What editions are available?
- Theatrical (91 min.)
- Extended Cut (99 min.)
John Rambo returned to cinemas after a 20 year absence in a big way in Rambo in 2008. The action-packed sequel delivered buckets of blood and gore and headless corpses. Fans thought they were getting even more blood when writer-director-star Sylvester Stallone talked about an director’s cut of the film. But instead of blood, he delivered a cut where the violence was reduced and Rambo talks about his feelings.
The theatrical Rambo was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the US where there is an extended cut available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Stallone premiered his director’s cut of the film in the Zurich Film Festival in 2008. It was later released on Blu-ray where it was billed as an extended cut. In 2009 Stallone was presented with The Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award at the 66th Venice International Film Festival. A screening of Rambo was held at the festival where an press release included a quote from Stallone:
“With the support of Jaeger-LeCoultre there will be a screening of Rambo – Director’s Cut by Sylvester Stallone, about which the director also says: “I’m very happy because I wish the director’s cut had been the actual cut. The problem with releasing a film is when you revisit it a year or some later you see all the wasted possibilities that you didn’t pay attention to the first time because of a rushed schedule. The new one has a great deal more heart to go along with the physicality of the film.”
Source: Sylvester Stallone to receive Jaeger-LeCoultre Award, WorldTempus.com
The director’s preferred edition: Extended Cut
Comparison of the editions with courtesy of Movie-Censorship.com
