Compared are the Recut (German Free TV) and the Uncut Version (German DVDs by Studio Hamburg).

41 differences, consisting of
- 18 removed scenes (incl. 2 recuts)
- 20 extended scenes
- 2 removed scenes in the Uncut Version (=recuts)
- 1 extended scene with alternate footage
- missing recap and credits (as a result of the recut)
- Total difference: 1397.52 sec resp. 23 min and 17.52 sec


The Fall is a British TV show shot for BBC Two. Its first episode aired on 05/13/2013. The second season started to air on 11/09/2014, a third season has already been announced.

In Germany, the first two seasons also aired but the German network ZDF did not broadcast the original BBC Versions. Instead, they decided to recut the two seasons to longer episodes with an approximate length of 90 minutes each. In order to do so, cuts/alterations were made. Episode 1 (ZDF) consists of episode 1&2 (BBC), episode 2 (ZDF) consists of episode 2-4 (BBC) and episode 3 (ZDF) consists of episode 4-5 (BBC). The chronology of events remains the same (except for a few recuts but I will go into that in the actual comparison) but the Recuts always end during the actual episode (BBC Version) - except for the final episode 5, of course.

The second season does not consist of 5 but of 6 episodes. This made it a little earlier to recut. Now, there always 2 episodes used for 1 recut episode. In other words, episode 1 (ZDF) consists of episode 1&2 (BBC), episode 2 (ZDF) consists of episode 3&4 (BBC) and episode 3 (ZDF) consists of the two final episodes 5&6 (BBC).

Every single episode - whether Recut or BBC/Uncut Version - contains the same opening credits. The title is the same as well. Due to the process of recutting the episodes, the credits are placed differently in the Recut Version. The actual footage however remains unchanged. For that reason, the credits will be mentioned in the comparisons but I will not go into detail and will not be any screenshots for that either. Same goes for the end credits: They will be mentioned but that is it. I would also like to point out that only the Uncut Version contains the end credits. In the Recut Version, they have been cut.



Last but not least, a few words regards the differences of these two versions. The shorter Recut Versions are just fine, no elementary scenes are missing. However, one should rather watch the Uncut Versions. Admittedly, whether or not the shot of a character is half a minute longer is completely irrelevant. But then again, some quite interesting scenes that are worth being watched have been removed as well.
Both the US and UK Blu-ray/DVD release contain the Uncut Version.



Time indes refers to
Recut – Uncut Version.

Extended Scene
02:27 / 02:27

The end of the shot of Annie Brawley telling Stella what happened to her is longer in the Uncut Version.

2.2 sec



Extended Scene
02:27 / 02:29

Furthermore, the following shot of Stella starts a little earlier.

1.8 sec



Extended Scene
02:29 / 02:34

Annie earlier.

3.88 sec



Extended Scene / Alternate Footage
02:37 / 02:43

Contentwise, the versions are identical. However, the Uncut Version shows Stella a little longer while the Recut shows Annie earlier.

5.72 sec

Recut	Uncut

Extended Scene
03:12 / 03:26

A few extended shots + 1 additional shots in the Uncut Version. The dialog remains unchanged.

11.12 sec

ZDF	Uncut

Extended Scene
03:51 / 04:17

The end of the shot of Paul is longer. In the Recut, he starts drinking and that is it. In the Uncut Version, he empties his glass. Then he continues playing the piano. As a result, the off-screen dialog between Stella and Annie starts later because it starts at the end of the sceene with Paul. The dialog itself remains unchanged.

11.8 sec



Extended Scene
04:30 / 05:08

Stella talks to Annie about the fingerprints they found. Then Stella in front of and Annie on the bed.

Also, the shot of Stella starts a little earlier in the Uncut Version while the Recut sticks to Annie a little longer.

Screenshots to illustrate the scene



11.12 sec


Extended Scene
04:41 / 05:30

Annie slightly longer.

1.16 sec


Extended Scene
04:50 / 05:40

Stella slightly longer.

0.8 sec


Extended Scene
04:53 / 05:44

The exterior shot of the house is also longer.

1.52 sec


Removed Scene
05:02 / 05:54

A longer scene is missing here. First, there is an interior shot of the house. Then Paul pouring a drink. When his glass is empty, Stella's conversation with Annie begins via voice-over. At some point, their conversation continues on-screen.

80.8 sec



Extended Scene
05:02 / 07:15

The shot of the cell phone on the table starts earlier.

3.6 sec


Extended Scene
05:24 / 07:41

Paul longer when he is on the phone with his daughter Olivia. Olivia asks about her dolls she left at the house. She wants Paul to bring them to her. In the Uncut Version, she asks him more often.

5.12 sec



Extended Scene
06:39 / 09:01

The second shot of Stella in front of the house briefly longer.

0.6 sec


Removed Scene
06:43 / 09:05

Further shots of Stella approaching the house are missing.

23.08 sec



Removed Scene
07:05 / 09:59

A shot of Stella inside the house is missing.

7.64 sec



Extended Scene
07:05 / 09:59

The subsequent shot of Stella begins earlier.

2.44 sec


Extended Scene
07:17 / 10:14

Stella longer on the stairs.

6.52 sec



Removed Scene
07:21 / 10:24

Missing shot of Paul.

10.64 sec



Removed Scene
08:20 / 11:34

2 missing shots when Stella acts like Will Graham resp. when she attempts to recapitulate what happened at the crime scene.

20.48 sec



Removed Scene
08:35 / 12:09

Another missing shot of Stella.

7.76 sec



Removed Scene
10:42 / 14:24

Another missing scene starting with 2 shots of Paul.

