A Running Commentary on the Running Commentary

[Jester]

So, thanks to the help of a certain Forum Fraggle, I have a copy of the German DVD release of TMNT, complete with Barron's commentary. I popped the sucker in to my very much region cracked Coby DVD player (it's amazing what $25 dollars, an internet search, and a little trial and error will do.) I thought I'd share my thoughts on the DVD commentary...by giving a commentary...on the commentary. What?

Right off the bat, love the Golden Harvest logo. Never seen it before....cool!

Subtitles for a commentary track? I love those...thanks Germany. (I know he can't speak German and they're necessary for (some of) them to understand the commentary, but I love that they also have English commentary subs. I always watch my DVDs with subs, so I don't miss dialogue...and now you know way too much about my DVD watching habits.)

Henson's Turtle suits ate most of the $7 million budget. Understandable.

The opening we got was cut down...is it in the deleted scenes? No. Drat. I wonder if it was even shot. And Steve just cleared that up...this was the shot at the last minute replacement. Man I'd love to see boards for the original opening...we need another TMNT SE. Cybercubed go bug Golden Harvest and Nick for THAT!

The film was shot in Wilmington, NC. Anyone gone there searching for locations? Who's from NC? Powder? Was it you? Can't remember.

I need to track down The Storyteller. Sounds cool. Henson animatronics, Barron and others who worked on TMNT, too. Could be a hoot.

The fight to save April was done to leave something to the imagination, sure, but also because Barron's schedule went long.

60 pounds of costume...man that's some workout.

You know what? I'm totally getting caught up in this. I'd recommend buying it to hear it. If you love the movie it's great to hear the director talk about how much work the puppeteers and others put into it...I'm gonna watch uninterrupted from now on in. I'll fill you in with more once I'm done. Heck, if I continued at this rate it'd take me 3 hours or more to watch the darn thing...

[rufus]

Awesome post Jester. How much did it cost to import the dvd from germany? and your not alone on watching dvds with subtitles. I have them on unless the dvds dont have them included. also does the dvd feature disc art? does it have a booklet? also choking man is a pretty good film(cost $1million to make) from Steve Barron. Hulu should have it for free to watch still.Also he is doing a miniseries for syfy next year called treasure island. sorry about the long ramble.

[Jester]

Well I sent my pally $35...but that was for the DVD some Turtle books and shipping. I think with out the books, it was $25, which is well worth it for a TMNT in German, English and with Barron's commentary (with English and German subs). That and it has some "deleted" (mostly alternate, nunchuck neutered) scenes and the alternate (or extended) ending.

The DVD came in a clear plastic case with a double sided insert that seemed to be the same on both sides, save the giant "12" in a box on one side...so I flipped it over for a cleaner one on the cover. No inserts and all the text is in German...so I'm at a loss as to what it says, save for things like ninja-meister (Ninja Master)

Also...it's distributed by WinklerFilms...EH!!!

[rufus]

Thanks. I'll definitely have to check into securing a copy sometime.

[Jester]

I think Gobo ordered them in bulk, so you might talk to him:
A. To see if he might have a copy on hand, or
B. If there's interest in another bulk order.
It helps.

EDIT: Tehe, Barron said it was tough to get funding in the US (German and French backers were easily on board. They "got it") since they thought Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sounded like a Troma flick...which we've learned was a plan as early as 1984.

[Jester]

Something odd....listening to the "edited" version of T-U-R-T-L-E Power...."Pizza's the food that's sure to please these Turtles are into pepperoni and chese!" "Hero's not just of the body but of the mind..."

[Weapon X]

Originally Posted by Jester

The opening we got was cut down...is it in the deleted scenes? No. Drat. I wonder if it was even shot. And Steve just cleared that up...this was the shot at the last minute replacement.

Is this the shells rising from the water? Your post is a little confusing.

Anything about excised scenes is welcome.

[Jester]

Yeah, it's the "shells raising out of the water" along with what Barron described as a more epic cut of the Teens stealing. But due to time and budget constraints, we got...what we got.

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Jester

Yeah, it's the "shells raising out of the water"

I always though this worked great for the trailer, but would have been bizarre in the actual movie, since there was no reason for the turtles to be swimming in the river while they were out on patrol.

[Jester]

He also mentioned there'd be some more "sewer" footage during the opening.

[Weapon X]

Originally Posted by Jester

He also mentioned there'd be some more "sewer" footage during the opening.

Okay, like the manhole cover blowing off, which also made it into the trailer, and the comic adaption.

Did he mention anything about Casey's original intro? Im pretty sure that was filmed.

[Jester]

Nope...The only things he mentioned as time/money trickery after that is the use of steam when the Turtles fight the Foot when they "Return to New York."

[Leonardo87]

I'm very curious if we will see these deleted scenes or any footage from the Turtle Power Documentary since it seems like we'll have to wait so long to get a SE out.

[Powder]

I'm not in NC, but SC. Either way, I have plans to one day try and find some locations where they shot. Already did in NY, got some neat pictures. My parents are thinking about going to Oregon some time in the future, and I may tag along to visit Japan. Oops, I meant Oregon. Wait, what? Yes, the scenes filmed in Japan for the third live-action film were actually shot in Oregon. Or at least the waterfall fight scene (where the turtles meet Mitsu) was, and is still there looking the same.

[Jester]

My mistake....

I need to do a tour for UHF sites next time I'm near Tulsa.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by Jester

My mistake....

I need to do a tour for UHF sites next time I'm near Tulsa.

UHF? No comprende...

[Jester]

Originally Posted by Powder

UHF? No comprende...

It's Weird Al's feature film. It was shot in Tulsa.

[gobo]

What was the alley they shot the final confrontation in from? Big Trouble In Little China?

BTW, Mr. Baron confirmed that Sam Rockwell was the punk who told Casey they're a family.

[Jester]

Yes, but he also said Rockwell was one of the "purse snatching pukes!"