OVERALL: Draw

- The UK release has all three cuts with 4K mastering, supervised by the cinematographer from the original camera negative (but different to the French and Italian releases), original mono audio, and a large selection of exclusive extras. The limited edition has paper extras and CD soundtracks while the standard edition only includes the feature discs and bonus disc.
- 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 French release has a 4K master supervised by the cinematographer with vastly different timing and framing from the Italian 4K master (see caps-a-holic comparison) and an exclusive English-language commentary.
- The Italian set has exclusive extras.


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 ALL 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition France- ESC Editions & Distribution - No cuts - European Cut (119:32).
• Blu-ray ALL Limited Edition Germany- Koch Media - No cuts - Argento cut (119:39).
• Blu-ray ALL 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 ALL VHS-Retro Edition Germany- Koch Media - No cuts - Argento cut (119:39).
• Blu-ray ALL 4K Edizione 6 Dischi Italy- Koch Media - No cuts - Includes:
  - European Cut with 25 seconds of restoration notes and a "Nicolas Winding Refn Presents" panel (119:43)
  - US Theatrical Cut (127:02)
  - Director's Cut (139:26)
• Blu-ray ALL 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 ALL 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 James-Masaki_Ryan on 15/08/17
Comparison last updated by Eric_Cotenas on 18/04/21

UPDATE LOG:

15/08/17: Initial entry.
17/01/20: Updated notes.
26/05/20: Added France.
31/10/20: Added UK release.
02/11/20: Updated Second Sight specs.
24/11/20: Second Sight CD info
29/12/20: Added Koch Germany.
26/02/21: Added Second Sight standard edition.
18/04/22: Updated DVDBeaver