Comparison between the cut British BBFC 18 VHS by Warner (1993) and the uncut German Blu-ray by Warner (FSK 16 / Theatrical Version)

- 2 cuts
- Runtime difference: 12 sec

A few additional master errors with a duration of less than 0.5 sec each were not listed in the comparison.

 

Since 2012, a 25-minute longer extended version of Once upon a Time in America has been available, but before this, both in Germany and internationally (with the exception of America with a radically defused version), the almost 4-hour theatrical version was already in use. In Great Britain something has changed over the years through new rating rounds.

The British theatrical version was shortened according to BBFC by 16 seconds. In 1986, the first VHS release by Warner came out and here the runtime of the cut material was somewhat shorter: 10 seconds are missing according to the database entry in this version compared here. In fact, it is 12 seconds. Sexualized violence was the problem, the "stroking" over the chest with a pistol was withheld from the British audience. During the rape in the car, one shot was also shortened a little. In 1996, at the next rating round with the same BBFC 18 release, the "All previous cuts waived" note was found and since then the film has also been available uncut in England.

Runtimes are ordered as follows: British VHS in PAL / FSK 16 Blu-ray

Additional logos at the beginning of the Blu-ray.

Blu-ray 20 sec longer

British VHS	German Blu-ray

12:21 / 13:14-13:25

The shot is longer and Beefy (Frank Gio) drives his gun over the woman's breasts. It is led to her face, she shivers. The follow-up shot also starts a bit earlier, in the off he strokes her further. As the gun reaches up to the man's face, the British VHS starts again.

10.4 sec

148:57 / 155:51-155:53

At the end of the shot, Noodles pulls the dress shred to the side so you can see Deborah's genital area. He starts his attempt to rape her.

1.7 sec

153:50 / 160:58-161:32

The UK VHS lacks the intermission here.

32.4 sec

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Finally a small image comparison. Depending on the shot, the UK VHS in full screen is zoomed to different parts of the image.

British VHS	German Blu-ray