OVERALL: Draw

Between the Kino Lorber 4K/Blu-ray combo, for containing the true original theatrical version, the Italian 4K/Blu-ray combo, for containing the Italian theatrical version (although note it's not English-friendly), and the Kino Lorber 2-disc Blu-ray release for containing both theatrical and extended versions of the film with 5.1 plus the original theatrical English and Italian mono. The 2-disc Kino release also has all previous MGM/Fox extras and a new commentary (Tim Lucas). Do note, however, that its theatrical cut is based on the "theatrical cut" from the 1998 MGM DVD and as a result, it's not that much identical to the real US theatrical version. More details can be found at Movie-Censorship.

Please also note that the English language mono track that is present on the older MGM/Fox discs is in fact a 'downmix' of the 5.1 remix (which features new foley effects) rather than the original mono track.

Versions:
- The original English export versions ran for c.163 mins.
- The Italian theatrical version ran for c.174 mins.
- An early preview version, shown in Italy, included the fabled 'grotto scene'.
- The 1998 MGM DVD Version which was believed to be the original US theatrical version, but in fact used an Italian source and as a result, differs from the true US theatrical version.
- The 2003 restoration (running c.179 mins) rebuilds the film, using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and reinstating the grotto scene deleted after early preview screenings. This version includes new dubbing by Wallach and Eastwood (and a Lee Van Cleef soundalike) for scenes that were never originally dubbed into English, and a new foley track.

CUTS:

• Blu-ray A 4K + Blu-ray America- Kino Lorber - No cuts. Theatrical Cut (162:20).
• Blu-ray A 50th Anniversary Edition America- Kino Lorber - No cuts. Contains the 1966 theatrical cut (see notes) (162:53) and the 2003 extended cut (178:55)
• Blu-ray ALL America- MGM Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 extended version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:41)
• Blu-ray ALL Remastered America- MGM Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 Extended Version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:36)
• Blu-ray ALL Benelux- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 extended version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:41)
• Blu-ray ALL France- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 extended version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:41)
• Blu-ray ALL Germany- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 extended version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:41)
• Blu-ray ALL Remastered Hong Kong- Deltamac - No cuts - 2003 extended version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:36)
• Blu-ray ALL Italy- Mondo Home Video - No cuts - Italian theatrical version (minus grotto scene) (174:23)
• Blu-ray ALL Remastered Japan- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 extended version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:36)
• Blu-ray ALL Poland- Imperial CinePix / MGM Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 extended version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:41)
• Blu-ray ALL Remastered Poland- Imperial CinePix / MGM Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 extended version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:36)
• Blu-ray ALL Scandinavia- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 extended version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:41)
• Blu-ray ALL United Kingdom- MGM Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 'Extended Version' (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:41).
• Blu-ray ALL Remastered United Kingdom- MGM Home Entertainment - No cuts - 2003 Extended Version (using the Italian theatrical version as its basis and adding the grotto scene that was present in the preview versions) (178:36)
• Blu-ray B 4K + Blu-ray Italy- Eagle Pictures - No cuts - Italian theatrical version (minus grotto scene) (174:29)

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

Comparison added by Vincent_Bouche on 30/08/09
Comparison last updated by Matthew_B_Harrah on 03/10/22

UPDATE LOG:

30/08/09: Initial entry.
21/07/10: Added Italian release.
23/06/14: Addition of the US remastered release.
29/01/15: Updated the US remastered as a single-disc, a note on the first pressing mono audio, additions of the Hong Kong, Japan, UK remastered editions.
07/08/17: Added the new 2-disc Kino edition.
08/04/18: Added note and clean-up to Kino release and added additional version of film to Overall.
11/04/18: Updated/corrected links in Overall.
08/02/21: Capsaholic.
22/04/21: Added Kino Lorber 4K+BD.
24/04/21: Updated 4K/Blu-ray combo.
11/03/22: Added Italian 4K/Blu-ray combo.
02/10/22: Added 2x Poland.