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4K UHD Blu-ray Steelbook with both versions 
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Comparison between the (French) theatrical version and the director's cut, both included on StudioCanal's 4K UHD/Blu-ray Steelbook
15 differences
Luc Besson's 1988 diving thriller The Big Blue remains a visual treat, and with the 4K premiere available since December 11, 2025, in Germany (resp. December 1 in the UK) this is even more apparent. As with the 2021 Blu-ray, StudioCanal is once again releasing two versions of the film: the 168-minute Director's Cut and the 137-minute “theatrical version,” although the latter needs to be classified more precisely. This is the original French theatrical version, but even back then, it was re-edited for international distribution and for American audiences. A further 19 minutes were missing in Germany and the United Kingdom, among other countries, resulting in a total of 49 minutes less than the director's cut (report). In the US, the original score/soundtrack by Éric Serra was replaced by a new score by Bill Conti in this 119-minute version, and the ending was replaced by a more positive alternative in which Jacques reappears with the dolphins. Serra is Besson's regular composer, and directors are known to be particularly reluctant to interference with their final scenes of a movie. So it's not that surprising, that the US version remained exclusively on VHS and Laserdisc* for the time being. The situation is similar with the “European” theatrical cut, which, after the VHS era, was still shown on German TV, among others, but was no longer released. As early as 1991, the longer “extended” director's cut was released on e.g. the German VHS. The 2003 DVD and the first Blu-ray in 2009 also only included the director's cut. As mentioned at the beginning, StudioCanal released the French theatrical version together with the better-known Director's Cut on Blu-ray for the first time in 2021. To quickly recap: the 49 minutes missing from the US/EU theatrical version are exclusively trims in the plot, and in addition to several shorter interventions, two plot blocks lasting over 10 minutes stand out in particular – essentially entire acts that have been deleted. In particular, the love affair between Jacques (Jean-Marc Barr) and Johana (Rosanna Arquette) has been significantly reduced as a result. But what about the original theatrical version from France, which is “only” 30 minutes shorter than the Director's Cut? The one 18-minute plot block featuring a brief separation of the two lovebirds (as well as a new job for the two brothers and a few dolphin/diving shots) is also missing here. Other than that, a few scenes with Enzo (Jean Reno) are lost, but there aren't that many smaller additional cuts as in the EU/US theatrical version to complain about. All in all, the French theatrical version strikes a good balance: it gives the characters enough/more room to breathe in contrast to the EU/US theatrical version, but doesn't get too lost in side plots, as is sometimes the case with the somewhat excessive Director's Cut. Regarding the 4K release and the 2025 4K remastered Blu-rays also included in the set, it can be said that the picture and sound quality offer a clear upgrade over previous releases. Double contours and other flaws in the old HD master are no longer an issue. In terms of sound, some problems with the old German 5.1 mix for the Director's Cut were already fixed in the 2021 Blu-ray, and this corrected soundtrack was then used as the basis for the French theatrical version. Unfortunately, in at least one place with alternative dialogue, the alternative sentence that actually occurs here is missing. On the English or French audio tracks, the proper lines can be heard, so this won't be an issue for international viewers.
Running times are listed according to the following scheme
* The US version was later re-released with American HDTV versions, and we also had access to such a recording for a short digression about this version at the beginning of the report. First, a few quick comments on the US version, which is not included in the StudioCanal set. Here, English credits and alternative logos can be seen at the start, whereas both 4K remastered versions feature the original credits in French.
Here is an audio sample from this first scene to give you a taste of Bill Conti's completely new score. Alternative soundtrack by Bill Conti (US version) In addition, this is how the first scene with Jean Reno in the present day after ~ 10-15 minutes sounds:
Alternative soundtrack by Bill Conti (US version) The quasi-alternative ending should also be mentioned here. After Jacques dives down to the dolphin, the original version (or German/French theatrical cut + director's cut) ends, suggesting that he dies underwater. The US version, on the other hand, adds a few recycled shots from the scene described below at 83:18 / 87:24-106:52, in which Jacques (who has returned to the surface) swims with the dolphin.
Now to the actual differences between the two versions on the Blu-rays and 4K UHD Blu-rays from StudioCanal: 07:02 / 07:02-07:50 After Enzo retrieves the coin from the water instead of Jacques, a dialogue ensues about who should own the coin. Enzo offers a diving challenge for the first time. Jacques refuses. Enzo and his clique disappear without Enzo sharing the coin with them. 48.2 sec
Alternative / Additional material in the theatrical version 39:18-39:20 /40:06-41:05 Here, a shot of Johana is slightly longer in the theatrical version, and the image shrinks in the middle for the scene transition. In the director's cut, the screen fades to black instead...
...followed by an additional scene: Johana lies on the bed and tells her (visibly bored) friend about Jacques.
