The original UK version runs 124 minutes. For the USA release, the film was re-edited to 95-minutes and new footage starring Kim Hunter inserted:
A scene between Bob (Sergeant John Sweet) and his new bride Kim Hunter on the Rockefeller Center introduces the story which he then tells in flashback.
The idyllic scenes with the boys' river battle and much of the hunt for the glue-man is cut with addition scenes or commentary by Bob added to cover the gaps.
There is an additional epilogue with Bob and his girl at the tea-rooms in Canterbury.