Synopsis:

I've always wanted versions of the first two Terminator films that don't spoil the plot upfront, but instead let the story play out in more of a noir mystery style. This is the first of those two edits.

Intentions:

My goal was to create a version of the film that doesn't explain the plot upfront, but instead allows the story unfold naturally as the film progresses & saves it's surprises. I've also made many additional alterations & added some deleted scenes shape my own ideal version.

Change List:

-added my fanedit production logo. -added "A James Cameron Film" credit. -cut the opening scene showing the future war. -cut the text explaining the situation & character goals. -cut the opening credits. -cut the title. Arrival- -cropped a shot of the trash truck to remove the on-screen date. -cut the 2nd of the truck driver's looped "What the hell?". -new music begins as the Terminator stands. (Dreams of Future War) -extended the shot of the Terminator looking over the city. -fade to black as the Terminator looks over the city. Title Card- -added a new title logo. -new sound effects during title. (steel sliding, metallic clang) Drunk Punks- -new music ties back into the original score as the Terminator approaches the punks. -cut the Terminator repeating "Nice night for a walk." -cut the Terminator repeating "Nothing clean. Right." Reese on the Run- -cut the cop's cartoonist "Whaa??" when Reese asks what year it is. -slight zoom-in on Sarah's name as Reese searches the phone book. Sarah Goes to Work- -tighter framing on the shot of Sarah's time card. -added the deleted scene of Sarah prepping for her shift. -adjusted contrast & color to better match the bluray footage. -re-framed to match the aspect ratio. - adjusted the volume & EQ to better match the bluray audio. Down at the Pawn Shop- -cut the Terminator asking for a "plasma rifle." -cut the Terminator saying "Wrong" before shooting the shop owner. Reese Gets a Car- -cut Reese falling asleep in the car. -cut Reese's dream about the future. -a different section of Beat Street Breakdown plays when Reese starts the car. Apartment Murders- -clearer music cue after Ginger gets shot. -edited the answering message to have the same timing as it did earlier when Ofc. Vukovich called. -added an additional shot of the answering machine to make up the extra time. -improved the music cue when the Terminator finds Sarah's ID. Technoir Attack & Chase- -cut the Terminators POV as it chases Sarah & Reese down the alley. -cut the Terminators POV as it continues it's pursuit. Parking Garage Revelations- -cut Reese saying "...Not for another 40 years." -tighter edit when Sarah asks "Can you stop it?" -cut Reese saying "...With these weapons? I don't know." -cut Sarah asking "Why does it want me?" after asking "Why me?" -cut Reese saying "Here... There...". He's used that cadence twice already. At the Police Station- -cut Reese mentioning the years he served in the future war. -cut Dr. Silberman confirming the future date. -added the deleted scene of Lt. Traxler & Ofc. Vukovich talking about Reese. -adjusted the contrast & color to better match the bluray footage. -re-framed to match the aspect ratio. -adjusted the volume & EQ to better match the bluray audio. Self Surgery- -new color timing on all shots of the fake head to help it look more alive. -shortened the shot of the fake head preparing to put the scalpel into the eye. -shortened the shot of the fake head using the towel. -cut a shot of the fake head before the sunglasses go on. -shortened the shot of the fake head after the sunglasses go on. Police Station Massacre- -cut Sarah asking "So Reese is crazy?" & Dr. Silberman's reply, "He's a loon." -cut the Terminators POV. -added the deleted scene of Lt. Traxler giving Reese his gun before he dies. -adjusted the contrast & color to better match the bluray footage. -re-framed to match the aspect ratio. -adjusted the volume & EQ to better match the bluray audio. Drain Tunnel Hideaway- -cut Reese describing time travel as "...Like being born, maybe." -cut Sarah saying "I didn't ask for this 'honor' & I don't want it." -cut Reese telling Sarah "It's a good field dressing" & her "My first" response. -extended the shot of Sarah falling asleep. -fade out on the shot of Sarah falling asleep. -cut Sarah dreaming about the future. -cut the wake up scene. The Terminator in His Smelly Room- -cut this entire scene. At the Tiki Hotel- -corrected the lip-sync when the Terminator imitates Sarah's mothers voice. -cut Sarah asking Reese what girls are like in the future & the ensuing conversation. -shorter sex scene montage. -cut the Terminators POV. Chases & Crashes- -removed the first of Sarah's looped screams during the truck crash. -added a new truck crash sound. -cut the Terminator telling the trucker to "Get out." -cut the Terminators POV. -cut 4 shots of the fake head. -re-edited the truck explosion so that the cab only blows up once. Inside the Factory- -shortened a shot of the Terminator chasing Sarah & Reese down the hall. -Reese doesn't fall & give up once inside the factory. -shuffled shots so the Terminator breaks the door while Reese is activating machinery. -cut a puppety-looking shot of the Terminator coming up the stairs. -adjusted the color when the Terminator smacks Reese to better match the surrounding shots. -cut the shot of the stop-motion Terminator walking up behind Reese. -cut a puppety-looking shot of the Terminator crawling. -Sarah says "You're terminated" as the press is crushing, instead of before hitting the button. End Credits- -slight speed-up of the credits so that the text ends with the music instead of after. Post-Credits- -added the deleted scene of the microchip being found & the revelation that it's at Cyberdyne. -adjusted the color & contrast to better match the bluray footage. -adjusted the volume & EQ to better match the bluray audio. -recut so that Sarah isn't taken away in the middle of the scene. -added & edited music to score the scene. (Main Title) -added my production logo to the end.

Additional Notes:

I tried to stay true to Mark Goldblatt's original editing. I didn't want anything to seem changed at all.

Other Sources:

Video- -The Terminator (MGM bluray, 2018) Additional Audio- -The Terminator score (Milan Records remaster, 2016) -Beat Street Breakdown by Grandmaster Melle Mel (from the album Beat Street, 1984) -sound effects (youtube.com).

Special Thanks: