OVERALL: Draw

- The Austrian XT Video 4-Disc Collector's Box has 4 cuts of the film in HD with extras, though note many are repeated over each disc. Also note the 4 discs are available separately, each with an additional bonus DVD with extras not available in the 4-disc box.
- The Italian releases have 3 versions of the film in HD (with the Dario Argento cut having a 4K restoration master) with many extras though note not all are English friendly. The 6-disc edition adds an additional 1.33:1 version of the Argento cut and the Blu-ray 4K UHD of the Argento cut.
- The German Limited Special Edition" has all three cuts and some exclusive extras but not all are English-friendly. The VHS-Retro editions has some exclusive extras but only the Argento cut.
- The Japanese set has 3 versions of the film in HD with only minor, non-English extras. Please see the review(s) of the set HERE (Kentai's Films Blog).
- The UK Arrow release has 3 versions of the film and very lengthy extras, though note only the theatrical cut is on Blu-ray while the other versions are on DVD.
- The UK Second Sight release has 3 versions of the film and numerous exclusives and extras. The limited editon has paper extras and CD soundtracks while the standard only includes the feature discs and bonus disc.
- The Australian 2 disc release only has the theatrical cut but includes lengthy extras and contains an exclusive 50 minute interview with Romero recorded at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2008.


General notes:
The following versions of the movie are known, with the first three considered as "official":

(1.) The "director's cut" (139 mins), also known as the "extended version", "US version", "longer version" and "Cannes version". This version of the movie has some more humour in it, and is more horror-oriented. It has a different musical score to the other versions (less Goblin). This version was rushed into shape for a showing at Cannes in 1978, and is the first completed version of this film. This version never played officially in the theaters in the United States.

(2.) The "US theatrical version" (127 mins), is the version that Romero prefers the most (so this is the true "director's cut" of the film). This shorter version has tighter editing and pace, and some of the music by Goblin. This is the version that was released to theaters in 1979 in the United States.

(3.) The "European cut" (119 mins), also known as the "Dario Argento version" and the "Italian version". Editing of this version was supervised by producer Dario Argento. Argento cut out most of the humor, and made the film more action-oriented. This version has a musical score by Goblin. Even with the shorter running time, there are scenes that are not in either of the Romero versions, and Argento cut scenes entirely differently from Romero.

(4.) The so-called "complete cut"/"ultimate final cut" (156 mins) combining scenes from Romero's and Argento's cuts of the film.

CUTS:

• Blu-ray A 35th Anniversary Edition Japan- Happinet/Stingray - No cuts - Includes:
  - European Cut - The image is window-boxed and the English opening and closing credits are sourced from the SD master.
  - Director's Cut
  - US Theatrical Cut
• Blu-ray ALL America- Anchor Bay Entertainment - No cuts - US Theatrical Cut (127:06)
• Blu-ray ALL Australia- Umbrella Entertainment - No cuts - US Theatrical Cut (127:03)
• Blu-ray ALL 2-Disc Edition Australia- Umbrella Entertainment - No cuts - US Theatrical Cut (127:03)
• Blu-ray ALL 2-Disc Edition Austria- NSM Records - No cuts - Includes the US Theatrical Cut (127:06) and the European Cut (119:04)
• Blu-ray ALL European Cut Austria- NSM Records - No cuts - European Cut (119:04)
• Blu-ray ALL Romero Cut Austria- NSM Records - No cuts - US Theatrical Cut (127:06)
• Blu-ray ALL France- Opening - No cuts - Includes the European Cut (119:04) and the US Theatrical Cut (121:49)
• Blu-ray ALL United Kingdom- Arrow Films - No cuts - Includes:
  - US Theatrical Cut (127:03)
  - Director's Cut (139:25 PAL)
  - European Cut (119:05 PAL)
• Blu-ray B 4-Disc Collector's Box Austria- XT Video - No cuts - Includes:
  - European Cut (119:15)
  - US Theatrical Cut (127:02)
  - Director's Cut (139:26)
  - Complete Cut (154:53)
• Blu-ray B Complete Cut Edition Austria- XT Video - No cuts - Complete Cut (154:53)
• Blu-ray B Eurocut Version Austria- XT Video - No cuts - European Cut (119:15)
• Blu-ray B Extended Version Austria- XT Video - No cuts - Director's Cut (139:26)
• Blu-ray B Extended Version Futurepak Austria- XT Video - No cuts - Director's Cut (139:26)
• Blu-ray B US Theatrical Version Austria- XT Video - No cuts - US Theatrical Cut (127:02)
• Blu-ray B 4K-Remastered Germany- Koch Media - No cuts - Argento cut (119:39).
• Blu-ray B Limited Edition Germany- Koch Media - No cuts - Argento cut (119:39).
• Blu-ray B Limited Special Edition Germany- Koch Media - No cuts - includes the Argento cut (119:39), the theatrical cut (127:03), and the Cannes cut (139:26).
• Blu-ray B VHS-Retro Edition Germany- Koch Media - No cuts - Argento cut (119:39).
• Blu-ray B 4K Edizione 6 Dischi Italy- Koch Media - No cuts - Includes:
  - The European Cut with 0:25 of restoration notes and a "Nicolas Winding Refn Presents" panel (119:43)
  - US Theatrical Cut (127:02)
  - Director's Cut (139:26)
• Blu-ray B Edizione 4 Dischi Italy- Koch Media - No cuts - Includes:
  - The European Cut with 0:25 of restoration notes and a "Nicolas Winding Refn Presents" panel (119:43)
  - US Theatrical Cut (127:02)
  - Director's Cut (139:26)
• Blu-ray B European Cut Italy- Koch Media - No cuts - The European Cut with 0:25 of restoration notes and a "Nicolas Winding Refn Presents" panel (119:43)
• Blu-ray B Limited Edition United Kingdom- Second Sight - No cuts - Includes:
  - US Theatrical Cut (127:07)
  - Extended ('Cannes') Cut (139:28)
  - Argento Cut (119:37)
• Blu-ray B Standard Edition United Kingdom- Second Sight - No cuts - Includes:
  - US Theatrical Cut (127:07)
  - Extended ('Cannes') Cut (139:28)
  - Argento Cut (119:37)

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

Comparison added by Jari_Kovalainen on 17/10/07
Comparison last updated by Eric_Cotenas on 18/04/21

UPDATE LOG:

17/10/07: Initial entry.
30/05/12: Added French release.
22/10/12: Added Australian release.
01/04/14: Japanese set.
23/07/17: Tidy up.
17/08/17: Added Italy x2.
02/06/18: Added Italy European Cut, notes about Italy disc replacement.
28/01/19: Added Austria XT x5, Austria NSM x3.
29/01/19: Fixed typos.
11/06/19: Added Austria Futurepak.
17/01/20: Updated notes.
31/10/20: Added UK Second Sight release.
02/11/20: Updated Second Sight specs.
24/11/20: Updated Second Sight CDs
29/12/20: Added Koch Germany.
26/02/21: Added Second Sight standard edition.
18/04/21: Updated DVDBeaver