For years, fans traded VHS dubs of the ABC broadcast under the working title “The TV Cut.” These were muddy, pan-and-scan, and riddled with commercial fades. Yet, the legend grew. Finally, in 2019, Arrow Video released the definitive 4K restoration, featuring:
, an expansive version that aims to restore the film's original, ambitious vision. What exactly is the "Ulysses Cut"? The Ulysses Cut is the ultimate hybrid. It takes the Extended TV Cut
: It resolves several "plot holes," such as how the Mariner acquired his jet ski and how Gregor tracked the group after their boat was destroyed. Production Context Waterworld.1995.The.Ulysses.Cut.720p.BluRay.H26...
While 1080p and 4K Ultra HD are the current standards for modern home theaters, 720p remains incredibly relevant for catalog titles from the 1990s. Because Waterworld was shot on 35mm film, a high-quality 720p encode captures the natural film grain, oceanic textures, and practical set designs without requiring massive storage space. 2. BluRay Source
The truncated "H26..." likely means .
Are you interested in a comparison between the and the original theatrical cut?
The "Ulysses Cut" began as a fan project to solve this problem. In the mid-2000s, an online film enthusiast known as "Mcfly89" took the extended TV version and combined it with other broadcast sources. His goal was to restore all the original, uncensored footage, creating the most complete version of the film possible. This fan edit was completed in 2008 and famously uploaded to The Pirate Bay, where it gained a strong cult following. For years, fans traded VHS dubs of the
: Adds approximately 40 minutes of deleted scenes back into the film.