Comparison between the shortened US DVD by New Concorde (R-Rated) and the uncut German VHS by VMP (FSK 16).

The differences:

19 cuts = 9 minutes and 43 seconds.

Janice is the head of a cosmetics company and has always been a model herself for their promotion. However, this was a few years ago and in the meantime she is showing signs of age, which is of course not helpful for the promotional process. Of course, the board of her company has also noticed this and so they advise Janice to hire a younger advertising model, which Janice of course does not like at all. Her psyche begins to suffer and her relationship slowly breaks down for the same reason, as she accuses her boyfriend of cheating with younger models. But fortunately for her, she finds out that a Dr. Zinthorp has developed a new type of wasp hormone that stops and reverses the aging process. She becomes the first person ever to test the rejuvenating agent on herself, with surprising results. To her great delight, she has become significantly younger in a very short time. But unfortunately, the drug also has its downside. There are also side effects that cause Janice to mutate into a giant wasp. Furious with jealousy, Janice kills her young model colleagues as a malevolent creature.

Produced in 1995, The Wasp Woman is a remake of Roger Corman's 1959 original. The remake is also average trash goods in the low budget range, which can be clearly seen in the effects, which turn out pretty bad and cheap. Jennifer Rubin (Nightmare on Elm Street 3) was cast in the leading role.

In Germany, the film has so far only been released on video with FSK 16 rating and is uncut. The DVD in the United States received an R rating and was cut by almost 10 minutes of plot. Among other things, two major scenes were removed, such as Janice dreaming of her partner photographing a pretty model on the beach and him subsequently being seduced by her. Janice insists that the dream is real and confronts her partner, but he is not very impressed and tells her that she is destroying the relationship because of her jealousy.

Note: we used the German audio track for this comparison and translated the dialogs verbatim for the translation of this article. Therefore, it's possible that it may vary a little from the English original in terms of wording.

2 min
The titles differ in both versions: German VHS: Forbidden Beauty / US DVD: The Wasp Woman.
No time difference.

9 min
Arthur: And what a face. You're still as beautiful as you were 20 years ago, just a little....
Janice: ...Older.
Arthur: Well, maybe it really is time to face certain facts. I think that Talbot's reference to Skinton is absolutely the right cue for us. Have you seen her model in the new ad series?
Janice: Of course, the woman is everywhere.
25 sec

10 min
Janice looks at the fax for a longer time and then instructs her secretary "Mary" to get her some books from the library. Mary wants to know what books she should get in the first place, and Janice replies that she should bring her any books that are about wasps. Mary is a little surprised that Janice is so interested in this particular topic. Janice tells her that Doctor Zinthrop has started an amazing research on wasp hormones and that there might be something to it, even if it sounds totally crazy. Mary says that she doesn't know anything about wasp hormones, but what she does know is that wasps sting their victims until they are completely paralyzed and then devour them alive. Janice smirks at this and Mary shrewdly explains that her little brother has also started research on this. Janice says that they could give him a consulting contract. Mary skeptically replies that her brother is only 13 years old. Janice doesn't seem to mind, because that would have been the topic of this morning, the younger they are, the better it is. Mary talks her into conscience and tells her that looks don't matter, it's what's on the inside that counts. However, this does not apply to the cosmetics industry, Janice replies. The scene fades out and we see Janice driving up in the car for a little longer in the next scene.
57 sec

11 min
Janice walks to the back door and knocks. That's when she notices a cat. She leans down to it and pets it. As she does so, Janice says to the cat that it has probably had its best days, just like she has. Janice gets back up and opens the door.
26 sec

13 min
Dr. Zinthrop walks with Janice to the experimental mice.
2 sec

17 min
Caitlin comments favorably on Janice's costume. Janice thanks Caitlin and compliments her earrings. Somewhat embarrassed, Caitlin expresses her appreciation as well. Tex enters the photo studio and wants to know from Nick what is going on. Nick answers with "snake charming" and Tex amusedly asks what kind of snake it is. Nick says that it is about poisonous snakes. Both smirk and leave the room.
21 sec

