This is a comparison between the R-rated theatrical version (Blu-ray from Paramount) and the US TV version (TNT).

Together with his friend Allen Hawes, Tommy Jarvis drives back to Crystal Lake to burn Jason's body, because nightmares still plague him. They open Jason's grave but a lightning strike brings Jason back to life. Hawes is killed and Tommy runs to the local sheriff to warn him but instead of taking the warning seriously, Tommy is put in a cell. He gets support from Megan, the Sheriff's daughter, who is reviving the summer camp with a few other teenagers. A very bad time for this because Jason is on a killing spree and slashes through the ranks of the camp supervisors.

After the moderately successful fifth part, the producers of the series dropped the idea to make Tommy Jarvis the new antagonist of the series, as it is still hinted at the end of Friday the 13th - A new beginning. Instead, Jason is awakened to new life, who now slashes through the ranks of teenagers as an undead superhuman for the rest of the series. Due to the speedy staging, the right humor, at the right time and of course the return of Jason, Friday is the 13th - Jason lives! is one of the best parts of the Friday the 13th franchise.

On US television, an edited version of the film was shown on TNT. As is also the case with various other TV versions, swear words were removed, the violence was greatly reduced and the sexual context was shortened. Scenes in which swear words can be heard were either cut, newly synchronised or replaced by alternative footage. Scenes of violence were mostly shortened, including curious adjustments. In this way, attempts were made to prevent the maggots from being seen on Jason's face. Due to the cuts, several new scenes were added to the film. Among them are mostly unspectacular shots of Jason walking through the area or landscape impressions. However, the TV version has two striking new scenes.

Megan drives her car to get Tommy out of the cell.

After Rick's locked up, he's seen raving in the cell. He tries to reach the key with a blanket, which he fails to do.

The TV version is especially interesting for fans of the movie. Through the skilful use of alternative footage, the censorship is not noticeable. The exclusive scenes for the TV version are manageable and offer little new except for the scene with Megan and Rick.

Image comparison:

TV version:

Theatrical version:

Runtimes:

TV version: 87:43 min.
Theatrical version: 87:08 min.

[00:00:43][00:00:46]

The scene starts earlier. You can see a dog feeding on the overrun animal.

KF: 5 sec.


[00:01:33][00:01:41]

After the fuel-can has been swivelled, the TV version shows a further shot of the sky incl. lightning.

TV: 5 sec.


[00:01:56][00:01:56]

The TV version shows another shot of Tommy walking across the cemetery.

TV: 4 sec.


[00:02:17][00:02:16]

A little later the TV version shows an additional shot of Hawes.

TV: 4 sec.


[00:02:30][00:02:25]

After Jason's tombstone was shown, the TV version shows the sky.

TV: 7 sec.


[00:03:39][00:03:27]

While Jason's grave is being opened, the TV version cuts onto the sky again.

In the theatrical version you see Tommy a little earlier instead.

TV: 2 sec.
KF: 2 sec.


[00:04:37][00:04:25]

The TV version shows Tommy retreating from the grave. Then you can see Hawes closing his mouth with nausea.

The theatrical version shows the body of Jason in close-up, in between a camera cut on Hawes, who holds his hand in front of his mouth.

TV: 13 sec.
KF: 13 sec.


[00:05:02][00:04:50]

The TV version shows the body of Jason.

The theatrical version shows another shot in which the camera zooms in on Jason's body.

TV: 3 sec.
KF: 5 sec.


[00:05:12][00:05:02]

The TV version shows Jason's body.

The theatrical version shows a different shot of his corpse.

TV: 2 sec.
KF: 5 sec.


[00:05:16][00:05:09]

The TV version shows the body of Jason and then Tommy looking around.

The theatrical version shows an alternative shot of the corpse and Tommy looking around.

TV: 12 sec.
KF: 7 sec.


[00:05:39][00:05:28]

The TV version shows Hawes. No dialogue can be heard.

The theatrical version shows the corpse, with Hawes in between. He says "Oh, shit."

TV: 2 sec.
KF: 3 sec.


[00:05:42][00:05:32]

In the theatrical version there is another shot of the corpse while Tommy chopping on it.

KF: 0.5 sec.

[00:05:49][00:05:39]

After Tommy has stopped, the TV version shows an additional shot of Hawes and then a shot of the sky.

TV: 4 sec.


[00:06:13][00:05:59]

In the TV version Tommy throws the mask into the grave.

In the theatrical version he holds the mask in his hand. In another shot he throws it into the grave, saying "Yeah, fuck you, Jason."
The next shot starts a bit earlier.

TV: 3 sec.
KF: 4 sec.


[00:06:29][00:06:15]

Jason can be seen longer, than he gets hit by lightning.

KF: 2 sec.


[00:06:43][00:06:30]

Jason opens his eye in the TV version.

The theatrical version has a different shot, in which maggots can clearly be seen in his face.

TV: 3 sec.
KF: 4 sec.


[00:07:13][00:07:01]

The TV version zooms as the eye of Jason is seen.

No time difference. (2 seconds each)


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

Again, the eye is zoomed in.

No time difference. (1 sec. each)


[00:08:11][00:07:59]

The theatrical version shows maggots falling from Jason to the ground.

KF: 4 sec.


[00:08:21][00:08:13]

Jason pierces Hawes. The next shot starts a bit earlier.

KF: 2 sec.


[00:10:10][00:10:03]

After the opening credits, the TV version shows a shot of the sky and the forest.

TV: 12 sec.


[00:10:26][00:10:09]

After Jason was seen, the TV version shows the police station.

TV: 3 sec.


[00:10:54][00:10:34]

Alternative dialogue in the TV version:

Sheriff: "Shut up."

Theatrical version:

Sheriff: "Don't piss me off."

Image for classification:

No time difference.


[00:11_26][00:11:06]

The "shit" of Tommy is not to be heard in the TV version.

Tommy: "Look there's no time for this bull[shit]".

Image for classification:

No time difference.


[00:11:31][00:11:12]

The Sheriff can be seen a bit earlier but the following sentence is missing.

Sheriff: "That's what's known in the books as >>screwing the pooch<<".

KF: 1 sec.