Director's Cut 56.8 sec longer Additional material in the theatrical version 44:03-44:17 / 45:48 Only in the theatrical cut: While searching for Jacques, Johana gets out of an elevator in the hotel and walks through a rock passageway to the cliffside restaurant. + 14.5 sec
44:48 / 46:18-47:11 The conversation between Enzo and Jacques lasts longer. The two talk about the past years in which they have not seen each other. The last shot of Jacques before this is a few insignificant frames longer in the theatrical version. Director's Cut 52.7 sec longer
60:45 / 63:08-63:51 The doctor examines Enzo and strongly advises him not to dive today. Enzo does not accept this decision and angrily tells the doctor what he thinks. Only he could decide if the sea wants him or not. 43.1 sec
65:40 / 68:46-69:54 The scene in the hallway continues: Jacques arrives and learns that the committee would like to present Enzo with a trophy for his new world record. But Enzo is in his hotel room and refuses to show up. Jacques arrives and is asked to help. When Jacques knocks on the door and says his name, Enzo welcomes him warmly. The visibly annoyed jury asks Enzo to come to the award ceremony again. Enzo says that they should tell the press that he is not feeling well. With that, Enzo slams the door in the jury's astonished faces. Jacques asks Enzo why he doesn't want a medal. Enzo says he'd rather eat pasta - which also fits perfectly with the following scene in both versions. 67.7 sec (= 1:08 min)
Additional material in the theatrical version 83:03-83:11 / 87:17 After a few shots of Jacques watching the dolphin in the sea, the theatrical version shows Johana lying in bed and calling for Jacques - which can also be heard in part over the follow-up shot of Jacques included in both versions. This essentially provides an alternative explanation for the scene in the next cut, because in the theatrical version there is no major crisis between the two and Jacques simply returns to her room instead of going swimming. + 7.7 sec
83:18 / 87:24-106:52 Jacques walks around outside and takes off his clothes. Then you see Johana calling for him – although this is a different take and the same shot is longer at the end: Here, you see her calling on screen. Jacques now goes swimming with the dolphin at length. Johana doesn't notice until early in the morning that Jacques hasn't stayed with her. She waits for him on the beach, worried, and doesn't understand Jacques' behavior. On the same day, the two say goodbye at the train station.
Jacques asks Enzo for advice. Enzo suggests that Jacques work with him as a diver on an oil rig - which they immediately put into practice. However, Enzo and Jacques don't take their job very seriously. In the pressurized air chamber, they philosophize about women, drink alcohol, and dance a drunken waltz underwater. As a result, they both lose their jobs.
Johana - back in New York - has a broken heart, but her friend won't listen to her. She also has to confess to her boss that the supposed assignment in Sicily was a lie and that she had actually just flown to Jacques. Johana can now say goodbye to her job as well. She talks to Jacques on the phone for a long time and they agree to meet again.
Jacques picks Johana up from the airport. On the way to the hotel, the two fall upon each other in the taxi and sleep passionately together in their room. However, Jacques keeps having brief hallucinations of the depths of the sea. Nevertheless, he says “I love you” and the next day he takes Johana to his apartment.
Total: 1168.6 sec (= 19:29 min) Additional material in the theatrical version 83:18-83:33 / 106:52 Instead, the theatrical cut jumps directly from the balcony at night (Jacques returns to Johana in the bedroom) to the French Riviera. This is “bridged” by two exclusive establishing shots. The following shot of the room also begins a little later, and here the door is opened at the beginning. + 14.9 sec
85:06 / 108:24-109:51 The first scene with Uncle Louis is still included, unlike in the German/American theatrical version. But then this is also missing: During the meal, Jacques introduces Johanne again and informs his quirky uncle that Johana will be staying here for a while. Uncle Louie obviously has poor hearing, but ultimately welcomes the news. 87 sec (= 1:27 min)
Additional material in the theatrical version 85:36-85:37 / 110:21 A shot of Johana begins a little earlier. Along with this, Jacques' voice-over commentary was changed - at least in the English and French audio tracks. The German audio track of the theatrical version incorrectly uses the wording from the director's cut, as the audio was cut down by StudioCanal from this template. Theatrical version: “It's funny. The next diving competition is a few miles from here. Dr. Laurence is coming. He wants to meet Enzo.” Director's Cut: “Enzo phoned. He's coming over next week for another competition.” + 1.5 sec
Re-ordered scene 86:41-86:42 and 95:42-97:03 / 111:25-114:59 In the theatrical cut, Jacques and Johana kiss for an insignificant moment longer, and the follow-up shot of Enzo begins a few frames earlier. In return, the Director's Cut has an additional scene: Jacques, Johanna, and Roberto are waiting for Enzo. Uncle Louis complains about the high price of fish. Enzo arrives by speedboat and introduces his new girlfriend Bonita. She is a Spanish actress. Afterwards, they celebrate at Jacques' apartment. Doctor Lawrence also stops by and meets Enzo for the first time. Johanna and Bonita also talk about their friends and possible children – this scene appears unchanged a little later in the theatrical version (see next difference). The Director's Cut 132.5 sec (= 2:13 min) longer
Alternative / Additional material in the theatrical version 95:25-95:42 / 123:42-125:18 In the Director's Cut, Jacques inquires about Enzo's record and is warned by the jury that it will be very dangerous from now on. Jacques is impressed and congratulates Enzo. At the award ceremony, warm congratulations are offered and the jury warns once again that the following depths would be extremely dangerous from now on - nevertheless, the competition will continue.
In contrast, the theatrical cut first shows a long shot of the boats at sunset. This is followed by an alternative take of the scene from the previous cut, in which Enzo is celebrating – the shot is significantly shorter than in the DC. This is followed by the completely identical scene from the previous deviation, in which Johana talks to Bonita about children in the bathroom – as already included.
The Director's Cut 79.3 sec (= 1:19 min) longer 106:21 / 134:37-136:13 After Johana goes to her room, she talks to Jacques on the terrace. She asks him how he feels when he is underwater. Jacques says he finds it difficult to find a reason to keep coming back up. Johana says she has the same problem: she is looking for a reason to stay with Jacques. Jacques then kisses Johana and she says she has now found her reason. 96.4 sec (= 1:36 min)
121:41 / 151:32-152:23 Roberto blames himself for not being on the boat when Enzo died. Finally, we see the piano player again. 50.6 sec
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