Dust Devil

Richard Stanley's first cut of the film was 120 minutes long. US distributors Miramax hated it and produced its own 87-minute version without Stanley's permission or cooperation. This cut removed all references to the supernatural and almost completely disposed of the nominal hero's role (played by Zakes Mokae). It was released in the European market, however Stanley has never seen this version. Stanley came to an agreement with the producers over a 95-minute compromise cut. At this point the film's British backers, Palace Pictures, went bust, making it increasingly unlikely that the film would ever see the light of day in a UK cinema. Then after about a year of frantic searching, Stanley discovered that the original negative was being held by PolyGram. He went to the film's original investors, Channel 4 and British Screen Finances, which were naturally keen to see what had happened to their investment. PolyGram was obliged to hand over the negative, which Stanley re-cut to his own specifications, and with his own money.

When Wendy slams on the brakes of her VW Beetle, she doesn't touch the clutch, but the car stops without stalling.

The producers would especially like to thank the government and people of Namibia for their help in the making of this film.

"The Final Cut" Collectors' Edition DVD lists running time as 108 minutes. It also includes a "Work Print" edition running 115 minutes.

Edited into Brave (1994)