First, there was the two-hour film released in 1982. Then, there was the three-hour "director's cut" released in 1997. But wait! no! that was NOT the actual order of things!

Rather, FIRST, there was a five-hour mini-series on German television, which was then edited down to a two-hour theatrical movie, and then expanded to a three-hour theatrical movie.

I saw the three-hour movie when it was fairly new, and I remember being so impressed by it that I could not imagine what hour's worth of material had been cut from the film for its earlier theatrical release. One of my e-pals said the original mini-series was even better, and a few months ago, another e-pal sent me a bootleg DVD that he had made, based on a German source tape (or source DVD), but with his own English subtitles added to it.

I have still not gotten around to watching the bootleg my friend sent me, but now it seems I may get to see the mini-series in a more "official" version. This week, Columbia Tri-Star is releasing the complete "uncut" mini-series on DVD. I wonder if it has ever been shown in theatres.

Wow. I've only ever seen the three-hour version, and like you, I can't imagine cutting it. It seemed just about perfect, so I'm a little wary of seeing a version that's two hours longer. Is there really that much more story to tell? Let us know.

Ouch. I cannot imagine sitting thru five hours of this. I sat thru the re-released four hour Director's Cut a few years ago... I remember talking a bit about it around here (if you remember, El Wifebo and i were the only ones in the theater, which lead to numerous antics a few hours into the film).... But to add more to the film than that which was already close to four hours long? EEEEck.

-s.