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Ultra-Violent Lost Version of Arrow 4K Blu-ray Teased

Among the many iconic action movies of the 1980s, Cobra, directed by George P. Cosmatos and featuring the legendary Sylvester Stallone, stands out as an underrated gem. Following the incredible success of Rambo: First Blood Part II, Cobra managed to achieve impressive box office results, raking in approximately $48 million in the United States (adjusted for 1986 inflation) and around $112 million internationally. However, despite these figures, it was perceived as a letdown when compared to the prior year’s Rambo sequel. During a masterclass I attended featuring Stallone at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) a few years back, he openly shared his regrets about the film, stating:

Cobra, to me, was half-baked. I could have done better, but I wasn’t concentrating enough. I felt like that’s something I should have directed, and I didn’t—and I regret that. That’s one thing about making movies—aside from watching your hairline recede—you go, ‘God, why didn’t I try harder?’”

Despite Stallone’s candid reflections, Cobra has evolved into a prominent cult classic over time. This month, Arrow Video is offering fans a deluxe experience with a newly released 4K UHD edition that showcases a stunning visual transfer. Notably, this release includes the film’s rarely aired television cut, which provides a fascinating glimpse into a different version of the movie.

This isn’t Arrow’s first foray into including unique TV versions of films; they previously featured the heavily edited television cut of RoboCop as an added bonus on that film’s 4K disc. However, the TV version of Cobra is particularly intriguing, as it runs a full six minutes longer than the theatrical edition, offering additional context and scenes that were previously unseen by audiences.

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So, what makes this extended cut so special?

Initially, Cobra was envisioned as a far grittier and more intense film than what ultimately reached theaters. It was intended to be a horror-action hybrid, featuring Stallone’s character, Marion Cobretti, as he pursued a cult of axe-wielding serial killers led by the menacing character known as Night Slasher, played by Brian Thompson. However, the final cut, which runs a concise 89 minutes, feels strangely abbreviated, almost as if we are watching a heavily censored version of the film despite its hard-R rating. Throughout the film, whenever the Night Slasher engages in violence, the camera cuts away, and during the climactic shootout, even as Cobretti uses his custom Jatimatic submachine gun to take down adversaries, the lack of visible squibs leaves the action feeling subdued and lacking the expected punch.

The reasoning behind this editing decision is quite significant. The original cut of the film, which was reportedly over 30 minutes longer, received an X rating from the MPAA. In response to this rating, Warner Bros. mandated a severe reduction in length, a fate that also befell Wes Craven’s Deadly Friend during the same year. Consequently, the theatrical release was drastically shortened, leading to the reinstatement of additional scenes for the TV broadcast to fill a two-hour slot.

The restored scenes in the TV version provide a tantalizing glimpse into what the original vision for Cobra might have entailed. They include a deeper exploration of the cult and its nefarious rituals, featuring a haunting moment where a young boy delivers a box containing a victim’s remains to the police. Additionally, there’s an extended murder sequence involving the manager and receptionist at the motel where Cobretti resides during the climax, presented in a stylistic manner that cross-cuts with Dial M for Murder shown on a television. Although this footage remains censored for television, it’s evident that the longer cut embraced a more horrific tone, reminiscent of classic Italian giallo films.

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Could that original version have resonated better with audiences compared to the polished action cut we received? It’s difficult to determine. However, it certainly would be fascinating to witness.

Regrettably, this television version may be the closest we’ll ever get to experiencing the uncut edition of Cobra, as the original footage is likely locked away in the Warner Bros. vault—if it still exists at all. A complete restoration may only materialize if Stallone himself chooses to revisit the film, similar to his work on Rocky IV—a project I was fortunate enough to discuss with him. Here’s hoping he decides to explore Cobra again, as many fans at JoBlo, including our President of Operations and Arrow in the Head founder, John Fallon, have a deep affection for the film. He expressed his thoughts on one of his all-time favorite films:

Cobra is a nostalgic favorite of mine. And although the film is probably too lean for its own good (to this day I yearn for the Director’s Cut), it still delivers hardcore every time I watch it. If it wasn’t the brutal fight sequences whooping me into a smile frenzy, it was that insane car chase hitting the spot (all about that 180-degree turn and shoot bit…nice), the lengthy shootouts, the unintentional/intentional laughs, its engaging score, priceless macho dialogue, or the sight of Cobra in the back of a pickup truck mowing down ALL KINDS of varmints with his nifty automatic weapon (the rare Jati-Matic submachine gun). Whenever I see the latter scene I say to myself: “Life doesn’t get much better than this. Cobra is maybe not perfect on paper but it always pushes my right detonation buttons. That’s all that matters to me!  Bummer we never got a sequel…

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Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.