I first saw The Abyss on Sunday, 24th January 1993 on Channel 4 in the UK. They mistakenly broadcast the film uncut for which the governing body, OFCOM, slapped their wrists.
Not long after, the Special Edition had a UK release on VHS, which I would snap up instantly. Although, I would be amazed at the terrible editing used to hide the rat in the infamous scene where they force it to breathe oxygenated liquid.
In 2000, I would import the two disc DVD from the US which was fantastic, but the only setback was the picture was non-anamorphic. This didn't worry me too much at the time because I was watching on a 14-inch portable.
Finally, after waiting over two decades, I finally have the film in HD and 4K! It's been so long, it's skipped a generation. ๐ Plus, I had to import the film from the Netherlands as it isn't getting a release here in the UK!
I remember a friend at university rushing in to.say he'd just rented the extended version on VHS so we all piled round to his. I got to see it in the cinema last year. It's definitely my favourite version of Aliens.
You are right about those.early scenes of the colonists but, during the action, they have the scene with the automated machine gun turrets.
I gotta watch it again now.
Does the 4k include the extended cut?
I don't have it but I believe it does.