31 Things We Learned from Tony Scott’s “Revenge” Commentary

Yesterday we looked at the films of Tony Scott.  That brought to mind one of my favorite Tony Scott movies, Revenge.   Today we take a look at Rob Hunter and Film School Rejects’ 31 Things We Learned from Tony Scott’s Revenge Commentary.  Here are three of my favorites and my thoughts…

1. John Huston apparently worked for ten years attempting to bring this adaptation to the screen, and when that was no longer a possibility Scott, who had kept a close eye on the project, came aboard. Huston’s big roadblock was his producer, Ray Stark, who felt squeamish as to the story’s harsher elements. Scott says the theatrical cut of this film is Stark’s while this director’s cut is his preferred version. “He should never have made Revenge,” says Scott, “because it was something that was very contrary to his taste.”
Craig’s Thoughts:  I could definitely have seen Revenge as a John Huston film.  Revenge feels like a modern throw-back to The Postman Always Rings Twice or Double Indemnity.  And did you notice Scott said the director’s version is his preferred version of Revenge?  I didn’t even know there was a director’s version.  There is and I’m ordering a copy today.

19. Rocky the dog’s death scene strikes me as something that probably wouldn’t fly these days. They attached “an explosive pack” aka a squib to the dog’s chest and a snatch wire to his back, and when the dog barked Scott instructed the effects guys to trigger the exploding pack and yank the cable so the dog would fly into the wall. Scott tried to get a second take, but Rocky refused to bark again. “But he’s still around, he’s sixteen,” he promises. He also notes that test audiences gave them grief for what they did to the dog without mentioning that Costner gets beat to near death and Stowe has her face slashed in the same scene.
Craig’s Thoughts:  Yeah, the dog death scene would never fly today.  I’m surprised it did then, but that’s what makes this film seem realistic.  What Costner goes through to rescue Stowe and what she endures until rescued… whew!

30. The final face-off between Cochran and Tibey was shot in Mexico, but Stark and the studio requested Scott shoot additional footage with more dialogue to help explain both men’s motivations. Scott hated it and cut all of the new footage from the film.
Craig’s Thoughts:  I am so stoked to see this film again, especially since it will be the director’s cut a version totally new to me.

Revenge Unrated Director’s Edition Blu-Ray