Watchmen: Director’s Cut Differences from Theatrical Version

I watched Watchmen: Director’s Cut a few days ago and cataloged the differences between the Director’s Cut and the Theatrical Version. The Director’s Cut of Watchmen is more violent than the Theatrical version but is not better than that version. The Theatrical version has a cleaner flow to it, less unnecessary moments. BTW, what was your opinion (poll) on Watchmen? Here is Hitler’s response.

• Rorschach in The Comedian’s apartment. Two cops appear. Rorschach punches one out. He stands on window sill. A cop fires at him but he vanishes.
• Newscast of Rorschach violating the Kane Act and his police assault during Nite Owl 1 and 2’s Beer Night.
• In Nite Owl 2’s apartment, they discuss that news and the cop beating.
• Rorschach talking about good and evil, how he will not compromise.
• Reporter mentions genetic engineering during Veidt’s interview.
• Rorschach remarks: “Even Adrian Veidt. Possible homosexual. Must investigate further” as Rorschach goes to warn Dr. Manhattan and Silk Spectre 2. This line is from the comic book.
• There is a government escort outside the restaurant for Silk Spectre 2 when she has dinner with Nite Owl 2.
• At The Comedian’s funeral, we see Rorschach before it begins. We see Dr. Manhattan get out of a limo.
• Chopper scene during Vietnam sequence. The Comedian firing his handgun. Vietcong missing part of his leg, trying to escape. Comedian lights cigar, then burns him. More frames to the scene.

• At Watchmen’s first meeting, Murlock is mentioned. Manhattan teleports in. Rorschach speaks of justice.

• More riot footage. The rioters call Blake names. One of the rioters calls him the bad word for a gay person. He gets hit in the head with an empty can before jumping off of Archie.
• News stand scene. Homeless guy. Black Freighter is read. Nite Owl 2: “Maybe we should get a cab. These are bad neighborhoods.” Silk Spectre 2: “I’m in a bad mood.”
• Dr. Manhattan makes everyone at the Fact-to-Face show disappear instead of going to Mars. After alley fight, Silk Spectre 2 decides not to go with Nite Owl 2 and goes back to the base instead.

  

• Silk Spectre 2 questioned by G-Men. She then remembers past meeting with Comedian after first Watchmen meeting.



• Richard Nixon is mad. He says when doomsday is approaching.
• Scientists try to figure out how to contact Dr. Manhattan on Mars. Silk Spectre 2 asks to go to the bathroom then knocks out the G-Man, hand cuffs him and takes the bullets out of his gun.

• Rorschach watching Silk Spectre 2. He thinks she might have broken Manhattan’s heart on purpose. Puts on his mask and costume from alley hiding place. Sees an attempted rape and is happy to intervene.
• Doctor scene is extended in prison. “I can’t help him.” Rorschach killing child murderer is bloodier.
• First attempt at sex is extended. “Oh hell.” Nite Owl 2 can not get an erection. Sad.
• During the Fire rescue, kid asks if Nite Owl 2 is Jesus.
• Lawrence’s prison death scene has more frames.
• Silk Spectre 2 and Rorschach argue on roof of prison after rescue. Guards show up and shoot at him and Archie.

• More frames and dialogue for Dr. Manhattan naming scene. “The only symbol I respect.”
• **BEST ADDITIONAL SCENE, hands down. This should have been in the Theatrical Version.** At News stand. Knot head gang guy gets riled up and goes to Nite Owl 1’s home. Nite Owl 1 calls Sally Jupiter. We get to see Nite Owl fight gang members in his apartment. During the fight, he has flash backs of his glory days and beating Golden Age (or Silver) villains.

  

  

• During the bar interrogation scene, Nite Owl 2 finds out that Nite Owl 1 has been killed during a television news cast. He loses control and beats a Knot Head gang member severely. He knocks his teeth out in a bloody mess. He becomes Rorschach for this one brief scene. Rorschach pulls him off of the Knot Head, telling him: Not in public.

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