Army of Darkness: Both versions

[DeaditeDerik]

Has anyone seen both versions of Army of Darkness that I call the "Australian" version, and the "American" version. I've seen them both and there are alot of differences with the one-liners mainly, but i MUST say that the "Australian" version kicks the ass off the "American" version, I own both versions and the "Australian" version has much better editing, and more one-liners. Now i just call them these two names because whenever i read about AOD in the states its always refering to the "American" version, and every time I've rented and talked about AOD here in Australia its always the "Australian" version.

Neither of these are the Directors Cut Editions.

So has anyone else seen both versions????

[Elgyn]

Just how many damn versions of this movie are there? I know there`s like three or four different versions available on DVD.

I sure wish they`d just release ONE definetive 'special edition' with the regular version AND the extended version, and feature both endings.

[Jewbo]

um well there is. over here at least. we got a 2 disc set with the directors cut and the theatrical cut.

[KcMsterpce]

OK, I'll give you a semi-thorough breakdown here...
Following versions of AoD that I own:

Director's cut (aka Bootleg Edition)
American theatrical cut
Australian cut
Japanese laserdisc cut
USA Television cut

There are many differences between these versions.
There IS a definitive Director's Cut, called Director's Cut in the older DVDs, and for the most recent American release it's called the Bootleg Edition - same thing. There have been several reprints of the American theatrical version of AoD on DVD since 1998 here in America, but they're all the same movie, just different packaging.

The obvious changes between the American and USA TV version is the ending. The American ending is more action-based, while all of the other versions are the one that's in the Bootleg Edition. I don't want to spoil the ending for those who haven't see it, but you who HAVE seen this probably already know what I mean. I call them "The Kickass Ash" ending and "The Dumbass Ash" ending, respectively.

Each cut is slightly different from the others. For example: When Ash shoots Bad Ash, American cut he says "Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun." :D In the other versions he says, "I ain't that good." :rolleyes:

There are more subtle one-liners altered between versions, such as "Yeah; and I'm a Chinese jet pilot" compared to "I need more men." If you see one version you'll understand the replacement dialogue for the other. Only the USA TV version has the line JUST before the major battle is to ensue, Ash is running up some stairs and cries out "BATTLE STATIONS!!" which I thought was pretty funny.

The American theatrical cut is the shortest version of them all. There are several scenes that were shortened, and even removed whole scenes that are in all the other versions. There's also a huge revamping of how the final battle ensues, the location of the Necronomicon during the battle (which is more subtle), and many other SMALL things...

The Director's Cut and, ironically, the USA TV version have two scenes that aren't in any of the other versions (if memory serves me right). This is the scene at the barn after the "Evil Dead" chases Ash, leading to the darkening shadows and creaking gears, Ash's reflection in the mirror leading to him walking outside to his horse.
ONLY the USA TV version has the scene where Ash knocks down Lord Arthur, picks up his sword and says "Just leave... it... be..." which we see as a Deleted Scene in some DVDs, but is INCORPORATED INTO the movie for the USA TV cut...

I won't get more specific than that, but I could give a complete breakdown of the changes between them all if I really thought there was an audience for it.
But I'd have to re-watch them again, considering I haven't watched all of these versions in about 5 years HAHAHA. I mainly stick to my Director's Cut DVD and American DVD (from the first two-disc set, way back when...) because I'm 3000 miles away from my other copies right now. :(

THE MAIN DIFFERENCES:

The American version is the shortest, and all the other versions are virtually the same from each other and have almost shot-for-shot the same thing; ALMOST. Only American cut and USA TV cut have the American ending.

I really hope this helps :rolleyes: :( ;)

[bob]

I have the director's cut and the american cut, and I gotta say I like the american cut better. It has way better pace, better one-liners, and the final battle just works better.

Without credits,the running times of the films:
Theatrical cut: 75 min
Director's cut: 90 min

It just works a lot better at 75 minutes. And the ending is better, too.