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Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull: Covenant Edition (Edit on mp4 and DVD) (Released)

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 (Edited)

I started on a KOTCS edit a while back and ended up boring myself with it at around the time the get to the Conquistador Tomb. I abandonned it and have started from scratch again. I’ve recently come to the conclusion that the big problem isn’t all the little irritations like CGI goffers it’s the huge 47 minute part of the film between escaping Roswell and the quick sand. This whole part is devoted almost entirely to explaining the massively convoluted plot. But I only just realised this because all the exposition is broken up by moving from place to place and having a diverting Motorcycle chase in the middle. The opening and closing of the film are fine pace wise (They have other problems obviously).

I’ve decided I’m going to cut from Indy escaping on the rocketsled straight to Mutt finding him on the train. This eliminates the whole CIA-think-Indy-is-a-communist/back-at-college-only-to-be-fired subplot. We never meet Jim Broadbent’s Brody clone but that’s no great loss. The implication will be Indy is catching a Train back from New Mexico… simple. Next I’ll be removing the Sanitorium scene and just have Indy and Mutt go straight to the Tombs. This will eliminate a good ten minutes for starters.

But I want to take out so much more bringing the 47 minutes down to something closer to 20-25. Problem is the plot is so confusing that I’m struggling to understand it. Obviously understanding it entirely is neccasary to know what can be cut. So, can anybody explain the what happens and what is described in the 47 minutes between Roswell and the quicksand?

Thanks for the help Lucas fans! and here is a little colour test I did to try make the film look less hideous…

(^Click to play video)

btw Any other suggestions, questions or wishes for this edit are welcome.

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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Finished off a teaser poster I was working on from scratch. Think I've captured that Indy artwork feel...

(^ Click to enlarge)

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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 (Edited)

Here is the first 30 minutes of my new edit focusing on stripping away as much exposition from the 2nd act as possible. I want the pace to almost never let up and a total of 17 minutes has been removed by the end of this clip.

Changes include...
- Entire film recoloured to be less cartoony
- Added oldskool Lucasfilm logo
- Replaced CGI goffers with new mountain matte painting
- Removed most of the magic checkpoint massacre
- "Drop-Dead" removed
- Reduced Indy looking at Spalko crosseyed
- Removed Spalko's magic powers
- Removed Mac's "West" line???
- Reduced magnetic-gunpowder sequence
- Made Mac's betrayal less obvious
- Removed "I Like Ike"???
- Indy now makes his first jump
- Reduced exploding CGI boxes
- Removed more CGI goffers from Rocketsled sequence
- Reduced goofing around after Rocketsled stops
- Removed entire 'Doom town' sequence
- Removed entire Indy back at the university sequence
- Removed Indy looking sad as he board the train
- Trimmed Cafe exposition scene to a minimum
- Made Indy jumping on bike less silly
- Removed shot of Brody plaque
- Removed rest of bike chase through library
- Trimmed letter translation exposition scene to a minimum
- Removed mention of Oxley being in a Sanatorium
- Removed Sanatorium sequence

(^ Click to play)

Please add any comments below. Do you find anything unclear or have you a suggestion for removing even more exposition?

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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I'm cutting the Jungle chase at the moment. Feel like I'm losing my mind trying to edit while keeping all the people in the right Jeeps with the right groups, in the right places and with the Skull in the right Jeep also. Phew!

I'm keeping Mutt's sword fight (controversialy) but cutting it much tighter with all the goofyness gone and most long shots trimmed. So we get the swashbuckling fun it should have been. It's Mutt's big hero moment so cutting it completely seems nuts IMO. Naturally, there isn't a single shot of him straddling the two jeeps.

I'm scratching my head as to how it's possible to remove his swinging from the vines though. I'm starting to suspect it might be impossible to remove. So hell I might keep it a very limited, tighter, de-monkeyified version. Because it's badass when he swings into Spalko's jeep and takes back the Skull.

If any other fans with a knowledge of the vines sequence can suggest a way  to remove it without creating big continuity errors then post away...!

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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Anybody got the KOTCS credits in a *.txt file????

Need them to redo the scroll at the end. Would be cool if somebody has.

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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 (Edited)

I've gotten really into this one and have finished off the edit already! (Rendering now). I'm working on a cover to almost exactly match the other 3 films in my old import Indy DVD Boxset (Replacing the bonus disc case). Finally I think I can allow this film to occupy the same physical space as the OT.

Here is the front cover...

(^ Click to enlarge)

Think that will fit nicely next to these...

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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^ Click to play

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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Completed cover...

(^ Click to enlarge)

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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DVD5 done with animated menu and extra feature - 14 minute compilation of re-edited deleted scenes.

Watched it back a couple of times and it's alot of fun IMO. Never thought I'd enjoy KOTCS lol

(1280x720 mp4 soon)

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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I think I'll hold out for the HD. Haven't seen KOTCS in awhile so hope to see it with "fresh" eyes. Will keep an eye on this thread.

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1280x720 mp4 done and uploaded too now.

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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 (Edited)

Finally got my cutlist done...

