This original ending is so much better. I love that the mother and grandmother being revealed, humiliated and embarrassed in front of the entire crowd and having Corrine have to deal with the grandfather in front of all. Much more satisfying.
I liked the book ending best...it set the stage for the huge confrontation Cathy has with Corrine in _Petals on the Wind._ And it was breathtaking how they escaped bravely and quietly early on a November morning.
For sure! The book ending is definitely best but for a film ending at that time, I do think something extra was needed. Considering that a sequel was never made for the 1987 adaptation, I am grateful that we have these two different endings to choose from, that both seem complete for this installment. Thank you for the comment!
I'm so hyped for this and will be ordering the Blu-ray next week! It's too bad that we couldn't have gotten more deleted scenes, but apparently, the tape was such bad shape that Arrow decided to focus on the ending. I like that you used the screen captures I made and posted on IMDB (no worries, it's all good). Great review!
I wish that we had some of the other deleted scenes, too. I certainly went through an odyssey to get the region 2 disc, but I will of course be grabbing a U.S. edition, too. I'm not sure what you are referring to about the screen captures; everything I find is on google images, but if it is something you originally posted then I sincerely do appreciate it! Sincerely! Let me know which ones you are referring to b/c I would certainly like to give you credit in the description!
@@411popCulturevideos I'm very happy that they have been shared elsewhere, I made them because I felt there weren't enough photos and stills of the film online. Here's the list of screen captures *The last shot of the kids leaving Foxworth Hall, Chris and Cathy in their mother's room, Corinne, Cathy and Chris talking in the attic, the grandmother with the scissors, the grandfather in the wheelchair, the butler (I used that to get a profile photo of him on IMDB, as the actor had no photo at the time), the kids confront Corinne at her wedding, Cathy and Chris in the grandfather's room, Corrine when she enters the room after Cory's death, Chris and his mother in the attic, Cathy and her father, Corrine and Bart dancing, close up of Cathy and Chris at the attic window, Chris yelling at the grandmother, Cathy and Chris on the roof, Cathy in the attic (with the mirror), and the kids in their pajamas by the window. * I had to re-watch the video again, but I thoroughly enjoyed it because I loved seeing the clips and hearing your opinion. I'm super excited to finally get the Blu-ray!
@@Muirmaiden, I added a "special thank you" to the end of my video description. Even if they've been shared elsewhere, I always want to give credit to original posters. It's what I would want done for me!
The John Amos in the movie was not related to the Grandmother and was just a butler. They reduced his back story and other intense backstory like the brother and sister falling in love.
In Jeffrey Bloom's second draft screenplay, as well as in the "original ending," his actions do tend to deviate from his role in the novels. I have high respect for Jeffrey Bloom and consider him a friend and mentor. Although he fought hard to remain faithful to the novels, he fought very hard, those behind the scenes kept changing things. John Amos was definitely one of those characters altered, such as also keeping the grandfather alive. The original screenplay was more faithful to the novel with the kids just exiting the mansion; however, when they wanted more of a "slasher" ending, Jeffrey Bloom changed John Amos to having a different role, as we know in the novels his motivations would have been very different. They developed the exchange with Cory ("Hello John") in order to give motivation to John Amos saving the kids in the end of the "original" filmed ending when he saves them from the grandmother. I was surprised to see the Lifetime adaptation also showed John Amos helping the kids to escape considering his ultimate role in the ITBT. I briefly looked through the screenplay again just now and do not recall in Jeffrey's screenplay any decision being made to whether or not John Amos would be related to the grandmother; however, he would have had a lot of nerve to stand up to her in the elevator had he been not related. I will always wish we could have seen how everything would have been played out had there been sequels to 87's FITA. Thanks for the comment!
For the 1987 film, with the all the set up with John Amos and Cory... I could understand him saving the other kids. I get the problematic nature for fans of the novel with John Amos and how he hated the children possibly more than anyone else; however, the whole "Hello, John..." makes me able to appreciate the alternate ending with John. Thanks for the comment!
Awesome! I'm so grateful that this exists. I wish Kristy Swanson, Louise Fletcher, and Victoria Tennant had been involved with these features, but I was really glad that we got Jeb Stuart Adams and Christopher Young. As well as the two audio commentaries. The alternate ending presents its own problems, but I still think it's really interesting!
@@411popCulturevideos It would have been great to hear from the actresses as well, I know Kristy Swanson has talked about the film in the past. Jeb's interview was very interesting and enjoyable. He's been out of the business for quite some time, but I love that he really cares about the film and the story in general. I liked the alternate ending a lot, but as you said, it still presents problems in terms of a sequel. Here's hoping we get more deleted scenes and/or a director's cut in the near future!
Thanks! Yeah, I don't want to risk any issues with UA-cam. I think someone posted it, though, so if you do a search on UA-cam, I am sure you can find it.
In terms of the Lifetime movie, I didn't like it at all. It was far too rushed and most of the acting was poor. The sequels were slightly better but they all had severe time constraint issues. I will always prefer the 1987 film.
I think you are absolutely right that there were definite time constraint issues. I love that we have some sort of adaptation, but they were rushed. Surprisingly, "If There Be Thorns" is my least favorite of the books (I still love it, but); however, I thought the adaptation of "If There Be Thorns" was done the best. Mainly, b/c it takes place over the least amount of time. So, they were able to fit everything in as a more cohesive story. I thought "Petals on the Wind" suffered the most b/c of following Chris so much. I think Chris is great, but I think b/c those "Christopher's Diary" novels were coming out, they wanted to give him more of an equal stance. Unfortunately, there was not enough time for the best part which is the Big Reveal.
@@411popCulturevideos Yeah, I liked Petals but I think that film was the most poorly adapted. I also didn't like that they invented a love interest for Chris - she really didn't serve much of a purpose. I agree the reveal at the end could have been so much better, it was 10 times more powerful in the book. I think Seeds Of Yesterday was quite good, mostly because of James Maslow's performance. Of all Lifetime adaptations, I think My Sweet Audrina suffered the most as that book is even more massive and too many characters were left out. Lifetime might have done better if they'd made each adaptation into a two-part miniseries.
@@Muirmaiden exactly. I think all the extra stuff with Chris was unnecessary. I don't know if I believe it, but I like the theory that they decided to use the Where the Greeener Grass Grows manuscript where he dates a girl named Sarah. And, yes yes yes to My Sweet Audrina. I can't even bring myself to re-watch it. It was so disappointing. Such a beautiful story and the filmmakers just got so lost.
