Info Wanted: 12 Monkeys Theatrical vs. Home Video - a question...

I just watched 12 Monkeys for the first time since I saw it in the theater in 1996. I was shocked to see something different to what I (thought I had) distinctly remembered!

Watching tonight on Flix, the very last scene showed young Cole’s eyes staring up into the sky, then it cut to black for almost a second, then “What A Wonderful World” began playing and the credits started up. All of the videos online I’ve found do this as well.

What I remembered from 1996 was the following: Young Cole’s eyes staring up into the sky, then the rotating 12 Monkeys animation from the very beginning (just before we see young Cole’s eyes at the beginning)- this animation either faded in or acted as an Iris-in around the shot of young Cole.

Is there any evidence of this difference, or is this just faulty memory? Is there a theatrical tape, screener, or preservation to check?

I don’t have any evidence as such, but I’ve been watching this film fairly regularly since 1996 (theatrical, VHS, DVD and Blu-ray) and it has always ended with the cut to black. I can’t imagine the effect you describe looking anything other than cheap (no offense to your subconscious!)

No offense taken.

But I’d love to see a theatrical recording to double check. Is it possible that it was just a cut to the rotating monkey animation?

It always went to black in your memory, huh? Weird.

I think you might be thinking of the Old VHS with the Hampster Factor documentary on it.

Actually the Hampster Factor has that animation if I recall correctly and the film does not.

poita said:

I watched it 16 times in the cinema and don’t remember seeing the rotating monkey animation. I haven’t seen it on home formats yet.

Guess you kind of burnt yourself out on it? 😄

(Actually, I haven’t seen it since VHS, despite owning it on blu-ray)

Fascinating! I appreciate all of your input. The monkeys just must’ve been at the beginning only.

I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen a VHS documentary about it, but I was also pretty sure there were rotating monkeys at the end of 12 Monkeys…

poita said:

I watched it 16 times in the cinema and don’t remember seeing the rotating monkey animation. I haven’t seen it on home formats yet.

Lol, reminds me of Pulp Fiction. I worked at a theater when that was released and saw it probably about as many times! I still love it.

https://youtu.be/GN5XoI_BzW4?t=118

This ^

Ronster said:

https://youtu.be/GN5XoI_BzW4?t=118

This ^

Wow - I ended up watching most of this. While this is fascinating, by “animation” I was actually referring to the rotating monkey graphic at the beginning of the film, shown here at 41s in:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABfTn4XjcQI