Soundtrack Changes in Film Re-Releases: The Case of Blown Away and the Impact on Cinematic History
Recently, a JoBlo Originals video discussed the 1994 action film Blown Away starring Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones, which was re-released by Kino Lorber on 4K UHD. While the movie remains mostly unchanged, two minor soundtrack substitutions have been made, affecting songs by The Sundays and Aretha Franklin.
Blown Away heavily features music by U2, which remains intact in the re-release. However, the songs "Here’s Where the Story Ends" by The Sundays and "All Night Long" by Aretha Franklin have been replaced. The replacement for "Here’s Where the Story Ends" is a cover version, while Aretha Franklin's song has been swapped for generic jazz music, with her name even removed from a piece of dialogue in the film.
The decision to alter the soundtrack likely stems from licensing costs, a common issue in the industry. Another example is the comedy Fatal Instinct, which had songs by Iron Butterfly and Van Morrison removed in streaming versions. While these changes may be made by rights holders like Amazon/MGM, it raises concerns about the integrity of the original films.
The issue of altered soundtracks is not new, with TV re-releases often facing similar challenges. In the past, Universal was known for changing music in their home video releases, but the DVD era saw many films having their original soundtracks restored. However, the recent trend of altering soundtracks in movies without warning raises questions about the preservation of cinematic history.
Consumers should be cautious when purchasing new catalogue titles on Blu-ray, as altered soundtracks may not be disclosed. It is important to be aware of these changes and advocate for the preservation of the original artistic vision in films. Have you noticed any other movies with altered soundtracks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!