Little Shop of Horrors: 40 Years Later, a Darker Ending Returns

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, "Little Shop of Horrors" is now available in a deluxe 4K UHD Blu-ray edition, showcasing its visual and auditory splendor. The film, directed by Frank Oz and based on an off-Broadway musical, is lauded for its sharp script and memorable cast, including Rick Moranis and Steve Martin. Ellen Greene's portrayal of Audrey is highlighted as the emotional core of the movie.

Greene's deep connection to Audrey began during the musical's early stages, influencing the character's iconic voice and style. Her collaboration with composer Howard Ashman was pivotal, shaping songs like "Somewhere That's Green" and refining the narrative. The movie's production saw significant creative input from Greene, who helped define Audrey's look and even suggested Frank Oz as director.

A significant feature of the new 4K release is the inclusion of the original ending, which depicts a world overrun by plants, a sequence originally costing over $5 million. This ending was controversially cut after a poor test screening, with a happier conclusion reshot. Previous releases offered glimpses of this ending, but the 4K edition provides a fully restored version, allowing audiences to choose between the theatrical cut and the director's cut.