Compared are the Theatrical Version and the Pre-Release Version (both available on the German Blu-ray by MGM).

In Texas, stubborn Thomas Dunson and his foster-son Matt manage to build flourishing ranch with numerous animals. Now, that the civil war is over, there is no market for beef in Texas anymore. Dunson believes the only way out is a cattle drive to Missouri and sell the cattle there. However, the trip turns out to be a strain for everyone because Dunson keeps them on their feet permanently. At some point, the men rebel and Matt takes over. He lets Dunson walk but he is out for revenge. Matt decides to drive the cattle to Kansas because it is closer and he manages to do so. A few days later, Dunson shows up with a bunch of goons, determined to settle the old score for good.

Red River, directed by Howard Hawks, is a Western classic. The movie focuses on the rising conflict between Dunson and his foster-son Matt that ultimately leads to a magnificent finale. The cattle drive is incredibly suspenseful from start to finish - be it that the cattle bolts, heavy rain that causes problems or that the cowboys have to fight off an Indian attack. In addition to that, the movie is shot very well and contains some outstanding landscape shots.

There are two different versions of Red River. The Theatrical Version, according to Peter Bogdanovich the version Howard Hawks prefers, and an extended Pre-Release Version. Basically, the differences are as follows:

• The Pre-Release Version shows numerous book pages from some diary while Groot narrates. This is missing in the Theatrical Version, Groot's narration is audible durign the actual scenes.







• Prior to the rebellion against Dunson, there is an additional with Groot telling Matt that it did not look good for Dunson due to his lack of sleep.







• The Pre-Release Version also contains an additional scenes that shows Matt's sleeping issues. He talks to Groot and mentions that they could be watched by the Indians.







• The big finale with Matt and Tom is much longer in the Pre-Release Version. In the Theatrical Version, Dunson starts shooting at Matt right away. In the Pre-Release Version on the hand, he makes several attempts to provoke Matt. Furthermore, the actual shootout is longer. Only the Pre-Release Fassung shows him causing the facial wound.







• The remaining differences are rather minor. Every now and then, a shot is a little longer. Here and there, the Theatrical Version contains a small scene that is missing in the Pre-Release Version.

According to wikipedia, the ending needed to be cut because Howard Hawks got sued by Howard Hughes because the ending of Red River was too similar to the ending of The Outlaw - a project the two of them were working on together. In my opinion, the extended ending is the better one - the book pages are rather superfluous though. The remaining differences do not carry any weight. For those who want to watch both versions in HD, I highly recommend the US Blu-ray by Criterion.

Duration:

Theatrical Version: 127:00 min
Pre-Release Version: 132:42 min

[00:00:30][00:00:11]

The Theatrical Version begins with the opening credits.

The book is being opened, there is some introductory text.

The opening credits of the Pre-Release Version are slightly different.

Then some introductory text.

The Pre-Release Version contains some text about Thomas Dunson accompanying a train though.

Theatrical Version: 1:28 min
Pre-Release Version: 1:37 min


[00:10:37][00:10:27]

The Theatrical Version fades when Groot whistles.

So does the Pre-Release Version except he gets to whistle longer.

Theatrical Version: 2 sec
Pre-Release Version: 15 sec


[00:13:37][00:13:39]

Subsequent to the shot of the car, the Theatrical Version contains a shot of Tom.

The Pre-Release Version contains some text about Tom's encounter with Matthew instead.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec
Pre-Release Version: 13 sec


[00:13:44][00:13:56]

Transition to the following scene in the Theatrical Version.

In the Pre-Release Version, the shot of the train is longer and Groot keeps talking about the land at Rio Grande looking very well.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec
Pre-Release Version: 5 sec


[00:13:46][00:14:02]

Transition to the next scene in the Theatrical Version.

The Pre-Release Version contains the text one more time, then a transition to the subsequent scene as well.

Theatrical Version: 4 sec
Pre-Release Version: 8 sec


[00:13:51][00:14:10]

Transition from the vehicle to the subsequent scene in the Theatrical Version.

The Pre-Release Version shows some text again, then the vehicle earlier. Then the text one more time, followed by a transition to the subsequent scene.

Theatrical Version: 7 sec
Pre-Release Version: 15 sec


[00:14:10][00:14:39]

Tom longer in the Theatrical Version before he descends.

Theatrical Version: 2 sec


[00:29:30][00:29:57]

The Pre-Release Version contains a shot of Groot, who rode to Matt and Valance, instead.

Pre-Release Version: 2 sec


[00:42:07][00:42:36]

Transition to the subsequent scene in the Theatrical Version.

At this point, the Pre-Release Version contains some more text about taking the cattle North. Then a transition to the subsequent scene.

Theatrical Version: 5 sec
Pre-Release Version: 17 sec


[00:42:15][00:42:55]

The cattle and the wagons longer in the Theatrical Version while the narrator speaks about the train.

Since this narration was already audible when the text appared, the Pre-Release Version shows Tom getting the saddle off the horse right away.

Theatrical Version: 7 sec
Pre-Release Version: 1 sec


[00:44:26][00:45:01]

Transition from Groot to the herd in the Theatrical Version.

The Pre-Release Version contains some text once again. This time, the text reads miles and people appear to become longer and longer by the day.

Theatrical Version: 2 sec
Pre-Release Version: 9 sec


[00:46:05][00:46:47]

Transition in the Theatrical Version.

Text about tired animals that are tough to handle in the Pre-Release Version.

Theatrical Version: 6 sec
Pre-Release Version: 9 sec


[00:48:46][00:49:32]

The cattle guy also says the cojote drove the cattle insane with its constant howling.

Pre-Release Version: 1 sec


[00:49:47][00:50:34]

The guys rise up while the sugar thief tries to catch the falling pots.

Pre-Release Version: 4 sec


[00:49:49][00:50:40]

The Pre-Release Version contains further shots of the guys when one can hear the falling pots hit the ground.

Pre-Release Version: 7 sec


[00:58:25][00:59:24]

Die Theatrical Version blendet gleich auf den Regen um.

The Pre-Release Version shows another page from the book instead. The text here is about how it began to rain heavily.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec
Pre-Release Version: 11 sec


[00:58:47][00:59:54]

The cattle longer & the subsequent shot starts earlier.

Pre-Release Version: 4 sec


[01:00:24][01:01:35]

More text: Groot reports they had set camp after 60 days. A shot of the cattle drive follows.

Pre-Release Version: 10 sec


[01:00:40][01:02:02]

The cowboys longer.

Pre-Release Version: 2 sec


[01:04:29][01:05:54]

In the Theatrical Version, Tom turns around. Then he says he did not like people who gave up and those should speak right away.

In the Pre-Release Version, the shot of Tom shooting the cowboys is longer: He turns around and starts speaking. His words are the same.

Theatrical Version: 7 sec
Pre-Release Version: 10 sec


[01:08:10][01:09:38]

Transition to the subsequent scene in the Theatrical Version.

The Pre-Release Version contains a further shot of some page from the book. Groot says the cowboys kept moving because Tom was pushing them ruthlessly.

Theatrical Version: 2 sec
Pre-Release Version: 9 sec


[01:12:29][01:14:04]

When the cattle is being driven across the Red River, the Theatrical Version contains an additional shot.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec