Comparison between the cinematic cut and the workprint.

Anton's right hand becomes possessed by evil, causing his former life, consisting of smoking pot, watching TV and hanging out with his dopey friends Mick and Pnub, to turn upside down. Suddenly, even his attractive neighbour Molly seems to be interested in him. But will he be able to prevent his hand's deadly mischief until the prom comes up?

'Idle Hands' is a rather entertaining horror comedy, starring Jessica Alba at the beginning of her career. The film was a complete failure in the US, probably because it was released merely 10 days after the Columbine High School massacre.

The workprint of 'Idle Hands' bares much resemblance to the final cut of the film. It is interesting that the workprint contains the alternate ending (or rather, the original ending) which is also featured in the bonus material of various DVD releases. Apart from that, there are no major differences. There is a new scene with Randy's brother and a few short extensions.
As for the rest, the workprint in parts contains different music than the cinematic version.

[00:00:29][00:00:20]

The workprint misses the whole opening credits.

Cinematic version (=CV): 1:15 min.


[00:04:10][00:05:12]

The workprint misses a cut on the cat.

CV: 1 sec.

[00:07:02][00:08:05]

Anton can be seen earlier while walking down the stairs.

CV: 4 sec.


[00:07:13][00:08:20]

The cat can be seen a little longer.

CV: 3 sec.


[00:07:44][00:08:53]

Anton leans back and uses the stick to scratch himself between the legs and the back of his head.

CV: 6 sec.


[00:08:15][00:09:29]

Workprint:

Anton is seen longer blowing out the smoke.

Workprint (WP): 2 sec.

Cinematic version:

Anton relights his pipe and smokes.

WP: 3 sec.


[00:09:28][00:10:43]

Anton can be seen a little earlier.

WP: 1 sec.


[00:11:35][00:12:49]

Workprint:

Anton turns to the window.

WP: 2 sec.

Cinematic version:

Anton continues looking at Pnub.

CV: 2 sec.


[00:11:39][00:12:54]

Anton turns to Pnub who thanks the psychopatic killer ironically.

WP: 4 sec.


[00:12:37][00:13:48]

Pnub can be seen a little longer.

WP: 1 sec.


[00:17:08][00:17:01]

Debi says: "The bitch shall open the gate." (?)

WP: 2 sec.


[00:19:49][00:19:40]

Workprint:

Anton can be seen earlier.

WP: 2 sec.


[00:19:49][00:19:40]

WP:

Anton can be seen earlier.

WP: 2 sec.

CV:

Instead of that there is a cut on the nutmeg and oregano glasses in the cinematic version.

CV: 2 sec.


[00:19:59][00:19:50]

There are two different pictures visible on the TV.

WP:

CV:

WP: 3 sec.
CV: 3 sec.



[00:21:40][00:21:30]

Another slightly different pictures on the TV.

WP:

CV:

WP: 2 sec.
CV: 2 sec.


[00:25:19][00:25:10]

In the music clip, a scene with dancing girls has been exchanged.

WP:

CV:

WP: 2 sec.
CV: 1 sec.


[00:26:06][00:25:56]

Slightly different order of the scene/shots.

WP:

Cut on Pnub and Anton. Mick pulls the scrap of cloth out of the hand and says: "A clue."

WP: 7 sec.

CV:

The scrap of cloth being pulled out of the hand is seen longer. Cut on Pnub and Anton. Cut on Mick who says: "A clue."

CV: 8 sec.


[00:29:16][00:29:07]

Anton can be seen a little earlier.

WP: 1 sec.


[00:30:34][00:30:21]

The saw blade can be seen a little longer.

CV: 1 sec.


[00:32:22][00:32:10]

Anton struggles for the remote control with the hand a little longer. Subsequently, different scenes are visible on the TV.

WP:

CV:

WP: 5 sec.
CV: 3 sec.


[00:32:35][00:32:19]

Alternative material is shown when the cat reaches for the hand.

WP:

CV:

WP: 5 sec.
CV: 4 sec.


[00:32:46][00:32:29]

In the WP, South Park is shown on TV, whereas it is some other cartoon in the CV.

WP:

CV:

WP: 1 sec.
CV: 1 sec.


[00:42:37][00:41:02]

The fight with Mick is a little longer in the WP.

WP:

CV:

WP: 7 sec.
CV: 4 sec.


[00:42:51][00:41:13]

Mick's Hand can be seen a little longer.

