Straight Up Director's Cut Of Payback

Every once in a while there comes a movie that looks so promising but fails to live up to its own promise. Then, sometimes, word gets out that the film didn’t live up to the director’s expectations either.

In the case of Payback, the Mel Gibson vehicle from 1999, the problem stems from director Brian Helgeland being replaced partway through filming. Another director was brought in, reportedly 30% of the film was reshot, and the outcome was less interesting than the trailers for the film.

Thanks to the joy of DVD, now Helgeland’s cut of Payback is being made available as Payback - Straight Up: The Director’s Cut. No word on whether Helgeland has anything to say about the producer who recut the film with the new director – who happens to be the same person who stars in the film – but on top of the director’s cut of the film Helgeland also provides a commentary, so doubtless something will be hinted at.

For those unfamiliar with Payback, the film stars Gibson as Porter, a criminal whose wife and partner double cross him, shoot him, and leave him for dead. Porter reappears in search of his cut and a little bit of revenge.

Bonus materials on Payback - Straight Up: The Director’s Cut includes:

• Commentary by Writer/Director Brian Helgeland
• Paybacks Are A Bitch: On Location in Chicago
• Paybacks Are A Bitch: On Set in Los Angeles
• Same Story, Different Movie - Creating Payback: The Director's Cut
• The Hunter: A Conversation with Author Donald E. Westlak

Payback - Straight Up: The Director’s Cut comes out on DVD on April 10th. Check out the cover artwork below.