Part #4 of the classic Scream series by horror guru Wes Craven did not have any problems with the censoring agencies. The MPAA saw no need for alterations and gave it the R-Rating (for strong bloody violence, language and some teen drinking) straight away.

Releasing horror movies in a slightly longer version and calling them Extended or Unrated Version is a well-known marketing strategy in this genre. Except for the first part, which really had to be censored, this does not happen with the Scream franchise. Some fans discovered that the Pay-per-view version of the movie is slightly different in the dialog parts. Fortunately, this version was also released e.g. in Britain as the regular DVD or Blu-Ray.

A precise comparison shows that the PPV cut does not contain any changes reagarding the movie footage, however, there are a few scenes which have been redubbed due to various reasons. These include adding new dialog, changing pre-existing sentences and redubbing to improve audibilty. The latter will not be mentioned in this comparison. The changes are quite reasonable, the PPV cut unfolds the story just a tiny bit more by filling a few story holes and makes the movie seem more complete.


Comparison between the Theatrical Version taken from the US DVD by Dimension Films and the Pay-per-View Cut taken from the UK Blu-Ray by Eiv.

32 differences, consisting of
18 scenes with added dialog
12 scenes with alternative dialog
1 scene with extended background music
1 scene with removed dialog in the Theatrical Version

There is no difference in running time.

Additional Dialog
0:03:42: When Sherrie sees the killer, who has just killed Trudie and is running towards the door, she can be heard screaming: "Trudie! Oh my God!"
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
0:05:15: Chloe says from the off: "It's your own fault."
No difference in time

Extended Background Music
0:11:40: The Song Something to die for by The Sounds can be heard a bit longer in the PPV Cut while Sidney and Rebecca are talking.
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
0:13:38: When the car is approaching, we can hear Olivia say: "Problem with Trevor is, he never quits."
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
0:13:47: When Kirby talks to Jill about her cousin, the PPV adds an explaining "Sidney." to make sure who is the cousin.
No difference in time

Removed Dialog in the Theatrical Version
Theatrical 0:14:43: When Olivia says that she received a similar call, Kirby turns to her and says: "What? Why?" before they have the accident. In the PPV Cut, the Why? cannot be heard. It could not be heard completely and was not necessary anyway.
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
0:15:32: When Deweys partner Deputy Hicks says that she wishes she had already been with the police when he was investigating the police, he reacts differently in the two versions. In the Theatrical, we can barely hear "Hm", whereas he is asking "Why is that?"in the PPV Cut.
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
0:15:47: Dewey says that Gale is writing a Science Fiction novel. The PPV adds "...or trying...", making her look a bit less successful in doing so. This also fits the next scene, in which she has writer's block, better.
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
0:17:20: When Robbie's classmate shows him the approaching Olivia, Jill and Kirby, he is also saying "Look.".
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
0:19:53: When Dewey enters the book shop, Gale talks to him differently .

Theatrical: "What's going on, Dewey?"
PPV Cut: "What are you doing here?"
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
0:20:30: Perkins says: "Hoss, I'm hearing something."
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
0:25:38: When Dewey tells Sidney she would be protected, he calls it differently.

Theatrical: "So, uh, you'll have, uh, 24-hour police surveillance."
PPV Cut: "So, look, you'll have, uh, 24-hour police protection."
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
0:28:50: When Trevor surprises Jill and wants to calm her down by talking to her, he is using different words.

Theatrical: "Hey, be cool. Relax, relax, it's just me."
PPV Cut: "Hey, be cool. It's just me. Relax, relax, it's just me."
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
0:32:10: There is a tiny detail different in Olivia's sentence here.

Theatrical: "You know there are two zombies sitting outside your house in the car?"
PPV Cut: "You know there are two zombies sitting outside your house in a car?"
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
0:37:51: When Perkins and his colleague go to Olivia's house, additional dialog can be heard.

Perkins: "What's going on in here?" When Sidney points to the ground behind her, but nothing can be seen, he asks: "Ma'am?".

When someone asks on the radio what they are doing now, he says: "We'll check out back.".
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
0:38:35: Perkins uses his colleagues name when he tells him to report the situation to the HQ.

Theatrical: "Call it in."
PPV Cut: "Hoss, call it in."
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
0:39:01: When the citizens are calling Sidney names, Perkins and Hoss can be heard.

Perkins: "The kids are over there?"
Hoss: "Over by that tree."
Perkins: "Hoss, clear these people out."
Hoss: "Right."

Hoss then says: "Come on, leave her alone."
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
0:41:42: The physician uses different phrases after having checked out Sidney.

Theatrical: "There’s no broken bones, I think you’ll be fine. I would just take a couple of weeks off."
PPV Cut: "There's no broken bones, I think you'll be fine. Take it easy. You're lucky, Sidney."
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
0:44:53: When Ghostface tells Rebecca that he would like to get her into a morgue, he is using more radical language in the PPV Cut.

Theatrical: "But if you wanna be in the hospital, I'd be happy to put you there. In the morgue."
PPV Cut: "But if you wanna be in the hospital, I'd be happy to put you there. In the fucking morgue!"
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
0:48:34: During the tracking shot around the school, the headmaster can be heard reminding the students of the curfew.

"And remember students, tonight’s town curfew is nine o’clock. You should be home with your doors locked at nine o’clock."
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
1:07:33: Ghostface talks about Sidney's life on the phone.

Theatrical: "Friends count, but it's the family ties that cut deep. Am I right?"
PPV Cut: "Friends count, but it's the family ties that cut deep. Right? Am I right?"
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
1:10:29: When Sidney is driving away with the car, Hicks can be heard calling: "Hey! Hold!"
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
1:28:03: After Jill has killed Trevor, Charlie can be heard saying "That should keep him quiet."
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
1:34:31: Deputy Hicks additionally states "He's gone." after checking on Robbie.
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
1:35:19: Dewey talks differently at Jill's bed.

Theatrical: "Jill, you made it. That’s all that matters."
PPV Cut: "It's okay. You’re gonna be ok. Jill, you made it. That’s all that matters."
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
1:36:45: When Dewey goes away from Jill's hospital room, an announcement can be heard. "Your attention please, there will be a mandatory meeting for all non-emergency personnel in the basement conference room in five minutes."
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
1:38:03: When Dewey realizes who the killer is, he runs out of Gale's hospital room and is swearing differently.

Theatrical: "Shit!"
PPV Cut: "Dammit!"
No difference in time

Alternative Dialog
1:40:10: Jill reaffirms her threat to kill Dewey.

Theatrical: "What? You think I won't do it?"
PPV Cut: "You think I won't do it?"
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
1:40:15: When Gale tells Deputy Hicks to give her gun to Jill, the latter can be heard saying "You heard her!"
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
1:41:06: When Gale looks to Hicks lying on the ground, Jill says "She's not gonna help you." in the PPV Cut.
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
1:41:12: When the camera then tracks to Dewey, Jill adds: "Neither is he."
No difference in time

Additional Dialog
1:42:57: After Gale ran outside to get help, she can be heard calling "Where the hell is everybody?!"
No difference in time