Cutting back a Thuja hedge

Hi,
I have a 15 foot high and 60ft long Thuja hedge that has got out of control in the last 20 years. My hubby would like to rip it out completely, but I would prefer to cut it back to 4ft if possible as it provides us with privacy from the neighbours. The problem is that the outside branches are green and healthy, but the inner branches are brown, bare and look dead to me. Is it possible to chop the thuja hedge completely back and will it survive this drastic measure? I know it will look horrible the first couple of years, but as this is a quick growing hedge I'm hoping it might survive and grow back. Can anyone advise me on what to do? I'd really appreicate some advice here.
Thanks in anticipation.

 

I'd be a bit hesitant cutting it back into brown wood, I'm not sure it would regrow from that.

Its not something I have tried, so I cant speak from experience, I just have a feeling it might be a problem.

 

Thanks - I'm still a bit hesitatant about cutting it totally back because of the totally dead and brittle twigs in the middle of the hedge. I'm just not sure if the hedge will recover from such harsh pruning.

 

Thanks - I'm unsure too.

 

I dont think Thuja will reshoot from brown wood, in the same way lawsons cypress or leylandii will not, and 15ft to 4ft is a big cut down.