“Theatrical”, “director’s”, “extended” version of the film... what's the difference?
Very often, when we are looking for something to watch, the description of the distribution states... for example
- "Theatrical Cut"
- "Extended version" / Unrated / Extended Cut
- "Director's Cut" / Director's
Sometimes there are so-called “Extended Director's Cuts”, a kind of “hodgepodge”, they combine both.
But, alas, many do not know how they differ from each other, and ask questions
What is an extended cut of a film?
What is the full version of the film?
What's happened director's cut movie?
What is Unrated?
and I will try to illuminate this issue by resorting to the information that is on the Internet.
So, let's go)))
Theatrical version of the film- the version that was shown in cinemas, everything is very clear with it. Those. the same duration, dubbing, etc. As a rule, if there is no indication that the picture belongs to any variant, then this is a theater show. In fact, everything we watched, in 98% of cases, is the theatrical version.
Director's cut of the film- the version as intended by the director of the film himself. In films, the main person on the set is often the producer (or the studio with whose money the film is being made), they, at their own discretion, make adjustments to the script, actors and other parts of the future film for the most profitable distribution; in such a situation, the director has to stubbornly defend his ideas, not many directors have independence like Cameron, Spielberg, Jackson. Therefore, for some films a “director’s cut” is released, this can be either a completely reworked film in terms of plot and scenes, for example “Payback” (Brian Helgeland) 1996 (theater) and 2006 (dir), or an altered visually, for example, “The Mist” (Frank Darabont) 2007. It happens that the director who shot the theatrical version does not participate in the creation of the director’s version, for example, “Alien 3”. They are also mainly produced to increase demand for the sale of discs. That is, in essence, (English Director's cut) is a specially edited version of a movie (less often a television series, music video or video game), the purpose of which is to show the viewer the previously cut (or added later) material. Director's cuts never go on public display, but are often available for sale.
Extended version... Before being released in cinemas, a film is given an age restriction rating; no one will allow children and teenagers to see a film with a rating of up to 17; accordingly, the return on investment at the box office for such a film will be significantly less, because The main audience is children and teenagers. To lower the age rating, many (or sometimes even all) scenes with violence, propaganda of debauchery, swearing, etc. are cut out of the film. Accordingly, all these scenes are returned for sale on DVD, for example, “Drag Me to Hell,” Raimi’s film in the Unrated version looks much more cheerful than in the theatrical version.
Alternate ending
Director's cuts also include plot changes called alternative endings. These are changes that completely change the outcome of the plot. Sometimes a director shoots several endings for a film at the same time, and the studio makes a choice which ending will be more suitable for screening and will be better received by the audience. Alternative (not accepted) endings are released as additional materials.
As an example:
Extended (director's) version of "Total Recall"
The extended version more fully reveals the storyline of the film "Total Recall". The length of the extended version of the film Total Recall is 130 minutes versus 118 minutes for theatrical release.
Difference between Extended and Theatrical Cuts:
In the beginning of the movie main character heads to the bar after all the workers at the synthetic police assembly plant are forced to sign documents that they will not participate in terrorist activities with the knowledge to neutralize the synthetic police. Doug Quaid is upset by the fact that he is considered a terrorist, and he heads to the bar, and then to the Total Recall company, especially since he was already considering going there.
In the theatrical version, Doug Quaid's boss calls him at work and says he won't give him a promotion.
In the middle of the film, while playing the piano, Doug Quaid learns that he is special agent Karl Hauser and has undergone plastic surgery. That is why at the beginning of the film the fake wife did not recognize him, although they had previously worked together. In the extended version in the recording, actor Ethan Hawke plays Karl Hauser - the viewer sees what the main character actually looked like before plastic surgery by changes in appearance. That is why, immediately after watching the recording, Doug Quaid cannot believe this for several minutes.
In the theatrical version, Karl Hauser is played by Colin Farrell himself. In this regard, the audience had complaints about how his fake wife could not recognize him, although at the end of the film it turns out that they worked together for Chancellor Cohaagen.
At the end of the extended version of the film, the main character is missing a tattoo - evidence that he was in the Total Recall company, which makes the audience wonder whether he was there or what really happened then and when. In the theatrical version, this part with the lack of tattoo was cut out.
