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

48 differences, consisting of
- 19 removed scenes
- 25 extended scenes
- 3 scenes with alternate footage (incl. recuts)
- differently placed credits (as a result of the recut)
- Total difference: 687.4 sec resp. 11 min and 24.7 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.

Removed Scene
00:34 / 00:34

The shot of Stella in front of the mirror wiping that stuff out of her face is longer. She ten wrings out the cloth and takes a look in the mirror.

22.12 sec



Removed Scene
00:39 / 01:03

Stella hangs a second piece of clothing at the door resp. she grabs it and walks up to the door.

3.48 sec



Extended Scene
00:45 / 01:12

When Stella closes the suit case, the end of that shot is slightly longer.

0.48 sec



Extended Scene
00:46 / 01:14

Earlier beginning of a shot. In the Recut, Stella is already holding the file in her hand. In the Uncut Version, she is browsing in a folder. The she gets out the file.

5.12 sec



Alternate Footage / Recut
03:34 / 04:09

During the in both versions identical conversation between Sarah and Kevin, there scenes of the burglar. While is looking at a brochure in the Recut, he is going through the underwear drawer in the Uncut Version.

Recut 1.88 sec longer

Recut	Uncut Version

Alternate Footage / Recut
03:44 / 04:17

Same here. Paul is checking out the documents in the Recut while he is busy sniffing panties in the Uncut Version. Then he starts playing with tights.

Recut	Uncut Version

The dialog itself is still the same but Sarah answers from the off here while further footage of the burglary is shown. In the Uncut Version, Sarah answers on-screen. As a consequence, only the Uncut Version contains the shot of her putting down the wine glass.

Recut	Uncut Version

21,64 sec


Alternate Footage / Recut
04:32 / 05:26

Now, Paul checks out the documents in the Uncut Version. In the Recut, he takes pictures of the documents instead.

Recut	Uncut Version

In addition to that, one can hear Sarah on the phone. In the Uncut Version, she makes one more comment about the custody battle.

Also, she makes the identical subsequent comment on-screen in the Uncut Version while only half of it is on-screen in the Recut. (At the beginning, one can still see Paul taking pictures.)
She keeps talking and it does not take long until we see Paul again. This time, he is busy checking the underwear drawer in the Recut while he takes pictures in the Uncut Version.

Recut	Uncut Version

Then Sarah with her friend/colleague. This shot starts a little earlier in the Uncut Version.

Subsequently, the rest of the scene with Paul and the underwear follows in the Recut. In the Uncut Version, he peels an orange instead and puts the skin on the table.

Recut	Uncut Version

13.16 sec


Removed Scene
05:18 / 06:26

Right after that, there is a scene missing in the Recut.
Sarah wants to leave so she empties her glass of wine. Kevin approaches her and is surprised that she is about to leave already. She explains she is leaving because two glasses is her limit. They kiss goodbye, then she leaves.

Now Paul again. He is eating the orange he previously peeled and looks around the house.

29.92 sec


Extended Scene
05:55 / 07:33

The shot of Sarah taking off her jacket is slightly longer.

0.48 sec



Extended Scene
07:20 / 08:59

The shot of Danielle, the female cop, starts earlier in the Uncut Version.

5.48 sec



Extended Scene
08:01 / 09:45

The shot starts a little earlier…

…and it is also a few frames longer.

2.24 sec


Removed Scene
08:08 / 09:54

The subsequent shot has been removed.

5.04 sec



Extended Scene
08:08 / 09:59

When Paul enters his own house, his son Liam is already waiting for him onn the stairs. Their conversation is a little longer. Only in the Uncut Version, he justifies his leave by getting headache pills but Liam explains they had those in the bathroom. At the end of the scene, he grabs his son in order to take him back to bed.

10.28 sec



Removed Scene
08:41 / 10:43

Only in the Uncut Version, Paul actually takes his son back to bed. Paul puts him down on the bed, then Liam asks what Paul had in his bag. Paul explains there were just a few things he had gotten in there and asks his son not to tell his mother to avoid trouble for him (Paul). Paul kisses Liam on the forehead, Liam wants Paul to kiss his stuffed animal as well which he does. Then Paul leaves.
41.28 sec



Removed Scene
09:31 / 12:15

Only in the Uncut Version, Paul hides something in his daughter's bedroom. He then checks on her. (40.44 sec)

Furthermore, the following shot starts insignificantly earlier in the Uncut Version. (0.52 sec)

40.96 sec


Removed Scene
11:12 / 14:37

A small part of Danielle's conversation is missing. Danielle makes her promise not to driver anymore in the Uncut Version.

3.88 sec



Removed Scene
11:23 / 14:51

Only the Uncut Version shows Danielle and her partner Stone leave Sarah's house. Stone is on the radio. Then he and Danielle discuss if Sarah had too much to drink before they get in the squad car.

Subsequently, a little scene with Paul and his wife Sally Ann. He is already in bed when his wife gets in as well. She complains he could have warmed it up for her, then they start kissing.

The next morning. Sarah drinks some water, then she discover the orange peel on her table.

88.16 sec resp. 1 min and 28.16 sec


Extended Scene
12:41 / 17:37

The shot of Stella is longer in the Uncut Version…

2.12 sec



Extended Scene
12:48 / 17:47

…and the following shot of Paul starts earlier.

1.52 sec



Removed Scene
13:06 / 18:06

Three additional shots of Stella and the area they are driving through.

15.84 sec



Removed Scene
13:49 / 19:05

The conversation at Garrett Brink's office is longer in the Uncut Version.
After Jim and Stella enter and Garrett and Stella get acquainted, Stella mentions she would not mind having some coffee. The rest of the scene is missing in the Recut.
Jim explains he would have it arranged that her suitcase was brought to her hotel. She thanks him and Jim leaves.

14.08 sec