what's the difference between the two versions?

I watched the original 136 minute version today and found it to be really really long. I haven't seen the shorter cut but i suspect it's a much tighter and easily watchable film. Apparently the film was so long and boring that they took off it the theatres after a week when it was released.

cassavetes fan? then watch the long one, then the shorter one, then go back and watch the long one and you'll realize the long one is better.

Not a cassavetes fan? watch the short one, then go watch good fellas.

Dictated, but not read.

The 1978 version cut 25 minutes from the 1976 original and tried to make the movie move along quicker. I found both versions disappointing; it seemed as though the entire production was done as improv. Perhaps it was meant to have the actors speak as "real people" and, if that is true, real people are boring as hell. While in Shanghai, I both a two-disc package (both 1976 and 1978 versions) for the equivalent of $2USD. I should have saved my money.

The implication that the long version is Cassettes preferred cut is wrong.

In this case the long version (134 min) was the one shown in theaters in 76. It was rushed due to commitments and Cassavetes was unhappy with it along along.

The version he took his time with and is the director's cut is actually the shorter version released two years later. It is in my opinion a much better version

I just watched the long cut and as someone said before, parts of it were REALLY boring.... Just awful. The whole part of the club owner being forced to go after the bookie was good though.