@@411popCulturevideos Agreed. The acting was okay and the atmosphere was quite good, but everything else about My Sweet Audrina was disappointing, it could have been so much better, same with the Dollanganger series. I haven't watched the Casteel series yet.
Hello... Love that your talking about this amazing series. I get what your saying. This is the problem when the movie does not follow the book... When they decided to change things that they think are minor but have big impacts going forward if the wanted to continue telling the story. They should of continued with the series back then and kept true to the books. Now I understand how Harry Potter fans feel... Sort of.
Thank you for the comment! We love talking about the series and have much more to come! Just as soon as our schedules can link up. If you dig through the comments here on our other VC Andrews episodes, you will see more discussions about this exact topic, but YES we wish they had continued the series back then. There would have been so many issues, but I still would have loved to see at least one more movie with Kristy Swanson vs Louise Fletcher. There was a script written (which a few of us are aching to read one day) and it sounds like it would have *mostly* followed the POTW plot. I am guessing it would have ended in a similar way to the confrontation in POTW, but with the grandmother instead? At least from the theatrical ending. One thing that brings me a little solace is that POTW is my favorite VC Andrews novel, and for me, the best part is the confrontation. So, at the very least, the 1987 version does give us a confrontation. I would rather that than they have ended it like the novel, and then NOT make another film after that. That would have been endlessly frustrating. This way, at least, it is frustrating with some resolution as a solo film.
The main REASON why I liked 👍 the ORGINAL ending so much is its MENT to SHOW the audience the families CRUELTY. And DESIREE for MONEY and what their WILLING to do whatever it takes to get. Itvwas NEVER
I wish we could have had more cameos from her, but I am grateful for the one we have! It gives us a thrill every time we see her washing those windows!
I just wanted to revisit this video and talk a little bit more about the music. I know Jeffrey Bloom had a different composer in mind (and a different musical vision, as stated on the Blu-ray liner notes) but I'm madly in love with Christopher Young's score for the film. I do wonder what this studio-vetoed ending would have been like with his music; I also wonder if there were any other pieces that he composed for this film that ended up not being used. If so, it would be interesting to hear them (as well as see more deleted scenes).
I love this comment. I have to agree and further say that I'm glad Jeffrey Bloom ended up coming around to Christoper Young's score b/c it's everything. So much of what makes the 87 version work is that score. If I had any real technical skills, I would try and make a video with the Christopher Young score added in to the studio-vetoed ending just to get an idea of how it could have been. But, I'm not that fancy.
@@411popCulturevideos I'm not that fancy either, but I probably will make a video tribute to the film in the near future and will include some excerpts from the original ending. UA-cam, for some reason, has been blocking some of the other videos I've made using parts of the score; maybe if I just use the main or end titles I won't have that issue (cross your fingers).
For sure! Although, you would technically be correct now, as the ghostwriter who has been writing V.C. Andrews novels for the past 30 years is a man (Andrew Neiderman, author of The Devil's Advocate and Pin). The real V.C. Andrews was a woman, but she really only wrote Flowers in the Attic, Petals on the Wind, My Sweet Audrina, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, Heaven, and Dark Angel. And half of Garden of Shadows. And maybe a little bit of Fallen Hearts. (GOS and Fallen Hearts are always up for debate).
@@411popCulturevideos I wonder if the twist regarding Christopher and Corrine being half-siblings is Neiderman's idea. I never liked that twist. It just made the family tree more confusing than it already was.
@@needles1987 For so long, it was always in debate about how much of GOS was written by VC Andrews and how much was written by Andrew Neiderman; however, based on a lot of what I have recently read, I am starting to believe that GOS was pretty much written by Neiderman. I am thinking it was sort of his "audition" to take on the VC Andrews moniker. I remember being sufficiently shocked when I first read that about Christopher and Corrine being half-siblings. Which was obviously what they wanted. But I think you are on to something. It never completely sat right with me either.
According to V.C. Andrews' page at IMDB, it looks like the Landry series is in the process of being filmed as a series of TV movies (Ruby and Pearl In The Mist are listed as completed, All That Glitters and Hidden Jewel are currently filming and The Darkest Hour is in pre-production), so let's hope it's true. Haven't seen anything about the Cutler series yet.
I thought we talked about this! The trailer is out right now for it on UA-cam! Here is a link! So far, it looks about right! ua-cam.com/video/pXBjXeL2uvs/v-deo.html
@@411popCulturevideos We've both heard about this, but it's great to get some confirmation. The trailer looks good. I hope it's a good adaptation. I kind of go back and forth with Lifetime adapting V.C. Andrews, but so far, from what I know, they do seem to have gotten the hair color right (as we know it's crucial in for the characters).
@@Muirmaiden Exactly. With the exception of it being blonde, I would have been less strict about Ruby's hair (I always picture it "red" as in ruby...but some of the covers showed her with dark hair). But, maybe this is the one they will get right. Really right. I mean, technically, Lifetime has been working on a Ruby adaptation since, like, 1996 haha. So, they'd better have a good idea of the story, looks, atmosphere by now.
Thanks for the comment! I certainly agree that Louise Fletcher was the better Grandmother. I think Ellen Burstyn did alright; however, there were a few moments I wish she had played differently. Or, I feel like the Lifetime director knew that these actors had all done work that was well-received and assumed they would be all on the same page...but really should have tried to get them all on the same page in terms of style. So, ultimately, everybody was coming at the story from a different angle. One of the things I thought Jeffrey Bloom did so well as the director of the original was create a Gothic atmosphere so the actors all knew what kind of film they were in. Until, of course, about 20 other producers jumped in to meddle.
I also would be interested to see the script for "Petals On The Wind" that Kristy Swanson and Louise Fletcher received. Since Corrine died in the theatrical ending, perhaps Cathy would have taken revenge against the grandmother instead. I do recall that Kristy Swanson thought that the script was "a real sex fest" because Cathy becomes involved with several different men (one of whom is her brother Christopher) as in the book. However, since most of the incest was cut out of the 1987 film, I'm not sure how Cathy and Chris's relationship would have been explained if the sequel film had been made.
Right! At least once a year, I do a two-day search on the internet for the POTW script. Everything you wrote pretty much sums up my thoughts. I figured that it would have to be revenge on the grandmother. Especially, with the ending shot of Louise Fletcher and older Cathy's voiceover: "I wonder about grandmother...still awaiting my return." (Fun fact: I mentioned that in the alternate ending, Cathy's ending voiceover is done by Kristy Swanson; however, the wording is completely different.) Idk, maybe the grandmother gets remarried and is a cougar or something. It would be totally out of character, but considering the path they went on. Or, it's possible that they retconned the 'eat the cookie' ending as all a dream or something.
