I have The Butterfly Effect on DVD, and – unlike the so-called sequels, it is a pretty decent sf film about changing timelines, with an incredibly dark ending.
However, all my DVDs are currently packed away, and it was on TV tonight, so I thought I would watch it. But when then ending came, it was totally different, and rather than being dark, it was a “they all lived happily ever after” ending.
I felt just like the main character of the film for a moment, finding myself in another timeline, until I looked the film up on Wikipedia. Turns out that what I own is the Director’s Cut with the darker ending, whereas what was on TV tonight was the theatrical “happy sappy” ending that the studio preferred.
I now think I know why some of my friends look at me questionably when I say I like The Butterfly Effect. Without the Director’s Cut ending, it is quite a different film, and not nearly as satisfying.
I found the same with the theatrical release of “I am Legend”. Without giving too much away, it’s a happy ending for humanity. In the original cut, Will Smith’s character realises exactly what’s going on as per Matheson’s book; and as a bonus you get to remember when he’s not in “Big Willie” mode, the man can act.
The original ending’s on YouTube (all 7 minutes of it) if anyone’s interested.
Despite its variance from the original story, I have always had a fondness for “The Omega Man”.