OVERALL: Draw

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

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

Information on differences between the theatrical cut and director's cut can be found at Movie-Censorship.

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 - No Cuts - "Director's Cut" (121:38 PAL)
• R1 America- MGM Home Entertainment - No Cuts - 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 - No Cuts - This is the true "Theatrical version", including Graham's "My heart bleeds for him as a child" speech (115:08 PAL).
• R2 France- Opening Distribution - No Cuts - This is the true "Theatrical version", including Graham's "My heart bleeds for him as a child" speech (114:50 PAL).
• R2 Edition Ultimate (FNAC Exclusive) France- ESC Editions - No cuts - Theatrical cut (115:08 PAL).
• R2 Germany- Kinowelt Home Entertainment - No Cuts - "Theatrical Cut" (116:38 PAL)
• R2 Holland- RCV - No Cuts - "Theatrical Cut" (116:38 PAL)
• R2 Holland- Universal Pictures - No cuts - "Theatrical Cut".
• R2 Italy- Universal Pictures - No Cuts - "Theatrical Cut" (116:38 PAL)
• 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) (119:54 NTSC).
• R2 Scandinavia- Sandrew Metronome - No Cuts - "Theatrical Cut" (116:38 PAL)
• R2 Spain- MGM Home Entertainment - No Cuts - This is the true "Theatrical version", including Graham's "My heart bleeds for him as a child" speech (115:10 PAL).
• R2 Sweden- Scanbox Entertainment - No cuts - "Director's Cut" (121 mins PAL)
• R2 United Kingdom- BMG - No Cuts - This is the true "Theatrical version", including Graham's "My heart bleeds for him as a child" speech.
• R2 United Kingdom- Momentum Pictures - No Cuts - "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 (116:37 PAL).
• 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 (116:38 PAL).
  - "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 (119:06 PAL).

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 James-Masaki_Ryan on 18/09/21

UPDATE LOG:

15/06/2011: Removed a dead link from the Overall and the associated text as well.
13/01/19: Added France ESC.
04/01/19: RTs of movie added to R2 UK (Special edition).
18/09/21: Added Germany, Holland RCV, Italy, Spain.