@@411popCulturevideos Very interesting theories! Good luck with finding a copy of the script, I hope it surfaces. I wonder if Kristy or Louise kept the copy they received? I really am quite intrigued with what could have been done with the story, even if both actresses didn't like the script. I'll be ordering the Blu-ray this week, so I'm excited to compare the alternate ending with the studio one!
I'm so excited for you! Even though I regularly write reviews and should be able to separate my feelings, it's difficult for me to say how I would have felt about this ending had it been what we originally watched. There's a mystique about it now being that we were denied it for so long and that, in and of itself, makes it difficult to be partial. All I know is that it gave me chills when I first watched it in its entirety for many different reasons. I would love it no matter what.
@@411popCulturevideos I'll be able to say more once I've viewed the alternate ending, but I think you've summed it up very well. It's great to be able to see what the test audience saw that we didn't, and it explains those production stills that have been around for years that didn't match anything in the film. I hope we get a director's cut (and I hope we don't have to wait another 10 years for it), because it would be fascinating to see the deleted scenes, not just pertaining to the incest, but any other plot points that may have ended up on the cutting room floor. I'll share my opinion with you when I see the alternate ending!
In the prequel, John Amos had convinced olivia and malcolm that god wants them to disown Corrine and Christopher. John Amos convinced Olivia to lock up the children.
Absolutely. That's where we struggled with John Amos in the alternate ending. I enjoyed the "horror" aspects of the alternate ending; however, as fans of the novels, the actions of John Amos were hard to swallow.
@@jaclynlangworthy8198 I tend to believe that there is some of the real VCA in Garden of Shadows, Fallen Hearts and Web of Dreams, not in Gates of Paradise. I don't know why, just a feeling. Everything following Dawn was Niederman.
Wonder if there could be a Criterion Collection version. In any case, anyone can suggest/ nominate the film to be added to The National Film Registry (U.S.A.).
I would love a Criterion Release of this film! Arrow Video did a really terrific job, but I still think there can be more. Like, audio commentaries with the cast, additional deleted scenes, etc.
Lol I know! I honestly believe that Wes Craven's script for FITA inspired his People Under the Stairs! When reading it, the whole scene where Chris is sliding down the inside of the chimney made me think of Fool and Alice. There is a sequence similar to that in PUTS and the crazy "mom" in that one acts as crazy as Craven's version of Corrine! And the whole Cathy tied up in the bathtub thing...totally crazy. But, again reminded me of how they treated Alice in PUTS!
It is interesting how you find it hard to identify this as a horror, Traditional Horror is something that does not make me squeamish, this story, scares the shit out of me
i will have to re-watch what I might have said in the video, because I definitely think of Flowers in the Attic as horror. Well, technically I think of them as gothic horror or gothic drama. I think the alternate ending would have been more horror-slasher, which was so popular at the time.
Well, you are correct that Claire Peck narrated the voice in the theatrical version; however, I was referring to the original ending. The original ending, that you can now see released on the Arrow video. Kristy Swanson does the final narration, which is also said with a different monologue discussing how they (Cathy, Chris, and Carrie) weren't sure if the poison that killed Cory would kill them, too. She states: "We didn't know if we were going to die or live. But, as long as we do live...we are going to live free." Which differs from the theatrical released ending where Claire Peck discusses: "If Grandmother is still alive...still presiding over Foxworth...still awaiting my return." But, again, Claire Peck was the theatrical ending; Kristy Swanson narrated the original cut ending.
Ah I see, sorry my bad. Interesting. I've only seen the ending online which is a pretty rubbish copy and I couldn't hear any narration. Is the copy of the original ending a good copy on blu ray? As i would only buy it if it were.
@@jackanorus-7268 No worries! For me, it was worth having in any condition but the only copy (so far) of the original ending is the one on the Blu-ray that's a Betamax/VHS copy. So, it kind of looks like the quality of a VHS tape from 1987. I love it, but it's definitely a little rough.
Thank you for the comment! I always go back and forth in my mind about it. But, ultimately Sharon Stone would have been too young. She was only about 27 at the time. And I did not realize it until I saw the interview with Jeb Stuart Adams, but he said he was about 22 at the time. Even though he looked so young, that would have been super close to be mom and son.
Just watched the Lifetime version.... hmm...the incest was portrayed better between Christopher and Cathy. I think the Lifetime version took a lot of elements from the book like the tar in Cathy's hair and more. However, I will always prefer the 1987 Flowers, because the images have been burned into my head. I love the grand scale of Foxworth Hall in the original, because the mansion itself is really a character on it's own. Louise Fletcher will always be the better version of Olivia Foxworth as she was very menacing. Ellen did a great job too and is a wonderful actress, but Louise Fletcher captured that role. I wish they would have possibly explored the role of Olivia Foxworth and how she became who she was from the book Garden of Shadows, which led to Flowers in the Attic. This mess really started with the Grandfather Malcom Foxworth and his obsessions. The music from the original will always hold a special place with me, as the score is very, very beautiful and haunting to say the least. I wish they would have interviewed the other cast members from 1987 too.
Couldn't agree more. I enjoy the Lifetime version the more I watch it; however, the '87 version has the better atmosphere. Christopher Young's score was perfect. He should do every V.C. Andrews adaptation. And, yes, Louise Fletcher wins every time. Not that I don't love Ellen Burstyn.
@@411popCulturevideos agreed! Quick question...in the 87 Flowers scene where Louise Fletcher is kneeling in the hallway praying it shows her with her hair down. Do you think that was her real hair or extentions? I have always wondered that.
@@neckisstiff That is an awesome question. I honestly haven't given it much thought, but I always figured it was her real hair. It is really long, though. I always thought that the '87 version of FITA took a different approach with the grandmother. Whereas the novel and the Lifetime version suggested she was more of a hag (i.e. balding witch), I always thought director Jeffrey Bloom suggested that Olivia might be more beautiful than we think had she had a different view of life. Like the beautiful long auburn hair that she always keeps pinned up in public. But, in private it's actually beautiful. Especially, if you think about where a Petals on the Wind sequel would have gone from the '87 version. I mean, if Corrine's dead then Cathy's revenge would have had to be against Olivia. Louise Fletcher and Kristy Swanson have both been quoted as saying that they received a POTW script (which I'm dying to get my hands on and read), so I image there was a 'revenge' sequence in there. Maybe with Malcolm and Corrine dead (in this timeline), Olivia would finally have had her turn to shine. And, Cathy would try to destroy that.
