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

- 9 cuts
- Length difference: 330.7 sec resp. 5 min 30.7 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)

08:37 / 51:24

A part of the race is missing.
Michael: "Thanks. I needed that."
K.I.T.T.: "You're welcome. It's so good to be communicating again."
Buddy: "I can't believe this car even talks."
Michael: "Oh, that was eh… that was just the radio, Buddy."
Buddy: "No, it wasn't. I may just be a little kid but I'm not stupid. The car talked to you."
Michael: "It might be better if we don't mention this to a whole lot of people. Like any, if you know what I mean."
Buddy: "I think I know what you mean."
The race continues. Two drivers are after Michael. They have a little chat during the race.
Fahrer: "Hey, Carney!"
Carney: "Yeah?"
Fahrer: "I figure this kid's trying to horn in on some money that rightly belongs to us. If you get my drift."
Carney: "Loud and clear. Just give him a lil room to slide through."
Fahrer: "It's school day, pretty boy. Come on!"
Michael accelerates and passes them easily.
Carney: "Hey, how'd he do that?"
Fahrer: "I don't know. But nobody makes a fool outta me."

52.2 sec



14:31 / 57:50

After Jackson's statement that K.I.T.T. could probably make coffee as well, K.I.T.T. introduces himself to the two thugs.
K.I.T.T.: "I do nothing of the kind. Now, pull over immediately."
Jackson: "Say what?"
Brown: "I didn't say nothing."
Jackson: "Yeah, you did, man. You said pull over."
Brown: "I didn't say 'pull over'."
Jackson: "Hey, don't jive me, Brown. Because if you didn't say 'pull over', somebody else did."
K.I.T.T.: "That's right. I did."
Jackson and Brown are confused.
Jackson: "Who are you, dude?"
K.I.T.T.: "That's irrelevant."
K.I.T.T. stops.
K.I.T.T.: "You are not the proper owner of this vehicle so either you get out or I will take the appropiate measures."
Jackson: "Hey, hey, hey. Alright. I've heard of some far-out burglar alarms but this is heavy. Alright, mama. Do your baddest."
K.I.T.T.: "Good heavens. And I thought Michael was difficult."
K.I.T.T. starts driving.
K.I.T.T.: "Gentlemen, I have attempted to dissuade you from this wayward behavior."
Jackson: "Rave on, machine, rave on!"
Brown: "What do you think he is? Some kind of a tape recorder or something?"
Jackson: "Who cares, man? It's mine and I will do with it as I please. Watch this."

61.2 sec resp. 1 min 1.2 sec




26:12 / 01:10:10

After K.I.T.T. breaks Michael out of jail, the Syndicated Version only contains the beginning of the subsequent exterior shot of K.I.T.T.
In the Uncut Version, drives drives by the Sheriff. Wilson comes running out of the building and goes after them.

20.5 sec




33:35 / 01:17:28

Backup has arrived. Michael and K.I.T.T. are being shot at but they manage to get away.

21.2 sec




33:38 / 01:17:52

The beginning of Michael's conversation with K.I.T.T. is missing.
Michael: "K.I.T.T.? K.I.T.T.? You there?"
K.I.T.T.: "Where would I go?"
Michael: "Look, I know we had some misunderstandings but I'm not so sure I'm gonna be around at the end of this trip."
K.I.T.T.: "If it's any assurance, your vital signs are still quite good but you do need immediate medical attention."
Michael: "Can't stop, pal. They're gonna be coming at us from all directions now."
K.I.T.T.: "What can I do?"
(Michael: "Any way you can get in touch with Devon?")

23.7 sec




42:32 / 01:26:53

K.I.T.T. drives off in order to take Michael to a hospital. In the Syndicated Version, this shot ends a little earlier. Then a transition to the plane taking off. Devon and Michael are in it.

In the Uncut Version, a scene with Michael and Maggie at the hospital follows.
Maggie: "Michael, are you sure you're alright?"
Michael: "Yeah. I'm a little stiff, a little sore but the doc says I'm mobile."
Maggie: "That's good. You know, I don't know what I'm gonna do with Buddy now that you're leavin'."
Michael: "Oh, I'd keep him. He's a real good kid."
Maggie laughs: "You know what I mean. He needs a man. I can see that now. I guess I thought I could just go on not caring."
Michael: "And not looking."
Maggie: "Stupid, huh? Here I had a primce candidate right under my nose and I… I chased him away."
Michael: "Well, don't consider it a permanent condition."
Maggie: "You mean that? You mean you might come back and visit us some time?"
Michael: "Tell Buddy it's a promise."
They hug.
Maggie: "You know, he eh… he was hopin' you'd take him for one last ride in your car."
Michael: "Yeah, well, that might be one small problem."


Moving on to Devon and Michael. They are sitting inside K.I.T.T. while the latter is being towed.
Devon: "Only you could have dented this car."
Michael: "Hey. I'm sorry, nothing's perfect. When do I get it back?"
Devon: "Who said anything about getting it back?"
Michael: "Devon, it's my car. I have the registration."
Devon: "Don't remind me."
Michael: "You know, I'd like tob e getting on with my work soon."
The tow truck stops, Devon Michael and get out.
Devon: "Very well. Step aboard, we'll discuss it."

95.2 sec


42:52 / 01:28:48

The beginning of the conversation on the plane is missing.
Michael: "Now, then. About my car."
Devon: "Well, simply stated: (Wilton Knight was my friend as well as my employer.")

5 sec



42:58 / 01:28:59

A slightly alternate shot of Michael is being used here. The one used in the Syndicated Version is also in the Uncut Version - one gets to see it a little later though. This also means that the Syndicated Version lacks the shot from the Uncut Version. The dialog remains unchanged but due to the alternate footage, the Syndicated Version is insignificantly longer here.

Syndicated Version 0.2 sec longer



43:03 / 01:29:04

A further part of the conversation is missing.
Devon: ("Your options are still open.) You don't have to."
Michael interrupts: "Devon. The old man wanted me, it was his dying request."
Devon: "Yes, to rid the world of Tanya and her friends. But the rest of his dream would bore you to tears. The majority of our activity here involves legal research, class action suits… Strictly bureaucratic stuff."

Please note: The bold-marked part of Devon's dialog is the moment one gets to see the shot that was used as alternate footage for the Syndicated Version (please see 42:58 / 01:28:59) - 2nd screenshot on the left.

Michael: "What else?"
Devon? "What else?"
Michael: "Yeah, the part he wanted me for."
Devon: "Well, Mr. Knight also believed that under certain circumstances, direct action might be the only feasible solution. That's what the Knight 2000 was designed for. The pilot program consists of one man and one car. Absurd, really. I mean who would want to take on such a thing?"
Michael: "I was supposed to be that man, wasn't I?"
Devon: "He seemed to feel that you were singularly well qualified to go it alone, as he put it. But who could expect it of you? I mean you barely came through this misadventure with your life. Not to mention the damage to the Knight 2000."

51.9 sec