General changes include:
- Entire film recoloured/desaturated to be less cartoony/artificial
- All CGI Goffers removed
- Mutt's swordfight and vine-swinging retained but heavily recut
- Doom Town, Debriefing, University and Sanitorium scenes entirely removed
- All footage showing the beings as bug-eyed aliens removed (Plus flying saucer)
- Mac is a double agent, not a quadruple agent
- Emphasis on removing many long shots that either slow down the pace, show excessive scale or are just plagued by bad CGI

Specific changes include:
00.00.00 Added TM2YC Ident
00.00.08 Added oldskool Lucasfilm logo
00.00.24 CGI goffer replaced with new mountain matte painting
00.00.40 'Covenant Edition' title added
00.02.41 Magic checkpoint massacre removed (But hinted at)
00.04.35 Indy's "Drop Dead" line removed
00.04.39 Indy's "I'm sorry..." line removed
00.05.51 Indy looking at Spalko crosseyed and her flicking his hat removed
00.06.20 Spalko's magic powers removed
00.07.37 Mac's "West" line removed
00.07.59 First part of magnetic-gunpowder sequence removed
00.11.56 Mac's betrayal recut to be a surprise
00.12.33 Indy's "I like Ike" line removed
00.13.02 Indy now makes his first jump
00.13.10 Exploding CGI boxes reduced
00.15.02 More CGI goffers from Rocketsled sequence removed
00.15.18 Indy waking up shot reduced
00.15.31 Indy falling over removed
00.16.11 9 minute Doom Towm, Debriefing and University sequences entirely removed
00.16.19 Indy looking sad as he boards the train removed
00.17.13 Dialogue about Oxley being boring removed
00.17.54 Dialogue about other Crystal Skulls removed
00.22.15 Indy motorcycle sking removed
00.23.24 Closeup shot of Brody plaque removed
00.23.32 Rest of bike chase through library removed
00.23.40 Letter translation exposition reduced
00.25.40 Mention of Oxley being in a Sanitorium removed
00.26.54 Shot of Indy and Mutt entering the Sanitorium recut
00.26.57 Sanitorium sequence entirely removed
00.29.14 Indys "Part time" line removed
00.29.25 Mutt combing his hair and shaking removed
00.31.15 Dialogue refrencing Ox's cell and discussing skulls removed
00.31.25 Mutt's "You're going nowhere fast" line removed
00.32.29 Redundant dialogue about footprints removed
00.33.38 Knife swapping sequence removed
00.36.39 Discussion about returning the skull removed
00.40.04 Indy's "Come on?!" line removed
00.40.51 Removed explanation dialogue
00.41.12 Oxley dancing removed
00.44.17 Removed Indy face wobble
00.45.32 Removed Indy's goofy reaction to seeing Marion
00.46.17 End of arguement with Marion removed
00.47.19 Oxley's "Three times it drops" dialogue removed
00.49.34 Sinking into the sand shortened
00.49.51 Indy talking about quick sand removed
00.50.18 Discussion about Mutt shortened
00.50.51 All shots of snake removed
00.51.07 Indy's "Good work Ox" line removed
00.51.12 Start of long pan-out from Tractor removed
00.51.21 End of long pan-out from Tractor removed
00.53.11 Sound of Indy ripping his pants and Mutt saying "Oh shit!" removed
00.53.41 Long shot of Marion grinning removed
00.54.30 Two shots of bouncing saw removed
00.54.33 Shot of bouncing saw removed
00.54.42 Indy's "Pull up next to that duck" line removed
00.55.55 Indy telling Mutt to not be a child removed
00.57.35 Two long shots of Mutt dueling Spalko removed
00.57.46 Long shot of Mutt dueling Spalko removed
00.58.06 Mariion getting whacked by a branch removed
00.58.07 Mutt doing the splits sequence removed
00.58.11 Shot of Mutt doing the splits again removed
00.58.21 Spalko firing the jeep gun removed
00.58.24 Shot of Marion un-ducking removed
00.58.43 Marion grunting shortened
00.59.05 Shot of Mutt wobbling removed
00.59.19 Shots of Mutt and Indy noticing the vine removed
00.59.24 Four shots of Mutt having a long look at the Monkeys removed
00.59.28 Mutt beginning to swing brought forward
00.59.36 Long shot of canyon chase shortened
00.59.36 Mutt swinging shots shortened or removed
00.59.45 Long shot of canyon chase removed
00.59.47 Shot of Mac and another long shot removed to create new match cut
01.00.05 Second vine swinging sequence drastically shortened
01.00.21 Shots of monkeys attacking the jeep removed
01.00.27 Two shots of Monkeys still attacking shortened and removed
01.00.31 Monkey surviving and "Whoa" dialogue removed
01.00.39 Shots of Spalko's Jeep flying shortened
01.00.51 Shot of Spalko trembling about the ant removed
01.01.28 Shot of ants shortened
01.02.01 Marion driving the jeep near the cliff edge removed
01.02.28 Shot of ants crowding round Spalko removed
01.03.02 Indy being picked up by his ear and Ants climbing after Spalko removed
01.03.03 More fighting removed to make new match cut
01.03.35 Closeup of guy drowning in ants and two reaction shots removed
01.03.37 Two shots of the ants carrying his body removed
01.04.22 Long shot showing height of cliff removed
01.04.30 Shot of jeep leaping removed and next shot heavily cropped and shortened to reduce scale
01.04.44 All footage of springing tree and falling Russians removed
01.04.45 Next shot of jeep cropped closer
01.04.50 Shot of Spalko shortened to again reduce scale
01.04.55 Ox's "Three times it drops" line removed
01.05.07 All footage of 3 waterfalls recut and mixed up so there is just one now
01.05.21 Scramble ashore recut to remove catatonic Marion
01.05.26 Shot of Indy brought forward so he sees the next step first
01.05.33 Mutt's lines shortened and redubbed
01.05.36 Dialogue rehashing why the Skull must be returned removed
01.10.00 Shot of Spalko picking up a beacon removed
01.10.48 Circling round the obelisk and mention of Ox's cell removed
01.12.33 Long shot of chamber removed
01.14.05 Shot of Mac dropping a beacon removed
01.14.10 Shot of Spalko picking up a beacon removed
01.17.22 All footage of Mac's triple-cross removed
01.17.39 Spalko's dialogue and walk round the temple removed
01.19.01 Indy's "A big gift" line removed
01.20.43 Shot of space ship claw thing opening removed
01.22.14 Shot of Mac hanging on and Aliens merging removed
01.22.23 Two shts showing the Alien removed
01.22.25 Shot that showed the Alien shortened and cropped
01.23.33 All footage of the flying saucer removed
01.23.34 Shot of water washing away evidence cropped to remove Indy
01.23.36 Indy reaction shot used to breakup water footage
01.25.19 New credits sequence added with KOTCS CD soundtrack finale dubbed on
01.31.51 Recut wedding added as Marvel-style post credits sequence
01.31.53 Two running shots shortened and cropped to remove Jim Broadbent
01.31.54 Jim Broadbent's dialogue about the lettering removed
01.31.55 Shot of Jim Broadbent getting the bible shortened and cropped
01.32.21 Shot of Jim Broadbent and part of the wedding vows removed
01.32.30 Shot of Oxley cropped to remove Jim Broadbent
01.32.35 Shot of Oxley removed
01.32.41 Shot of Oxley removed and "Well done Henry" line redubbed
01.32.44 Shot of Mutt cropped to minimise Jim Broadbent
01.33.15 Fade to black before original credits role

