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Warner could have chosen to release Eyes Wide Shut uncut, tackling the MPAA head on, releasing a big budget NC-17 (which is what the film was rated when originally submitted), but in the interests of business it wasn't to be. The film was released uncut in most countries, while Singapore and South Korea received cut versions (it was banned in Malaysia). A recent uncut special edition, with extras, was released on DVD and blu-ray in the US in 2007. However it presents the film in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) only, and not in full screen (open matte), which is what Kubrick intended. If you're a fan intending to purchase, then it's up to you as to what is more important.

As the years have gone by, film has clearly pushed the boundaries as an art form as to what is now considered acceptable in mainstream cinema, notably with scenes of torture and sexualised violence. Wide access to the Internet has normalised such issues, meaning that even young teens are just a few clicks away from violent beheadings, hardcore pornography and e-mails from a pedophile. With that, the shock value Eyes Wide Shut might have had (though I doubt that was Kubrick's intention) appears to have been diminished. If released today, this probably wouldn't cause such a ruckus.

Eyes Wide Shut was essentially an arthouse film receiving blockbuster treatment due to the star power wattage of Cruise and Kidman's involvement. Warner marketed it as a blockbuster, opening it in the US on July 16, 1999. The plan appeared to have worked since it reached #1 with a take of $21.7 million. However, it went into freefall the following week, losing over 50% of its audience and landing at #4. It spent only three weeks inside the US top ten. Audiences seemed to be far more appreciative in the UK, when it was released two months later on September 10, 1999. With two weeks at #1, it spent six weeks in the UK top ten with summer blockbuster leftovers, taking just over £5 million. It managed to earn a little over $160 million worldwide.

On Sunday, March 7, 1999, Kubrick died of a heart attack, aged 70, just four days after showing his cut of the film to Warner Bros. Most reports have Kubrick claiming Eyes Wide Shut to be his greatest film. A decade on and there hasn't been anything quite like it since. It's certainly an experience watching the ludicrous situations unfold, and you're ultimately left feeling that you've just seen something unimaginable. Maybe it's just me, but what most critics failed to mention is just how funny it is too.

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