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ThunderCats: "Exodus" - The Deleted Scenes!
When ThunderCats was first broadcast in the mid-1980s, the first introduction that many people would have had to the show would have been when the series' pilot was aired. The pilot, which ran to roughly an hour in length (including commercials), showcased the ThunderCats' origins, their conflict with the Mutants, their arrival on Third Earth and Lion-O's first meeting with Mumm-Ra. This pilot consisted of the first two episodes of the ThunderCats series edited together, those two episodes being "Exodus" and "The Unholy Alliance". However, whilst "The Unholy Alliance" contained no additional footage when the stand-alone version of the episode made it into syndication, the "Exodus" segment of the pilot features a variety of short scenes that were actually cut from the stand-alone version of the episode! These "deleted scenes" have become prized by ThunderCats fans, as many have vivid childhood memories of viewing them and some were surprised to find the scenes missing when the stand-alone version of "Exodus" was released by Warner Bros on their ThunderCats DVD boxed sets.
Here at TCL we are proud to present this in-depth exploration of these "deleted scenes", complete with video and audio clips, which we hope all of you will enjoy!
Introduction
As well as being present in the ThunderCats pilot, these special "deleted scenes" were also part of a home video release commonly referred to as the "movie version" of "Exodus". This home video release, which was available in both the US and UK, featured the ThunderCats pilot cut together with the third and fourth episodes of the series, "Berbils" and "The Slaves of Castle Plun-Darr". Although at the present time this is not known for certain, certain sharp music edits in the stand-alone version of "Exodus" would indicate that the series pilot was actually produced first, and that the stand-alone version of the episode was actually taken and edited down from the pilot, rather than additional footage having been edited in to the pilot.
Whatever the case, these scenes are often some of the most memorable of the ThunderCats pilot, adding much depth and emotion to the storyline, and it's a shame that they needed to be cut - however, unfortunately for Rankin-Bass it was something of a necessity, as leaving those scenes intact in the stand-alone version of "Exodus" would have rendered the episode longer than any other ThunderCats episode, and thus too long for syndication.
The Lost Intro!
This special sequence, narrated by Earl Hammond, introduces the audience to the series' main characters, and features several unique sequences of animation. You can read a more in-depth analysis of "the lost intro" here.
Click here to view the video! (22.5 MB)
  
Deleted Scene #1
This extended version of the opening scene shows Wilykat and Panthro engaging in some good-natured verbal sparring, helping to establish the relaxed familiarity that exists between the characters, as well as the reverence that they all show towards Jaga which adds impact to his sacrifice later in the episode.
Click here to view the video! (8.45 MB)
  
Deleted Scene #2
In this scene, we learn that the other ThunderCats were unaware of the Eye of Thundera's existence, revealing that most Thunderians appeared to regard it as a myth. Jaga tells the other ThunderCats that the Eye will serve Lion-O, and, through him, serve them as well.
Click here to view the video! (12.2 MB)
  
Deleted Scene #3
This scene provides some fascinating background info on the Mutants, with Tygra's surprised exclamation that the Mutant factions are fighting together as allies adding much background to their uneasy alliance and lack of loyalty when subsequently working together on Third Earth. We also see S-S-Slithe explain how the Mutants knew that the Thunderian fleet would be so easy to defeat, adding a sense of murderous ruthlessness to the Reptillian's character.
Click here to view the video! (19.1 MB)
  
Deleted Scene #4
This beautifully-animated cut scene further explores the relationship between the Mutants and how much mistrust there is between the three Mutant leaders.
Click here to view the video! (10.1 MB)
  
Deleted Scene #5
This short deleted scene shows an extended version of the Thunderkittens' combat with the Reptillians, as well as Jaga demanding of another group of Reptillians where can be found their leader, S-S-Slithe. One of the most interesting little touches about this latter sequence is how intimidated the Reptillians are simply by an unarmed Jaga, perhaps inferring that his reputation as a skilled defender of Thundera precedes him, and also shows that the ThunderCats are well aware of S-S-Slithe's existence as well.
Click here to view the video! (6.55 MB)
  
  
Deleted Scene #6
The first part of this scene actually features just one very small cut, a short line of dialogue removed from the stand-alone episode, that being S-S-Slithe's full response to Lion-O's "You shall not have it while I live!" S-S-Slithe's cold-blooded response again adds an almost murderous evil to the Reptillain leader's personality. The second cut sequence shows Jaga asking the other ThunderCats if they are hurt, with Cheetara anxiously asking where Lion-O is.
Click here to view the video! (19.4 MB)
  
Deleted Scene #7
The longest sequence showcased here, much of this scene actually did make it to the final episode, but quite a bit of it also ended up being cut out. Absent from the stand-alone version of the episode are Wilykit's surprise that Panthro couldn't find a better planet in the whole universe, as well as Panthro's response, Snarf's declaration that he cannot be convinced that Suspension Capsules work, the sequence involving Wilykat trapping his sister inside her Suspension Capsule, Jaga's enquiry of Panthro as to whether there's another choice and Panthro's answer, Jaga's line "so let's not have any more talk", Wilykit's emotional line telling Jaga that he is always right (which ties in to Wilykat's deleted line in the opening scene), and Jaga's salute to the ThunderCats in their Capsules. Whilst these may seem like minor edits, when viewed in context with the rest of the scene they add a great deal of emotional weight to Jaga's impending death.
Click here to view the video! (44.3 MB)
  
  
Deleted Scene #8
This scene further showcases how muddled Lion-O's memory was immediately upon emerging from his Suspension Capsule, as he fails to remember that the Capsules contain the other ThunderCats until the Sword of Omens reminds him - it also shows some dramatic animation, again cut from the stand-alone episode, showing the ThunderCats bursting free of their Capsules ready to fight the Mutants.
Click here to view the video! (29.3 MB)
  
  
Deleted Scene #9
This small scene again shows an extended fight scene involving the Thunderkittens, with Wilykit declaring how being smaller can be an advantage!
Click here to view the video! (4.92 MB)
  
Additional Deleted Dialogue - Soundclip #1
Yes, believe it or not, there are deleted scenes from within the deleted scenes! To tie in with the popularity of the ThunderCats series, several special read-along book-and-cassette packs were released by Peter Pan Industries of Newark, New Jersey, featuring adaptations of several ThunderCats TV episodes, including "Exodus". The corresponding audio tapes for these books, whereby young readers could read along with the story being told on the cassette, featured dialogue taken straight from the episodes themselves. Interestingly, a couple of small lines that were actually cut from both the pilot and the stand-alone version of the episode made it onto the audio tape!
In this first sequence, Wilykat and Wilykit reveal that the Reptillians, Jackalmen and Monkians have always been at war amongst themselves, with Jaga speculating that their alliance must be a last attempt to seize the Eye of Thundera.
Click here to listen to the soundclip! (603 KB)
Additional Deleted Dialogue - Soundclip #2
in this second tiny sequence taken from the audio tape, when Snarf has been captured in Jackalman's net in an attempt to protect the young Lion-O, he cries out "Let me at them! All of them!" The line "All of them!" was cut from both the pilot and stand-alone episode.
Click here to listen to the soundclip! (297 KB)
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