The PG-13 version / theatrical version was compared with the Dirtier Cut, both available on the US Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome.

 

I know a dead hooker, when I see one

Mitch Weaver struggles to get by with his best friend Sam (played by Artie Lange) without ever really getting anywhere. When Sam's father becomes seriously ill and needs an expensive operation, the two come up with an unusual plan to start their own “revenge business”: for a fee, they take revenge on their clients' enemies in creative, often chaotic ways.

Dirty Work is an anarchic slapstick comedy full of offbeat humor, absurd situations, and a dose of 90s charm. The film is characterized above all by Norm Macdonald's dry style and cameos from greats such as Chevy Chase, Don Rickles, Chris Farley (in his last role), and John Goodman. It's a veritable gag fest, and while not all of them land, the jokes that do are terrific. Admittedly, the plot sometimes drags and the finale is weak, but that can be forgiven given the high gag density. In my opinion, a real insider tip.

Dirty Work was originally planned with an R rating and filmed accordingly, but in the end, the production studio MGM ensured that it was released in a toned-down PG-13 version. This was very unfortunate, as the R-rated comedy There's Something About Mary was a huge box office hit in the same year.

 

R-rated version available on UHD/Blu-ray for the first time in the US

On July 29, 2025 (available for direct purchase earlier), the film was released on UHD/Blu-ray in the US by Vinegar Syndrome. For the first time, the theatrical version is accompanied by the R-rated version, known as the Dirtier Cut. There are some significant differences between the two versions. Pops is much more outspoken in the Dirtier Cut, and Mitch and Sam's revenge is even more naughty. For example, they give their high school rivals donuts that they have previously put on their penises. Interestingly, the episode in which Mitch and Sam take revenge on the bearded lady is missing from the Dirtier Cut. It seems that the aim was to achieve a running time of around 80 minutes, and this circus episode was inserted due to the cuts made to the PG-13 version.

The bonus material on the Vinegar Syndrome release also includes a 2-hour assembly cut, which appears to be an early cut. This version has significantly more gags to offer, but details on this can be found in a separate report.

Running times:

• PG-13: 81:39 min.
• Dirtier Cut: 83:33 min.

[00:02:33][00:02:33]

After Mitch is comforted by Aunt Jenny, a new scene follows. Mitch tells how he was always chased by a Doberman when he was in high school. That's why he borrowed a German Shepherd from his cousin. However, the German Shepherd turned out to be gay. We see the Doberman being chased by the German Shepherd and then mounted.

DC: 14 sec.


[00:02:51][00:03:06]

In the theatrical version, the previous scene comes after the popcorn explodes in the traffic warden's car.

Then the scene fades out and Mitch can be seen in the car earlier.

The Dirtier Cut shows another scene. Mitch explains that they often used food against people they didn't like. Mitch parks his car, and members of the football team show up and tell him that only the team is allowed to park there. Mitch says that's not true and that the player's mother parks there. Mitch is thrown into a garbage can.

Mitch says that he sent the team a box of donuts with a trick. The football players eat the doughnuts and discover a picture in the box showing Mitch and Sam with the doughnuts stuck over their penises. The players spit out the doughnuts. Mitch says that the cheerleaders suffered too. The cheerleaders are seen spitting out the doughnuts, except for one woman who continues to eat with interest while looking at the picture.

TC: 18 sec.
DC: 35 sec.


[00:07:21][00:07:52]

The theatrical cut continues with the same shot of Sam running up to Mitch and asking if he can do him a favor.

In the Dirtier Cut, the follow shot begins earlier. Sam also asks Mitch if he can do him a favor. Mitch says he won't pay his father a whore. Sam says it's about something else.

TC: 2 sec.
DC: 6 sec.


[00:10:49][00:11:24]

When Sam is arguing with Jason about the woman in the bar, the theatrical version shows Sam saying that he loves the idea.

The Dirtier Cut uses an alternative shot of Sam and Jason. Sam also says that he loves the idea. Jason then says that he wants to take the idea home and lick it all night until it has orgasm after orgasm. Sam says that they should finally fight.

TC: 1 sec.
DC: 13 sec.


[00:12:53][00:13:41]

After Mitch hangs up, The theatrical cut shows Jason giving one of his fraternity brothers a high five. Then Mitch and Sam are seen earlier on the phone.

In the Dirtier Cut, the latent homosexual activity previously mentioned by Mitch is shown. Jason and his fraternity brother watch as five of the students, wearing only their underwear, kneel on the floor and pass a carrot from mouth to mouth.

TC: 6 sec.
DC: 7 sec.


[00:13:46][00:14:35]

The theatrical cut shows Pops watching the aerobics video.

In the Dirtier Cut, Mitch says he's turning down the volume on the hardcore porn. Pops yells at Mitch to go to hell. The following shot of the three in front of the TV starts earlier. During the scene, moaning noises can be heard coming from the TV in the Dirtier Cut, which are missing in the theatrical version.

