Major Production Goof!

arion1

It's important to realize there are actually two versions of this film.


The first was the Theatrical Release, which had a few well-placed Hells and Damns, as well as a painful kick in Duke Butler(Tigerman)'s testicles during the obligatory he-man fight scene. There is also a special-effects bonanza near the end of the film, when a hologram from the Draconian Warlord appears to chastise Kane (Henry Silva) for launching the attack (and failing!) before his arrival.

All of these aforementioned scenes were cut out in the TV Release, to make room for commercials, and to appease network censors. Regrettable, but these things happen.

But it was the TV Release which became the commercially-released video-tape! This is a major production goof, and it reveals the studio's utter contempt for the audience! If they didn't care enough to release the better version, or even bother to see which one they had in their hands, then they obviously don't think much of those who would pay to see it! Sadly, such an attitude only hurts the studio's image when looking at the video. From Gil Gerard's obviously doctored speech, to the suddenly paralyzed state of Tigerman, one cannot escape the sense that this was not a work of love, but something created to pad a few pockets and fill a network time-slot. Feeding time for the animals, in the studio's eyes!

What a way to treat "The Original Space Man"!

score /10

arion1 19 May 2003

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0158037/