Compared are the cut Syndicated Version (UK Blu-ray by Fabulous Films / First Edition) and the uncut Original Version (German DVD by Universal).

- 9 cuts
- Length difference: 354.9 sec resp. 5 min 54.9 sec

Please note: Minor differences such as missing credits, missing or different black screens etc. have not been listed in the following comparison. The focus is on the alteration made for reruns in syndication and that is it.



Basically, the UK Blu-ray is a highly recommendable release even though some people complain about the abscene of the TV movie "Knight Rider 2000" because it is available as bonus of the DVD release. The problem is that this was originally another pilot for second Knight Rider series that never saw the light of day. So technically, the movie is not part of the original Knight Rider from 1982. However, definately worth criticizing is the fact that the Blu-ray set only contains the shorter Syndicated Versions of all the two-part episodes which have been cut to a length of approx. 45 minutes (Blu-ray / NTSC) in order to fit in the slot.


But at least one has the chance to get the discs with the uncut episodes via Fabulous Films. One can either send the discs with the Syndicated Versions and get a free replacement or one can keep the old discs and get the ones with the uncut episodes for a small fee (payment via Paypal). Either way, the new discs then will be shipped to your address.
According to Fabulous Films, the first batch with the shorter episodes is completely sold out. But of course, there is still a slight chance that one gets a copy of those because the vendor still has some in stock.



Last but not least, a few words about the Syndicated Versions: Admittedly, they are still OK to watch but fans will realize that scenes are missing. The huge exception here is the pilot "Knight of the Phoenix". While the alterations of the second part of the pilot are being kept within bounds, they did a real number on the first part of the pilot. Including the opening, "Knight of the Phoenix Part 1" has a total length of approx. 3.5 minutes (!) and after that, the second part already begins. Basically, everything is missing. If one is not familiar with the show or the story of the pilot, it is incredibly hard to follow resp. I would say it is almost impossible. This is also the reason why the Syndicated Version of the pilot only consists of one single episode while the other two-part episodes still consist of two episodes each. Considering that there are only 3.5 minutes left of the first part of the pilot, this is not a surprise though.



Time index refers to
Syndicated Version (UK Blu-ray) – Uncut Version (German DVD in PAL)

06:43 / 49:24

Missing scene at FLAG headquarters. Devon and April are having a conversation about Michael's mysterious disappearance. Rita is also there.
April: "I can't raise Michael or K.I.T.T. It's like they've vanished."
Devon: "I wish Michael hadn't rushed into the desert like a Bedouin."
Rita: "It's all my fault. I should have waited until I knew more."
Devon: "Nonsense. Michael is perfectly capable of assessing the risks in this situation."
Rita: "I know how this must look. Me back with Garthe and passing the information on to Michael."
April: "Rita, Michael believed you. So do we."
Devon: "Well, there's no point in standing around here, waiting and wondering. I'm flying to SAC headquarters as soon as possible. April, I just you to stand by. Just in the event of…"
April: "I have a semi on full alert and ready to roll."
Devon: "Good. (now to Rita) You'll stay with us, of course."
Rita: "I should go back to the hotel."
Devon: "I'm afraid it's more than likely Garthe is suspicious of you. In fact, he may have used you to lure Michael out there."
Rita: "If that's true, he'll be suspicious if I don't return. And if it isn't, there's still a chance I can find something that'll help."
Devon looks at April who agrees with Rita.

66.9 sec resp. 1 min 6.9 sec




08:04 / 51:49

The beginning of Devon's conversation with General Maddux is missing.
Maddux: Devon, you have to understand my position. You can't walk in here with this… this incredible story and expect me to take it to the President."
Devon: "Red Bluff is going to be attacked. I can guarantee that."
Maddux: "Just prove it. Give me a shred of evidence, Devon. Anything."
Devon: "I've told you all I know."
Maddux: "African messiahs, Las Vegas plots, some crazy formula… My God, do you have any idea what that sounds like?"
Devon: "Yes. An international crises."

29.1 sec



10:10 / 54:19

The first shot of "Desert Guy" is missing.

