1408 - Alternate Ending

Necronomicon

I bought the director's cut of 1408 recently, and I was surprised to see that there was an alternate ending. For anyone who hasn't seen it,

Cusack's character dies in the fire. Samuel L. Jackson goes to his funeral to give his wife his remaining possessions, but she doesn't take them. Jackson goes back to his car and opens the box, which has Cusack's tape recorder. He presses play and hears the dialogue between Cusack and his daughter, the same one that Cusack himself shows his wife in the theatrical ending. The final shot is of the room, where we see the spirit of Cusack's character being called by his daughter.

For me, this was a far superior ending. I loved 1408 when I saw it first, but I felt the ending was it's only weak point. I would've called it nearly flawless had this ending been in the theatrical cut.

It's arguably a 'brighter' ending than the theatrical version as well, so I'm a little surprised it was changed. Yes, Cusack dies but he's reunited with his daughter - he's no longer miserable and cynical of the after-life.

I haven't read the King story so I'm not sure which is closer to the original ending, but for me the director's cut should've been released.

As an aside, it's the first time in a while I've bought a "Director's Cut" and actually felt value for money - these days I expect a minute or two extra footage to be thrown in to put that title on a film.

Vic Vinegar

Yeah that's a way better ending! i'm of the same opinion the the original ending was piss weak! It's disappointing when the ending doesn't live up to the rest of the film, I find it happens an awful lot!

senordingdong

****ing hell yeah.

Why are these preview audiences always so stupid!?!

shenanigans1982

Have the dvd but aint got a chance to watch it yet...but is there an actual film where the alternate ending would make a difference to a film? I watched the alternate ending to the Bourne Identity and it put me off them forever.