19 min
Longer shot of Dr. Zinthrop.
3 sec

21 min
Arthur enters the diner. A waitress asks if she can help him, but Arthur says that he has an appointment here and will be fine. He walks further back and sits down at the table with John. They talk for a bit. Among other things, John asks Arthur to find out about the new research project. Arthur is surprised and asks John if he really wants him to spy for him. John clarifies that it has nothing to do with spying, furthermore he should only do some research. As an incentive, John mentions a commission that Arthur would receive.
58 sec

24 min
A photo shoot of Caitlin is done on the beach. Alec photographs her. When they are done, Alec says to Caitlin that she is really photogenic and good at posing in front of the camera. When he asks how long she's been doing it now, Caitlin responds that she's still relatively fresh at it, but it's been a dream of hers for a long time and she's been reading through magazines about modeling with fascination since she was very young. Alec tells her that it has definitely paid off, but that she should now put something on because of all the UV rays and if she's not afraid of that. Caitlin laughs and says she can't have it sunny enough.
75 sec

25 min
Alec says goodbye to Caitlin, as he still has to go back to the photo studio. Caitlin, however, does not let him go so easily and flirts with him. Alec is unsure at first, but then Caitlin convinces him to go to the beach bar with her. Janice has also arrived and is walking along the beach.
49 sec

27 min
After Janice wakes up from her nightmare, she is seen in bed even longer. She gets up and goes to the bathroom. There she stands tensely in front of the mirror for a while. She opens the mirror, takes out a can of pills and closes it again. Suddenly, a large wasp creature appears in her reflection. She screams loudly and rushes out of the bathroom. The screaming wakes Alec up and he jumps out of bed. Janice comes to meet him and he wants to know what just happened. Janice hysterically says that it was terrible in the bathroom and that she had a nightmare. She changes the subject and confronts Alec about what happened to him and Caitlin. Alec replies that there is nothing, but Janice doesn't believe him and insinuates that he has been in bed with Caitlin. Alec has had enough and gets dressed. Janice wants to know what he is up to now. Alec says that he is going home now and that he doesn't want her jealousy, because it will ruin everything. He leaves the apartment and Janice sadly sits down on her bed.
102 sec

30 min
Missing from the US version is a shot of Arthur looking at the fax from Dr. Zinthrop to Janice.
2 sec

32 min
Caitlin is walking behind Alec.
1 sec

32 min
Arthur: I think it has something to do with those wasps for sure. They were everywhere.
John: Is that such a lousy choir bungler?
Arthur: Well, he works in a clinic that specializes in oriental medicine. You know, acupuncture, homatherapy and stuff like that.
John: Yeah, I know what you mean. My wife goes along with all this nonsense, at least as long as she doesn't get seriously ill. Then all of a sudden she wants antibiotics again.
Arthur: Yeah. Well, I think these alternative methods are not going to get Starlin anywhere, anyway. So...
John: Highly unlikely. I think you should put this guy under the microscope after all. There might actually be something to this.
45 sec

34 min
Dr. Zinthrop looks into his microscope again. There is the sound of the strange cat hissing again. He looks up and then makes his way outside, where the screeching came from.
19 sec

35 min
Dr. Zinthrop explores the backyard with his flashlight. As he does so, the unnatural hissing of a cat can be heard repeatedly.
16 sec

39 min
Back at the pub, Arthur and John are talking about Janice's visual change. Arthur says that Janice has suddenly become visually much younger in a very short time and that there is no explanation for this. John has rational theories for it, like facelifting, face masks or beauty sleep. But Arthur does not believe in it, especially since such methods do not show their effect overnight.
65 sec

55 min
John walks longer to Janice's front door.
2 sec

57 min
Janice: I'd be willing to share the success.
John: I don't think you'd find a better partner. With me, you'll get through the DMV with no problem. I can even introduce you to them. I also have a couple of friends who are in the Department of Health and Human Services.
14 sec

75 min
Caitlin is eaten for a second longer by Janice, who has turned into a wasp.
1 sec