The PG-13 version was compared with the Director's Cut, both available on Netflix.
 

Two versions of Rebel Moon Part 1: Child of Fire

Large parts of the universe are under the control of Motherworld, who have created a fascist empire in which no resistance is tolerated. Atticus Noble is tasked with tracking down the rebels Devra and Darrian Bloodaxe and comes across a planet where a group of settlers are working as farmers. To supply his troops, he demands almost the entire harvest on his return. The elite fighter Kora, who has gone into hiding in the settlement outside the Motherworld, calls for resistance. Together with farmer Gunnar, she sets off to find fighters to oppose the Motherworld...

Rebel Moon leaves the viewer somewhat perplexed. Zack Snyder, who landed his first big hit with 300 and then followed it up with Watchmen and Man of Steel, had a big sci-fi epic in mind, but Rebel Moon often struggles with a lack of content. The basic framework is borrowed from The Magnificent Seven, in which gunslingers are hired by farmers to protect them from bandits. In Rebel Moon, this was transferred to outer space, which Roger Corman had already done in 1980 with Battle Beyond the Stars. Here, too, a peaceful planet faces a threat and various space fighters are hired to defend it. In Rebel Moon, you get bored relatively quickly, as Kora and Gunnar scour various planets and recruit fighters and not much else happens. In fact, each of these elite warriors seems to be just waiting to be called up to fight the all-powerful Motherworld. After a while, it also gets tiresome to see the actors in front of various CGI backgrounds, even if the design of these worlds is very imaginative. Stylistically, Rebel Moon is again first class with some very strong visual compositions. The many different ideas that Snyder has packed together only harmonize to a limited extent. Key words: fascism and tentacle sex. A weird movie, but one that has the potential to grow into a guilty pleasure.

Rebel Moon was produced by Netflix and there was early talk of both a PG-13 and a harder R-rated version. Snyder himself then confirmed that although he was proud of the PG-13 version, he had always had an R-rated version in mind. The PG-13 version has been available on Netflix since 22.12.2023 and the Director's Cut, which runs over an hour longer, was released on 02.08.2024. Snyder calls it a completely different movie, which is no understatement. In summary, there are the following relevant changes.

• There is a new storyline in which the background story of Aris is told. Atticus forced him to kill his father. Aris was then recruited into the army.
• The mythology surrounding the priests has been expanded. The priests collect the teeth of Atticus' victims and place them on a picture in which Issa can be seen.
• New in the Director's Cut are various nude and sex scenes, including a scene in which Kora sleeps with one of the farmers.
• The Director's Cut is much bloodier. Thanks to CGI, a lot of blood now splatters around, body parts are severed and heads are shot. Some of these are scene extensions, while existing scenes have often simply been digitally reworked.
• The character of the robot JC-1435 (or Jimmy) has been developed further. He isolates himself from the farmers, but continues to help them. Again and again he talks about what seems to be his past life.
• New scenes bring Aris and Sam closer together. For example, the farmers recover a spaceship that Aris is supposed to repair so that its firearms can help them defend themselves.
• In the Director's Cut, you learn much more about Kora's past and her role in the Motherworld.

In addition, there are many extensions, most of which are of little consequence. In some shots, scenes are only extended by a few frames. This is not listed in the report.

Ultimately, the PG-13 is a sci-fi epic suitable for the masses that manages to tell its thin story in just over two hours. In the Director's Cut, Snyder was able to really let loose and inflated the movie to just under 3.5 hours. There is a lot of sex and violence and the sometimes crude elements are emphasized even more. In my opinion, this is the more fun version.

Running times:

PG-13: 135:58 min.
Director's Cut: 204:26 min.

[00:00:35][00:00:35]

The PG-13 version begins with a shot of outer space. A gate opens through which a spaceship flies. A narrator explains how the empire of the Motherworld continued to expand. But when the king was assassinated, the first rumors of a revolution arose at the edge of the sphere of influence. Senator Balisarius seized the opportunity to declare himself the new ruler in the chaos. He sends his most brutal commander to search for the so-called rebels. As the camera pans to a planet, the movie title “Rebel Moon” and “A Child of Fire Part One” are shown.

In the Director's Cut, the movie got a completely new beginning. When the logo appears, you can see a space glider being brought into its starting position. The glider leaves the mother ship and lands on a planet. On board is Atticus, who disembarks after landing. Atticus asks Cassius where the planet's administrator is. Cassius explains that he is still involved in hostilities. Most of the rebels have been killed, but Devra Bloodaxe managed to escape in a ship.

The steward and his family defend themselves against the soldiers, but are increasingly forced to retreat. The steward tells his son Aris to take his mother and sisters to the throne room. The steward manages to finish off a few more soldiers, but when a new wave approaches, he retreats.

Atticus watches as some priestesses are branded, making them the property of the Motherworld.

The caretaker lets a small creature out of a cage and tells it that the soldiers want to hurt it. The small creature runs towards the soldiers and causes a huge explosion. Cassius explains to Atticus that the explosion is where the steward is.

