OVERALL: R1

The Criterion release for the uncut status, anamorphic transfer, and extras. But note, the film is separated onto 2 discs while all other releases have the film on one.

It should also be noted, that R2 France has the Theatrical Version.

Also note the extras on the UK Second Sight release. Unfortunately though, it is cut (but less so than the older Fox release).

General notes:
The current "Extended Director's Cut" (premiered in 2012 Venice Film Festival) was personally supervised by Michael Cimino (and produced by Joann Carelli and Peter Becker). It's the only version that has his "unequivocal approval".
"Extended Director's Cut" is essentially the same as the original 219-minute "1980 Premiere Version" (released on DVD by MGM) but without the intermission (several minor tweaks were also made: Cimino shortened some shots in the second half of the film and removed one line of dialogue). For this version, Cimino also adjusted the film's colour scheme slightly, making it more naturalistic (the aesthetic of the original version/s was dominated by browns and yellows).

CUTS:

• R1 America- Criterion Collection - No cuts. Extended Version (219:04 NTSC).
• R1 America- MGM Home Entertainment - No cuts. 1980 Premiere Version (219:04 NTSC).
• R2 France- MGM Home Entertainment - No cuts. Theatrical Version (143:55 PAL)
• R2 Germany- MGM/Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment - No cuts. Extended Version (209:52 PAL).
• R2 3-Disc Limited Collector's Edition Germany- Capelight Pictures - No cuts. Extended Director's Cut (208:12 PAL).
• R2 Italy- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment - No cuts. Theatrical Version (143:55 PAL)
• R2 United Kingdom- Second Sight - Extended Director's Cut (207:27 PAL). 59s of BBFC-imposed cuts: 'Compulsory cuts were made to remove scenes of unsimulated animal cruelty orchestrated by the film makers (in this case, a cockfight and sight of horses being deliberately tripped in a cruel fashion)'. Two cuts that were present on the older Fox release have now been waived.
• R2 United Kingdom- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment - Yes. Cut by 1:14 by the BBFC (207:14 PAL).
  Cockfighting scenes and footage of horse-falls have been cut.
• R4 Australia- MGM/Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment - No cuts. Extended Version (209:52 PAL).

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Comparison added by Samuel_Scott on 11/04/04
Comparison last updated by Mark_Meakin on 21/12/19

UPDATE LOG:

05/02/11: Addition of the German edition.
11/20/12: Addition of the R1 Criterion release.
07/03/15: Addition of the R2 France release.
08/11/15: UK Second Sight release added. General note added.
25/02/16: R2 Italy added.
21/12/19: R2 Germany added (Capelight).