The original "Battlestar Galactica" feature film was actually the pilot of the original TV-series. In order to get the pilot ready for the theatres, some minor changes have been made to the three-part TV-version. Firstly, the movie was shortened by 12 minutes to attain a duration for the cinemas which was about two hours. Additionally, a few scenes were rearranged.

Despite these cuts in the theatrical version, some scenes can be found in the cinema versions which are not there in the TV-version, e.g. the death of Baltar.








For the TV-version, the format 4:3 has been extended by black bars both on the top and on the bottom of the screen, hence constructing the 1.85:1 format out of it.

Comparison of the screen-formats of the cinema- and TV-version

What needs to be mentioned still is that the TV-version has the brighter image while the image of the cinema version is distinctly sharper.

The comparison is based on the German Universal DVD of the theatrical version and the Universal DVD of the series' box.

0.00
The movie starts with the Universal logo.
15 Sec

2.52
The Galactica passes by the camera. The shot is meant to show the extent of the Battlestar.
8 Sec

22.00
A cyclones’ starship fires at the Atlantia. An explosion happens on the conning bridge and one man catches fire.
4 Sec

25.28
The Galactica turns away from the battle. This brief shot (cf. picture) was only inserted at a later position in the TV-version.
No difference of time

40.34
After Commander Adams has reported his crew about the earth, the cyclones’ basis is visible in the next shot of the cinema version. There, the centurion informs his commander about the Galactica not having been destroyed at the first attack as the other Battlestars were, but that it was able to flee. In the TV-version the scene is only visible at 49:51.
No difference of time

1:10.16
The cyclone draws a sword and decapitates Baltar who thereby receives his just punishment for betraying mankind.
3 Sec