TC: 4 sec.
DC: 8 sec.


[00:13:59][00:14:52]

The theatrical version cuts to Mitch and Sam earlier. Pops says that he wants to watch the women train.

In the Dirtier Cut, Pops is shown longer. He says that he wants to watch the women make out.

TC: 2 sec.
DC: 2 sec.


[00:14:15][00:15:08]

In the theatrical version, Mitch is shown longer. Pops has a heart attack. Sam rushes over.

In the Dirtier Cut, Pops says to Mitch that he could at least fast forward so that the reaction shot of the sweaty guy isn't the last thing he sees. Pops has a heart attack.

TC: 8 sec.
DC: 11 sec.


[00:14:46][00:15:42]

The theatrical cut cuts to Mitch after Pops wakes up. Pops says he's glad he came. Mitch welcomes him.

In the Dirtier Cut, Mitch appears earlier. He apologizes for not fast-forwarding.

TC: 5 sec.
DC: 5 sec.


[00:15:59][00:16:55]

The theatrical cut cuts to Pops explaining that he loved Mitch's mother like a friend and that it wasn't true love. He goes on to explain that back then there were no modern methods of contraception such as “pulling out.”

In the Dirtier Cut, Mitch and Pops are still visible. The dialogue is the same. However, Pops pulls his arm back when he talks about “pulling out.”

TC: 12 sec.
DC: 11 sec.


[00:21:25][00:22:20]

After Sam and Mitch quit their jobs at the construction site, the scene continues in the Dirtier Cut. Mitch tells Sam that they need a job where they don't have to know anything. Sam has a newspaper in his hand and says that a 1-900 number is looking for people. Mitch is unsure. Sam says it's probably a sports number. Mitch agrees as long as it's not gay phone sex. After that, Mitch is seen on the phone telling a man that he's rubbing his butt and finally says he has to go. Sam is sitting next to him, holding the phone far away from him.

DC: 31 sec.


[00:31:28][00:32:53]

Pops continues in the Dirtier Cut, saying that he worked as a “stunt cock” and explains to Mitch and Sam that he had a big penis.

DC: 6 sec.


[00:31:41][00:33:12]

The theatrical version continues to show Mitch and Pops as he reaches between his legs.

In the Dirtier Cut, there is a close-up of this.

TC: 1 sec.
DC: 1 sec.


[00:32:42][00:34:13]

In the theatrical version, Sam and Mitch are seen earlier in their office. Sam says that he appreciates Mitch's efforts, especially since he doesn't like Pops very much either. Mitch begins by saying that Sam's father is not only his father, but also a good man. He therefore cannot bring himself to tell Sam the truth. Sam replies that Mitch is his best friend and hugs him. Mitch says that Sam should keep his distance. In the background, Kathy can be seen entering the office.

The Dirtier Cut shows another shot of Kathy entering the office.

TC: 44 sec.
DC: 2 sec.


[00:33:55][00:34:45]

When Kathy says that it's her decision, a small man enters the office in the theatrical cut. She finds it disgusting that prostitutes were packed into the trunk of cars. The man says that the stunt with the prostitutes was really cool.

In the Dirtier Cut, Kathy says exactly the same thing. Suddenly, the phone rings. A man named Ed Wilkins leaves a message on the answering machine saying that he has a problem with his neighbor.

TC: 16 sec.
DC: 21 sec.


[00:34:25][00:35:20]

In the theatrical version, the scene continues in the office. The man says that he is small but not invisible and asks for help.

In the next scene, the three are seen on the grounds of a circus. The man explains that he is being harassed by a woman named Heather. Heather, who has a beard, comes up with a glass in her hand and pushes the man over. She asks Mitch if he has ever had a woman with a beard. When Mitch says that this is not the case, Heather says that he has not lived yet. Mitch speaks into his tape recorder as a note to himself that he does not want to live. Heather says that she will wait for him in her trailer. Sam asks if the offer also applies to him. Mitch tells the man, who has gotten back up, that he can help him.

Heather comes to in her trailer and runs away screaming when she notices that her beard is missing. Meanwhile, the man is spray-painting over the word “Bearded” on Heather's trailer.

In the next scene, the man can be seen earlier.

TC: 1:15 min.


[00:39:49][00:39:30]

In the theatrical cut, Mitch and Sam are seen earlier.

In the Dirtier Cut, Sam says to Mrs. Murphy that it's pretty tough that her house is being torn down. Mrs. Murphy shows them a list of the names of every federal official who didn't help her save the house. She asks if Mitch and Sam perform castrations. When Mitch says no, Mrs. Murphy asks about partial castrations. She would be satisfied with one testicle from each of them. Mitch asks her how that will save her house. Mrs. Murphy says that the fight is over and she wants testicle-destroying revenge.