FanEdit Length: 92 minutes
Original Film Length: 122 minutes
Time removed: 30 minutes
Major cuts: 122

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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I hope someday someone will edit this film to make it less like the other Indiana Jones films and more like a 1950s Science Fiction film.

More flying saucer aliens not less and loads of Theremin.

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FremenDar007 said:

No 1080p HD version?

No, file sizes needed to provide worthwhile image quality are just too damn big for easy distribution IMO.

e.g. I'd much rather have a 4GB 720p file than a 4GB 1080p file.

Bingowings said:

I hope someday someone will edit this film to make it less like the other Indiana Jones films and more like a 1950s Science Fiction film.

More flying saucer aliens not less and loads of Theremin.

I suggested making it like a silent sped up Keystone Kops short to another editor the other week.

B&W 1950s style would be awesome too. Start it with a period short about the 'Red menace' lol.

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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Hey, just wanted to drop by and say this looks great! Saw the first 30 minutes and it already is a great improvement from the original. I apologize for asking this (I'm new to fan edits), but where can I download the mp4? Want to see the whole thing :D

"How many different restorations, revivals, refurbishments, retreads and renovations are we expected to endure? The Star Wars are terrific movies. Why is George Lucas wearing out their welcome?" - Roger Ebert

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^ PM sent.

http://www.fanedit.org/ is a good place to start.

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

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 (Edited)

So, I watched your KOTCS edit and for the most part, you fixed a film that was severely broken and turned it into a generally exciting Jones adventure.  With your edits, the film is now my #3 Jones film (ToD just sucked, and I don't know if it can be fixed).

I had some easily fixable gripes at the end part with the natives that I PM'd you about, and a little bit of rearrangement, but those things aside, you took a shit film and made it watchable, so good on you.  If you could at a minimum, fix the end bits as I noted, you could very well have a great addition to the series.

Thanks!

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Hi there,

Has anyone an idea where I can find this edit? I was looking for it several times and i can not find it. The recommended site above seems to not support any help anymore.

It is a little bit sad because I just read positive things about it. I am very grateful for every help.

Thanks 😃

Best regards
Wastel

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wow, anything would help, almost surprised no one’s chewed you out for cutting crap out like I got for temple of doom, lol.

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Where can I find an mp4 of Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull: Covenant Edition?

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Cut down to a hour and half on this movie is just right. I am looking to see this version to make it more enjoyable. Every single time I watch the original and I fall asleep. Thanks!

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Anyone recently managed to get this? I’d really like the link for a file etc to download this one, any help would be great!