@@411popCulturevideos Have you read POTW and anything after? I have only traded Garden of Shadows and Flowers. I have heard from other readers on UA-cam that they don't like the Novel? I still want to read it despite. I really like Garden of Shadows, which explores the background of Olivia, hence that's why I enjoy her character, even though she is mean, but again...thinks all Malcoms doing.
@@neckisstiff I've read them all. All of the Dollanganger, Casteel, Cutler, Landry, Logan series. And My Sweet Audrina. I stopped after the mini-miniseries books that came out in the late 90s. If I'm understanding correctly, are you saying that you haven't read POTW? If so, you need to stop what you are doing and read it immediately. POTW is actually my favorite of the novels. And, I really enjoy If There Be Thorns and Seeds of Yesterday, too, but POTW is everything. And, I don't disagree that Malcolm had a lot to do with everything, but I would argue John Amos had quite a hand in it. Especially after reading If There Be Thorns. I don't want to spoil anything for you, but if you have only read Garden of Shadows and FITA, then I don't think you can know how important John Amos is in Garden of Shadows. But, seriously, you have got to keep going! You've only scratched the surface.
Lol possibly! Haha I don't really know where they would have gone with any of the endings. Jeffery Bloom definitely wanted to end it the same way as the novel. I suppose we could sort of argue that Corrine yelling at the end "It's not true!" worked out with her father. Or, he died right after that and the kids had left so nobody was left to really "prove" it. (Trust me, I know this is pretty thin). Then, maybe Cathy comes back later in POTW to be like: "Wait, no! It was true. Bwa ha ha!" Or, maybe Corrine became a psycho stalker like you said. Muirmaiden and I have definitely discussed in the comments below our thoughts for what POTW would have been like as a sequel to the theatrical ending.
@@411popCulturevideos Basically. After thinking it over some more, I think any sequel based on this ending where Corrine lived would have to be like a weird hybrid of "Petals on the Wind" and "If There Be Thorns". Maybe with Carrie taking Bart, Jr.'s role as the one being corrupted by the "weird neighbor woman".
How about the fact that no matter which version you're talking about, the incest love story between Chris and Cathy, which is the focus of the story, was completely cut out of the movie.
Hopefully, one day Charles Fries will release the complete version where there were scenes that were there. They didn't go as far as the novel, but even Jeb Stuart Adams said they were filmed. Like Jeffrey Bloom, he knew fans would be expecting those moments. My friend, Murmaiden, said on here that the Betamax Tape where they got the alternate ending did likely have the incest scenes but Arrow video claimed they were awfully damaged. Still, no matter what condition I would like to see them one day soon.
@@411popCulturevideos I did hear something about an incest scene that was filmed and it's probably the scene where Chris and Cathy are up in the attic after seeing their mother accept Bart Winslow's proposal and Chris has this look on his face of having lost all hope, and Cathy approaches him and tightly embraces him. That's when the scene inexplicably fades to black and I'm guessing that there was more afterwards that got cut out. The question is why cut it out when that's the core of the story? I also wish that Wes Craven had been allowed to make his version because I'm guessing that his would have included the incest and have been far more graphic and visceral with the scares.
@@44excalibur I think you're right about that happening in that moment. The scene where Cathy is taking a bath before being caught by the grandmother was also cut down. In Jeffery Bloom's Second Draft script, the scene where Christopher is yelling out the window: "Damn you!" was supposed to take place in the bathroom. In the script, instead of just embracing, Cathy and Chris start to kiss as well. Nothing too crazy, but it's there. I have to disagree about the Wes Craven adaptation/script. I LOVE Wes Craven. I think he still is not truly appreciated for all the amazing work he did. That being said, however, his script wasn't right. The dialogue between Corinne and the kids is off, as she appears to hate them much earlier on. Craven was amazing at being able to tap into contemporary teenage dialogue; however, he didn't get Cathy and Chris right. I mean, in the end I would rather lose some of the incest than the essence of the characters, and Jeffrey Bloom definitely understood who Chris and Cathy were. It was the seven producers that kept changing the script and the ending. Bloom fought it all the way. It was after a test screening where some teenagers got all upset about the incest that made the producers panic. Craven's script definitely has the sex scene, albeit hidden under some sheets in the attic. But, he had Corinne running around calling Christopher a "little bastard," Cathy and Chris making fart jokes, etc. I think it was meant to be, as Craven ended up using many of his ideas for his FITA script for The People Under the Stairs. Such as the hidden rooms, climbing through chimneys, incest, pale kids locked up in a basement. I think that it was better suited for a contemporary piece such as The People Under the Stairs than a Gothic fairy tale such as FITA.
@@davidtyler6708 That's different. The Color Purple wasn't affected that much by those scenes being removed. It was still a hit and still got nominated for several Oscars. If you remove the incestuous romance between Chris and Cathy you remove the entire story. Flowers In The Attic isn't just some suspense thriller about a group of kids locked away in an old mansion, it's a love story.
In the theatrical release he already died, but in the original filmed ending (or alternate ending), he was still alive for the final confrontation. The other ending is on the Arrow Blu-ray which is available in the U.S. For a long time, it was only available in the UK.
This original ending is so much better. I love that the mother and grandmother being revealed, humiliated and embarrassed in front of the entire crowd and having Corrine have to deal with the grandfather in front of all. Much more satisfying.
Thank you for the comment! I love it, too!
That soundtrack has been forever cemented in my brain ever since I was a child
It's one of our favorites! I loved hearing Christopher Young talking about it on the Arrow Blu-ray. Thank you for the comment!
Same here.
@@vianethurtado4920 The soundtrack CD is very hard to find and is very expensive! Also why does the mother remind me of Catherine🤔🙄🤨 Hicks?🏠
I liked the book ending best...it set the stage for the huge confrontation Cathy has with Corrine in _Petals on the Wind._
And it was breathtaking how they escaped bravely and quietly early on a November morning.
For sure! The book ending is definitely best but for a film ending at that time, I do think something extra was needed. Considering that a sequel was never made for the 1987 adaptation, I am grateful that we have these two different endings to choose from, that both seem complete for this installment. Thank you for the comment!
I'm so hyped for this and will be ordering the Blu-ray next week! It's too bad that we couldn't have gotten more deleted scenes, but apparently, the tape was such bad shape that Arrow decided to focus on the ending. I like that you used the screen captures I made and posted on IMDB (no worries, it's all good). Great review!