Atticus comes to the steward, who is now with his family. Atticus says that he is very saddened that thousands of years are just being wasted like this. The Steward asks that his family be spared, but Atticus says that he is not interested in killing, but in ensuring that the Steward's bloodline survives. However, he must pay a price for his disobedience. Atticus asks Aris to stand up and tells him that he can now decide the moment that will make him a man. He goes on to explain that he has been tasked with finding Devra and Darrian, who have been given shelter by the steward and have been able to launch their attacks from there. Atticus gives Aris a sacred staff and says that he should use it to bash his father's skull in. If he does so, his mother and sisters will live. If not, they will all die. The steward says that Aris must do as Atticus says and urges him to save his mother and sisters. Aris finally kills his father and is then taken away by two soldiers. The priests pull out a tooth from the dead steward and stick it on a picture. Atticus says that Aris will be in good hands. He removes some of the dead steward's brain matter and ponders what memories it may have contained. The mother says that Atticus is unlikely to let her live and that he has no honor. Atticus agrees and strikes out with the sacred staff.

The movie title appears. The camera moves down to the planet. “Chapter One: Chalice of Blood” appears.

PG-13: 1:54 min.
DC: 19:12 mins


[00:02:42][00:20:01]

The PG-13 shows a shot of Kora putting down the plow and starting to dig in the earth.

The Director's Cut shows the same thing, but continues to use the shot of Kora at the plow.

PG-13: 5 sec.
DC: 15 sec.


[00:03:25][00:20:53]

Gunnar is seen earlier in the Director's Cut looking toward Kora.

DC: 3 secs.


[00:05:57][00:23:28]

In PG-13, the village chief tells them to make love for the food and harvest today.

The Director's Cut shows alternative shots of the village headman. Here he says “So fuck hard tonight! Fuck for the harvest! Fuck for the very food we eat!”

PG-13: 6 secs.
DC: 8 sec.


[00:06:05][00:23:37]

In the PG-13, the village chief shouts “For the gods.”

The Director's Cut uses an alternate shot. Here he shouts “Fuck for the gods!”

PG-13: 1 sec.
DC: 2 sec.


[00:06:08][00:23:40]

The village chief rejects his wife, who pulls on his pants. He says that he must first fulfill his official duties before he fulfills his duties as a husband. He asks the men if he has mentioned that everyone should fuck. The men agree with him.

As he sits down, the PG-13 kicks in again.

DC: 14 secs.


[00:06:18][00:24:04]

In the Director's Cut, Gunnar is seen longer before cutting back to Kora.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:06:24][00:24:11]

The camera circles Kora in the Director's Cut before the woman next to her is asked to dance.

DC: 9 sec.


[00:06:30][00:24:26]

In the PG-13, the camera moves to Kora as she looks at Den.

She arrives home, where Hagen is already waiting for her. He says that Den is a good man - the best hunter and a loyal friend. He asks Kora if she has thought about a lasting relationship. Kora says that it's uncomplicated between them and asks if there needs to be more.

The Director's Cut shows another shot of Kora as she looks to Den. Kora takes a sip from the jug.

This is followed by a sex scene between Kora and Den. You can see the scars on Kora's back.

After sex, Kora lies dissatisfied next to the sleeping Den. She leaves the hut and washes herself in a bucket before walking home.

This is followed by alternative scenes in which Kora talks to Hagen. He adds here that Kora would become a full member of the community after marrying Den.

PG-13: 48 sec.
DC: 4:37 mins


[00:07:24][00:29:09]

The PG-13 cuts to Kora, and in doing so, Hagen says that by marrying her, she would become a full member of the community. He adds that this will be her home. Kora says that she wishes it was. The time she was here brought her happiness that she did not deserve.

The Director's Cut continues to feature Hagen. He says that no one would consider her an outsider if she got married and gave birth to a child. Kora thinks that she will always remain an outsider. Hagen says that this would change and people would trust her. This is now her home. Kora replies that she wishes that was the case. The time she spent here brought her happiness that she didn't deserve.

PG-13: 27 sec.
DC: 33 sec.


[00:07:54][00:30:05]

In PG-13, Kora says that she is a child of war and is unable to feel love. She has been taught that love equals weakness. She doesn't know if this will ever change. She says to Hagen that he should rest.

The Director's Cut basically shows the same scene, but uses alternate shots of Kora and Hagen.

PG-13: 51 min
DC: 45 sec.


[00:08:51][00:30:57]

In a new scene in the Director's Cut, the farmers walk to a barn in the morning where seeds are being distributed. Kora receives two shovels full from Gunnar. She looks furtively at the ground.

DC: 36 sec.


[00:10:29][00:33:11]

In the Director's Cut, one of the farmer's wives says to the village chief that they should hear what the people on the warship want here. Gunnar agrees and points out that they sold a lot to Providence last season.

