PAL Matrix MP3

[Conor]

We're sorry that there appears to be something wrong with the PAL file...We dont' have PAL DVDs to test the files with, but we haven't had a problem til now.  We're not sure if it was an actual error in the MP3 creation, or something unforeseen with the DVD, but we've tried to create the MP3 again, in case it was an error on our end.  It's available now, so if you buy it, you'll be ok, but if you've already gotten a PAL version and want to try out the new one, please let us know at the RiffTrax support email.  We'll send you the new link and you can try it out. 

EDIT:  So it looks like there was no error on our end converting our audio to PAL speed, it was in an edited copy of the DVD.  We'll be discussing how to handle this issue today, but there is nothing wrong with your MP3, no matter when you downloaded it.

[Wiseblood]

I don't know if any other PAL releases are affected but apparently the UK release had all the headbutts edited out which would cause a larger difference in running time.

[MrTorso]

I don't know if any other PAL releases are affected but apparently the UK release had all the headbutts edited out which would cause a larger difference in running time.

That would make sense. Is it still true in the UK that you can't show someone getting kicked while they are down?  According to the BBFC they had to cut 10 seconds out to get the rating for The Matrix.  You can check the run times and to see if stuff had to be cut to get certified in the UK here:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

[Wiseblood]

The link below has detailed descriptions of the cuts to The Matrix:

http://www.melonfarmers.co.uk/hitsm.htm

[Conor]

Have all of the people who have experienced problems with the PAL Matirx RiffTrax been in the UK?

Unexpected cuts like this will certainly make things difficult, especially if the PAL version is different in different PAL using countries.  We were trying to confirm if any PAL users had a working version that we could post as our official PAL RiffTrax, but if there are multiple PAL versions that probably won't work...

[Edward J Grug III]

I haven't bought it yet, I'm waiting till my copy of the Matrix shows up. I'll let you know soonish how it works in Australia.

[SmilinJackRoss]

I don't know if any other PAL releases are affected but apparently the UK release had all the headbutts edited out which would cause a larger difference in running time.

I find this "deleting the headbutts" thing fascinating.  Anyone know why they did this?

[PsypherPunk]

Took a while but i managed to get mine synched. There are definitely two places where significant cuts must have been made (Morpheus vs. Smith vs. Toilet and Neo vs. Smith vs. Subway).

[Conor]

We've included the following additional text file in the PAL Matrix zip file:

The DVD of The Matrix sold in the UK has been slightly edited.  Portions of fight scenes have been removed, resulting in about ten seconds of missing footage from the theatrical release of the movie.  These missing scenes will also result in the RiffTrax going out of synch from the movie by several seconds.  Therefore, additional manual synching at several points throughout the movie may be necessary for customers who use a DVD that was purchased in the UK.

The following information regarding the cuts was taken from http://www.melonfarmers.co.uk/hitsm.htm


Eight headbutts have been removed to tone the film down from 18 to a requested 15.


   1. Fight sequence where the rebel leader, Morpheus (Larry Fishborne), is captured. The scene starts with Morpheus landing on top of Agent Smith in the bathroom.  after which they introduce themselves to one another.  Smith then squeezes Morpheus's knuckles as he moves Morpheus's hands away from his neck. Morpheus then headbutts him as this is all he can do. After this, Smith grabs him by the collar and simultaneously headbutts him three times in a row after which he punches him in the chest.  This throws Morpheus back against the wall behind as per the shitty British version.

   2. Fight scene with Neo in the train station.  Towards the beginning of the fight, there is a shot where Agent Smith kicks Neo which makes him float sideways in the air and then punches him into the wall.  Neo gets up after kicking away Smith.  He then attacks Smith via punching him in a cool martial arts manner. As this is happening, agent smith locks Neo by both his arms and headbutts him twice.

   3. Later in the same fight scene.  After Neo is hurled away into the air after one of Agent Smith's punches at which point he spits out blood (both in the scene and in his chair), he gets up and entices Smith towards him via hand gestures.  after this he trades punches with Smith and then reverses the arm block back to Smith and headbutts him twice in much the same way that had been done to him a little earlier.  Neo then punches Smith in the chin and does the four cool kicks in the air and chokes Smith when he sticks his fingers out into his throat when his punch is blocked.

[kodiakthejuggler]

Hey, 8 headbutts is all it takes to push the kids over the line and persuade them to go out and start headbutting people.

If those 8 headbutts were kept in the picture, you'd have kids headbutting people all over the place!

The UK would be filled with headbutters!

You don't want that, now do you??

[Cap'n UKRiffer]

Strange thing with us Brits, we seem to be all up in arms with violence. Hell even Daredevil got cuts to it. Thing is, give us a big ol' pair of titties and we're fine, whereas Americans get all flustered by it... Stupid censors and their headbutting and booby hating ways...

[MrTorso]

Strange thing with us Brits, we seem to be all up in arms with violence. Hell even Daredevil got cuts to it. Thing is, give us a big ol' pair of titties and we're fine, whereas Americans get all flustered by it... Stupid censors and their headbutting and booby hating ways...

Exactly... When I saw Devil's Rejects (in the U.S.) I had a kid next to me who couldn't have been more than 8 years old. Whenever there was a boobie on the screen the Mom's hand went up to shield his eyes. Whenever there was a scene of blood-curdling violence the kid was watching. The kid was a shaky mess at the end of it. At least he was never harmed by seeing a titty.

[Pak-Man]

This facinates me. So blowing a building and its residents to smithereens in a massive display of firearms goes untouched, but a headbutt- a move seen commonly in children's cartoons- gets cut from an R-Rated movie? Help me understand.

[Variety of Cells]

Headbutts hurt a lot more.  I've been headbutted, and man does that hurt.  The editors didn't want the audience to vicariously feel the intense pain of the headbutt, so they cut it.

Now, I've never actually been shot, but apparently it doesn't feel all that bad.  So the audience shouldn't feel too much pain if they pump round after round into people. 

[Tarantulas]

That explains why Robocop got a "U" rating in the UK