"ARMY OF DARKNESS
Q: Many readers believe or hope that there are better materials on that director's cut than those that were used. One reader mentions that the European version contains some of the footage and is supposed to be in very good shape. Could you describe if the search for materials for AOD included overseas resources, and clarify if you believe better materials were and/or are available?
A: For several months, both StudioCanal and myself literally searched the world for Director’s Cut film elements. The best we could find was a Japanese D2 of the cut international version with the apocalyptic ending. So to create the ARMY Director’s cut, we assembled the best elements using Bruce’s personal ¾” tape – the only existing element in the world of Sam’s original cut.
FYI, there were 3 edits of this film – Sam’s original version, the cut international version with the apocalyptic ending and the Universal version. The original production company destroyed all the ARMY outtake footage when they went bankrupt."
Then again, they obviously didn't look too hard if MGM found the original elements... ;)