Everything that I wrote above can be read HERE, the site is very useful, and if anyone has questions about the differences, then feel free to go, everything is described there second by second. The only thing you need to know is English... although no one has canceled or banned Google Translator yet.
Let's summarize.
Also, sometimes it is written “Uncorked version”, “Full version”, “Uncensored version”, they are often called whatever you like, for the second “Terminator” there are generally a whole lot of them, but in essence, these are all “extended versions” of the picture. Posted by scarabey website
Dedicated to all film lovers! Let's understand the basic concepts of the world of cinema. What does the theatrical cut of a film, director's cut and extended cut mean? The phrases are incomprehensible at first glance, but after reading the article you will learn all the differences that exist between them. Let's analyze and find out!
What does a theatrical version of a film mean?
Any film has its own theatrical version - that is, the one that could be seen in the cinema with the same timing and dubbing.
This type of cinema attracts and captivates mass audiences, which ensures large sums of money from distribution. This means that censorship is observed in the film, controversial and highly philosophical scenes that may not be understood by the mass audience and those that can traumatize the psyche are excluded.
The main task of the theatrical version of the film is to interest the viewer and hold his attention until the end of the film.
So what does the theatrical version of the film mean? To summarize, we can say that the theatrical version is a version for everyone, which contains something that can interest viewers to buy a ticket, come to the cinema, relax and enjoy watching a picture with an exciting plot.
What do you mean by extended cut of a film?
What do theatrical and extended versions of a film mean? What are their differences?
In the extended version of the film, unlike the theatrical version, there are additional scenes. Whether to release it or not depends on the director himself and on how successful the theatrical version was and how much the audience wants to see an additional picture. An extended version may be released for a film that has attracted a huge number of fans interested in additional footage. In addition, the extended version may exist due to age restrictions, it may contain obscene language and sex scenes, unlike the theatrical version.
Director's cut VS producer's cut
What is the theatrical cut of a film and the director's cut? What are their differences? Since the filming process, in addition to the director, is also managed by the producer, whose money is used to carry out the filming process, there may be two different visions of the film. Most often, the one who pays for the action wins the dispute, so in addition to the theatrical version, there is also an independent director’s version of the film.
The director's cut may be completely different from all other versions. The director's cut is the vision of the film by the director himself, who can replace the actors, swap the action within the picture, motivate the characters with other goals, change the visual content, sometimes even make a completely different ending, in addition, the director can show the viewer the footage cut by the producer or shoot new ones that correspond to his personal idea.
But there are films in which the theatrical and director's versions coincide, for example, in the film "Blade Runner".
Director's cuts of films often cannot be seen in cinemas, they can only be purchased. For example, you can buy a disc with the director's cut of the Marvel film "Avengers: Infinity War" with additional 6-minute information about the main villain - Thanos.
The answer to the question of what a theatrical version of a film means, director's cut and extended version, has been found. Now you have become one step closer to an elite viewer who knows the terms and concepts from big world movie!
The production of documentary or feature films is a long, technologically complex and costly process that not only realizes the creative ideas of the director and screenwriters, but also prepares the footage for further commercial use. The film product that is released on wide screens does not always correspond even to the original idea of its creation.
What versions of the film are there?
During filming and further development, any movie changes many times and adapts to needs target audience. The final version of the film is the most adapted for a wide audience and often does not coincide with the product that the authors planned at the beginning of work on the film.
Some films exist in several versions: a theatrical version, a director's cut, and sometimes an extended (full) version. Each of them realizes its own goals, not always exclusively commercial ones. At film festivals, for example, they show unadapted versions of sensational films that have not been shown to the average viewer.
Theatrical version. What is it for?
The theatrical version of a film is the product that in most cases is released to cinemas. It has the ability to attract mass audiences and ensure maximum revenue from the show. The commercial version of the film is adapted for viewing by a wide audience: it takes into account the requirements of censorship and has the artistic value of mass art. 
The main goal of the theatrical version is to gather the largest possible audience and keep their attention throughout the entire film. Comfortable session duration and a dynamic, non-trivial plot ensure maximum viewer involvement in the viewing process.
In the theatrical version of the film, due to its mass appeal, scenes of an overtly erotic nature, shocking images and phrases that directly or indirectly call for violence or national hatred are excluded. 
