There are only 5 examples in this comparison, with two being identical. I'll post the different versions from highest resolution to lowest.
When it was released in the UK during its roadshow run, there were Intro and Outro music. There was also an Intermission. For its wide release, Intro and Outro music are almost always not included and are not considered as part of the real runtime.
The Intro and Outro scores is only available in the Twilight Time Blu-ray. Unfortunately, the TT release is cut. And it doesn't include the Intermission.
Needless to say, the EMBASSY VHS video version is the only full version out there, sans Intro and Outro music. But it does have the Intermission.
Posted at permanent page: DIFFERENT VERSIONS
TWILIGHT TIME Blu-ray
TV VERSION (A)
English - TV broadcast - widescreen - resolution: 1021x430 - Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes 42 seconds - NTSC - English only
I assume this is a TV version. Source is unknown. Got it from Rarelust. It is heavily cut and moves at a brisk pace.
NORWEGIAN VHS
Norwegian - VHS tape - 4:3 - resolution: 720x550 - Runtime: 2 hours 32 minutes 36 seconds - PAL - English with Norwegian subtitles.
Though at a certain high resolution, the image itself is heavily cropped (or zoomed in) and with the subtitles, this print has the least information.
TV VERSION (B)
English - TV broadcast - widescreen - resolution: 720x304 - Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes 42 seconds - NTSC - English only
Identical to the Version A but at a lower resolution. I got this print first, and 'upgraded' with version A.
EMBASSY HOME VIDEO
English - US VHS - 4:3 - resolution: 620x480 - Runtime: 2 hours 40 minutes 15 seconds (excluding Embassy logo intro) - NTSC - English only
No intro music - No outro music
Intermission included. The intermission is 1 minute and 3 seconds long. Intermission happens at 1 hour 29 minutes 19 seconds into the movie.
This version is the only complete version (excluding the Intro and Outro music), including Intermission (below).
TWILIGHT TIME Blu-ray
English - Blu-ray - widescreen - resolution: 1280x546 - Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes 28 seconds - NTSC - English only
Intro music 2 minutes 58 seconds - Outro music: 4 minutes 38 seconds
No intermission
This version is cut. Its runtime is deceptive since it includes 7 minutes and 36 seconds of music at the beginning and the end; without music the runtime is 2 hours 27 minutes and 52 seconds. This means nearly 13 minutes of scenes were cut from the original runtime of 160 minutes.
TV VERSION (A)
English - TV broadcast - widescreen - resolution: 1021x430 - Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes 42 seconds - NTSC - English only
No intro music - No outro music
No intermission
I assume this is a TV version. Source is unknown. Got it from Rarelust. It is heavily cut and moves at a brisk pace.
NORWEGIAN VHS
Norwegian - VHS tape - 4:3 - resolution: 720x550 - Runtime: 2 hours 32 minutes 36 seconds - PAL - English with Norwegian subtitles.
No intro music - No outro music
No intermission
Change at 1 hour 24 minutes 19 seconds
At 1 hour 24 minutes 19 seconds, there’s VHS noise and tracking resumes soon after. This suggests that the tape came in either two cassettes or that the source print was recorded with two cassettes.
Though at a certain high resolution, the image itself is heavily cropped (or zoomed in) and with the subtitles, this print has the least information.
TV VERSION (B)
English - TV broadcast - widescreen - resolution: 720x304 - Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes 42 seconds - NTSC - English only
No intro music - No outro music
No intermission
Identical to the Version A but at a lower resolution. I got this print first, and 'upgraded' with version A.
EMBASSY HOME VIDEO
English - US VHS - 4:3 - resolution: 620x480 - Runtime: 2 hours 40 minutes 15 seconds (excluding Embassy logo intro) - NTSC - English only
No intro music - No outro music
Intermission included. The intermission is 1 minute and 3 seconds long. Intermission happens at 1 hour 29 minutes 19 seconds into the movie.
This version is the only complete version (excluding the Intro and Outro music), including Intermission (below).
Norwegian VHS cover
Since I really love this movie I was very disappointed that the Blu-ray, which to my mind should be the definitive version, is cut. I think we can blame Fraser Heston for this because he has the original elements.
ReplyDeleteI had the VHS version but, complete though it may be, I can't watch the movie in a pan and scan version anymore. The Twilight Time Blu-ray truncates the Overture which is too bad. The score by John Scott is one of the best of the 1970s.