This is a comparison between the Theatrical version and the Extended Version (US VHS from Magnetic Video).

Content:

In 1939, 937 Jews hope to be able to travel from Hamburg to Cuba on a ship named St. Louis in order to escape the Nazi regime. Among the passengers are the concentration camp survivors Joseph and Aaron, Professor Egon Kreisler with his wife Denise, Carl and Lili Rosen with their daughter Anna and the older couple Weiler. As the mood is still good at first, the events come thick and fast as the ship is not granted a docking permit in Cuba. Morris Troper, a Jew who recently landed in Cuba, tries to negotiate with the government representatives, which proves to be difficult within the corrupt regime. When no agreement is reached, Captain Gustav Schröder is forced to return to Hamburg, which would be tantamount to a death sentence for the Jews present on the ship.

Based on facts, the movie tells the dramatic story of the odyssey of the St. Louis with a lot of star presence. 937 Jews wanted to get to safety but then became the plaything of various political interests. Beside this problem, other dramas take place on board, like the marriage problems between Egon and Denise, a romance between Anna and a crewmember or the fragile health of Professor Weiler. Among the actors are big names like Faye Dunaway, Oskar Werner, Maria Schell, Malcolm McDowell, Max von Sydow, Orson Welles and in a small supporting role even Laura Gemser can be seen.

Extended version so far only released in the US on VHS

In the US, the extended version from Magnetic Video was released on VHS. Due to the long running time, the film was split onto two VHS cassettes. So far this is the only release of the extended version. All other VHS, DVD or Blu-ray releases contain the well-known theatrical version. Apparently this is an earlier version of the film, which was created by Roger Cherrill according to a note in the end credits. There are numerous differences between the two versions. Scenes have been moved, new or alternative footage is included, others are missing. There are striking new scenes like a planned mutiny by some Jews under the leadership of Aaron, a negotiation attempt by Schröder with the German ambassador to Havana, but also little things like Faye Dunaway, who is seen briefly rushing out of the shower, which is completely missing in the theatrical version.
The theatrical version seems a bit smoother in some points. For example, the re-arrangement of the scenes about the parallel development in Cuba is a bit more coherent than in the extended version. Thanks to various new film material the extended version offers an interesting insight into the montage of various scenes.
Unfortunately, the extended version is only available in 4:3 pan&scan, so that a lot of picture information is lost at the left and right edge of the picture.

Image comparison:

US VHS:

German Blu-ray:

Runtimes:

Theatrical version: 157:52 min. (KF)
US extended version: 181:09 min. (US)
(consisting of:)
US VHS Volume 1: 113:32 min.
US VHS Volume 2: 67:37 min.

[00:00:14][00:00:03]

The VHS begins with the ITC logo.

Afterwards you see two men who are on their way to the harbour. A narrator explains that in 1939 the steamship St. Louis was to leave the port of Hamburg with 937 Jews. The Jewish passengers were promised freedom but in reality it was only a propaganda campaign by the Nazis. In a tunnel, a group of SA people approached the two men. When these questions about what the two are doing here, the men running away. A brawl take place in which the two men are beaten up by the Nazis.

US Version: 2:07 min.


[00:03:36][00:01:18]

In the US Version version, Schiendick runs along the corridor in another shot, then he is led into the commander's room.

The commander is pleased with the information that Schiendick has submitted. He addresses to him that he missed the meeting in New York. Schiendick says the place was under surveillance and that's why he found a new place. He tells him how he used a trick from French crooks. The information was reduced in size and packed into a capsule which can then be inserted into the body. The commander evaluates.

The Theatrical Version shows alternative material. The commander asks Schiendick to sit down. Then they talk only briefly about his good performances.

US Version: 1:02 min.
Theatrical Version: 16 sec.


[00:04:52][00:01:48]

The US Version version cuts towards Schiendick as he wonders why the Jews are allowed to leave. Then the admiral opens the door.

The Theatrical Version shows Schiendick, then another shot of the admiral opening the door. Finally another shot of the dachshund coming into the room.

US Version: 5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 9 sec.


[00:05:06][00:02:05]

When the commander says that Schiendick should join the passengers, in the US Version version you see the commander first followed by Schiendick.

The Theatrical Version shows instead how Schiendick strokes the dog.

US Version: 14 sec.
Theatrical Version: 12 sec.


[00:05:27][00:02:24]

In the US Version version, Schiendick seems a little confused after hearing about the plan.