Director's cut. Features and tasks
The director's cut of the film is a true creation of the filmmakers, reflecting the original idea of the authors. Such a product is rarely commercial; it reveals the meaning and emotional component of the plot. As a rule, the author's version of a film is longer than its theatrical version. It shows much more clearly the director's style, his worldview and vision of the problem that underlies the plot. 
Films based on literary works, are more consistent with the original in the director's reading. They are distinguished by a large number of meaningful dialogues, a more detailed plot and an abundance of close-ups.
Director's versions of films are much more often nominated for prestigious film awards than their commercial counterparts, but the average viewer rarely gets to see exactly the picture that has gained recognition from world experts. 
Theatrical and director's versions - differences
- The director's cut is the true intention of the filmmakers; it reflects the author's vision of the film. The theatrical version guarantees a wide release; it is adapted for wide release, without always preserving the original idea.
- The director's cut is rarely released, being non-commercial. Theatrical - designed to ensure the return on investment for the film.
- The director's cut, as a rule, is extended, and may contain plot twists that do not appear in the box office. The theatrical version is more dynamic, it is distinguished by simplified content and short, succinct dialogues.
- The artistic value of the director's cut is determined by the assessments of professionals at competitions and film festivals. An indicator of the level of value of the theatrical version is the number of visitors to the premiere screenings and the final box office receipts.
Sometimes the finished product, released in theaters, turns out to be so popular that the creators additionally release the director's cut of the film. Numerous fans who have the opportunity to view the author’s version will be in for surprises and discoveries that can change the viewer’s understanding of the idea of the film as a whole.
Film production is a multifaceted process that covers all stages of film creation from the development of its concept and approval of the project to the organization of rental and distribution of licensed copies on optical discs for home video. In this process the most important aspects are the implementation of the director’s creative plan, the acting, the use of modern technical means for processing the filmed material and the possibility of making a profit from showing the film to a wide audience. Showing a film in a director's cut or theatrical cut can serve a variety of purposes for the production company and its production team.
Definition
Theatrical version of the film is a film product intended for distribution in cinemas and on television. It must meet certain marketing requirements arising from the commercial component of the production of a particular film, and at the same time have artistic value that will attract the viewer and make this film a box office success.
Director's cut fully realizes the creative vision of the filmmakers. On film set The director has the exclusive right to choose the means and methods of expressing the idea of the film, enhancing the dynamics of the plot and attracting specific effects that influence the audience's perception. This choice may not always serve the commercial goals of the project, but it is what determines the quality of the production and the level of directorial skill.
Comparison
The main difference between the theatrical version and the director's version is that it is maximally adapted to the interests of the average viewer. When creating a theatrical version, many factors are taken into account that contribute to its popularization: the optimal viewing time, during which interest in the film does not wane, entertainment, the severity of intrigue, the fascination of the plot, the brightness of the acting.
The theatrical version is created for mass viewing, therefore, as a rule, scenes of violence and explicit eroticism, as well as fragments that provoke conflicts based on national hatred or religious beliefs, are excluded from it.
First screen cinemas have the initial right to show a released film. After a week's viewing, the theatrical version is released to other cinemas, which are accessible to a wider range of viewers. Over the course of two to three weeks, the film undergoes a kind of testing, including monitoring studies, on the basis of which the production team can predict its payback and commercial success. A month after the first show is held detailed analysis initial release and, if necessary, additional adjustments are made to the theatrical version. Taking them into account, the film company grants the right to broadcast the film to TV channels. For television distribution and the production of optical discs used in home video, modern cinema uses the Digital Intermediate digital film production method, which allows you to obtain an unlimited number of copies from hard drives.
The director's cut, unlike the theatrical version, is not released for distribution, but can contribute to the active promotion of the film on the film market. It is the director's versions of films that are most often presented at film festivals and nominated for prestigious film awards.
The director's cut may differ from the theatrical version in some plot twists, contain additional fragments, have a different ending, which generally changes not the content of the film, but its idea. The director’s right to his own vision of the film’s production is not disputed, but what gets into distribution is exactly what attracts the mass audience and meets their needs.
This does not mean that a film made by a talented director is necessarily edited and reshaped to suit the company's commercial goals. The director's cut is often born as an alternative to a film project, in which the author's style is more clearly visible and a certain ideological, social, psychological or political aspect is more expressed.
