Alternate endings

Recently I watched an enjoyable movie on DVD. Roger Ebert gave it 3 of 4 stars. I usually agree with his reviews and this one was no exception.

Unlike movies seen in a theater, movies on DVD usually come with bonus special features. This particular DVD’s special features included not one, not two, but three alternate endings to the movie.

After watching the movie, I watched all three alternate endings. Each started with the same scene – one that was not even in the movie. This scene had two of the main characters come to tragic endings in two of the three alternate endings. In alternate ending number one, one character was killed and the other murdered. A third character was then seen testifying at his trial to try to explain why he killed character number two.

Alternate ending number two had the same death/murder combo, but without the trial scene at the end.

In alternate ending number three, the two characters did not die, but drove off into the sunset.

Presumably the director liked the ending he chose for the theatrical version of the film. Why he bothered filming the three alternate endings is beyond me.

Can you imagine reading a novel and then reading three different endings?

It doesn’t make sense to me.

Alternate ending number one to this piece: I loved the different alternate endings. It was like watching four different movies for the price of one.

Alternate ending number two to this piece: I didn’t like any of the alternate endings.