The Supergrass

The original theatrical version of this film can no longer be seen today. Although originally released intact and uncut in the UK and several other countries in the mid-1980s on VHS (and laserdisc in the UK), the film was extensively cut by the distributor for the first US VHS release for an unknown reason. Incredibly, the later mid-'90s re-release of the film on VHS in the UK copied most of these cuts (but retained some of the scenes missing from the US release), again for an unknown reason, as did the following (and to date, only) DVD release. Second-hand copies of the original, uncut version can usually be sourced online, but these are only on PAL-signal VHS, or the aforementioned laserdisc. It is unknown if the film was released in its original form in the US for its theatrical run in 1988.

When Harvey, Dennis and Lesley are in the hotel room playing the "truth" game, it is dark outside. During this scene however, Troy leaves his bed & breakfast and walks the sea wall to await the arrival of the drugs boat, and it is daylight. Later, Harvey gets upset and retreats outside to the balcony, where it is again night, but after this a shot of Troy waiting on the sea wall is shown, and it is now sunset.

The American version depletes all mention of the phone box outside the hotel being checked for hidden chalk messages, and also removes several other humorous scenes, such as the one where Troy complains to the landlady that there is no hot water. These cuts reduce the running time by about eight minutes.

Referenced in Wogan: Episode #5.116 (1985)