It took longer than I thought it would take to compare these. It's obviously very hard to keep PAL and NTSC sources in sync for very long. What surprised me is the Italian has slightly more picture info top and bottom at times. When there's an extreme pan to the right of the frame, there is more picture there too. It's also a different print, as our thin little white friend isn't there. ;)
Color and contrast are quite different. Some shots have a blue tint in the Italian, and the all white sets have more discernable edges to be seen. (Where the whites deliberately blown out by Lucas to conceal this?) The blinking dot that shows the way out of the holding area is obviously a light in white box that can't be made out in any other version I've seen.
(Post prologue) Some medicine cabinet camera shots are gone. As is the famous side scrolling monitors shot of robot police tending to a prisoner. We get to THX working the robot assembly line faster.
(10:56) Another voiceover occurs when THX returns to his apartment right before he takes a "shower". What is being said here?
(11:43) LUH's medicine cabinet scene is gone. It cuts right to a Italian text version of the "Possible Drug Violation" computer graphic. LUH closing the cabinet is also gone, cutting directly to the holographic naked dancer.
(12:36) Another voiceover as THX watches the robot police brutality channel.
(14:28) A shot of LUH in the apartment with her face to the wall is gone, it cuts straight to the marching monks as opposed to a fade from the missing scene.
(15:13) Most of THX tossing his cookies in the OHM booth is cut. It goes straight to the next scene where he passes out in the apartment. I'm also noting a tiny bit of print damage at some of these edit points.
(15:37) Another voiceover as LUH gets THX off the floor.
(18:43) There is a P.A. system voiceover in the shot of the joggers. This is not present on the LD.
(18:49) A shot of a man looking out a glass door with a handwritten sign reading "Unassigned Space #3", and another of a man trying to read a numerical sign are both cut, This goes straight to the malfunctioning robot shot.
(20:16) A monitor shot of THX in a crowd not feeling well is cut. THX returning to the apartment and watching more holograms is also cut. THX approaching SEN's apartment cut, This goes strainght to the inside of SEN's place. More print damage at the edit point.
(22:41) A scene of LUH calling for THX is cut. The hologram prayer scene is cut. This goes straight into the middle of THX and LUH discussing what will happen he goes back on sedation.
(24:01) THX showering is cut. This goes straight into SEN walking into THX's prepping for his work shift. Really obvious film splice as there is a jump in the soundtrack too.
(26:29) Computer display of info on THX in Italian. Different color and font from LD.
(28:26) More translated computer display.
(28:53) Some reordering of scenes here. LUH visits THX in the white void before we see his trial, police pole poking, and medical examinations. THX being toyed with by the unseen technicians has a couple shots cut.
(38:38) Another voiceover as THX is placed with the other outcasts of society.
(40:00) A cut right after the elderly prisoner puts his hand on THX's shoulder. Some of SEN's oratory is eliminated. This goes right to a prisoner with a similar name to LUH being brought in.
(51:17) Another translated computer display.
(1:00:31) Ditto.
(1:02:50) Holy ****! SEN's conversation with the children is longer! There is definitely footage here not in the LD! Donald Pleasance actually goofs with the kids a bit more here, and the kids have more dialog. *faints*
(1:14:03) More Italian computer display.
End credits translated into Italian along with a credit for the Italian distributor of the film.
What do you think, sirs?