Deleted Scenes

[jetboy]

which kind of shows to me that going with a scene that showed how Eli became infected, as originally planned, would have been a mistake.

In what way, a mistake?

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I think it would have added an element of off-the-chart violence that, while in keeping with the book, would have derailed the film, in my opinion. I think the genius of the film is in what is concealed and left a mystery. For instance, compare the pool scenes in LTROI and LMI. I think having the killing of the bullies offscreen is much more effective. The "crotch shot" in LTROI is both bewildering and almost subliminal. I think a graphic flashback scene would have been a jarring intrusion into the film, which broke my heart with its sweetness. Personally, while I enjoyed the book, I doubt I would have been infected if that level of disturbing violence had been included. The book and the film occupy different places for me, and while Eli's castration and infection is "canon," I don't see elaborating upon it as something the film needed.

I like that the film is missing Eli's origin story. It allows the imagination to run rampant. Something sorely missing from many American films, which currently seem obsessed with plodding origin stories.

Hope that helps.

I agree with this very much and also wouldn't add any of the deleted scenes even though they are great scenes. I compare LTROI to a great, short song, its economy is its strength.

[EliasGonzalez]

They're all pretty much what was left out from the book (aside from when Eli was turned - that probably wouldn't have been too appropriate, even for the deleted scenes no matter how censored they'd put it). The fight scene might have been left out because it looked a little too harsh. In the book, I don't remember reading of any direct or specific hits, but, then again, it has been a while since I've read the book. In the scene, it actually - to me- looked a little too real, and I'm a little glad it was left out, but it was really cute at the end. Maybe, it Oscar hadn't slapped Eli like that, I would have been okay with it in the movie. I do agree with dongregg, though; I liked the bulleri bulleri bock scene a lot. It was really cute, and I really wish it could have been included into the final cut, but I think, in the end, we're all pretty satisfied and content with this intriguing film as it is.