does anyone know why watership down the u.s dvd version has a longer running time than the uk dvd version?

Question

i want to buy watership down on dvd, i am from the uk and last had watership down on vhs in the 80's, but it got lost through the passage of time.

i went to the amazon website, amazon uk, and was looking for watership down on dvd, i saw the u.s version on dvd and the uk version, and noticed in the description and details, that the u.s version has a much longer running time?


uk version ; Watership Down (Deluxe Edition) [DVD] [1978] -Run Time: 88 minutes

u.s version ; Watership Down
Deluxe Edition
DVD -Run Time: 101 minutes

and i want to know why it has a big difference in running times between the two versions? - i can't get the u.s version as i don't have a dvd player which plays both u.s & uk dvds, and can't afford one.

and i need help with this because i want to make sure that if i buy watership down- the uk dvd version, that im not getting the edited version with alterations and not the original film as it was first shown in 78?


SO, can anyone tell me why possibly the uk dvd version is shorter in running time than the u.s dvd version?

Answer 1

The 1978 movie is listed as 92 minutes actually. http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/1266157/

This one verified the 92 minutes too, through Warner Brothers https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/watership_down

And this site says it's 72 minutes https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/watership-down

Though THIS British website says the UK version is 101 minutes.????? http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/watership-down-film



It IS possible that the British version you saw had the British Film Board bow to the parents complaints that it was too gruesome/graphic and was cut down for the UK version you read about? I don't know. Can't find anything online about the different times listed.





It also had a TV series but you're talking about the actual movie, right?

Answer 2

Multiple Sites indicate the original run time was 1 Hour 31 Minutes or 91 Minutes (or sometimes 92 minutes)

US 2002 Edition is only 92 Minutes



So there is a most a 3 or 4 minute difference between the versions.



However even the newer Blu-ray UK version is only 88 minutes long also according Amazon UK

Note: If you stream from Amazon UK , it says it is 91 Minutes. . This implies they are streaming the US Version or they don't update

all the information.



So this will add to your confusion.

Answer 3

My guess would be that the US release cut out some violence and other stuff to make it less dark. The movie is unusually dark for what is ostensibly a kids film and American distributors often don't have faith that American audiences will appreciate stuff like Europeans do.

Answer 4

I cant answer your question, but MANY UK DVD players will play USA DVDs

We have 3 in our house, all bought from Asda, 3 different ones, and they ALL do

I dont know if its because they are owned by Walmart or not

Answer 5

Added extra



☆ Sent from iOS Dr. Know! 1.1.04