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

12 differences, consisting of
- 5 additional scenes (incl. 1 recut)
- 3 extended scenes
- 1 additional scene in the International Version (= recut)
- additional recap
- additional opening credits
- alternate end credits
- Length difference: 361.5 sec resp. 6 min 1.5 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
50:54 / 00:00

Recap only in the UK Version.

41.4 sec


Additional Scene International Version / Recut
50:54/ 00:41

Two additional exterior shots in the International Version - later on also in the UK Version (please see 01:35:26 / 50:11).

International Version 4.1 sec longer



Extended Scene
50:58 / 00:41

The very first shot subsequent to the two additional exterior shots (International Version / the recap (UK Version) starts a little earlier.

1.7 sec


Credits
52:35 / 02:21

Opening credits only in the UK Version due to the fact that the International Version is a two-part episode.

46 sec


Extended Scene
52:35 / 03:07

The very first subsequent to the opening credits starts a bit earlier.

1.1 sec


Additional Scene
01:01:52 / 12:24

Additional scene with Pell and Ripley.
Pell: "Your boss is throwing you to the wolves. Why would he do that? Huh? Why would he do that? Huh?! Why would he abandon you like that? Why? Why? It's me! Doesn't he know the real thing when he sees it?"
Pell comes closer to Ripley.
Pell: "You must kow that phrase 'the banality of evil'."
Ripley: "I've heard it mentioned, yeah."
Pell: "It's a platitude. Just burgeois fatuousness. Do you know what the problem really is?"
Ripley: "No, I'd like to explain that, Cameron, yes, please."
Pell: "It's about the evil of banality. Nothing means anything. Everybody is numb. This is a dead city. In a dead country. Do you know why?"
Ripley shakes his head.
Pell continues: "Because we've become disconnected from our own myths. We have lost our own shadows. The Ripper, Crippen, Christie, Hindley, Brady, Sutcliffe, Neilson, Fred and Rose…"
Ripley interrupts: "They weren't myths. They were people. They were people and their victims were people."
Pell: "In the beginning. But murder transfigured them. Made them numinous. We needed them. They told us stories about ourselves, about… about our fears and our desires. They cast a shadow. Shadows give us depth. And I've worked so hard to become shadows, I do not want them to ruin it now. So… the reason you are here, what I want you, what I need you to tell me… is how much do they know?"
Ripley: "How much do they know about what?"
Pell: "How much do they know about what I am about to do?"
Ripley: "What are you about to do?"

135.8 sec resp. 2 min 15.8 sec



Additional Scene
01:02:32 / 15:21

Only the UK Version contains footage of the nail getting smashed through Luther's hand.

0.5 sec



Additional Scene
01:05:34 / 18:23

Schenk and Gray enter Paul Hoby's store. Gray flips the sign (open --> closed).
Hoby: "Morning, officer."
Schenk: "I don't believe we've met before."
Hoby: "Well, I'm familiar with the species."
Schenk (to Gray): "DS Gray, this is Paul Hoby. Paul used to own a little factory for converting replica weapons into working guns."
Hoby: "Yes and Paul did his time."
Gray: "What is it with boys and knives I wonder."
Hoby: "This knives are sold for recreational and hobby purposes only."
Gray: "Yeah? How's the stockroom looking?"
Hoby? "Eh?"
Gray: "Everything in order?"
Hoby: "Everthing in order? Ha! Seriously, mein Herr? Ja, everything is in order. Would you like to see my papers?"
Gray: "Would if I could. Right now, I'll settle for a full inventor and a glimpse at the books."
Hoby: "Please yourself, love. Goosestep over here, take a look for yourself."
Schenk: "DS Gray is a little testy today, Paul. Because of Cameron Pell, your former cellmate. Pell's been killing people. He may have killed a police officer. Do you have any idea of what your life will be like if every London copper holds you responsible for that?"
Hoby: "All I did was point him in the direction of a few names who might have been able to help him with what he wanted."
Schenk: "What names?"
Hoby: "You need to talk to a man called Ronald Bryson."

103.5 sec resp. 1 min 43.5 sec




Additional Scene
01:13:23 / 27:56

Additional shots of Gray and Bryson before Schenk comes in.

11.3 sec




Extended Scene
01:24:10 / 38:54

The exterior shot of Pells' green VW Bus begins a bit earlier.

1.3 sec


Additional Scene / Recut
01:35:26 / 50:11

Now the two exterior shots from earlier (please see 50:54/ 00:41). (no screenshots)

4.1 sec


Credits
01:41:59 / 56:48

The UK Version contains end credits & a preview of the next episode while the International Version only contains the actual credits.

18.9 sec