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Info Wanted: Has anyone done a 'Mulholland Drive' TV Pilot Preservation..? (Released)

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Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has done a preservation of the original TV pilot of David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive? I’m a big fan of the film and would love to see the original pilot, but have never come across a copy. Has anyone attempted a preservation of it?

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I've got a copy of it, but never watched the entire thing. from what I remember the Pilot was expanded into the film, so the footage is the same. Also have the short film "Rabbits" which was filmed during the same time with the actors all wearing rabbit masks.
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Originally posted by: slashface
from what I remember the Pilot was expanded into the film, so the footage is the same



That is correct. The following is from IMDB--not always a trustworthy source, but probably on the money on this one.

From "Alternate Versions":
""The theatrical version contains 26 minutes of newly shot and restored footage; the TV version of Mullholand Drive, shot in 1999, originally ran at just over 100 minutes and ended at Betty's apartment after helping Rita cut her hair and put a blond wig on; an additional deleted scene had Betty running out of the apartment to the roof where Rita joined her and both of them looking out over Los Angeles where Betty says "I have arrived" and Rita saying the same. The final shot in the TV pilot version has the mysterious bum sitting in the alley behind Winkie's Restaurant and holding the mysterious blue box. New footage shot for the theatrical version includes:

* The theatrical ending where David Lynch goes back and tells the story of Diane; in the TV pilot, it ends where Rita (Camilla) opens the mysterious blue box.
* An additional 6 minutes of expanded 'reshoots' that Studio Canal had David Lynch shoot for the theatrical release.

From "Trivia":

Originally filmed in 1999 on a budget of $8 million as a made-for-TV pilot, new scenes were filmed one year later on a $7 million budget given by the French film studio Studio Canal to wrap up the open ending which had been left unresolved in the original version so that a TV series could follow.""

So you could try, as best you can, to restore the theatrical cut of the film to the form of the TV pilot if you wish using that and any other information you can find.
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Here's a painful take on what differs between the pilot and the movie:

http://www.impossiblefunky.com/archives/issue_13/13_mulholland.asp?IshNum=13&Headline=I%20Had%20A%20Dream%20About%20This%20Place

Cashiers du Cinemart - The Only Magazine That Matters
http://www.cashiersducinemart.com

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The article that cashiers brought up is pretty interesting, if the differences are as great as the article says then it would be wonderful to have the pilot in the best quality possible. If no one wants to do a "preservation", it would be great if someone could make a digital copy of the pilot version to upload as a torrent or something. I remember reading somewhere that VHS copies have been floating around for quite a while, there has to be someone around with a copy and the means to transfer it, maybe? Anyone?
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I have a copy of the pilot episode - I had thoughts once of taking the theatrical widescreen and creating a widescreen TV pilot. The lack of interest detoured me though.

Remember, Highlander, you’ve both still got your full measure of life. Use it well, and your future will be glorious.

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I'd be super interested.... but I don't think its possible. I'm pretty sure that there's a significant amount of material in the pilot that wasn't in the feature version.
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Yeah, a reconstruction of that version with hi-q footage is impossible.

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Mitch, would you consider doing a digital transfer of the pilot from what I assume is a VHS then?
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I'll post a rip of it on The TV-Vault. It's been floating around for years.

I used to be very active on this forum. I’m not really anymore. Sometimes, people still want to get in touch with me about something, and that is great! If that describes you, please email me at [my username]ATgmailDOTcom.

Hi everybody. You’re all awesome. Keep up the good work.

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ReverendBeastly said:

I'll post a rip of it on The TV-Vault. It's been floating around for years.

 

 thanks for that..

 

i'll keep an eye out for it..

 

later

-1

[no GOUT in CED?-> GOUT CED]

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ReverendBeastly said:

I'll post a rip of it on The TV-Vault. It's been floating around for years.

 

Thanks so much.

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Alright, it's up. Since OT no likey the link-ys, just go and Google "tv vault org" (without the quotes) and you'll find the place. You'll probably have to register, but that shouldn't be a problem.

I used to be very active on this forum. I’m not really anymore. Sometimes, people still want to get in touch with me about something, and that is great! If that describes you, please email me at [my username]ATgmailDOTcom.

Hi everybody. You’re all awesome. Keep up the good work.

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cool, thanx rev,

 

looking forward to watching it..

 

later

-1

[no GOUT in CED?-> GOUT CED]

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I look forward to it, thunderclap. Your extended editions for Fire Walk with Me and Blue Velvet are extraordinary.