I wish that we had some of the other deleted scenes, too. I certainly went through an odyssey to get the region 2 disc, but I will of course be grabbing a U.S. edition, too. I'm not sure what you are referring to about the screen captures; everything I find is on google images, but if it is something you originally posted then I sincerely do appreciate it! Sincerely! Let me know which ones you are referring to b/c I would certainly like to give you credit in the description!
@@411popCulturevideos I'm very happy that they have been shared elsewhere, I made them because I felt there weren't enough photos and stills of the film online. Here's the list of screen captures *The last shot of the kids leaving Foxworth Hall, Chris and Cathy in their mother's room, Corinne, Cathy and Chris talking in the attic, the grandmother with the scissors, the grandfather in the wheelchair, the butler (I used that to get a profile photo of him on IMDB, as the actor had no photo at the time), the kids confront Corinne at her wedding, Cathy and Chris in the grandfather's room, Corrine when she enters the room after Cory's death, Chris and his mother in the attic, Cathy and her father, Corrine and Bart dancing, close up of Cathy and Chris at the attic window, Chris yelling at the grandmother, Cathy and Chris on the roof, Cathy in the attic (with the mirror), and the kids in their pajamas by the window. * I had to re-watch the video again, but I thoroughly enjoyed it because I loved seeing the clips and hearing your opinion. I'm super excited to finally get the Blu-ray!
@@Muirmaiden, I added a "special thank you" to the end of my video description. Even if they've been shared elsewhere, I always want to give credit to original posters. It's what I would want done for me!
@@411popCulturevideos Thanks so much, I appreciate that!
The John Amos in the movie was not related to the Grandmother and was just a butler. They reduced his back story and other intense backstory like the brother and sister falling in love.
In Jeffrey Bloom's second draft screenplay, as well as in the "original ending," his actions do tend to deviate from his role in the novels. I have high respect for Jeffrey Bloom and consider him a friend and mentor. Although he fought hard to remain faithful to the novels, he fought very hard, those behind the scenes kept changing things. John Amos was definitely one of those characters altered, such as also keeping the grandfather alive. The original screenplay was more faithful to the novel with the kids just exiting the mansion; however, when they wanted more of a "slasher" ending, Jeffrey Bloom changed John Amos to having a different role, as we know in the novels his motivations would have been very different. They developed the exchange with Cory ("Hello John") in order to give motivation to John Amos saving the kids in the end of the "original" filmed ending when he saves them from the grandmother. I was surprised to see the Lifetime adaptation also showed John Amos helping the kids to escape considering his ultimate role in the ITBT. I briefly looked through the screenplay again just now and do not recall in Jeffrey's screenplay any decision being made to whether or not John Amos would be related to the grandmother; however, he would have had a lot of nerve to stand up to her in the elevator had he been not related. I will always wish we could have seen how everything would have been played out had there been sequels to 87's FITA. Thanks for the comment!
i would call it psychological thriller.
I think that definitely works. Thank you for the comment!
I did enjoy John intercepting the grandma and telling her to let them go.
For the 1987 film, with the all the set up with John Amos and Cory... I could understand him saving the other kids. I get the problematic nature for fans of the novel with John Amos and how he hated the children possibly more than anyone else; however, the whole "Hello, John..." makes me able to appreciate the alternate ending with John. Thanks for the comment!
Got my copy, love the special features and the alternate ending! Interesting alternative to the studio ending!
Awesome! I'm so grateful that this exists. I wish Kristy Swanson, Louise Fletcher, and Victoria Tennant had been involved with these features, but I was really glad that we got Jeb Stuart Adams and Christopher Young. As well as the two audio commentaries. The alternate ending presents its own problems, but I still think it's really interesting!
@@411popCulturevideos It would have been great to hear from the actresses as well, I know Kristy Swanson has talked about the film in the past. Jeb's interview was very interesting and enjoyable. He's been out of the business for quite some time, but I love that he really cares about the film and the story in general. I liked the alternate ending a lot, but as you said, it still presents problems in terms of a sequel. Here's hoping we get more deleted scenes and/or a director's cut in the near future!
Love that you're talking about this but wish you would have shown the full clip.
Thanks! Yeah, I don't want to risk any issues with UA-cam. I think someone posted it, though, so if you do a search on UA-cam, I am sure you can find it.
In terms of the Lifetime movie, I didn't like it at all. It was far too rushed and most of the acting was poor. The sequels were slightly better but they all had severe time constraint issues. I will always prefer the 1987 film.
I think you are absolutely right that there were definite time constraint issues. I love that we have some sort of adaptation, but they were rushed. Surprisingly, "If There Be Thorns" is my least favorite of the books (I still love it, but); however, I thought the adaptation of "If There Be Thorns" was done the best. Mainly, b/c it takes place over the least amount of time. So, they were able to fit everything in as a more cohesive story. I thought "Petals on the Wind" suffered the most b/c of following Chris so much. I think Chris is great, but I think b/c those "Christopher's Diary" novels were coming out, they wanted to give him more of an equal stance. Unfortunately, there was not enough time for the best part which is the Big Reveal.
@@411popCulturevideos Yeah, I liked Petals but I think that film was the most poorly adapted. I also didn't like that they invented a love interest for Chris - she really didn't serve much of a purpose. I agree the reveal at the end could have been so much better, it was 10 times more powerful in the book. I think Seeds Of Yesterday was quite good, mostly because of James Maslow's performance. Of all Lifetime adaptations, I think My Sweet Audrina suffered the most as that book is even more massive and too many characters were left out. Lifetime might have done better if they'd made each adaptation into a two-part miniseries.
@@Muirmaiden exactly. I think all the extra stuff with Chris was unnecessary. I don't know if I believe it, but I like the theory that they decided to use the Where the Greeener Grass Grows manuscript where he dates a girl named Sarah. And, yes yes yes to My Sweet Audrina. I can't even bring myself to re-watch it. It was so disappointing. Such a beautiful story and the filmmakers just got so lost.
@@411popCulturevideos Agreed. The acting was okay and the atmosphere was quite good, but everything else about My Sweet Audrina was disappointing, it could have been so much better, same with the Dollanganger series. I haven't watched the Casteel series yet.
Interesting fact: Louise Fletcher is two years younger than Ellen Burstyn. They probably should have just brought her back for the Lifetime movies.
I did not know that! And, oh I WISH!!
Loved all of them . And the books to .
Hello... Love that your talking about this amazing series. I get what your saying. This is the problem when the movie does not follow the book... When they decided to change things that they think are minor but have big impacts going forward if the wanted to continue telling the story. They should of continued with the series back then and kept true to the books. Now I understand how Harry Potter fans feel... Sort of.
