Fans of the 1986 comedy classic Crocodile Dundee were hoping for a festive treat when the cult favorite aired on Boxing Day on Channel 5, but discovered the film had been shredded for a 2024 audience, before the basin.
Viewers claimed that nearly ten percent of the original film appeared to have disappeared without permission, and that many of the most popular scenes were removed before airing because they had aged so much in the decades since their release in the 1980s.
The ’80s film starred Paul Hogan as crocodile poacher Mick Dundee and Linda Kozlowski as New York reporter Sue Charlton, who convinces Dundee to return to New York with her.
The film’s tagline at the time was “From the Australian outback to the urban jungle of New York, there’s no wilderness you can’t tame!”
It was a box office hit and remains a popular choice for broadcasters at Christmas, but some who saw it this week say the heavy editing for more sensitive viewers made the film “pointless.”
One person wrote: “Well just watched the iconic #crocodiledundee, absolutely brilliant movie but channel 5 decided to chop it up.”
Another added: ‘How to ruin a movie… Crocodile Dundee on @channel5_tv is unwatchable due to editing. Half the scenes don’t make sense. Fucking woke shit.”
One fan of the original wrote: ‘Someone tell me why Channel 5 bothers showing classic films.
The 1986 cult classic comedy saw Paul Hogan, right, star as Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee, with Linda Kozlowski playing Sue Charlton, the reporter who fell in love with the Australian crocodile poacher.
One of the scenes that did not appear in the 2024 cut of the original is the moment when Mick Dundee counters a knife threat with his own hunting knife outside a posh New York hotel.
“Crocodile Dundee was edited so heavily due to perceived politically incorrect jokes, that the entire point of the film is lost and, frankly, ruined.”
Another wrote: “They’ve butchered crocodile Dundee to the point where the humor is meaningless.”
Scenes considered offensive to modern audiences include the moment when Mick enjoys Gwendoline’s company in a New York bar.
When a friend points out that Gwendoline is actually transgender, Dundee’s reaction is aggressive, leaving the scene now firmly on the cutting room floor.
On the other hand, some fans say that the best line from the film, which involves the moment when a burglar approaches Mick and Sue outside a posh hotel, has been removed.
When the man and his friends point a knife at the couple, the crocodile hunter responds by pulling out his own, much larger hunting knife, with the phrase: “That’s not a knife, this is a knife.”
And a fight scene in which the crocodile poacher questions the heritage of limo driver Gus has also been banished due to its racist overtones.
Dundee is heard asking the driver, who is helping him fight off an attacker on a Manhattan side street: “Are you sure you’re not from the Pitjantjatjara tribe?”
The Pitjantjatjara They are an Aboriginal people near Uluru in Australia. Gus smiles and replies, ‘Nobody, Harlem Warlords!’
The bar scene with Mick Dundee and Gwendoline, who is transgender, does not appear in the 2024 edition.
And a fight scene in which Mick Dundee asks his driver Gus: ‘Are you sure you’re not from the Pitjantjatjara tribe?’ After she helped him overcome an attacker, he fell: The Pitjantjatjara are an Aboriginal people living in central Australia.
A bar scene in which Mick Dundee chats with Gwendoline, until he realizes she is transgender and then becomes aggressive towards her, has also been removed from the edited version.
Now almost 40 years old, the film, which spawned a sequel, has had important moments removed that featured transphobic and racist behavior (pictured: Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski in ‘Crocodile’ Dundee).
It’s not the only movie that has scenes that were previously considered funny but are now considered very offensive.
Richard Curtis’ 2003 hit Love Actually, considered by many to be a Christmas classic, has been accused of being “riddled with tired and misogynistic romantic tropes”.
Many have said that the plot revolving around Keira Knightley’s character, Juliet, is creepy and romanticizes bullying.
The scene in which Mark (Andrew Lincoln) arrives at Juliet’s front door with a series of signs proclaiming his love for her has frequently been labeled “creepy.”
In another scene, Juliet watches a video of her wedding, filmed by Mark, and sees herself magnified throughout.
Love Actually is another Christmas favorite that hasn’t fared well; The scene in which Keira Knightley’s character Juliet is visited by Mark (Andrew Lincoln) with emotional signs has been accused of romanticizing stalkers by some.
And Martine McCutcheon’s character, Natalie, frequently finds herself at the end of the film’s “fat shaming”: in the 2003 film she is referred to as “chubby,” “the chubby girl,” and with “huge thighs.” “.
Then there’s Natalie, the lovable character played by Mrs. McCutcheon who works for the Prime Minister, played by Hugh Grant.
After he falls in love with her, she is moved to a different apartment at number 10, but her figure is repeatedly mocked by other characters.
One viewer said: “I’m baffled by the popularity (of the film). The shame of Martine McCutcheon’s character.
Another added: “Some examples of how they refer to the character played by Martine McCutcheon – ‘chubby’, ‘chubby girl’, ‘big ass’ and ‘huge thighs’ – are embarrassing and terrible.”
Another attack on Mr Curtis, saying: “I digress at the moment when Hugh Grant’s assistant says: ‘I think there’s quite a big bum there – huge thighs’.”
Earlier this week, it was revealed that an iconic star of Crocodile Dundee had died: Burt, the monstrous 5.1 meter, 700kg crocodile from the adventure comedy film.
He was thought to be over 90 years old and died in captivity in Darwin.
Crocosaurus Cove, a crocodile herpetarium and aquarium that had kept Burt in captivity since 2008, announced the reptile’s death on December 23.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Burt, the iconic saltwater crocodile and star of the Australian classic Crocodile Dundee,” the facility posted on its Facebook page.
“Burt passed away peacefully over the weekend, estimated to be in his 90s, marking the end of an incredible era.”
The herpetarian wrote a heartfelt tribute to the iconic creature, described as “one of the most recognized crocodiles in the world.”
“Burt’s life story is full of strength, resilience and a personality as bold as the Top End itself,” he wrote.
‘Caught in the 1980s in the Reynolds River, Burt became one of the most recognized crocodiles in the world, appearing in Crocodile Dundee and helping to shape Australia’s image as a land of rugged natural beauty and stunning wildlife. .
Crocosaurus Cove, the facility where the reptile had lived in captivity since 2008, announced Burt’s death on Monday.
In 2008, Burt headed to Crocosaurus Cove, where he became a fierce and fascinating ambassador for crocodile education. Known for his independent nature, Burt was a confirmed bachelor, an attitude he made clear during his early years on a crocodile farm.
“His fiery temperament earned him the respect of his keepers and visitors alike, as he embodied the raw, untamed spirit of the saltwater crocodile.”
They continued: ‘Burt was truly unique. It wasn’t just a crocodile; It was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures.
‘While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved by those who worked with him and the thousands of people who visited him over the years. Visitors from around the world marveled at its impressive size and commanding presence, especially at mealtime.
‘The Crocosaurus Cove team would like to thank everyone who visited Burt and helped celebrate his extraordinary life. As we mourn their loss, we remember the vital role wildlife plays in our shared history and the importance of preserving it for future generations.’