DC: 12 sec.


[00:14:09][00:37:04]

In the Director's Cut, the soldier Aris can be seen for longer as he looks to Sam.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:14:11][00:37:07]

In the next shot, Sam is seen longer, then Aris earlier.

DC: 2 secs.


[00:14:14][00:37:13]

The soldier's “Fucker!” that he says to Aris is not heard in the PG-13. Sam can be seen for longer.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:19:53][00:42:53]

In the Director's Cut, Atticus says that there is a rift in the community, which therefore no longer seems so idyllic to him.

DC: 8 sec.


[00:19:55][00:43:03]

Atticus is seen earlier in the Director's Cut.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:20:12][00:43:20]

The Director's Cut cuts to Sam before Atticus turns to the priests.

DC: 3 sec.


[00:20:13][00:43:23]

In the PG-13, the cut to Sam comes after Atticus was seen.

The Director's Cut cuts to Atticus and then to Aris. Finally, Atticus is seen earlier.

PG-13: 2 sec.
DC: 4 sec.


[00:20:21][00:43:33]

Aris is seen earlier in the Director's Cut.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:20:23][00:43:36]

Aris is seen longer in the same shot.

DC: 2 sec.


[00:21:03][00:44:18]

In the PG-13, Atticus hits the village chief in the head with the staff.

The Director's Cut uses an alternate shot. The staff remains stuck to his head.

PG-13: 1 sec.
DC: 1 sec.


[00:21:06][00:44:21]

In the Director's Cut, Atticus pulls the staff out of his head. Earlier, you can see the village chief fall to the ground.

The head wound is also larger in the Director's Cut.

PG-13	Director's Cut

DC: 4 sec.


[00:21:08][00:44:27]

The PG-13 shows the village headman falling to the ground.

The Director's Cut shows a different shot of the village headman falling to the ground.

PG-13: 1 sec.
DC: 1 sec.


[00:21:11][00:44:31]

The PG-13 cuts to the village headman's wife as Atticus strikes the village headman.

The Director's Cut shows Atticus crushing the village headman's skull. One of the soldiers holds Gunnar back. Then another shot of the village headman's wife.

PG-13: 1 sec.
DC: 5 sec.


[00:21:15][00:44:38]

The PG-13 includes a shot of the village headman's wife screaming.

In the Director's Cut, Gunnar calls Sindri's name. Another shot of the woman can be seen. As she runs off, one of the soldiers cuts off her arm.

PG-13: 1 sec.
DC: 5 sec.


[00:21:17][00:44:44]

When the village chief's wife takes the second blow from the lightsaber, you can see in the DC that part of her arm is missing.

PG-13	Director's Cut

The Director's Cut goes on to show her falling to the ground.

PG-13: 1 sec.
DC: 3 sec.


[00:21:18][00:44:47]

After the brief shot of the villagers, in the PG-13 you see the woman fall to the ground. The blood on the village chief's shirt is missing here and the woman's injury is also less pronounced.

PG-13: 1 sec.


[00:21:37][00:45:04]

When Atticus presses the staff to Gunnar's neck, this causes blood to be smeared on his clothes in the Director's Cut. In all subsequent shots in which Gunnar is seen, the blood was therefore added digitally.

PG-13	Director's Cut

No time difference.


[00:22:06][00:45:34]

Director's Cut continues showing Atticus and the soldiers leaving the house. The priests begin to pray. One of the priests kneels down to the dead village chief and pulls out a tooth. The tooth is added to the picture, then the priests leave the house with the rest of the soldiers. The villagers mourn the dead village chief.

DC: 1:36 min


[00:22:41][00:47:45]

The PG-13 continues showing the crate opening to reveal the robot JC-1435.

The Director's Cut shows an alternative shot of this.

PG-13: 9 sec.
DC: 10 sec.


[00:23:17][00:48:22]

JC-1435 goes on to tell Aris that it is an honor to serve.

DC: 2 sec.


[00:24:06][00:49:12]

Sam is seen earlier saying that she just wanted to see if the soldiers needed water. In the PG-13, the beginning of her sentence was simply placed over the previous shot.

DC: 2 sec.


[00:24:13][00:49:21]

The commander can be seen for longer.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:24:19][00:49:28]

The PG-13 earlier shows Marcus turning to the commander.

The commander goes on to say that he likes the taste of blood in his mouth while fucking.

PG-13: 1 sec.
DC: 3 sec.


[00:24:42][00:49:54]

JC-1435 is seen earlier in the Director's Cut.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:24:56][00:50:09]

The soldiers are seen earlier in the Director's Cut.

DC: 0.5 sec.


[00:25:11][00:50:25]

Marcus can be seen longer as he runs to JC-1435.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:26:07][00:51:23]

JC-1435 is seen earlier after the commander says he should wash up.

DC: 1 sec.


[00:28:03][00:53:20]

JC-1435 is seen talking to Sam for longer.

DC: 1 sec.