Compared are the cut Syndicated Version (UK Blu-ray by Fabulous Films / First Edition) and the uncut Original Version (German DVD by Universal).

- 13 cuts
- 1 recut
- Length difference: 2593.9 sec resp. 43 min 13.9 sec

Please note: Minor differences such as missing credits, missing or different black screens etc. have not been listed in the following comparison. The focus is on the alteration made for reruns in syndication and that is it.



Basically, the UK Blu-ray is a highly recommendable release even though some people complain about the abscene of the TV movie "Knight Rider 2000" because it is available as bonus of the DVD release. The problem is that this was originally another pilot for second Knight Rider series that never saw the light of day. So technically, the movie is not part of the original Knight Rider from 1982. However, definately worth criticizing is the fact that the Blu-ray set only contains the shorter Syndicated Versions of all the two-part episodes which have been cut to a length of approx. 45 minutes (Blu-ray / NTSC) in order to fit in the slot.


But at least one has the chance to get the discs with the uncut episodes via Fabulous Films. One can either send the discs with the Syndicated Versions and get a free replacement or one can keep the old discs and get the ones with the uncut episodes for a small fee (payment via Paypal). Either way, the new discs then will be shipped to your address.
According to Fabulous Films, the first batch with the shorter episodes is completely sold out. But of course, there is still a slight chance that one gets a copy of those because the vendor still has some in stock.



Last but not least, a few words about the Syndicated Versions: Admittedly, they are still OK to watch but fans will realize that scenes are missing. The huge exception here is the pilot "Knight of the Phoenix". While the alterations of the second part of the pilot are being kept within bounds, they did a real number on the first part of the pilot. Including the opening, "Knight of the Phoenix Part 1" has a total length of approx. 3.5 minutes (!) and after that, the second part already begins. Basically, everything is missing. If one is not familiar with the show or the story of the pilot, it is incredibly hard to follow resp. I would say it is almost impossible. This is also the reason why the Syndicated Version of the pilot only consists of one single episode while the other two-part episodes still consist of two episodes each. Considering that there are only 3.5 minutes left of the first part of the pilot, this is not a surprise though.



Time index refers to
Syndicated Version (UK Blu-ray) – Uncut Version (German DVD in PAL)

01:12 / 01:09

Every single exterior shot of Las Vegas is missing and so are the first few interior shots of the casino.

55.1 sec




01:15 / 02:07

A small part of the scene is missing: At first, Tanya and Charles are longer at the gambling table. A shot of Wilson follows.
Wilson: "OK, Lonnie. He's winning big. It's now or never."

8.8 sec



01:21 / 02:24

Wilson again. He leaves his position. Then we get to see Michael Long for the very first time. He has witnessed the entire thing and brings his partner Muntzy up to speed.
Michael: "I think it's going down. Wilson just sent Lonnie into the elevator."
Muntzy: "Loud and clear, Lieutenant. If she's coming, I have a front row seat."
Lonnie shows up. She walks by Muntzy.
Muntzy (to Michael): "I got her. She just went into Acton's suite."
Michael: "Muntzy, be careful."
Muntzy: "Hey, hey. I got ten years on you, buddy. I'm the original man of steel. You're the one I'm worried about, you're in that bed of snakes."
Back to Lonnie. She opens the safe, gets a file and walks up to a table.

41.6 sec



01:30 / 03:14

Further shots of Lonnie are missing. She takes pictures of the documents and when she is done, she lets Wilson know.
Lonnie: "Wilson, I'm finished."
Wilson: "Be sure nobody sees you."
Lonnie: "There's no one in the hallway but an electrician."
Wilson: "Electrician? You didn't say anything about an electrician."
Lonnie: "He works for the hotel. I've seen him around."
Wilson: "Stay in the room."

Now Charles with Tanya at the gambling table. He is done for now.
Charles: "Croupier, for you. Wilson?"
Charles looks around and signalizes Wilson to get over there which he does.
Charles: "We are calling it a night. (now to Tanya) Come on, sweetheart. Let's go. (now to Wilson again) Make sure security is behind us until we get these up in the room safe, alright?"
Wilson: "Alright."
Charles leaves.
Wilson (to Tanya): "Delay him."

Now, Tanya leaves as well and Wilson talks to Michael.
Wilson: "I want you to stay close to Mr. Acton. He's carrying a great deal of cash."
Michael: "Right."
Michael leaves and Wilson contacts Lonnie.
Wilson: "Lonnie, get out of the room fast. Acton's on his way up."
Lonnie: "What about the guy on the ladder?"
Wilson: "Well, if he follows you, I'll handle him. You get in your car and you head east out of town. I'll pick up the film from you there."
Lonnie leaves the room. She walks by Muntzy who radios Michaels.
Muntzy: "She's leaving in a hurry, Lieutenant."
Michael: "I know, Wilson just put me in charge that means we got a broken play. Can you follow Lonnie?"
Muntzy: "Back me up if I blow it?"
Michael: "We got six months in this one, Muntzy. I'll be right behind you."


Tanya and Charles are at the elevator.
Tanya: "Charles, security can only do so much in a crowd with you carrying all these chips. I'd feel a lot better if you to it to the cashier."
Charles: "No, I don't wanna…"
Michael interferes: "Eh… that's good advice, Mr. Acton. I recommend it."
Charles: "Well, you're probably right. They're clumsy as hell anyway."
Then they leave.