Theatrical Version shows an alternative shot of this.

US Version: 7 sec.
Theatrical Version: 5 sec.


[00:06:11][00:03:06]

In the Theatrical Version the Admiral can be seen earlier. He says that Schiendick should only fulfill orders.

Theatrical Version: 4 sec.


[00:06:38][00:03:37]

The Admiral tells Schiendick to stay in the background. If he does anything to jeopardize the success of the operation, he'll wish he'd never been born.

Afterwards, passengers can be seen boarding in the port of Hamburg, while further credits are displayed.

In the US Version version the admiral also says that Schiendick should avoid any direct confrontation. The commander tells him that he should now inform the chief of operations.

Schiendick leaves the room. Then follows the scene in which the two men are beaten up by the SA people.

Finally, passengers can be seen boarding in the port of Hamburg.

US Version: 1:36 min.
Theatrical Version: 2:29 min.

[00:08:34][00:06:26]

The US Version version cuts towards Aaron. The father of the family that lost their suitcases is upset. His wife appeases to get on the boat quickly.

In the Theatrical Version the children can be seen longer. Afterwards various passengers. Finally a girl is being checked.

US Version: 37 sec.
Theatrical Version: 28 sec.


[00:09:21][00:07:03]

Before the ship can be seen, the Theatrical Version shows how the family is checked by the Nazis. One of the Nazis reluctantly returns the passport. Afterwards some camera cuts on further travellers.

Theatrical Version: 18 sec.


[00:09:31][00:07:32]

The US Version version shows the man getting out of the car. Then a cut to the wife and children. More passengers are boarding.

The Theatrical Version still shows the same shot in which the man gets out.

US Version: 22 sec.
Theatrical Version: 4 sec.


[00:10:09][00:07:53]

In the US Version version the mother says goodbye to her children. The man urges her to say why the children have to go and the mother can stay.

The children get out of the car. The man tells the sailor that the children will travel alone.

The Theatrical Version has a similar dialogue when the mother says goodbye but consistently shows alternative shot. Then the mother leaves the car with her children.

US Version: 1:23 min.
Theatrical Version: 57 sec.


[00:11:46][00:09:04]

The US Version version cuts to the man briefly.

In the Theatrical Version the mother with the two children can be seen longer. Afterwards a camera cut to the man.

US Version: 1 sec.
Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:12:34][00:09:54]

The Theatrical Version shows once again the crying woman on the ground.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:12:40][00:10:03]

In the US Version version, a sailor asks if he can help the girl. The father gets angry because she talked to someone.

In the Theatrical Version the woman says that her children should not forget her. The man laconically says that she could have gone with him. More passengers go on board.

US Version: 17 sec.
Theatrical Version: 29 sec.


[00:13:03][00:10:38]

The Theatrical Version shows how Aaron is boarding the ship.

Theatrical Version: 8 sec.


[00:13:41][00:11:24]

Aaron's ticket is checked. The man tells him where his cabin is.

Theatrical Version: 14 sec.


[00:14:46][00:12:42]

In the US Version version, Josef says that he did not know what to do and waited outside the gates all night.

In the Theatrical Version Josef says before, that he did not know what happened to Aaron. Then he also tells that he spent the night outside the gates. There are other camera shots to be seen.

US Version: 6 sec.
Theatrical Version: 11 sec.


[00:15:05][00:13:06]

Joseph still says to Aaron that he suspects that it is a trick of the Nazis to let them go just like that. Aaron wants to wait and see.

US Version: 12 sec.


[00:15:59][00:13:48]

In the US Version version you can see Josef and Aaron at the railing.

The Theatrical Version shows an alternative shot of the two. Josef is happy that the ship is leaving in time. Aaron even says that punctuality is a virtue of the Germans.

US Version: 5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 12 sec.


[00:16:44][00:14:40]

The woman is to be seen a bit earlier in the Theatrical Version.

Theatrical Version: 2 sec.


[00:16:50][00:14:49]

The Theatrical Version shows a further shot of the passengers at the railing, than the ship is leaving.

Theatrical Version: 6 sec.


[00:17:07][00:15:12]

In the US Version version, the harbor can be seen, then the passengers, before the camera faded over to the ship.

Instead, the Theatrical Version shows how the passengers look towards the harbor, then it fades over to the ship.

US Version: 16 sec.
Theatrical Version: 7 sec.


