The DVD is available, basically restored into it's full length. However in the States it's only available as part of a 5 disk box-set from the warners (and a very odd choice, since it's like 3 films from the thirties and two from the early 60's). Well, since the other 4 films are also pretty good, considering how great Cheyenne Autumn, it is certainly worth buying. (the others are The Informer, Mary Of Scotland, The Lost Patrol--all RKO films that now WB owns-- and Seargent Rutledge)
> The part where the Cheyennes divide into two groups, with the chief's wife opting to go with Sal Mineo, is omitted, as is the Polish-American cavalry trooper explaining why he "don't wanna be no Cossack".
Surprising, as I have seen about a dozen years ago a 16 mm prints panned and scanned for TV broadcast, and Mike Mazurki's scene was certainly there. I also don't understand, since it's really one of the most impressive and emotional, among the key scenes of the film.
> And why do movies get cut in this way, anyway? Like, when there isn't anything that could be termed objectionable, but they just get cut anyway?
With this film, it's obviously the length. Like for TV broadcasts, it would take up about 3 hours of air-time. I suspect that the former VHS release was made rather carelessly from a TV broadcast master, but then it's odd since the 16 mm panned and scanned print which should have served for the basis of the TV broadcast master did have that scene.
Otherwise, scenes can be lost because of the physical damages on the film materials, which can happen during a projection, or when the film materials are badly stored. Being a 70mm film that takes a lot of place for storage, while not necessary a very commercially popular film, Cheyenne Autumn didn't enjoy a nice storage condition, which is a shame .
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