Alternate versions

The studio cut the film heavily prior to its release. Released theatrically at 141 minutes; laserdisc reissue is 180 minutes and features deleted footage, alternate takes for certain scenes, and an additional musical number titled "Cool Considerate Men." This version also includes an overture and intermission. According to the laserdisc jacket, the original film elements of the extended version were destroyed; thus the deleted scenes were taken from whatever Columbia could find, mostly old, misused prints (which leads to a decrease in picture and sound quality whenever the film transitions from the theatrical version to the deleted footage). One deleted scene was taken from a black-and-white print and was presented as such.

The 2015 Blu-Ray includes an "Extended Version" which reinserts the extended version of "Piddle, Twiddle" and "Lees" reprise into the film; it runs three minutes longer than the Director's Cut.

For the 2002 DVD release (and Turner Classic Movies showings), the film has been shortened slightly from the laserdisc version, to 166 minutes. The overture and entr'acte music have been removed and the songs "Piddle, Twiddle, and Resolve" and "Lees of Old Virginia" (the latter's reprise has been removed) have inexplicably been cut back to their original release lengths. On the other hand, a short piece of footage following "Cool, Considerate Men" has been found and reinserted. The replaced footage has been repaired, giving the DVD a much better look visually than the laserdisc.