10.3 sec



10:14 / 54:33

The scene in which Michael and K.I.T.T. are driving past him is missing as well. When they are gone, "Desert Guy" takes a sip of water because he seriously believes he is halucinating due to dehydration.

16.5 sec



10:25 / 55:01

A further part of the joyride is missing.
K.I.T.T.: "Look out, Michael. There's a mountain."
Once again, they encounter "Desert Guy". When he sees K.I.T.T., he hits the deck.

25 sec



10:36 / 55:37

The beginning of the scene is missing: Garthe walks around Goliath, then he climbs up.

12.9 sec



35:52 / 01:20:01

Two missing exterior and one missing interior shot of Goliath.

11.8 sec




37:47 / 01:21:59

When the missiles are being loaded, some part of the action is missing.

27.7 sec



44:06 / 01:28:30

The final scene is also missing. The Syndicated Version simply shows Michael and Rita standing next to Garthe who is lying on the ground unconscious. Roll credits.

In the Uncut Version on the other hand, a rather long scene follows instead: Michael, Devon, April and Rita are leaving the casino.
Devon: "I have a feeling that no one's going to be seeing very much of Garthe Knight for some considerable time to come."
Michael: "No one on the outside, at least."
April: "What about Elizabeth?"
Devon: "I suspect she'll get what she deserves. My, she was a wonderful woman once upon a time."
Michael (to Rita): "You know, we owe you and Ron an awful lot."
Rita: "Oh, thanks. But it's really Ron who deserves the credit. Ron and The Foundation. Well…"
Rita and April shake hands.
April: "Bye-bye."
Rita (to Devon while he is kissing her hand): "I'll see you. (now to Michael) Hey, listen. If you're ever in Los Angeles…"
Michael interrupts: "I'll look for your picture on a billboard on Sunset."
Rita: "OK."
They hug.
Rita: "Bye-bye."
Michael: "OK. Take care."
Rita (while getting in a cab): "You, too."
Michael: "It's straight ahead."
Rita: "Bye."
Rita drives off in the cab and Michael presents his cashier's check from the casino.
April: "Oh, what's that?"
Michael: "This is my cashier's check. For my winnings at the crap table."
April: "Eh, too bad it has to be returned."
Devon: "Oh, yes. You were on Foundation business, Michael. Sponsored by Foundation funds."
Devon puts the check in his pocket.
April: "Coordinated by Foundation equipment and Foundation intelligence."
Devon and April walk away but Michael keeps trying to get at least a part of the money.
Michael: "Yeah, well, I think 10 % is fair. 10% of that. 8%. OK, OK. 5%, that's it."
Devon: "By the way, Michael. We'll expect you in the office first thing in the morning and eh… good work, Michael."
April is already in the car and Devon now gets in as well.
But Michael refuses to surrender: "3%. Ok, 2%. A roll of quarters for the slot machines!"
The car has left. Michael laughs. He then makes his peace with getting nothing.
Michael: "Outta here!"
He returns to K.I.T.T.
K.I.T.T.: "Michael, I've been thinking about the whole phenomenon of gambling. You were right, it's all odds. It's actually rather intriguing."
Michael: "Well, sure, if you got money and a system."
K.I.T.T.: "All I have is 413 dollars you owe me from computer blackjack. But I have devised a rather innovative system. I estimate an average return on investment of 67.3%."
Michael: "67? Woo. That's not bad, buddy."
K.I.T.T.: "Yes. And all one needs to begin is 20 dollars."
Michael empties his pockets.
Michael: "20 bucks? That's it? I got it. I got 20 bucks here somewhere."
All of a sudden, the guy Michael gave some chips to shows up.
Guy: "Hey, lucky. Where to next? You name it, pard. Roulette, blackjack, craps. Hey, lucky. You're my man."
Now, Michael does not want to gamble anymore. He grabs his stuff, gets in the car and drives off.
Michael: "Oh, no."
Guy: "You're the king."
Michael: "Not again."
Guy: "Where you going? Come on back."
Michael: "See ya."
Guy: "Hey, lucky. Hey, lucky. Come on back!"

154.7 sec resp. 2 min 34.7 sec