Now Stella and Jim leaving the house. Jim asks where her car was, she points at it.

Stella goes to her car and so does Jim. Having arrived at her car, several guys show up and threaten her. At some point, Stella gets in the car. The guys leave and Stella drives off. Jim, who witnessed the entire thing from his car, now leaves as well.

After that, Stella enters the hotel. She opens the door to her room and puts a package on the bed. She opens it and we get to see her uniform. Stella goes to the window and looks outside.

223.28 sec resp. 3 min 43.28 sec


Removed Scene
11:01 / 18:27

Olivia serves her mom Sally Ann tea in bed. Sally Ann does not like that Olivia made the tea all by herself but she also says the tea was nice. Olivia says she was going to serve her daddy tea as well as soon as he was back.

Paul is making coffee.

Subsequently, Stella shows up in her car. She is wearing her uniform. Reporters are there as well but she basically ignores them. She does confirm that the victim that survived is helping with the investigation though. Stella enters the building, Jim is already waiting for her. They talk about Stella's uniform, then they get in the elevator. Jim also tells her what might happen with the investigation.

151.88 sec


Removed Scene
14:02 / 24:00

And again, a longer sequence is missing in the Recut. Starting with Stella in the car, she sees the newspaper article about her. Also, there are a few exterior shots.

Then Paul who is packing his stuff and putting his wedding ring back on his finger.

Now Stella again. She has arrived at the police station.

Back to Paul. He is removing the "restraints" on a babrbie doll and puts the doll in his backpack.

Stella again. She is changing in the women's restroom. Danielle knocks and enters. She tells Stella Marion Kay was waiting for her in the conference room. Also, Danielle considers going back to patrol but does not want that she tells Danielle she would think about it. Danielle leaves, Stella keeps changing.

184.2 sec resp. 3 min 4.2 sec


Extended Scene
14:02 / 27:04

Paul longer. Also, there is a voice-over of Stella talking to Marion Kay in the Uncut Version. Stella asks abour Marion's dad.

12.08 sec



Removed Scene
14:22 / 27:36

Now, Stella's conversation with Marion continues on-screen. Marion complains that everybody keeps asking about her dad. Stella apologizes because she did the same thing and asks how Marion was doing.

47.64 sec



Removed Scene Uncut Version / Recut
14:22 / 28:23

Recut: Stella is sitting at her desk when she is being informed that Rose Stagg cancalled their appointment. Stella reaches for the phone to give Rose a call.

Recut 15.76 sec longer



Extended Scene
14:42 / 28:28

Paul longer on the boat.

8.16 sec



Removed Scene
14:47/ 28:40

Stella's conversation with Marion is longer here. Marion blames herself because she did not offer her sister to stay with her the night she was attacked and she complains that the media are all over Alice Monroe even though there are other victims.

Paul comes off the ship.

71.36 sec resp. 1 min 11.36 sec


Removed Scene / Recut
14:47/ 29:52

Now, Stella gets informed about Rose Stagg cancelling their appointment in the Uncut Version (no screenshots).

15.76 sec


Removed Scene
14:47/ 30:08

Paul on the platform. Then he gets on the train.

13.12 sec



Extended Scene
14:47 / 30:21

Now Stellas phone conversation with Rose. The content is the same but this rather long scene is a little longer in the Uncut Version.

1.12 sec


Extended Scene
16:06 / 31:41

Paul earlier in the train.

3.16 sec



Extended Scene
16:39 / 32:18

Stella insignificantly longer.

0.48 sec


Removed Scene
16:43 / 32:22

The entire train scene with Paul and the prett blonde is missing in the Recut.
She sits down in front of Paul and they talk about all kinds of stuff. About Paul looking like the guy in the sketch, about Paul carrying around dolls, that the blonde dyed her hair because the killer only goes after brunettes.

Now Stella giving the profile from the off.

Exterior shot of Paul who has arrived at his destination while Stella goes on with the profile via voice-over.

Now, Stella continuues on-screen.

196.6 sec resp. 3 min 16.6 sec


Extended Scene
16:43 / 35:38

The subsequent shot starts slightly earlier.

0.44 sec


Removed Scene
19:40 / 38:35

The scene with Paul sneaking into Katie's house is much shorter in the Recut.
At first, there is an identical shot. Well, actually, it is shorter in the Recut. Then the footage of the end of the scene in the Recut that shows Paul sneaking in. Via voice-over, one can hear Stella talking about the unsub.
In the Uncut Version, Stella says the very same things while is watching what is going on inside the house.

Stella continues the profile at the police station.

Now the shots that show Paul sneaking in. Obviously, Stella's profile via voice-over is missing in the Uncut Version (no screenshots).

59.76 sec


Removed Scene
24:27 / 44:23

Paul gets home. He checks the mail and among other things, he finds a letter from the Alice Parker Monroe Memorial Fund. He opens it, then he calls the fund resp. he leaves a message.

86.16 sec



Removed Scene
24:51 / 46:13

Paul puts the strand of hair he has hidden in his house in an envelope which he hides between the other stuff in his bag.

Nun geht es mit Danielle weiter, die sich gerade für den Dienst fertig macht.

A shof of Annie follows.

85.8 sec


Removed Scene / Recut
31:53 / 54:41

Now the scene with Stella and the divers in the Uncut Version.

52.56 sec



Removed Scene Uncut Version / Recut
35:08 / 58:48

Here, the Recut shows the divers finding the scissors. All in all, the scene is insignificantly shorter in the Recut (2.8 sec). (no screenshots)

Recut 49.76 sec


End Credits
35:57 / 58:48

End Credits + black screen in the Uncut Version.

29.68 sec