There are many differences between Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers’ original theatrical cut and the producer’s cut. The troubled production went through several changes after principal photography and became a completely different film.
After the misfire that was Halloween 5 in 1989, the series took an extended break. Trancas International Films, run by the late Moustapha Akkad, was disappointed in the box office performance and concerned with the negative reactions to the plot. The film made even less than Halloween III: Season of the Witch – the only film in the franchise not to feature boogeyman Michael Myers. Creating an engaging follow-up while trying to tie up the eccentric story decisions from part five was going to be difficult.
The original shooting script for Halloween 6, written by Daniel Farrands, attempted to make sense of the previous entry. It introduced a druid cult responsible for Michael’s behavior and keeping him protected. Though the production of the film followed the admittedly complicated screenplay, the myriad producers involved all had different ideas. Conflicts with director Joe Chappelle (Manifest) arose while shooting continued through post-production. Test screenings did not go well, prompting serious re-shoots that altered the storyline, creating an uneven film filled with plot holes. Dimension Films, which no longer holds the right to the franchise, had a habit of creating these types of releases.
Halloween 6's Theatrical Version Was Different From The Original Cut
A bootleg version of the original cut, named the “Producers Cut” or “P-Cut” found its way online a few years later. This version, eventually released in a finished print on disc, is markedly different from the theatrical version. Though it’s still a rather convoluted narrative, it makes more sense and offers a satisfying climax to the story. The main difference between the two is the heavy presence of the Thorn cult and its influence of Myers. The treatment of Jamie in this version, played by actress J.C. Brandy, is also handled in a different way, giving her more screen time and altering her escape. There are minor changes throughout the first half of the film, but the major narrative shifts happen in the last third.
In the theatrical release, Jamie is pursued by Myers after escaping the cult and is pushed into the blades of a corn thresher and killed. In the P-Cut, she is stabbed, but survives and is taken to a nearby hospital. Her stay at the hospital is the impetus for Loomis, a returning Donald Pleasence, to come and see her. Loomis showing up at the hospital and seeing Tommy (Paul Rudd) makes more sense in the P-Cut. Jamie is soon shot in the head by the Man in Black while recuperating, a sad end to her character arc, but better than being mercilessly chopped up by farm equipment. She is also given a flashback sequence, which reveals details such as her uncle (Myers) being her child's father.
Halloween 6's Producer's Cut Dug Deeper Into The Cult Of Thorn
The Thorn cult is explored a bit further in the P-Cut, including the fact that Myers is basically a slave to their bidding. The cult also has a relationship with the stars and can manipulate them for their nefarious purposes. Aside from several alternate takes and small pieces of dialogue, the P-Cut’s last half-hour is what sets it apart from the butchered theatrical print. Kara (Marianne Hagan) is kidnapped and taken by the cult to Smith’s Grove in both versions. Most of the action that proceeds it was re-shot, after Pleasence had died, so his participation is limited. What transpires in the P-Cut is much more coherent, though Loomis is still strangely underused.
Once Tommy and Loomis arrive at Smith’s Grove, they break up; Tommy searches for Kara and Loomis goes to confront Dr. Wynn (Dark Shadows' Mitchell Ryan). The unprovoked massacre of the cult thorn members is not in the P-Cut, nor is Myers’ demise. Instead, in the original ending, Tommy uses the runes to stop Myers, which carries more weight given the plot, but is not visually engaging. The rather ambiguous ending to the theatrical release, with Loomis yelling off camera, is bettered by the P-Cut. Loomis finds Myers’ body on the floor, but discovers it’s Dr. Wynn, who transfers the mark of Thorn to Loomis. As the doctor screams in recognition, Myers, disguised as Wynn (the Man in Black), leaves Smith’s Grove.
While the debate about the better version of Halloween 6 rages on, there is little doubt that the P-Cut is the more coherent and satisfying of the two.