HALLOWEEN II THE SPECIAL EDITION DVD

HALLOWEEN II THE SPECIAL EDITION DVD.

Are we the fans ever going to get a Special Edition of our much beloved "Halloween II"?

"Halloween II" has a funny history. John Carpenter was involved with the movie because he (John Carpenter) felt he was stilled owed money from the first Halloween movie.

John & Debra wrote "Halloween II". However he felt there was no need for a sequel. He wrote and produced "Halloween II".anyway. He didn't want to direct the sequel. Later however he did direct the re-shoots & insert shots for the movie. John Carpenter also decided to make Michael Myers Laurie Strode's brother in the sequel. This was a year after Darth Vader said to Luke Skywalker "Luke I am your father".

"Halloween II" was released theatrically in 1981. It was a box office hit. In 1982 Halloween III was released however it did not have Michael Myers in the plot at all. Just when fans thought they saw the last of Michael Myers the TV edition of "Halloween II" premiered in 1983 and just like "Halloween I" there was never before scene footage in the TV broadcast. The fans went wild.

The reason why there was so much extra footage in the TV edition is that "Halloween II" had lots of things re-shot by John Carpenter himself. He re- shot things because he thought "Halloween II" was as scary as a "Quincy Episode".

Unlike "Halloween I" where the producers went back and filmed footage to put in the TV edition, the footage in "Halloween II" was deleted footage. This is however not a closer version of the Rick Rosenthal edition. The TV edition was edited at the time to meet the approval of standards and practices which were in placed at the time of the Broadcast premiere. The movie also needed to padded out to fit a 2hr time slot. The movie needed to be 95-96 minutes. The theatrical edition was only 91 minutes.

Now the TV edition is very strange. It is edited very differently. I will not go into lots of details however the opening is re-edited scenes are rearranged and there is plenty of alternate take put in. There is also more footage of Michael going through the Hospital. The ending is sweet.

Now what would a special edition of Halloween II include? Well this is what I would like:

* The Original Rick Rosenthal edition

* The TV edition

* The Original Theatrical Edition

* Deleted Footage

* Rick Rosenthal commentary

* Jamie Lee Curtis commentary

In the "Halloween 25 years of terror" the director of Halloween II talks about a scene that has never been released to the public. It sounds very scary- I would love to see this.

Now the reason why "Halloween II" doesn't have a special edition isn't very clear. What is known is that "John Carpenter & Jamie Lee Curtis" hate the movie. So they most likely would not want any involvement.

There is a demand for this movie as a special edition! However there are a few problems

1) Universal did not make the movie they only released it. Dino De Laurentiis made the movie! So Universal doesn't own the deleted footage! Also they only syndicate "Halloween II" THE TV version. They release the movie that the producers give them for TV showings. A DVD release of that version is not part of the option!

2) Universal owns the Home Video rights for the United States and Canada. Believe it or not Lions Gate owns international home video rights!

3) The cost of a special edition of this movie would have to be split between 3 parties A) Universal B) Lions Gate C) Dino De Laurentiis

4) Rick Rosenthal would want to be paid for a commentary! The actor for interviews would want to be paid as well. IF they went with the writers that would be John Carpenter and Debra Hill! John Carpenter as far as hates Halloween II and would not want anything to do with a special edition! Also Debra Hill died last year. TO bad she would of given an interview!

5) Jamie Lee Curtis has stated she didn't like "Halloween II" and so I doubt if she would give an interview!

6) There is no money to be made on this! At best it would break even!

7) Dino De Laurentiis & Lions Gate will not put a dime into the special edition because the "Halloween Movies" do not have a huge international following! It has a loyal following however its not huge enough for "Lions Gate" to pony up some cash. The box set of of the :Halloween Movies" that was released in the UK did not meet sales projections.

I think its because "Halloween" is an American Holiday. "Halloween" outside the United States is just another day. So people outside the USA have no idea what "Halloween" is.

Don't get me wrong I would love a Special Edition but I don't see this happening unless people here in the states would pay a high price for it? Would you pay $50 for a DVD of "Halloween II". What if it included a special edition of "Halloween III"?