TC: 1 sec.
DC: 42 sec.


[00:40:44][00:41:06]

In the theatrical cut, Mitch tells Sam that he's worried about something else. Sam asks what he means. Mitch explains that they are in prison with prisoners. Sam doesn't understand. Mitch asks if he doesn't know what prisoners do with each other all the time. Mitch is amazed when Sam still doesn't know what he means and whispers it in his ear. Sam says he's never heard that before. Mitch says that prisons are famous for it.

In Dirtier Cut, Mitch says he's worried about anal rape. Sam asks what he means. Mitch explains that there is anal rape in prison. Sam has never heard of it. Mitch says that prisons are famous for it.

TC: 43 sec.
DC: 21 sec.


[00:42:56][00:42:56]

In the theatrical version, Mitch says “Except for the other thing,” while in the Dirtier Cut he says “Except for the anal rape.”

No time difference.


[00:44:09][00:44:09]

In the theatrical cut, Mitch says “I'm telling you, he's doing that dog,” while in the Dirtier Cut, he says “I'm telling you, he screws that dog.”

No time difference.


[00:44:45][00:44:45]

In the theatrical version, Sam says “By the way, you're right, he's definitely doing that dog.”, while in the Dirtier Cut, “By the way, you're right, he's definitely screwing that dog.” can be heard.

No time difference.


[00:45:19][00:45:19]

In the Dirtier Cut, Pops goes on to say that you can buy a lot of “poon” (pussies) with $50,000. Mitch says that they'll get Pops some “poon” and then remarks that it's a disgusting word coming from an old man. Mitch says that they'll get him a new heart first.

DC: 11 sec.


[00:46:05][00:46:16]

In the Dirtier Cut, Pops can be seen longer. He finishes the sentence “That's your mom giving me a hummer.” In the theatrical version, the word “hummer” cannot be heard.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:46:51][00:47:02]

The theatrical cut shows Mitch after Sam wonders why he calls his father “Pops.”

In the Dirtier Cut, Mitch says he doesn't know why he called him that. Sam remarks that he always says “Mr. McKenna” or “your dad.” Hearing Mitch say ‘Pops’ was strange for Sam. Mitch says that in the future he'll call him “dirty rotten prick” and says that now they want to save the dirty, rotten prick.

TC: 1 sec.
DC: 21 sec.


[00:54:55][00:55:25]

In the theatrical cut, Sam tells Travis that they won't leave until they get their $50,000.

The Dirtier Cut uses an alternative shot. Sam says the same thing but adds “jerkoff” at the end.

TC: 3 sec.
DC: 4 sec.


[01:13:21][01:13:52]

In the theatrical version, you hear “Remember to get ass wart cream for giant wart on my ass” over the loudspeaker, while in the Dirtier Cut, you hear “Even with adult diapers, shitting pants is unpleasant.”

No time difference.


[01:14:38][01:15:08]

The scene with Jimmy and Lin appears in the Dirtier Cut at [01:15:27].


[01:15:01][01:15:51]

Jimmy says to Mitch that this would never have happened if he hadn't seen Lin in Mitch's commercial.

DC: 4 sec.


[01:15:31][01:16:25]

In the theatrical cut, Mitch can be seen when Jimmy tells Lin not to contradict him in front of his friends.

In the Dirtier Cut, Jimmy gets into Lin's car. He says the same thing. Lin says that she'll talk to him however she wants. Jimmy says that he'll send her back to Saigon in a wooden coffin.

TC: 4 sec.
DC: 13 sec.


[01:15:42][01:16:45]

Jimmy's “bitch” is not heard in the theatrical cut.

No time difference.


[01:15:47][01:16:51]

Mitch can be seen longer after Jimmy says that Lin bit off his new nose.

After that, Mitch can be seen with Kathy on the phone. Kathy is unsure if she can do it. Mitch calls Aldo and hands Kathy the phone. Kathy asks where the 10 pizzas they ordered an hour ago are. Aldo says he hasn't received any order. Kathy remarks that the pizzas are now free and should be delivered to the Phi Kappa Delta house, otherwise Aldo will be beaten up by her boyfriend Jason. Aldo says he'll come, but he won't deliver any pizza.

Jason and the students are eating donuts when Jason pulls a picture out of the box showing Mitch and Sam pulling the donuts over their penises. Jason spits out the donut. Aldo rings the doorbell with his pizza delivery guys. Jason goes to the door and is knocked down by Aldo. The men storm into the house.

DC: 1:15 min.


[01:15:47][01:18:06]

The scene in the hospital was shown in the Dirtier Cut at [01:15:08].

Pops appears earlier in the theatrical version.

TC: 1 sec.


[01:21:34][01:23:33]

The theatrical version shows the PG-13 rating after the credits.

TC: 5 sec.