The Big Blue / Le Grand Bleu
The big movie that started freediving for many freedivers was the Big Blue or Le Grand Bleu as it’s originally called. There are several versions out there and for me the only version that is the correct one is the extra long director’s cut version that shows the European version with around 35 minutes of extra footage.
There was also an USA version made of the movie and it was completely changed from the original format. Different music, different scenes and even a different ending. I guess movies in the USA are forbidden to have a ”bad” ending.
Below you can first watch the ending of the US version and below that the Europe version. Also check out the difference in Musci. I know my personal favorite! What is yours?
USA Version
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European Version
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English 
Nederlands
Never seen USA version
My favorite is the same as yours
The dark end thing is interesting. I saw the movie first in the US, so I saw the US version. I argued with my friends that he died at the end.
1) He leaves the sled, just like the European version
2) He makes it to the surface but with the Dolphin and no boat or platform is around
3) He swims away from shore, none visible land that he is returning to.
But I do think it was a loss to drop Serra’s music from the US version.
The editing on the directors cut is rather choppy. Because they used scenes from both the French and the English it is effectively dubbed some of the time and it produces an odd effect when watching. (or the DVD player I watched on had some really weird bugs)
The english version is far better if you ask me. Not only the ending but I was also missing the whole telephone call that was my favourite in the movie. I think the US version is totaly different.
A very late comment perhaps, but I had to say that I think the directors should not have made a US version with a happy ending. I think the (european) ending is great because of the bad ending. It is a perfect final scene for the movie. Although I understand that if he had not made a US version he would have missed a lot of sales, however I think it is sad that it has to happen this way..
I have no problems with the director's cut… runs perfectly and it's so much better as the standard europe version, let alone the USA version
I have no problems with the director’s cut… runs perfectly and it’s so much better as the standard europe version, let alone the USA version