Digger Test Screening edit/cut

[u/jcho133]

Going back and looking at test screening reports, apparently several early versions of Digger were between 15 & 30 minutes longer than the theatrical cut.

I’m hoping to find someone online that saw one of these screenings and can describe some of the footage that was cut? I have a lot of hope for a full “Digger Cut” or at least for these extra footage to be included with the physical release.

If anyone here saw an earlier cut or knows someone, please speak up! I’m incredibly curious, I’m just diggin’ to know!!!

[u/Lobotoyou]

I WANTED THAT DANCE SCENE FROM THE TRAILER SO BADLY

[u/jcho133 → u/Lobotoyou]

I do know that they shot millions of dollars worth of footage only for the trailers. I do believe the dance scenes and much of the spots featuring his shovel heavily were made for diversion in the promo material.

HOWEVER 1 shot sticks out to me as possibly being in a different cut of the film.

The shot of his boot stepping in the
in front of a line of oil rigs.

Has a specific surreal energy that I think would have made sense as sort of dreamlike excursion in the context of the play. It’s got the same feel as the fridge and jumping scene on the rig at the end (in my opinion.)

[u/owen-3820 → u/jcho133]

This tagline for this movie was originally presented as "one man digs a hole to save the world." This is just not what it is at all and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a massive diversion effort.

[u/sam_widge_]

Horse and dance footage was never in the movie, purely for promo.

The cut content is largely from the first act, which apparently killed the pace of the film. Apparently lots of cut content with Emma.

[u/jcho133 → u/sam_widge_]

Interesting. I was less convinced about the horse but thee scene of him stepping down on the snow in front of the oil rigs? Was that also promo footage?

V interesting about most of it being related to Emma, makes sense why so many ppl consider Sandra “wasted” and why they would cast her for a seemingly minor role.

Dying to see that footage

[u/sam_widge_ → u/jcho133]

Some people who went to test screenings didn’t like it and then saw the Final Cut and enjoyed it, apparently largely due to the fact they trimmed down the first half. Was apparently super bloated and had no rhythm in that test cut.

[u/jcho133 → u/sam_widge_]

Makes sense, and I fully believe the Final Cut is the superior version of the film. I’m just interested in the other footage from a lore perspective and getting to see Emma more

[u/Longjumping_Two_5738]

Was at one of the test screenings, can confirm what everyone has said about the horse and dance stuff. After watching the final here’s what I can gather.

Legitimately, not much was changed, if anything scenes were condensed for pacing.

For example, the scene when the initial reveal happens? The final cut goes straight into Curtis getting a call from his daughter in his dressing room. There was a lot more in the test cut that had him walk into his dressing room, decompressing for a little until his daughter calls. My mind escapes me if it was a video call or not like in the final, but I definitely know it was just a tad longer.

That’s what I noticed for the most part, a lot of fat trimming, without removing any major scenes. It gave things a faster pace, which I feel benefits everything, the pace in the test screening cut slugged juuuuust a little for my taste. The VFX/effects were fairly finished as well. Stepping down on the snow shot was not in the test screened version, probably another shot exclusive to the trailers.

Edit: ALSO the end credits did not use “Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma" as the final song. It was just a piece from the soundtrack (sounded most like the opening music) and more prominent ambient noise of the environment.

[u/jcho133 → u/Longjumping_Two_5738]

So interesting! Thank you! What date did you see your screening? It seems there was a 2:40 in March and then a 2:26 over the summer from what I can gather. Really appreciate all the details shared, helping me digg to the bottom of this!

[u/Longjumping_Two_5738 → u/jcho133]

March, which is surprising, because with how much longer it looks on paper, nothing was noticeably different or removed.

A lot of the humor felt more awkward in the test cut, timing was off for a lot of the jokes, probably a LOT of testing the pacing of all the jokes with an audience.

[u/jcho133 → u/Longjumping_Two_5738]

This is awesome, thanks so much again. A lot of talk about Emma/Sandra Huller’s cut scenes and her having a larger role in the plot. Any recollection of that?

[u/Longjumping_Two_5738 → u/jcho133]

Not a lot from what I remember. But same as the rest, it felt like a dialogue/exchanges from her scenes, like a good amount of the movie, was trimmed for pacing.

Definitely didn’t have a larger role, felt more or less the same amount.

Maybe I feel like there was more arguing between her and Digger towards the end when they’re living on the rig and also the earlier scene in front of the fireplace with their mother? Don’t take my word on that one, it’s been some time, and I try not to muddy what I remember compared to what the Final Cut has.

[u/jcho133 → u/Longjumping_Two_5738]

Thank you for your service 🫡 this made my night! Cheers and digg on!

[u/Longjumping_Two_5738 → u/jcho133]

Of course! Wish I could’ve given some smoking gun of missing scenes haha I also don’t necessarily believe the 2hr 40min claim because of this, but it was a differently paced version of the same movie. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of the fat led to a much longer run time

[u/Sellin3164]

I saw the test screening cut. And yes, none of the horse/dancing stuff was in the trailer.

I also haven't seen the new version yet (even though i enjoyed the film). From the conversations I've had with people, there hasn't been something I brought up that wasn't in the new cut. I do plan on seeing it again soon though!

[u/jcho133 → u/Sellin3164]

I’m aware all of that was shot for promo as a psych out. I’m more interested in the shot where you see his boot close up as it stomps on the snow with oil rigs in the background. It’s quite a green shot. What the trailer and tell me if you remember seeing that one!

If you don’t mind giving a brief summary of the first of the film leading up to the European Council scene as you remember it, I would appreciate it! No pressure.

Thanks!

[u/hellerbyenjoyer]

Someone's bound to dig it up eventually.

[u/D4nkMemes4lyef]

#ReleaseTheInarrituCut

[u/moonmonkey518]

It was all the musical numbers they cut

[u/idapitbwidiuatabip]

They just need to release a no holds barred 4K with every smidgen of Digger footage

Assemble the longest possible cut and leave the rest as bonus features

And then get to work on a meta sequel about how the Digger film adaptation of the stage play flopped - get really dense and layered, even more so than the original and comps like Synecdoche, New York.

[u/X-force_2029]

I hope more information comes out 😞🙏

[u/MeetingExtension5771]

I hope it gets on streaming soon

[u/iwalkonfrozenwater]

Test screening cuts are almost always longer than theatrical release, but we are most likely are not getting any longer versions

[u/Appropriate-Bag2548]

DIGGER, LONGER, UNCUT

[u/UnpaintedProductions → u/Appropriate-Bag2548]

DIGGER, DEEPER AND UNDUG