'Monster' Filmmakers Say They Are 'Surprised' DAVE MUSTAINE Is Displeased With Movie

"Metallica: Some Kind of Monster" filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky have issued MTV News a statement disputing many of the allegations raised by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine over the way he was portrayed in the movie.

Mustaine claims that after years of bitterness between himself and METALLICA, he agreed to help them out with the $4.3 million movie and got stabbed in the back for his efforts. In one of the most powerful scenes in the film, Mustaine confronts METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich about being kicked out of the band in 1982 for being a belligerent drunk.

"We stand by what we filmed, how we filmed it, and our decisions in the editing room," the filmmakers said in the statement, according to MTV.com. "We are all very surprised that Mr. Mustaine is displeased. We found him to be an intelligent, articulate person struggling with the same issues as METALLICA — questions of creative and existential identity and collaborative tensions. Lars Ulrich is shown in an equally human manner, even shedding a tear on camera during the scene. ... While we certainly couldn't include the entire three hours we shot with him, we strongly believe that the scene in question is truthful and representative of the emotions that transpired."

"As is our standard practice, the release form that Mr. Mustaine signed on the day of the shoot did not include any provision that he, or any of the dozens of other people we filmed who signed this same release, would have approval over the material," they said. "However, throughout the filming of the scene, there were several moments that became particularly emotional, in which Mr. Mustaine asked us to turn the camera off, a request we honored — none of that material was included in the film. The footage that was used did not have any restrictions from Mr. Mustaine when he signed the release.

"Two years after filming the scene with Mr. Mustaine, we contacted his representatives not for approval over the scene, but in order to request permission to use clips of MEGADETH videos and archival footage. ... When Mr. Mustaine asked to see how he appeared in our film before he would grant permission to use this archival material, we sent him a copy of the scene, assuming he would see it as positive. When we were told that he was unhappy with his portrayal, we offered to screen the entire film for him in person ... [but] he refused our offer. There was no attempt to stab him in the back by anyone connected to this film."

While the filmmakers agreed that the timing of the interview probably contributed both Mustaine's and Ulrich's willingness to be open with their feelings toward one another, "the timing of the conversation does not invalidate the scene's integrity or legitimacy," they said. "Probably just the opposite is true. The timing allowed us to capture an incredibly truthful and human moment. The cameras were not hidden — we were invited into the room."

"Some Kind of Monster" is playing at seven theaters nationwide and will open in 93 more by August 6.