OVERALL: Draw

The Criterion, Sinister Film & the DD Home Entertainment versions are cut, in different scenes. However, note that the DD Home Entertainment release presents the film in its original ratio, and the Criterion & Sinister Film releases have a far better selection of extras.

VERSIONS:
The MPAA-cut version:
Criterion's/Sinister Films DVD contain a version of the film cut by the MPAA in 1961; this edit of the film is missing the following footage:
at 05:18 knife cutting leg (0:02),
at 71:11 knife blade entering back of night watchman (0:02.5)
at 81:40 knife blade entering stomach of Boris Karloff (0:00.3)
a close-up of the acid-scarred face of Christopher Lee

The BBFC-cut version:
This is available on DD Home Entertainment's release; this version omits the same close-up of the acid-scarred face of Christopher Lee that is missing from Criterion's DVD. DD Home Entertainment's release is also cut at 39:10, during the scene in which Christopher Lee "ravishes" Yvonne Warren (aka Yvonne Romain). This scene is curtailed by about 00:05. Prior to the late 1970s, it was common to seek informal approval from the BBFC before formal submission (to avoid wasted filming). Presumably, the extended scene was shot but curtailed before the (final) submission. This scene is intact on the Criterion/Sinister Film DVDs.

CUTS:

• R0 Australia- Umbrella Entertainment - Unknown (85:44 NTSC > PAL)
• R1 America- Criterion Collection - Yes - US version (86:30 NTSC)
• R1 America- Image Entertainment - Yes - US version (85:41 NTSC)
• R2 Boris Karloff - The Collection Italy- Sinister Film - Yes - US version (82:58 PAL)
• R2 Classic Horror United Kingdom- DD Home Entertainment - Yes - UK version (83:01 PAL)

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Comparison added by Paul_Lewis on 04/03/08
Comparison last updated by Mark_Meakin on 08/01/18

UPDATE LOG:

10/07/12 Added R0 & R1 Image Ent, and DVDBeaver link
08/01/18 Added R2 Italy & ASINs.