OVERALL: Draw

R2 Japanese release has the true "Theatrical version" of the film, with DTS. UK 2-disc SE has 2 versions of the film (see notes) and the complete set of extras (audio commentary also).

Please also see the "cut notes" since there are different versions.

CUTS:

• R0 America- Anchor Bay Entertainment - "Theatrical/hybrid version" (121:31 NTSC), which is not the original version, but a "workprint variant" that is missing several small but important pieces of dialogue and had an altered pre-credits sequence. It runs about a minute longer and incorporates some brief shots from the 1987 director's cut (which runs four minutes longer than the true theatrical cut), while dropping a few shots from the true theatrical cut.
• R0 Director's Cut America- Anchor Bay Entertainment - "Restored Director's Cut (124 mins NTSC)", which is missing some footage from the "Theatrical version", inc. piece of dialogue about the killer's childhood (Mann refers to this scene in the commentary). It extends the Atlanta briefing room scene. Adds an extra scene in Lector's cell, a scene with Jack and Will in which Jack informs Will that they are bringing Molly to town to be with Will (for the hotel room scene). However, it also trimmed parts from Will & Jack's argument right near the end. The credits at the start of the movie now overlap the beach scene in order to reduce the overall running time. NOTE, that this version omits Graham's meeting with Dr. Chilton.
• R0 Limited Edition America- Anchor Bay Entertainment - Includes:
  -"Theatrical/hybrid version" (121:31 NTSC), which is not the original version, but a "workprint variant" that is missing several small but important pieces of dialogue and had an altered pre-credits sequence. It runs about a minute longer and incorporates some brief shots from the 1987 director's cut (which runs four minutes longer than the true theatrical cut), while dropping a few shots from the true theatrical cut.
  -"Director's Cut" (124 mins NTSC), which is missing some footage from the "Theatrical version", inc. piece of dialogue about the killer's childhood. It extends the Atlanta briefing room scene. Adds a scene with Dr. Chilton, right before Will sees Lector for the first time, an extra scene in Lector's cell, a scene with Jack and Will in which Jack informs Will that they are bringing Molly to town to be with Will (for the hotel room scene). However, it also trimmed parts from Will & Jack's argument right near the end. The credits at the start of the movie now overlap the beach scene in order to reduce the overall running time.
• R0 Australia- Shock Records - Director's Cut (119 mins PAL)
• R1 America- MGM Home Entertainment - This is the true "Theatrical version", including Graham's "My heart bleeds for him as a child" speech (119:53 NTSC).
• R2 France- MGM Home Entertainment - This is the true "Theatrical version", including Graham's "My heart bleeds for him as a child" speech (115:08 PAL).
• R2 France- Pioneer - This is the true "Theatrical version", including Graham's "My heart bleeds for him as a child" speech.
• R2 Holland- Studio Canal / Universal - No Cuts, Theatrical Cut
• R2 Japan- MGM Home Entertainment - This is the true "Theatrical version", including Graham's "My heart bleeds for him as a child" speech (opening credits are now white in color, rather than the original green).
• R2 Scandinavia- Sandrew Metronome - Theatrical Cut, (116:38 mins PAL)
• R2 Sweden- Scanbox - No Cuts, Director's Cut (121 mins PAL)
• R2 United Kingdom- BMG - This is the true "Theatrical version", including Graham's "My heart bleeds for him as a child" speech.
• R2 United Kingdom- Momentum Pictures - Theatrical cut, which is not the original version, but a "workprint variant" that is missing several small but important pieces of dialogue and had an altered pre-credits sequence.
• R2 Special Edition United Kingdom- Momentum Pictures - Includes:
  -"Theatrical/hybrid version", which is not the original version, but a "workprint variant" that is missing several small but important pieces of dialogue and had an altered pre-credits sequence. It runs about a minute longer and incorporates some brief shots from the 1987 director's cut (which runs four minutes longer than the true theatrical cut), while dropping a few shots from the true theatrical cut.
  -"Restored Director's Cut", which is missing some footage from the "Theatrical version", inc. piece of dialogue about the killer's childhood (Mann refers to this scene in the commentary). It extends the Atlanta briefing room scene. Adds an extra scene in Lector's cell, a scene with Jack and Will in which Jack informs Will that they are bringing Molly to town to be with Will (for the hotel room scene). However, it also trimmed parts from Will & Jack's argument right near the end. The credits at the start of the movie now overlap the beach scene in order to reduce the overall running time. NOTE, that this version omits Graham's meeting with Dr. Chilton.

Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!

Comparison added by Adrian_Busby on 16/11/01
Comparison last updated by Mark_Meakin on 05/03/16

UPDATE LOG:

15/06/2011: Removed a dead link from the Overall and the associated text as well.