Thank you for the comment! We love talking about the series and have much more to come! Just as soon as our schedules can link up. If you dig through the comments here on our other VC Andrews episodes, you will see more discussions about this exact topic, but YES we wish they had continued the series back then. There would have been so many issues, but I still would have loved to see at least one more movie with Kristy Swanson vs Louise Fletcher. There was a script written (which a few of us are aching to read one day) and it sounds like it would have *mostly* followed the POTW plot. I am guessing it would have ended in a similar way to the confrontation in POTW, but with the grandmother instead? At least from the theatrical ending. One thing that brings me a little solace is that POTW is my favorite VC Andrews novel, and for me, the best part is the confrontation. So, at the very least, the 1987 version does give us a confrontation. I would rather that than they have ended it like the novel, and then NOT make another film after that. That would have been endlessly frustrating. This way, at least, it is frustrating with some resolution as a solo film.
The main REASON why I liked 👍 the ORGINAL ending so much is its MENT to SHOW the audience the families CRUELTY. And DESIREE for MONEY and what their WILLING to do whatever it takes to get. Itvwas NEVER
Agreed! Thank you for the comment!
It’s awesome to see a cameo from V.C. Andrews in the 1987 version
I wish we could have had more cameos from her, but I am grateful for the one we have! It gives us a thrill every time we see her washing those windows!
I just wanted to revisit this video and talk a little bit more about the music. I know Jeffrey Bloom had a different composer in mind (and a different musical vision, as stated on the Blu-ray liner notes) but I'm madly in love with Christopher Young's score for the film. I do wonder what this studio-vetoed ending would have been like with his music; I also wonder if there were any other pieces that he composed for this film that ended up not being used. If so, it would be interesting to hear them (as well as see more deleted scenes).
I love this comment. I have to agree and further say that I'm glad Jeffrey Bloom ended up coming around to Christoper Young's score b/c it's everything. So much of what makes the 87 version work is that score. If I had any real technical skills, I would try and make a video with the Christopher Young score added in to the studio-vetoed ending just to get an idea of how it could have been. But, I'm not that fancy.
@@411popCulturevideos I'm not that fancy either, but I probably will make a video tribute to the film in the near future and will include some excerpts from the original ending. UA-cam, for some reason, has been blocking some of the other videos I've made using parts of the score; maybe if I just use the main or end titles I won't have that issue (cross your fingers).
@@Muirmaiden That would be amazing! Fingers crossed!
@@411popCulturevideos Here's the only video I've made (so far) that hasn't been blocked: ua-cam.com/video/yGM4XKQAmqs/v-deo.html
This whole time I thought V.C. Andrews was a man. Learn something new everyday.
For sure! Although, you would technically be correct now, as the ghostwriter who has been writing V.C. Andrews novels for the past 30 years is a man (Andrew Neiderman, author of The Devil's Advocate and Pin). The real V.C. Andrews was a woman, but she really only wrote Flowers in the Attic, Petals on the Wind, My Sweet Audrina, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, Heaven, and Dark Angel. And half of Garden of Shadows. And maybe a little bit of Fallen Hearts. (GOS and Fallen Hearts are always up for debate).
@@411popCulturevideos I wonder if the twist regarding Christopher and Corrine being half-siblings is Neiderman's idea. I never liked that twist. It just made the family tree more confusing than it already was.
@@needles1987 For so long, it was always in debate about how much of GOS was written by VC Andrews and how much was written by Andrew Neiderman; however, based on a lot of what I have recently read, I am starting to believe that GOS was pretty much written by Neiderman. I am thinking it was sort of his "audition" to take on the VC Andrews moniker. I remember being sufficiently shocked when I first read that about Christopher and Corrine being half-siblings. Which was obviously what they wanted. But I think you are on to something. It never completely sat right with me either.
According to V.C. Andrews' page at IMDB, it looks like the Landry series is in the process of being filmed as a series of TV movies (Ruby and Pearl In The Mist are listed as completed, All That Glitters and Hidden Jewel are currently filming and The Darkest Hour is in pre-production), so let's hope it's true. Haven't seen anything about the Cutler series yet.
I thought we talked about this! The trailer is out right now for it on UA-cam! Here is a link! So far, it looks about right! ua-cam.com/video/pXBjXeL2uvs/v-deo.html
@@411popCulturevideos We've both heard about this, but it's great to get some confirmation. The trailer looks good. I hope it's a good adaptation. I kind of go back and forth with Lifetime adapting V.C. Andrews, but so far, from what I know, they do seem to have gotten the hair color right (as we know it's crucial in for the characters).
@@Muirmaiden Exactly. With the exception of it being blonde, I would have been less strict about Ruby's hair (I always picture it "red" as in ruby...but some of the covers showed her with dark hair). But, maybe this is the one they will get right. Really right. I mean, technically, Lifetime has been working on a Ruby adaptation since, like, 1996 haha. So, they'd better have a good idea of the story, looks, atmosphere by now.
@@411popCulturevideos Yep, they'd better! They have no excuse to not at least try to get it right.
Louise Fletcher is the biggest reason to watch the original movie. Ellen Burstyn was very disappointing in the remake.
Thanks for the comment! I certainly agree that Louise Fletcher was the better Grandmother. I think Ellen Burstyn did alright; however, there were a few moments I wish she had played differently. Or, I feel like the Lifetime director knew that these actors had all done work that was well-received and assumed they would be all on the same page...but really should have tried to get them all on the same page in terms of style. So, ultimately, everybody was coming at the story from a different angle. One of the things I thought Jeffrey Bloom did so well as the director of the original was create a Gothic atmosphere so the actors all knew what kind of film they were in. Until, of course, about 20 other producers jumped in to meddle.
I dont think she's to blame. I think she was just following the script
Where is the original ending available?
I also would be interested to see the script for "Petals On The Wind" that Kristy Swanson and Louise Fletcher received. Since Corrine died in the theatrical ending, perhaps Cathy would have taken revenge against the grandmother instead. I do recall that Kristy Swanson thought that the script was "a real sex fest" because Cathy becomes involved with several different men (one of whom is her brother Christopher) as in the book. However, since most of the incest was cut out of the 1987 film, I'm not sure how Cathy and Chris's relationship would have been explained if the sequel film had been made.
Right! At least once a year, I do a two-day search on the internet for the POTW script. Everything you wrote pretty much sums up my thoughts. I figured that it would have to be revenge on the grandmother. Especially, with the ending shot of Louise Fletcher and older Cathy's voiceover: "I wonder about grandmother...still awaiting my return." (Fun fact: I mentioned that in the alternate ending, Cathy's ending voiceover is done by Kristy Swanson; however, the wording is completely different.) Idk, maybe the grandmother gets remarried and is a cougar or something. It would be totally out of character, but considering the path they went on. Or, it's possible that they retconned the 'eat the cookie' ending as all a dream or something.