You can get acquainted with the director’s cut if you purchase a licensed optical disc with a copy of the film you like, the name of which is marked Director’s cut.
Conclusions website
- The director's version of the film fully corresponds to the director's intentions and reflects his personal vision of the implementation of the idea of the film.
- The director's cut is not always commercially viable, so it is extremely rarely released.
- The director's cut of the film may have additional fragments, plot twists and an ending that differs from the theatrical version.
- A theatrical version of the film is being created for theatrical release.
- The theatrical versions do not include some scenes and fragments that may cause age restrictions for viewing the film.
- The theatrical version is intended for wide range spectators and must correspond to a high artistic level.
- The artistic value of the director's version of a film is determined by the assessments of commissions and juries of film competitions and festivals.
Director's cuts are rarely released to the public, but are often available for sale.
Reasons for the emergence of director's cuts
There are a number of reasons why director's cuts appear at all. Typically, showing the standard version is aimed at maximizing profits at lower costs. The maximum profit, in turn, depends on the target audience (more precisely, on the number of possible viewers) and on the viewer’s interest in watching the continuation storyline in subsequent films (the so-called “Sequels”). In other words, to create the highest possible theoretical profit:
- there should be some ambiguity in the plot that people will want to clarify when planning a trip to the next part of the film;
- There should be no age/cultural restrictions for viewing the film (or such restrictions should be kept to a minimum).
In addition, in a number of cases pressure is exerted on the film from the publisher, as well as from cinema chains. Many people know that, for example, radio is reluctant to accept compositions that last less than 3 or more than 4 minutes. Compositions from such a list are usually called “non-format” and this is rarely related to the content itself - simply a longer or shorter composition can introduce a pause on the air, or delay a subsequent transmission, which is not economically beneficial for the radio station itself. The situation is exactly the same in the cinema industry: it is necessary to show a film, ventilate/clean the hall, change the projector settings - and it is desirable that in total this time should be about 2 hours, then the cinema will be able to show in one hall (if we take 14- hourly working day of the cinema) 7 sessions during the day. If the film lasts, for example, 1:59:00, then either the audience will sit in a clean theater only if they came for the morning show, or the cinema will have to change the schedule of sessions, which will result in a decrease in profits for it. Of course, in some cases, the film's box office revenue completely covers such costs, but not all films can boast of a famous director or competent PR.
- The film "Underworld" in the director's cut almost completely reveals the legend of werewolves and vampires in just a few extra minutes, but in the standard version there is an artificial understatement, because of which people may well want to go to the third part of the sequel "Underworld: Uprising" Lycans."
- the film "Three X's" in the director's cut contains a huge amount of profanity, which was not even translated through subtitles ( editor's note - but the Russian-speaking public would not need such translations). Exception similar scenes and dialogues, the restrictive rating was relaxed immediately to “PG-13” (, which allowed even children to attend the film (in the presence of parents/guardians).
- The film adaptation trilogy of The Lord of the Rings lasted for original version a full 148 minutes longer than the three parts shown in cinemas, that is, these film adaptations did not fit into the “format” even in double sessions and were reduced by 37, 52 and 59 minutes, respectively. However, since the film is an adaptation of the books, it is quite logical that although these deleted moments were not of paramount importance in the plot, their absence does not allow the viewer to experience the full effect of presence.
Alternate ending
Director's cuts also include plot changes called alternative endings. These are changes that completely change the outcome of the plot. Often, the publisher/producer obliges the director to film several endings for a film at the same time, and the studio then makes a choice which ending is more suitable for screening and will be better perceived by the audience. Sometimes this choice is completely different from the writers and director’s own opinions. Films that do not plan to have sequels in the future often go on sale, and in the additional materials section you can find these very alternative (not accepted) endings. Although from year to year this trend is losing its popularity. The publisher and distributor need a very specific opinion from the viewer, thus, after watching an alternative ending that really reveals and completes the plot, the viewer may simply not want to go for the sequel, which will negatively affect the box office success of the sequel, and therefore is undesirable for the publisher/producer.
Director's cuts of films
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Books
- Samurai Jack. Classic stories, Genndy Tartakovsky, Robbie Bush, Sholly Fish. Jack is back! Meet classic comics based on the super popular animated series. You will find the director's cut of Jack's first appearance, as well as all the stories about the adventures of the samurai from...
