What is the difference to the international version of the Twin Peaks pilot and why is there a difference?

What is the difference to the international version of the Twin Peaks pilot and why is there a difference? - Top view of different types and colors American dollars placed together on each other

I decided to start watching "Twin Peaks". But it has two pilot episodes, one of them an alleged "international version" that is 20 minutes longer than the other.

What are the differences between those two pilot episodes? What is missing from the non-international version and why is there such a significant difference in running length?



Best Answer

This is all covered on Wikipedia under "Home video release"

Due to rights issues, the American pilot (94 minutes long) was not released in the United States home video market until 2007. The European pilot (116 minutes) had been released on VHS and laser disc years earlier: this alternate version of the pilot was aired in Europe as a stand-alone television movie. The European version is identical to the United States-aired version up until the last several scenes, when the killer of Laura Palmer is revealed. Both versions of the pilot are included in the Twin Peaks: Definitive Gold Box Edition DVD set, released in the US on 30 October 2007.[24] Lynch was so pleased with the footage shot for the European ending that he later incorporated some of it into Cooper's dream sequences that aired in subsequent episodes.




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Should I watch Twin Peaks international pilot?

If you're getting into Twin Peaks and have access to the international pilot, I'd strongly recommend you don't bother with it, at least not at first. It will only mess with the story and will introduce some characters you aren't supposed to meet for a while.

Which version of the Twin Peaks pilot should I watch?

The longer version is also suitable for a quick refresher or preparation for the 2017 season. If you don't like the series format at all, but would still like to get a taste of Twin Peaks, you should prefer the longer, international version, as it is self-contained.

How long is Twin Peaks international pilot?

Due to rights issues, the American pilot (94 minutes long) was not released in the United States home video market until 2007. The alternative extended European pilot (116 minutes) had been released on VHS and laser disc years earlier.

Where can I watch Twin Peaks international pilot?

Watch Twin Peaks Season 1 Episode 1: Pilot - Full show on Paramount Plus. You must be a Paramount+ subscriber in the U.S. to stream this video.



Red Room: Euro Pilot vs Episode 2 #SaveTwinPeaks




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