@@411popCulturevideos Very interesting theories! Good luck with finding a copy of the script, I hope it surfaces. I wonder if Kristy or Louise kept the copy they received? I really am quite intrigued with what could have been done with the story, even if both actresses didn't like the script. I'll be ordering the Blu-ray this week, so I'm excited to compare the alternate ending with the studio one!
I'm so excited for you! Even though I regularly write reviews and should be able to separate my feelings, it's difficult for me to say how I would have felt about this ending had it been what we originally watched. There's a mystique about it now being that we were denied it for so long and that, in and of itself, makes it difficult to be partial. All I know is that it gave me chills when I first watched it in its entirety for many different reasons. I would love it no matter what.
@@411popCulturevideos I'll be able to say more once I've viewed the alternate ending, but I think you've summed it up very well. It's great to be able to see what the test audience saw that we didn't, and it explains those production stills that have been around for years that didn't match anything in the film. I hope we get a director's cut (and I hope we don't have to wait another 10 years for it), because it would be fascinating to see the deleted scenes, not just pertaining to the incest, but any other plot points that may have ended up on the cutting room floor. I'll share my opinion with you when I see the alternate ending!
In the prequel, John Amos had convinced olivia and malcolm that god wants them to disown Corrine and Christopher. John Amos convinced Olivia to lock up the children.
Absolutely. That's where we struggled with John Amos in the alternate ending. I enjoyed the "horror" aspects of the alternate ending; however, as fans of the novels, the actions of John Amos were hard to swallow.
Vc Andrew's did not write the prequel, from what I read she did approve of this ending, the ending used was done after her death.
@@jaclynlangworthy8198 From what I know, you are totally right.
@@jaclynlangworthy8198 I tend to believe that there is some of the real VCA in Garden of Shadows, Fallen Hearts and Web of Dreams, not in Gates of Paradise. I don't know why, just a feeling. Everything following Dawn was Niederman.
Wonder if there could be
a Criterion Collection version.
In any case, anyone can suggest/
nominate the film to be added to
The National Film Registry (U.S.A.).
I would love a Criterion Release of this film! Arrow Video did a really terrific job, but I still think there can be more. Like, audio commentaries with the cast, additional deleted scenes, etc.
I love you guys!
Thanks! Right back at ya!
@@411popCulturevideos Especially Justin
The 80s version is the best. The backdrop is exactly what I pictured when reading the book.
It's still our favorite! Thank you for the comment!
The script for the aborted Wes Craven FITA has a wild though pretty cliched horror ending. SPOILER: Cathy fights Doberman with a lightning rod.
Lol I know! I honestly believe that Wes Craven's script for FITA inspired his People Under the Stairs! When reading it, the whole scene where Chris is sliding down the inside of the chimney made me think of Fool and Alice. There is a sequence similar to that in PUTS and the crazy "mom" in that one acts as crazy as Craven's version of Corrine! And the whole Cathy tied up in the bathtub thing...totally crazy. But, again reminded me of how they treated Alice in PUTS!
@@411popCulturevideos where can I find a copy of the script for Wes Craven's version?
@@jw6948 I think if you just do a google search, a copy should come up.
It is interesting how you find it hard to identify this as a horror, Traditional Horror is something that does not make me squeamish, this story, scares the shit out of me
i will have to re-watch what I might have said in the video, because I definitely think of Flowers in the Attic as horror. Well, technically I think of them as gothic horror or gothic drama. I think the alternate ending would have been more horror-slasher, which was so popular at the time.
FYI, it was a lady called Clare peck who narrated the voice of older Kathy, not Kristy Swanson.
Well, you are correct that Claire Peck narrated the voice in the theatrical version; however, I was referring to the original ending. The original ending, that you can now see released on the Arrow video. Kristy Swanson does the final narration, which is also said with a different monologue discussing how they (Cathy, Chris, and Carrie) weren't sure if the poison that killed Cory would kill them, too. She states: "We didn't know if we were going to die or live. But, as long as we do live...we are going to live free." Which differs from the theatrical released ending where Claire Peck discusses: "If Grandmother is still alive...still presiding over Foxworth...still awaiting my return." But, again, Claire Peck was the theatrical ending; Kristy Swanson narrated the original cut ending.
Ah I see, sorry my bad. Interesting. I've only seen the ending online which is a pretty rubbish copy and I couldn't hear any narration. Is the copy of the original ending a good copy on blu ray? As i would only buy it if it were.
@@jackanorus-7268 No worries! For me, it was worth having in any condition but the only copy (so far) of the original ending is the one on the Blu-ray that's a Betamax/VHS copy. So, it kind of looks like the quality of a VHS tape from 1987. I love it, but it's definitely a little rough.
I cannot see Sharon Stone as the mom. I loved the actress they picked, kinda uncanny valley-ish/doll like.
Thank you for the comment! I always go back and forth in my mind about it. But, ultimately Sharon Stone would have been too young. She was only about 27 at the time. And I did not realize it until I saw the interview with Jeb Stuart Adams, but he said he was about 22 at the time. Even though he looked so young, that would have been super close to be mom and son.
Just watched the Lifetime version.... hmm...the incest was portrayed better between Christopher and Cathy. I think the Lifetime version took a lot of elements from the book like the tar in Cathy's hair and more. However, I will always prefer the 1987 Flowers, because the images have been burned into my head. I love the grand scale of Foxworth Hall in the original, because the mansion itself is really a character on it's own. Louise Fletcher will always be the better version of Olivia Foxworth as she was very menacing. Ellen did a great job too and is a wonderful actress, but Louise Fletcher captured that role. I wish they would have possibly explored the role of Olivia Foxworth and how she became who she was from the book Garden of Shadows, which led to Flowers in the Attic. This mess really started with the Grandfather Malcom Foxworth and his obsessions. The music from the original will always hold a special place with me, as the score is very, very beautiful and haunting to say the least. I wish they would have interviewed the other cast members from 1987 too.
Couldn't agree more. I enjoy the Lifetime version the more I watch it; however, the '87 version has the better atmosphere. Christopher Young's score was perfect. He should do every V.C. Andrews adaptation. And, yes, Louise Fletcher wins every time. Not that I don't love Ellen Burstyn.