WP: 1 sec.


[00:43:04][00:41:25]

The shovel can be seen a little earlier.

WP: 1 sec.



[00:46:22][00:44:42]

WP:

The WP contains a new scene which is missing in the CV. Anton goes to Randy's house, only to meet his brother who is just amusing himself with his girlfriend. When asked for Randy, he tells him he was at Burger Jungle.

WP: 37 sec.

CV:

In the CV there is only a cut on Burger Jungle instead and afterwards a shot with people laying down flowers.

CV: 8 sec.


[00:47:06][00:44:57]

WP:

Here follows the scene with people laying down flowers. (Could be seen earlier in the CV)

WP: 4 sec.

CV:

Randy can be seen a little longer.

CV: 1 sec.


[00:47:17][00:45:05]

Randy can be seen a little longer.

WP: 2 sec.


[00:47:39][00:45:24]

WP:

In the WP, there is a cut on Randy.

WP: 3 sec.

CV:

In the CV there is a picture of the twins instead.

CV: 3 sec.


[00:47:45][00:45:31]

WP:

No cut. The girl can be seen longer.

WP: 2 sec.

CV:

In the CV, there is a cut on Randy.

CV: 2 sec.


[00:51:56][00:48:34]

WP:

Randy reassures Anton and then asks for his meal. In the next shot, one can see the Beasty Boys on TV.

WP: 10 Sek.

CV:

The scene with Randy is missing in the CV and the TV shows Rob Zombie instead.

CV: 4 sec.


[00:55:46][00:52:19]

Pnub stands up.

WP: 2 sec.


[00:57:30][00:54:01]

Different order of scene.

WP:

- No cut. Pnub spits out the hand.
- The hand falls on the ground
- Anton falls back and screams
- Pnub says that Anton was screaming like a girl.
- Anton stares at the remaining portion of his arm.

WP: 9 sec.

CV:

- Anton falls back and screams.
- Pnub spits out the hand.
- The hand falls on the ground.
- Pnub says that Anton was screaming like a girl.

CV: 9 sec.


[00:58:10][00:54:40]

Pnub can be seen a little longer.

CV: 1 sec.


[00:58:41][00:55:11]

Anton straightens himself.

WP: 2 sec.


[01:00:15][00:56:43]

Cut on Anton followed by a cut on the hand in the microwave.

WP: 5 sec.


[01:06:11][01:02:33]

Slightly different dialogue.

WP:

No cut. Debi can still be seen.

Debi: "...intends to open the gates of hell tonight and drag up free souls into the netherworld."

WP: 6 sec.

CV:

Cut on Randy.

Debi: "...possesses the laziest fuck up he can find. It will kill as many people as possible and than drag up free souls to the netherworld."

CV: 10 sec.


[01:06:24][01:02:49]

WP:

Cut on Debi.

Debi: "I actually have the one thing that stop the gates of hell from opening."

WP: 4 sec.

CV:

No cut. Randy can still be seen.

Debi: "I actually have the one thing that stop this from happening."

CV: 4 sec.


[01:08:35][01:03:45]

WP:

A film on cannibals is shown on TV.

WP: 3 sec.

CV:

A zombie film is shown on TV.

CV: 3 sec.


[01:16:16][01:11:27]

Another shot with the principal doing phone-sex is missing. The hand crawls upwards on his leg.

Principal: "Now I want you to...uah...take down your panties, down, down, down...off the panties...that's good I can see it..well..."

WP: 12 sec.


[01:17:01][01:11:59]

WP:

Anton looks around, leaves the room and walks down the hallway.

WP: 14 sec.

CV:

Close-up of Anton looking around and walking back.

CV: 3 sec.


[01:19:33][01:14:19]

WP:

Debi goes on telling, followed by a cut on Anton and Rudy.

Debi: "I was gonna kill you to prevent the gates from opening, but that's not gonna work now."

WP: 6 sec.

CV:

Anton and Rudy can be seen longer.

CV: 1 sec.


[01:21:23][01:16:04]

Another shot of the fleeing people.

WP: 2 sec.


[01:21:27][01:16:06]

The aformentioned scene is inserted here in the CV.

CV: 2 sec.


[01:22:17][01:16:58]

Debi and Anton fight their way through the masses.

WP: 3 sec.


[01:23:30][01:18:07]

Molly tries poke the shoe into the ventilator once again.