Lonnie is getting out of there, too. Muntzy follows her.
Muntzy: "Relax, Lieutenant."
Michael: "Be careful, Muntzy. I don't know where Wilson is."
Speaking of Wilson: He makes Muntzy.
Wilson: "Gray, they've burned her. She's got a guy on her tail. He's in a maintenance suit. Now, stop him."
Lonnie leaves the hotel. Vernon has spotted them and informs Wilson.
Vernon: "I got her."
Lonnie gets in her car. Muntzy leaves the casino as well and Vernon sees him right away.
Vernon: "And I got him."
Vernon gets ready to take care of Muntzy for good.


127.2 sec resp. 2 min 7.2 sec


01:38 / 05:30

Michael leaves the casino, Tanya is still following him.
Tanya: "Michael, what are you doing?"

Back to Vernon. He shoots Muntzy in the parking lot and leaves him for dead. He gets in a car - Wilson is already in it - and then they drive away.

Michael finds Muntzy in the parking lot.
Michael: "Muntzy!"
Now, Tanya gets there.
Michael (to Tanya): "Watch him, I'll get help."
But Muntzy is aware that he is going to die: "No, Lieutenant, forget it."
Michael: "Muntzy."
Muntzy: "Go after her."
Michael: "Muntzy, you gotta hang on. Muntzy!"
When Muntzy is gone, Michael does exactly what Muntzy told him to do: To catch Lonnie.
Michael: "Stay here with him."
But Tanya does not listen: "No, I'll go with you."
Michael runs to his car and gets in and so does Tanya. Then Michael follows Wilson and Vernon.

Meanwhile, some people have found Muntzy's body in the parking lot and more people are getting there to see what the fuss is all about.

61.6 sec resp. 1 min 1.6 sec


01:38 / 06:31

Michael's conversation with Tanya is longer as well.
Michael: "(I don't have time to explain it all to you now, Tanya, but your boss's chief of security is up to his Bahamian bank accounts in industrial espionage…) and now murder."
Tanya: "I don't believe it."
Michael: "Did you believe that dead cop back there? He was my partner. I was supposed to be covering him."
Then Wilson and Lonnie. Wilson gets out of the car, Lonnie remains inside hers at first. Wilson goes to Lonnie.
Wilson: "Will you step outta the car, please, Lonnie?"

26.8 sec



02:08 / 07:27

After Michael gets out of the car, the scene is not over yet.
Michael (to Wilson and the others): "(Alright, hold it right there.) You move, I fire. Drop the gun and kick it over here."
Wilson: "Looks like we made a small mistake."
Michael: "I'd call treason more than a small mistake. It draws the death penalty. (Tanya, pick up his gun.)"

12.6 sec



02:10 / 07:43

After a single, identical shot of Michael during which Tanya tells him topick up his gun, there are further missing scenes.
(Michael: "Tanya, pick up his gun.")
Tanya: "That won't be necessary. I have my own."
She points her gun at Michael.
Tanya: Drop it."
Michael: "You're working for them?"
Tanya: "Oh, I've disappointed you."
Michael: "Tanya, give me the gun. I could still make a deal for you if you cooperate. Give it to me!"
Tanya: "I intend to."

The Syndicated Version only contains the two little shots of Tanya pointing her gun at Michael and pulling the trigger. And of course, one of those is slightly cut because Tanya actually responds to Michael's demand to give him the gun ("Give it to me!") with "I intend to.". Does not make any sense in the Syndicated Version which explains its abscence here.

22.1 sec



02:14 / 08:09

Now, there are even two identical shots (Michael gets shots in the head & Tanya lowers her gun) before the next cut.
After Tanya lowers her gun, Michael is going down in slow motion. Then Tanya, Wilson and Lonnie, followed by a shot of Michael lying dead still on the ground (so to speak).


Subsequently, one gets to see Wilton Knight for the very first time. He arrives in a chopper. He gets scared when he spots Michael lying on the ground.
Wilton: "My God, we're too late."
The chopper lands. The next shot shows the arrival of the chopper at Wilton Knight's property.

Michael is lying in bed, his face is fully covered with bandages. Wilton and Dr. Ralph Wesley are with him. They are discussing Michael's current condition.
Wilton: "Well, what's the word?"
Wesley: "I'm gonna give you the same answer that I've been giving you for the past four days. He's probably the only human being on this planet who's in worse condition than you are."
Wilton: "Is he going to die?"
Wesley: "He should've. That bullet was fired point-blank right into his skull."
Wilton: "But how did he survive?"
Wesley: "The man has a metal plate in his forehead. You see? Probably military surgery I would guess. It deflected the bullet which was heading right toward his brain and it came back out through his face. We'll never know what he looked like."


Back to Michael. He relives Muntzy's death and Tanya putting a bullet in his face via flashack. Wilton goes to him.
Wilton: "That's alright, son. Keep fighting. It'll keep you living, just like me."
Then an exterior shot of the estate.

Michael's bandages are being cut carefully. Wilson is present as well. Then Devon has is first appearance in the show: He comes rushing in.
Devon (to Wilton): "I've got good news for you. The Knight 2000 will be ready…"
But Wilton interrupts and tells him to be quiet. Wilton then goes to Wesley who is still busy cutting the bandages. When he is done, he carefully takes off the bandages and one gets to see Michael's new face. Michael opens his eyes. He looks at Wesley.
Michael: "That bad?"
Wesley: "On the contrary. It's an excellent job. Here. Why don't you take a look."
Wesley gives him a mirror and Michael looks at his new face.

231.9 sec resp. 3 min 51.9 sec