@@411popCulturevideos agreed! Quick question...in the 87 Flowers scene where Louise Fletcher is kneeling in the hallway praying it shows her with her hair down. Do you think that was her real hair or extentions? I have always wondered that.
@@neckisstiff That is an awesome question. I honestly haven't given it much thought, but I always figured it was her real hair. It is really long, though. I always thought that the '87 version of FITA took a different approach with the grandmother. Whereas the novel and the Lifetime version suggested she was more of a hag (i.e. balding witch), I always thought director Jeffrey Bloom suggested that Olivia might be more beautiful than we think had she had a different view of life. Like the beautiful long auburn hair that she always keeps pinned up in public. But, in private it's actually beautiful. Especially, if you think about where a Petals on the Wind sequel would have gone from the '87 version. I mean, if Corrine's dead then Cathy's revenge would have had to be against Olivia. Louise Fletcher and Kristy Swanson have both been quoted as saying that they received a POTW script (which I'm dying to get my hands on and read), so I image there was a 'revenge' sequence in there. Maybe with Malcolm and Corrine dead (in this timeline), Olivia would finally have had her turn to shine. And, Cathy would try to destroy that.
@@411popCulturevideos Have you read POTW and anything after? I have only traded Garden of Shadows and Flowers. I have heard from other readers on UA-cam that they don't like the Novel? I still want to read it despite. I really like Garden of Shadows, which explores the background of Olivia, hence that's why I enjoy her character, even though she is mean, but again...thinks all Malcoms doing.
@@neckisstiff I've read them all. All of the Dollanganger, Casteel, Cutler, Landry, Logan series. And My Sweet Audrina. I stopped after the mini-miniseries books that came out in the late 90s. If I'm understanding correctly, are you saying that you haven't read POTW? If so, you need to stop what you are doing and read it immediately. POTW is actually my favorite of the novels. And, I really enjoy If There Be Thorns and Seeds of Yesterday, too, but POTW is everything. And, I don't disagree that Malcolm had a lot to do with everything, but I would argue John Amos had quite a hand in it. Especially after reading If There Be Thorns. I don't want to spoil anything for you, but if you have only read Garden of Shadows and FITA, then I don't think you can know how important John Amos is in Garden of Shadows. But, seriously, you have got to keep going! You've only scratched the surface.
The best I can figure for a sequel to THIS ending was that Corrine was going to become like a psycho stalker to her children or something.
Lol possibly! Haha I don't really know where they would have gone with any of the endings. Jeffery Bloom definitely wanted to end it the same way as the novel. I suppose we could sort of argue that Corrine yelling at the end "It's not true!" worked out with her father. Or, he died right after that and the kids had left so nobody was left to really "prove" it. (Trust me, I know this is pretty thin). Then, maybe Cathy comes back later in POTW to be like: "Wait, no! It was true. Bwa ha ha!" Or, maybe Corrine became a psycho stalker like you said. Muirmaiden and I have definitely discussed in the comments below our thoughts for what POTW would have been like as a sequel to the theatrical ending.
@@411popCulturevideos Basically. After thinking it over some more, I think any sequel based on this ending where Corrine lived would have to be like a weird hybrid of "Petals on the Wind" and "If There Be Thorns". Maybe with Carrie taking Bart, Jr.'s role as the one being corrupted by the "weird neighbor woman".
How about the fact that no matter which version you're talking about, the incest love story between Chris and Cathy, which is the focus of the story, was completely cut out of the movie.
Hopefully, one day Charles Fries will release the complete version where there were scenes that were there. They didn't go as far as the novel, but even Jeb Stuart Adams said they were filmed. Like Jeffrey Bloom, he knew fans would be expecting those moments. My friend, Murmaiden, said on here that the Betamax Tape where they got the alternate ending did likely have the incest scenes but Arrow video claimed they were awfully damaged. Still, no matter what condition I would like to see them one day soon.
@@411popCulturevideos I did hear something about an incest scene that was filmed and it's probably the scene where Chris and Cathy are up in the attic after seeing their mother accept Bart Winslow's proposal and Chris has this look on his face of having lost all hope, and Cathy approaches him and tightly embraces him. That's when the scene inexplicably fades to black and I'm guessing that there was more afterwards that got cut out. The question is why cut it out when that's the core of the story? I also wish that Wes Craven had been allowed to make his version because I'm guessing that his would have included the incest and have been far more graphic and visceral with the scares.
@@44excalibur I think you're right about that happening in that moment. The scene where Cathy is taking a bath before being caught by the grandmother was also cut down. In Jeffery Bloom's Second Draft script, the scene where Christopher is yelling out the window: "Damn you!" was supposed to take place in the bathroom. In the script, instead of just embracing, Cathy and Chris start to kiss as well. Nothing too crazy, but it's there.
I have to disagree about the Wes Craven adaptation/script. I LOVE Wes Craven. I think he still is not truly appreciated for all the amazing work he did. That being said, however, his script wasn't right. The dialogue between Corinne and the kids is off, as she appears to hate them much earlier on. Craven was amazing at being able to tap into contemporary teenage dialogue; however, he didn't get Cathy and Chris right. I mean, in the end I would rather lose some of the incest than the essence of the characters, and Jeffrey Bloom definitely understood who Chris and Cathy were. It was the seven producers that kept changing the script and the ending. Bloom fought it all the way. It was after a test screening where some teenagers got all upset about the incest that made the producers panic.
Craven's script definitely has the sex scene, albeit hidden under some sheets in the attic. But, he had Corinne running around calling Christopher a "little bastard," Cathy and Chris making fart jokes, etc. I think it was meant to be, as Craven ended up using many of his ideas for his FITA script for The People Under the Stairs. Such as the hidden rooms, climbing through chimneys, incest, pale kids locked up in a basement. I think that it was better suited for a contemporary piece such as The People Under the Stairs than a Gothic fairy tale such as FITA.
@@44excalibur I imagine test audiences may not have approved of the scenes. It's like in "The Color Purple", all of the same sex scenes were removed.
@@davidtyler6708 That's different. The Color Purple wasn't affected that much by those scenes being removed. It was still a hit and still got nominated for several Oscars. If you remove the incestuous romance between Chris and Cathy you remove the entire story. Flowers In The Attic isn't just some suspense thriller about a group of kids locked away in an old mansion, it's a love story.
I thought the grandfather already died by the wedding.
In the theatrical release he already died, but in the original filmed ending (or alternate ending), he was still alive for the final confrontation. The other ending is on the Arrow Blu-ray which is available in the U.S. For a long time, it was only available in the UK.
Thank you!@@411popCulturevideos