Question about Uncensored English, U.S., and Italian versions.

The U.S. theatrical version was 98 minutes long, essentially the English version with some censoring and fewer scenes. The 105 min. version (prepared by Argento himself) leaves the violence untouched but tightens up the story, deleting several needless scenes that got in the way of the film's tension. It really is the best cut of the film, so you have exactly what you need.

The uncut version (Italian-English combo version) is better (more complete) than the cut versions and adds some minor character development and a "romance" if you can call it that. Having said all that, the plot still feels forced and convoluted.

Kiko is right. Your DVD, as you've probably gathered by now, is not the same as the heavily edited versions released on home video in the U.S. with different titles like Deep Red Hatchet Murders. Home video releases of Italian films in the '80s were notorious for their heavy editing and often strange title changes for the American market. Phenomena was re-titled Creepers and also suffered in the editing department. Then Tenenre was called Unsane. I think Lucio Fulci's House by the Cemetery was even called Zombie Death House or something. These versions still pop up every now and then on DVD, obviously sourced from VHS tranfers. I've seen a few of them in the DVD box sets that contain like 50 movies in cardboard sleeves. Your version of Deep Red still has all of the violence, which was missing in the U.S. R-rated cut. It's not the truncated travesty Deep Red Hatchet Murders was. In fact, I think it flows better than the 126 minute version with more emphasis on the murder mystery. The Italian cut kind of meanders a bit. I have no idea if Argento really does prefer the 105 minute cut (would love a link to that info if someone has it), but Blue Underground isn't going to release a sub-par cut without at least some support behind it so you can always trust that you're getting a quality version of the film if you see them on the label. Your DVD should be fine and you're not missing much from the Italian cut. Plus the fact it's all in English helps. The switching from English to Italian in the 126 minute cut is pretty distracting, the same as when watching the longer version of Phenomena. The only Argento films you really need to watch out for on DVD are those from strange labels. Blue Underground and Anchor Bay are consistently safe bets.

There are basically three main versions:

1.) USA Theatrical Release
2.) Argento's "uncut" English dubbed Version
3.) 100% Uncut version

Here is how I understand it from stuff I've read over the years.

The 100% uncut version (which I believe is approximately 126 minutes) was the version that Argento originally cut for release in Italy. However before it was dubbed into English he made further edits to create version number 2 (see above). Now I've never been 100% clear on this but apparently one of two things happened.

1.) A producer or studio exec etc. suggested and/or demanded it be recut
2.) He (Argento) decided to recut it himself.

It has been stated that he cut it partly to remove some material that he thought would not go over well with American audiences. It could also be that he just felt the cuts were needed to improve the film. I'm not sure there has been any real definitive reason given (other than what I've said which again I've gleamed from various articles and interviews).

So the "uncut" English dubbed version (which is roughly 105 minutes) was dubbed into English after it was created. In other words the 126 minute version was never dubbed into English. The film was recut (by Argento) to create the 105 minute version which was then dubbed into English. This is why there are scenes in the longer (100% uncut) version that have no English dubbing (it was never done for those scenes since they were cut prior to the dubbing being done).

But why do I call it the "uncut" English dubbed version when it is a good 20 minutes shorter than the true, 100%, uncut version? Well when Argento's "uncut" English dubbed version was released in the USA it was further cut for censorship issues (some of the gore was cut). So for years this USA version was thought of as "cut" while the longer English dubbed version was thought of as "uncut". It took a while (many years I believe) before most English speaking people came to realize that the Italian print was an even longer version and thus truly 100% uncut.

I find the 100% Uncut version to be a bit jarring with how the dubbing goes from English to Italian (with English subs) but it is unavoidable since those scenes were never dubbed. You could watch this version 100% in Italian with English subs but then you ruin the wonder performance by David Hemmings. I feel that his performance is one of the reasons that the film is so great.

As I said I prefer the shorter (although uncut) English dubbed version (nobody likes the cut English version) and the missing footage doesn't bother me ... except for one moment.

It's been a while now since I've compared them under close scrutiny but as I recall there is a scene where David Hemmings is talking to his Piano playing friend while he is drunk. It takes place outside by a big fountain. There is some dialog cut here in the "uncut" English Dubbed version that turns up in the 100% uncut version and this dialog is really helpful in helping you (the viewer) to figure out the story (and gives insight to how the David Hemming's character was trying to work it all out himself in his head). It's not a lot of dialog but enough was said that I wish that lil bit was in the English dubbed version. Other than that one ommision (which I admit is somewhat minor) I'm A-OK with all the other footage that was cut.

I've watched both the "uncut" English dubbed version and the 100% uncut version (in English with English subs when only Italian dialog is available) several times each but I still prefer the "uncut" English dubbed version.

I actually think that the uncensored English version is the best cut of the film. The best to watch with other people and easier to follow without the comiedic scenes to slow it down.