Compared are the International Version (German Blu-ray by Polyband / FSK 16) and the UK Version (UK Blu-ray by 2entertain / BBFC 15).

21 differences, consisting of
- 13 additional scenes (incl. 1 recut)
- 4 extended scenes
- 2 additional scenes in the International Version (incl. 1 recut)
- additional recap
- additional end credits
- Length difference: 424.8 sec resp. 7 min 4.8 sec

The Show

Luther is a British crime drama from 2010. So far, there are 4 seasons consisting of 16 episodes in total: Season 1 consists of 6 episodes, the seasons 2 & 3 of 4 episodes each and season 4 consists of 2 episodes only. In June 2017, a fifth season was announced for 2018. Without any spoiler alerts, it is safe to say that fans of British shows will enjoy Luther if one does not have an aversion of crime dramas in general.

The Versions

Like other shows before (e.g. Life on Mars & Ashes to Ashes), Luther is yet another example for shorter, international versions (in comparison to the original UK Version that is). In order to do so, all the episodes are two-part episodes now and numerous alterations have been made. Often, the missing footage focuses on a or several particular characters but there are a few alterations that have censorship all over it. Certainly, the International Versions are still watchable, no argument there. But the better version is the uncensored UK Version, no doubt.



Time index refers to
International Version (German Blu-ray) – UK Version (UK Blu-ray)

Recap
00:00 / 00:00

Recap only in the UK Version.

35.4 sec


Additional Scene
19:53 / 20:29

Luther's conversation with Schenk is longer.
(Schenk: "Have you come across anything like this ever before?"
Luther: "No. You?"
Schenk: "No.) Judging by his demeanor last night, the man was enjoying himself immensely. So what are the chances of there being more to come?"
Luther: "Think of this as a spree that's only just started."
Schenk: "Yeah, well, that may be true but one crime does not a pattern make. We don't know which aspects of it he may choose to repeat."
Luther: "If any. I mean if he's doing all this at the roll of a dice, (his next kill could by anytime, anywhere, anyplace.)"

25.1 sec



Additional Scene
27:32 / 28:32

The UK Version shows Jenny longer in front of the store she just walked out of. After hesitating for a moment, she calls her mother Caroline.
Jenny: "Hello, mom. You fancy meeting up for coffee or something?"

27.9 sec



Extended Scene
31:51 / 33:20

The shot of Millberry starts earlier: A man leaving the elevator walks past him.

3.9 sec



Extended Scene
32:58 / 34:30

Another shot of Millberry starts earlier: He strikes again with the hammer before he focuses on other people.

1.1 sec



Additional Scene
33:01 / 34:35

Which brings us right to the next alteration because subsequent to the shot of Millberry striking another blow with a hammer (please see previous alteration), he keeps attacking. The UK exclusively contains the following shot: Blood is dripping from the desk.

1.7 sec



Additional Scene
33:09 / 34:44

A further person is being attacked with the hammer.

2.6 sec



Additional Scene
33:14 / 34:52

People are running away in panic, then Millberry one more time. He is now kicking the victim of his hammer attack.

1.8 sec



Additional Scene
33:16 / 34:56

Additional shot of people running away.

0.5 sec



Additional Scene
33:18 / 34:58

Back to Millberry.

0.5 sec



Additional Scene
33:19 / 35:00

Millberry one more time, followed by two employees.

1.6 sec




Additional Scene
33:21 / 35:03

People are running away once again, followed by further footage of Millberry.

1.6 sec




Additional Scene International Version
37:29 / 19:13

Two small additional shots in the International Version.

International Version 4.1 sec longer



Additional Scene
37:33 / 39:13

The UK Version here contains a longer sequence which is entirely missing in the International Version.
Starting with Kent who makes several attempts to get Luther on the phone but the latter does not answer and it makes Kent incredibly nervous. Also, he is getting drunk and coked up at the same time which, of course, only makes it worse.


Then a scene with Jenny and her mother. The former walks into a church where she meets with the latter.
Jenny: "Alright, mom?"
Jenny sits down. Then she asks one more time: "Alright, mom? Coffee shop closed?"
Caroline: "So are you sleeping with him?"
Jenny: "'Hello, Jen. How are you? Can I tell you you look utterly mint?'"
Caroline: "Are you?"
Jenny: "Utterly mint? Totally."
Caroline: Sleeping with him."
Jenny: "Whatever: He's like 55."
Caroline: "So how are you paying the rent?"
Jenny: "He doesn't want rent actually."
Caroline: "I bet he doesn't."


Caroline turns around to look Jenny in the eyes for what she has to say.
Caroline: "If you knew how that man tortured your dad."
Jenny: Because you loved dad so much, right?!"
Caroline: "Yes. I did."
Jenny: "So you didn't try to screw John the minute dad was cold in the ground?"
Caroline: "Is that what he told you?"
Jenny: "That's what I saw."
Caroline: "What you think you saw."
Jenny: "Mom, I saw."
Caroline: "Just come home. Please."
Jenny: "No."
Caroline: "I just want us to be…"
Jenny interrupts: "What? 'Hello, world! Hello, neighbors! Here we are! Jenny and Caroline. We're normal. Look how normal we are.'"
Caroline: "You really are one evil little bitch."
Jenny: "Yeah, well… the apple didn't fall far from the tree."


Caroline almost attacks Jenny somehow but she does not go through with it.
Jenny: "What? Are you going to start smacking me about a bit now? Do you know what? Go ahead. I've been hit by animals a lot meaner than you."
Caroline intends to give Jenny some money.
Caroline: "Take it."
Jenny: "Keep it."
Caroline: "Just take it. For food. For rent."
Jenny: "I don't want your money. I'm getting a job."
Caroline: "Have you got one yet?"
Jenny: "Not yet, no."
Caroline: "Then take it."
Jenny: "I don't want your money."
Caroline: "But if I was a strange man with an erection and a video camera, then you'd take it, wouldn't you?"
Jenny does not say a single word, Caroline puts the money back in her purse and turns back around. In tears and without saying a single word, Jenny leaves while Caroline remains behind by herself.


227 sec resp. 3 min 47 sec


Additional Scene
42:21 / 47:48

Additional shot of Jenny.

3.7 sec



Additional Scene / Partially Recut
48:26 / 53:56

Luther leaves a voice mail for Kent.
Luther: "Toby, I've got it and I'm ready to meet you so just call me and tell me where."

The now following part is also in the TV Version subsequently afterwards.

Luther gets home and sees Kent's car in front of his house. He takes the elevator to get upstairs and enters his apartment.
Luther: "Jenny? Jenny, where are you? Are you home? Where are you?"
Luther finds Jenny crying in the living room. She is covered in blood and Kent's body is right in front of her on the floor.
Jenny: "I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry."
Luther seems shocked but he does not say anything.

106.7 sec resp. 1 min 46.7 sec


Extended Scene
48:40 / 55:57

Millberry insignificantly longer.

0.8 sec


Additional Scene
48:44 / 56:03

then an additional shot of Millberry.

12.1 sec



Additional Scene International Version / Recut
49:31 / 57:01

Now the scene with Luther, Jenny and Kent in his apartment from earlier (please see 48:26 / 53:56). (no screenshots)

International Version 89.8 sec resp. 1 min 29.8 sec longer


Extended Scene
51:00 / 57:01

The subsequent shot, which is also the final shot of the UK Version, is longer.

5.8 sec



Credits
51:04 / 57:10

Only the UK Version contains end credits & a preview of the next episode.

58.9 sec