Are films ever safe from the dicey scissors of Chinese or international censors? It appears not. A new version of David Fincher’s 1999 cult classic “Fight Club” has been released online in China and, in something of a surprise, has gotten a much happier ending.
In Fincher’s original theatrical cut, which has remained unaltered everywhere else in the world so far, the lead character (Edward Norton), kills his split personality Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), freeing himself of his influence. He then watches buildings begin to explode alongside his love interest, Marla (Helena Bonham Carter). The ending indicated that our hero was unable to stop Durden’s anarchistic group and that Project Mayhem, was a success. Not in a new Chinese version, however.
The version of the Chinese streaming site Tencent Video removes the explosions and replaces it with a title card. Translated the card reads:
“Through the clue provided by Tyler, the police rapidly figured out the whole plan and arrested all criminals, successfully preventing the bomb from exploding. After the trial, Tyler was sent to lunatic asylum receiving psychological treatment. He was discharged from the hospital in 2012.”
China, which strictly enforces a culture of law and order, is also concerned about the negative aspects of consumerism, a decidedly Western philosophy. Considering Durden’s plan was to destroy that aspect of society, one would think the Chinese would be satisfied by the ending.
It’s unclear who made the change, but it was potentially Pacific Audio & Video Co, a division of government-owned media company Guandong TV, who licensed the film from 20th Century Fox. Disney, which acquired Fox in 2019, has not responded to inquiries over the change. There is no word on Fincher’s thoughts on the new ending at this time.
