MovieChat Forums > Sharpe's Challenge (2007) Discussion > Alternate versions (USA) of Sharpe's Cha...

Alternate versions (USA) of Sharpe's Challenge?

posted 14 years ago by PVarjak
5 replies | jump to latest

This is being aired on PBS's Masterpiece as 'new.' I'm pretty sure this has already aired in the USA (Bravo, A&E perhaps?). Anyway, the Masterpiece version is squeezed into 2 hours (actually less with the intro and all). I know that PBS often edits out a small amount, but 20 minutes is a lot. Someone posted elsewhere that the later Sharpe's movies drag in the longer length; but I would imagine a lot got cut out to make it under 2 hours. Does anyone know what major stuff was taken out? Thanks.

[–] klorentz 14 years ago

I saw it on BBC America a while ago, and then again last Sunday. I cannot say that I noticed anything missing.

[–] randommovies2002 14 years ago

Don't forget, though, that BBCA cuts a lot too!

We have Challenge on DVD. I think the first time I watched it I was suprised by a few scenes that I hadn't seen in the BBCA broadcast.
I didn't bother watching the PBS broadcast because I knew they would cut it. I did, however, watch Laura Linney's odd intro to the program. You can see it on PBS' website.

[–] macduff50 14 years ago

Check the review of the blu ray at this address –

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/41267/sharpes-challenge/

The reviewer says that the original ITV broadcast version consisted of 2 x 90 minute shows. If you deduct credits and commercials, actual run time per episode is 69 minutes, for a total of 138 minutes. Amazon lists the run time as 138 minutes, however, the reviewer says that the run time on the blu-ray disc is a mere 105 minutes, ie, it's the cut version shown on BBC America. Sucks.

Why do they do this? Most likely it's a licensing issue, that is, in the North American market, the cut BBC America version was licensed, and when the deal was struck, it included DVD and other ancillary rights. Having made the decision to cut when they first aired it (and as all producers just know, North American audiences all suffer from attention deficit disorder, and won't tolerate longer versions, even when they make more sense), they are now stuck with that version for the DVD release, unless they want to pay more money and re-license.

My advice? If a region free blu-ray can be had from Amazon.uk, go for it, since it will most likely have the longer cut.

[–] PVarjak 14 years ago

I think you're over-thinking it. I think for the purposes of advertiser-supported TV (BBCA, A&E, etc.) they would cut it. They cut almost every movie to fit into even hour and 1/2 hour slots (e.g. 2.5 hours) with commercials. But why PBS cuts this stuff (and not just Sharpe) is beyond me. Fine. Do the intro, ask for more support (I supported PBS until recently, because I've come to hate their politics, their scheduling, their editing of shows on Masterpiece, etc.), and then SHOW THE UNCUT PROGRAM! PBS doesn't have as rigid a schedule (especially on weekends) as commercial broadcasters like NBC, etc.

I finally watched this off of my DVR and it definitely seemed cut. I seem to remember a much longer ending sequence with the ambush within the walls, etc. I honestly thing that, even with commercials, A&E probably showed the whole thing and ran it for 3 hours or something. If the Blu-ray is cut, that's ridiculous. Why buy the thing at all?

BTW Macduff, I typically do buy the British versions. I have a region-free player and the UK versions are both cheaper and unmolested.

Edit: By the way Macduff, that version you linked to IS region-free, unrated, and from BBC Worldwide; so I wouldn't blame it on America, BBC America, or our 'short attention spans.' That's both ridiculously offensive and overly generalizing.

[–] stalinfalcon 14 years ago

Just realise that UK versions aren't ALWAYS un-molested... just have a chat at everyone who's fingers were burnt by Playback's Poldark DvDs... Always research the DvD cuts no matter where they come from before final purchase ;)