I think its safe to say that a foreign movie for the majority of times will get a better packed DVD in its overseas release unless the movie is HUGE over here. As for cuts being made, I think its a general fact of life that some will get cut or edited, maybe for ratings sake or otherwise. I say stay with other regions if u can.

Pro-B

Indeed, it's a great book!

Can anyone give some specific details? How different is the mood with the music? I know there's a new UK release with a better transfer that I've been considering picking up for a while now, but this is the first I've heard of the Rolling Thunder release being re-edited. If the alterations are that big, I'll move it up my qeue. Anyone? Thanks.

EDITED: Nevermind, I found this at imdb.com!

"US version expands the scenes where The Blonde prepares for smuggling trip and later searches for smugglers. It also includes a kidnapping of an Indian girl which does not appear in the Hong Kong version. Sequence with Qiwu loitering outside girlfriend's window occurs earlier in US print. Indian music plays during smugglers arrival at airport in US print, in Hong Kong version the title theme plays. Song 'Dreams' sung by Faye Wong is at a different place in US version."

Like Water for Chocolate (Como agua para chocolate, 1992), originally released at 123 minutes, cut by Miramax to 105, making parts of it a bit incomprehensible.
The really bad thing about Miramax/Disney is that they tend to buy world distribution rights to films, and enforce their cut in other countries.
Case in point, Like Water... was shown in the original 123 minutes version at the movies in Norway (Norwegian distributor picked it up before Miramax showed interest), but tv stations and the home video distributor have to accept the mangled Miramax release.

DonnachaOne, great list. I'm going to have to check on alternative versions of some of those. How did you find out about Shall We Dance? It's not even out yet. Is there an alternative version in another region with English subs? I'd love to get a copy of this uncut.