turns weird shades of red and the violence starts looking more like it came from a Quentin Tarantino film than an Oliver Stone movie. (If you ever wanted to see an elephant squash a guy’s head like a melon, this is for you.) These factors combined are what dragged the movie down.
“Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut” is a great looking epic film, but the story just isn’t enough to save it.
The only bonus feature included on this DVD is a 3 minute introduction by Oliver Stone. If you want more, you’re going to have to look at one of the earlier editions of “Alexander.”
