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

13 differences, consisting of
- 10 additional scenes
- 2 extended scenes
- additional end credits
- Length difference: 387 sec resp. 6 min 27 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)

Additional Scene
05:20 / 05:20

Reed pays Luther a visit at the hospital. They are playing chess but Luther is thinking of something else.
Reed: "This may turn out to be the first time I actually beat you."
Reed gets a text.
Reed: "Gotta go."
Reed gets up, pats Luther on the back and leaves. Luther watches him. He then bends over and looks at the chess board.

Leap in time: 7 months later. First Madsen in the hospital bed, then a nurse in the hallway.

88.9 sec resp. 1 min 28.9 sec


Additional Scene
11:41 / 13:10

Luther enters the station. The others welcome him back. Teller gives him a mug.
Teller: "For you."
Luther: "Thank you."
They hug, Luther then reads out loud what it says on the mug.
Luther: "What's it say? Ehm… 'You don't have to be mad to work here but it helps'."
People are laughing. Then Reed who welcomes Luther back with open arms.
Reed: "Good to see ya."
Luther goes to his office but turns around one more time before entering.
Luther: "Well, eh… thank you."

32.8 sec




Additional Scene
16:56 / 18:57

The International Version only contains the beginning of the shot of Alice. (1.6 sec)
In the UK Version on the other hand, the conversation continues.
Alice: "I've gt this feeling, this strange feeling like I'm looking at it down the wrong end of a telescope. Like it happened years ago."
Luther: "That can happen with stress. Different parts of the brain take over. We remember things in different ways." (25.4 sec)

23.8 sec

International Version	UK Version

Extended Scene
16:57 / 19:23

In the UK Version, Luther yawns insignificantly earlier.

0.6 sec


Additional Scene
19:32 / 21:58

Again, the conversation is longer in the UK Version.
(Luther: "I see you got your PhD at 18 years old. Astrophysics was it?"
Alice: "Dark Matter Distribution in Disc Galaxies."
Luther: "Dark matter.) That's the stuff that makes up the universe. But it doesn't interact with the things we know and in the way we expect."
Alice: "No, but it's presence can be inferred from gravitational effects on visible matter. We know it's there."
Luther & Alice at the same time: "We just can't see it."
Alice: "Would many police officers be able to gain my trust by having this conversation?"
Luther: "I don't know, I just like to read books."
Alice: "It beats burning them."
Luther: "No, but you're the one that's (practically a genius.)"

28.7 sec



Additional Scene
19:51 / 22:46

Ditto.
Luther: "(These child prodigies, they're not one thing or the other, they're sort of freaks really.)But I expect your parents were… proud."
Alice: "Very.There were newspaper articles. Pictures of mom, dad and me smiling in the library. When I was 9, I proved tangent minus 1x. They bought me a dress. Got me on the news."
Luther: "I wonder what that was like. You know 13 years old, classmates were what? 20,22? No friends your age. No boyfriends."
Alice: "Quite a presumption. Actually, I matured very early sexually."
Then one last shot of Luther.

39 sec



Additional Scene
23:22 / 26:56

Additional shots of Luther and Alice in the UK Version.

33.1 sec




Additional Scene
26:09 / 30:16

In the UK Version, one also gets to see Luther leave Zoe's house. There is additional footage of Zoe as well, followed by Luther getting in his car.

29.7 sec




Extended Scene
38:05 / 42:42

Luther briefly longer on his way out.

0.4 sec


Additional Scene
38:10 / 42:47

In the UK Version, the scene is not over yet. When Luther leaves the building, Ripley is already waiting for him. Also, Alice is nearby as well. She is eavesdropping.
Luther: "How did you know I was here?"
Ripley: "Your phone was off. DI Reed said 'Try the wife.'."
Luther: "Oh, yeah? Any news on the gun that killed the Morgans?"
Ripley: "No, we're still looking. But ballestics came back back on the bullets fired. They were 9mm Parabellum. Designed for ultra compact weapons."
Luther: "Good work."

15.3 sec



Additional Scene
44:00 / 48:52

Additional scene with Luther and Ripley.
Ripley: "Give me your wife's address."
Luther: "What? Why?"
Ripley: "I'll stay on her. Make sure she’s OK. You take down Alice Morgan."

8.5 sec



Additional Scene
48:32 / 53:33

Luther gets out of the car. He walks up to Ripley who is sitting in his car, keeping an eye on Zoe's house. Luther knocks at the window.
Luther: "Alright, Justin. You can go home now, alright?"
Ripley: "You sure?"
Luther: "Yeah, yeah. I'm good. Alright?"
Ripley: "OK. Sure, yeah?"
Luther: "Very sure. Go on."
Luther heads to the house, Ripley drives off. With Luther almost being at the front door, the versions are back in sync.

32.2 sec



Credits
51:41 / 57:14

Only the UK Version contains end credits & a preview of the next episode.

54 sec