[00:17:35][00:15:31]

After the ship has departed, you can see Denise in the US Version version just getting out of the shower and putting on a bathrobe. She tells Egon that they finally take a cruise, which he never had time for before. Egon lies on the bed and thinks. Denise tries to cheer him up a bit but then realizes that he is probably thinking about the girl because he is so alienated from her. Egon gets furious and tells her that there was no love involved in the affair. Denise wants to know from him whether he loves her. Egon says that they are together.

After that, the ship can be seen. At dinner the Rosen family sits at the captain's diner.

In the Theatrical Version you see instead the older couple in their cabin. The woman is happy that the nightmare is over and wonders if they will like it in Havana. The man is confident. Then you can see other shots at the diner.

US Version: 3:48 min.
Theatrical Version: 1:13 min.


[00:21:31][00:16:52]

Lili asks in the US Version at the diner how long the journey will take. Anna hopes that she will not get seasick.

The Theatrical Version cuts to the Captain instead, after that you see the dancers earlier.

US Version: 15 sec.
Theatrical Version: 7 sec.


[00:22:00][00:17:13]

In the US Version version, one can see a camera cut onto the ship, after which the guests are seen dancing.

The Theatrical Version shows a different shot of the people while dancing.

US Version: 35 sec.
Theatrical Version: 8 sec.


[00:22:41][00:17:26]

In the Theatrical Version version Max makes some more food suggestions. Cut to the other people at the table.

Theatrical Version: 8 sec.


[00:22:43][00:17:37]

The US Version version cuts towards the other guests at the table.

In the Theatrical Version you see Max earlier, looking to the side.

US Version: 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 2 sec.


[00:22:48][00:17:41]

Josef tells Max to bring something that is easier to made for them.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:22:53][00:17:50]

Aaron is pleased. Max says wine is served. Aaron is happy with any kind of wine. There is more dialogue at the table. Alice says it couldn't be better in first class. She is looking forward to seeing her son again in Havana. Her husband is still in Germany, though.

Anna is asked to dance with a man. Carl doesn't like this at all.

In the Theatrical Version you only see Aaron, who says that he doesn't care. Afterwards you see Denise, who is surprised that the captain does not come to her table. There follows an alternative shot in which Anna is asked to dance.

US Version: 1:17 min.
Theatrical Version: 23 sec.


[00:24:55][00:18:58]

The US Version version cuts to the clumsy Max once more before he gets a smile from Anna.

US Version: 1 sec.


[00:24:58][00:19:00]

The US Version version cuts to Max once more, then you see Anna dancing.

In the Theatrical Version you see Anna longer, then a cut to Max and another shot of her dancing.

US Version: 7 sec.
Theatrical Version: 8 sec.


[00:25:08][00:19:11]

In the Theatrical Version now follows the conversation of Alice at the table.

The next shot starts earlier.

Theatrical Version: 48 sec.


[00:25:11][00:20:03]

In the US Version version, the blonde dances with a man from the table before finally asking Josef and Aaron to dance. Aaron calls other people from the table onto the dance floor. One of the women takes the leftover food.

On the bridge the captain receives the message that they should increase speed. Since this is too dangerous, they want to take a slightly different route. The captain realizes that they are being used for something.

Morris Troper and Milton Goldsmith walk through Havana. They talk about the fact that more and more refugees are arriving. They meet Luis Clasing, who is sitting in a bar. They order a drink. Troper tells Clasing that the documents for the Jews are not worth the paper they are printed on. Clasing says the papers are limited but passengers are allowed to come to Cuba. Troper does not trust the matter, as suddenly 1000 Jews are allowed to leave the country. Clasing feels attacked and leaves. Troper thinks that Clasing looks scared and wants to know what the reason is.

On the ship the two children run along the corridor. Afterwards you see the older couple. The man means in bed that he doesn't need a doctor. He doesn't believe that they will ever come home again.

Alice is playing on deck with the children. The captain looks down towards the passengers.

Theatrical Version shows alternative scenes in which the blonde brings Josef and Aaron onto the dance floor. The woman takes the leftover food.

At the table, Egon tells that although he lost his position at the university, he was still able to treat Jews. He tells that because of the Hippocratic oath he was obliged to treat SS men as well. Carl gets up from the table angrily when Egon reports that one of the Nazis was friendly to them. Lili explains that the Nazis are the enemies of her husband. Then follows a cross-fade to the ship.

US Version: 9:00 min.
Theatrical Version: 2:56 min.