Check the extras

Rating: Null/10 (26 June 2003)

Hi all. I saw The Beach a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Reading your remarks on the book versus the movie, I must agree that I enjoyed the book but I also enjoyed the movie (partly because I saw the movie and then read the book). In order for a book to be adapted to screen certian things need to be filtered out, and I think the Richard+Francoise coupling was more to do with commercial than artistic reasons. The target audience are teens, Leo fans (I am thinking girls here) and also affionados of the book, but if you have a big name star attached, you are more than willing to bend the adaptation to pull in the crowds...which is a pity because I liked the dark wit of the book which I think could have been converted to film without detracting too much from the tale of paradise found and lost. Now, a few years later, I have bought the DVD and much to my delight, there were included deleted scenes straight out of the pages of the book. It was a real pity to see that these scenes were not included because they are gems. The opening sequence and closing sequence are quite and slightly unsettling, giving one the impression straight from the outset and ending that this is going to be an edgy movie. The ending sees the islanders being picked up at sea by a cruise liner with Richard's voice over echoeing the 'scars' monologue. There is also a tribal scene where the whole community takes simple instruments and start to play a wicked tune. It really must be seen to be believed. Other deleted scenes of interest are when the trio arrive on the island and get passed the Thai guards on the dope field. You don't see it in the movie but you do see it in the book. The trio argue, Franciose and Ettiene expressing a real sense of fear, as one would if chased by Thais with AK47s. An explanation into the dementia of Daffy Duck is given by Sal on the rice run with Richard, a scene I think really could have been in the movie. The extras are available on Region 2 DVD but I think that they can also be found on Region 1 DVD. The movie was fun, and for all those who felt short changed by the movie, the DVD extras should allow you some solace.