Compared are the cut US DVD by Anchor Bay and the uncut UK Blu-ray by Arrow Video


- 3 cuts
- Length difference: 17.8 sec



The Initiation is one those charmingly stupid 80s slasher. Shot in 1984, it was released when the boom was almost over which is probably why it never got a lot of attention in the first place. From the technical point of view, the movie is pretty decent actually and quite entertaining as well, due to the appropiate level of violence. Not to mention the college setting that results in some ridiculously funny situations.


Unfortunately, the US DVD by Anchor Bay lacks three small scenes which makes the release useless. However, Arrow Video released a lovely Blu-ray in both the UK and US. Released in late 2016, the Blu-ray based on a new 2K scan and the three missing scenes are in the movie as well. The US release is also rated R, just like the Anchor Bay DVD. Odds are the movie was never cut for an R and the rating has nothing at all to do with the abscene of those three scenes.



Time index refers to
US DVD (in NTSC) / UK Blu-ray

37:27-37:34 / 37:27-37:34

Probably a jump cut: Before one gets to see Andy naked while Marsha goes for a stroll, the last interior shot of the party is longer.

7 sec

38:41-38:46 / 38:41-38:46

The tracking shot is longer hence more party footage. Furthermore, the shot of Andy and Marsha starts a little earlier.
Andy: "Moaning and groaning? I don't buy it."

5 sec

Please note: The Arrow Blu-ray contains a so-called "Extended Scene" as part of the bonus features. This scene contains even more party footage - without audio though. According to Arrow, the audio track was untraceable and the scene was added to the bonus section of the Blu-ray just the way it had been found on the original negative.


80:10-80:16 / 80:10-80:16

After Alison's blood-smeared hand hits the ground, there is an additional shot of her legs resp. of her body being dragged away. Ten the Geisha statue one more time.

5.8 sec