Like many "Halloween" fans, I was one of many who paid hard earned money to see the sixth installment of the series. And like many, I walked out of the theatre in total confusion. Thorn? Dead babies? Michael being beaten like Rodney King and Reginal Denny? What the hell was that all about!
A repeat viewing on video faired no better. How it could it have gone so wrong, especially with a writer who loved the original film. Well, thanks to internet snooping, and a bootleg cut of the original "Halloween 6", we can now see how director Joe Chappelle ruined what may have been the best of the "Halloween" sequels.
The orginal cut of the film begins with not Tommy's narration, but that of Dr. Sam Loomis. As usual, Donald Pleasence is able to shake you with his words. He takes the most obscure B-movie lines, and gives them incredible meaning. An alternate score accompanies this scene, as well as the rest of the film. Which is disappointing, considering its Alan Howarth's finest contribution to the series.
The subplot of the celtic based cult known as the Thorn, is fully fleshed out, exposing Myers for what he is. Michael is simply the pawn of the cult, used to make sacrifices in order to, as cult leader Dr. Wynn says, "...maintain the order of things."
Even the ending of part 5 is explained, showing the cult kidnapping little Jamie and helping Myers to escape from jail. Jamie also has more screentime, and a better death scene. She's not just a victim, but part of The Thorn's plan. Even Loomis is part of the deadly cycle. The whole film, though still resembling a traditional slasher story at times, is pumped with mystery, betrayal and other elements the previous sequels never touched upon.
A recent interview with screenwriter Daniel Farrands, exposes the real life horrors on the set of "Halloween 6", including the last twenty minutes of the film being re-written and directed by Joe Chappelle. Chappelle claimed, "When it's done, it'll all make sense."
Of course, none of it made sense. And fans of the long running series were let down once again. And since the smoke has cleared, our hack director Chappelle has gone on to direct "Phantoms", and talented screenwriter Farrands has apparently disappeared from the scene. Much like Michael after part five's finale, I suppose. But trust me, if you track down the original cut, you'll see a great piece of filmmaking. One, I bet, even Carpenter would be impressed with.
"I have buried the ghosts. Buried them in this manuscript"
