Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers (The Producer’s Cut)
There was, however, once a cogent version of the movie, which actually has more violence, a slightly different story, and completely different ending. This version was actually taken wholly from the original workprint of the movie, before editors and studios began to fuss with it. Often called The Producer’s Cut, Halloween 6 (a.k.a. Halloween 666, a.k.a. The Origin of Michael Myers) this version has never had a sanctioned studio release, but that hasn’t stopped bootleggers and resourceful internet users from making it available through shady means.
I’d like to give special thanks to my friend Jason (maybe his real name) for being a shady bootlegger with access to The Producer’s Cut.
So what are the significant differences? Well, for one, the “snikt” transitions are gone, and shots are generally longer, making for a much more tolerable pace (this version is a full five minutes longer, just through incidentals). In the theatrical version, Donald Pleasence was relegated to something of an observer. In this one, he has a much more active role, seeking out people to give advice to them, and actually investigating what is happening. I heard his part was trimmed down in the end product because one of the studio heads thought he was boring. Curse ended up being Pleasence’s final acting role, and most of it was cut. Classy.
In the theatrical cut, Jamie was murdered in a barn early on, mutilated by Michael on a thresher. In this one, she was stabbed and left to die, but didn’t die until later in the film, allowing her a few more words of dignity. She reveals, in fact, that her baby was fathered by none other than Michael himself, all orchestrated by the Thorn cult. Twisted incest always makes a bad horror film a little bit better. See: Amityville II: The Possession. Or Sleepwalkers.
And the finale is totally different. There is no hospital slaughter or green fluid injections or fetus curse laboratories. The finale this time takes place in a big sacrificial chamber which is located underneath the hospital. In this one, Kara is intended to be sacrificed alongside Jamie’s baby, and it’s very clear that when Michael kills the baby, his curse will be lifted. The Thorn cult will then put the curse on Kara’s son, hence her own sacrifice. It’s still not explained why the Thorn curse must continue, but at least I can tell what’s happening. Paul Rudd, however, bursts in wearing a Satanic robe as a disguise, and frees Kara and the baby.
On the way out of the hospital, Paul Rudd uses some runic magic he previously alluded to to paralyze Michael just long enough to escape. When Dr. Loomis returns to the hospital, he finds Michael on the floor, still paralyzed. He removes Michael’s mask to find Mitch Ryan underneath. Ryan explains that Michael has left the building, his curse lifted, and that he was dressed in Michael’s duds. He then looks to Dr. Loomis, and explains that the curse, if not directed, will take hold of just about anyone. Loomis looks at his wrist, and sees the Thorn symbol appear. Loomis, the one man who has always tried to stop Michael, will become the next immortal masked serial killer! Nooooo!
That’s actually pretty cool, a little tragic, and a much better ending than the theatrical cut. If given a choice, see this one. Stay away from the theatrical cut under either circumstance anyway.
After the drubbing and financial failure of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, the studio decided to bring the series to a close. Let’s take a look at…
