by Cain Noble-Davies
Worth: $15.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Paul Hogan, Linda Kowlowski, John Meillon, David Gulpilil
Intro:
… the ideal way to experience or even re-experience this Aussie classic, at least as far as entertainment value.
Just shy of its 40th birthday, what is arguably the most important Aussie film of all time (not a qualitative statement, mind, just in terms of cultural impact globally) is being re-released in cinemas with a shiny new 4K restoration and some tweaking. Such is the way with Director’s Cuts and their extended family of ex post facto creative decisions.
Since the mere existence of this Encore Cut has been stirring up some controversy, best to get the specifics out of the way so we can (hopefully) stop fussing over such things. Aside from the restoration, there are two main changes to this cut compared to the version most audiences are familiar with. The first comes right at the start with a new Acknowledgement of Country insert; simple enough. The second has to do with Dundee’s infamous encounter with a cross-dresser in New York; namely, that it’s been removed entirely.
Rather than delve into any discussions of censorship slippery slopes or calls to preserve the sanctity of trans panic gags, when looked at pragmatically, it’s honestly a change for the better. It’s not all that noticeable as something that has been removed (likely because it didn’t serve much narrative, thematic, or even humourous purpose in the first place), and with its absence, Dundee’s status as Mateship Ambassador is only strengthened. It’s easy to see why Paul Hogan himself approved the change, as his character ends up looking better for it.
Sure, a quick Disney-style “This is a product of its time” disclaimer might’ve sufficed as well, but the terminally nosy are already likely to piss up a chimney over seeing another Acknowledgement of Country (such an imposition, poor dears!), so additional introduction text probably wouldn’t have done much. It’s not as if there is high demand for cultural context inserts on every cut of Blade Runner, after all.
Aside from that, though, it’s all intact. “That’s not a knife”? Still here. “What tribe are you from?” Yep, that’s here too. Linda Kozlowski’s swimsuit reveal? Yep. A kiss between mates to make them spill their drink? Absolutely.
So, with all of that squirrelled away, we’re still left with the question of whether this film is worth revisiting in the first place, edited or otherwise.
As much of a product of its time as it is, it’s still quite fun. Hogan’s larrikin charm holds true, and the way that the film plays around with cultural stereotypes (both Australian and American) still resonates all these decades later. Like, Dundee pretending to knife-shave right after charming a water buffalo, it both leans into the exotica that (spearheaded by this very film) made Australia a curio for many years, and actively points out that some of it is played up for laughs at the tourists’ expense. It’s the same energy as spreading the grand legend of the vicious drop bear or being entirely non-plussed that your roommate is a huntsman spider. Just take it easy and feel free to make fun of yourself and others; that’s the real Australian Way.
Crocodile Dundee: The Encore Cut is arguably the ideal way to experience or even re-experience this Aussie classic, at least as far as entertainment value. What’s added is, at worst, ignorable, what’s subtracted is so needless that its gap is barely even noticeable, and everything else is still the same incredibly ‘80s fish-out-of-water romance that it’s always been. It’s a good laugh, and even with the increasingly off decisions that Paul Hogan would make in the years following this film’s initial release (up to and including the dreadful Very Excellent Mr. Dundee), his inviting charm in the lead role is as radiant as ever. Whether you want to find out what all the fuss is about, or just want to revisit an ol’ fave, you’re in safe hands with this one.
