'The Avengers' European DVD/Blu-ray Release Edits Important Scene

(WARNING! Since we're talking about a key change, the following contains SPOILERS. Read on at your own risk.)

"The Avengers" DVD and Blu-ray releases outside the United States contain one pretty significantly altered scene.

From here on, the spoilers begin. OK? OK, then.

The death of Clark Gregg's Agent Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. had a certain touch of finality when seen in theaters - name, the spearhead plunged through his chest. With the DVD and Blu-ray of this summer's toppler of box-office records set to hit shelves domestically on Sept. 25 but in Europe today, BleedingCool.com reported Monday that Coulson's last moments received a touch-up for home viewing audiences.

Take a look at the stills below, and note that in the bottom one - the version now available in the U.K. and Germany - the spear doesn't plunge clear through Coulson's torso. It can't be a rating concern, as the film still receives a 12 in the U.K. The upcoming U.S. release will contain Coulson's impaling as it appeared in theaters.

To quote the BBFC's Extended Classification Information notes on the scene, "A slightly stronger moment occurs when a man is stabbed through the back by the chief villain's spear. The detail of the impact is not shown, only the tip of the spear protruding from the man's chest with a small amount of blood on it. The image is not dwelt upon and serves an important narrative purpose."

For what it's worth, the U.K. release is also writer-director Joss Whedon's audio commentary track, which appears on the (region-free) U.S. release.