WP: 3 sec.


[01:23:42][01:18:16]

Molly can be seen a little longer.

WP: 1 sec.


[01:23:47][01:18:20]

The shoe can be seen a little longer.

WP: 1 sec.


[01:24:09][01:18:41]

Molly's friend can be seen a little longer. Then, Molly can be seen a little earlier.

WP: 2 sec.


[01:24:26][01:18:56]

WP:

Molly abseils. Her friend is cries.

WP: 11 sec.

CV:

In the cinematic version, one can see Mick and Pnub crawling through the shaft. When they hear the clamor, they decide to rescue the girls. Mick's bottle gets stuck on a crossconnection, but Pnub manages to free him.

CV: 32 sec.


[01:24:57][01:19:48]

Molly's friend can be seen a little longer/earlier.

WP: 1 sec.


[01:25:11][01:20:02]

Alternative shots of Molly and her friend.

WP:

CV:

WP: 6 sec.
CV: 4 sec.

[01:25:30][01:20:19]

WP:

Molly runs down the hallway and kicks open a door to the swimming pool. She lies down on the diving board, unaware that the hand is approaching from underneath the board. Meanwhile, the teenagers flee the hall in panic.

Mick and Pnub decide to help Anton.

The hand reaches for Molly who falls from the diving board, but manages to cling onto its edge. Beneath her, the gates of hell open, while the hand approaches on the diving board. Anton and Debi enter the pool, but the hands popping up from the wall do not let go of them.

The finger of the hand prick at Molly's hands. Debi manages to free Anton from the hands with the help of the dagger. He then runs to the diving board to help Molly. Anton flings the hand back and helps Molly. Debi throws the dagger to him which he then stabs at the hand. Mick and Pnub appear in football outfits. The hand starts burning, but the gate is still open. Debi suggests that the gate will only close after it received a soul. Anton plunges down, but when the hand has completely burnt up, the gate closes and Anton bangs on the bottom of the pool.

Everyone runs towards Anton, when "Stairway to Heaven" starts to resound and a stairway with light at the end appears. Mick and Pnub walk up the stairs and ask Anton whether he wants to join them, but he does not move.

WP: 6:27 min.

CV:

Molly runs to the art room and is knocked unconscious by a mug. Mick and Pnub find the remains of Molly's friend. Mick makes fun of Pnub's loss. Anton enters the arts rooms and fights two dolls in which the hand has hidden. Just when he grabbed hold of the doll, bars fall onto him and Mick and Pnub appear. The hand escapes, when Molly can be heard screaming. All three run into the adjoining room to find Molly tied to a car which is being pressed towards the ceiling by a car jack. Anton comes to help her, but can only grab a piece of her dress.

The doll with the hand sits on the lever of the car jack. All three struggle with the hand but are not successful. Mick finds a bong made from exhaust pipes under a blanket. Mick and Pnub decide to get baked for a start. Anton inhales as well and blows the smoke under the doll, which knocks off the hand for a while. When he hand comes to again and jumps on Anton, Debi turns up and casts the dagger at it. The hand is being skewered on Mick and ends in smoke. Mick complains about the weak effect. Debi chooses Rudy for ritual sex. Anton pulls the dagger out of Mick's body and frees Molly. They kiss, but when Pnub trips and falls onto the switch, the car falls down and crushes Anton. A gate opens with stairways and light at the end. Mick and Pnub go up the stairs and ask whether Anton will join them.

CV: 6:54 min.


[01:33:33][01:27:34]

WP:

Debi and Rudy turn up. Anton asks for further tasks. Debi negates and says she will stay for some more time nonetheless.

WP: 20 sec.

CV:

Anton and Molly kiss. The sister enters the room.

CV: 9 sec.


[01:34:01][01:27:50]

WP:

A cut on all present.

WP: 1 sec.

CV:

Anton can still be seen.

CV: 1 sec.


[01:34:06][01:27:54]

WP:

Cut on Anton.

WP: 2 sec.

CV:

Cut on Molly.

CV: 2 sec.


[01:34:16][01:28:04]

WP:

The others say goodbye and leave the room.

WP: 15 sec.

CV:

Molly leaves the room.

CV: 10 sec.


[01:34:53][01:28:36]

Mick and Pnub can be seen a little longer.

CV: 1 sec.


[01:35:20][01:29:03]

The hallway can be seen a little longer.

WP: 3 sec.