I'm sure there are other threads about this, but I can't find any!
Adam and Matty,
Please please please watch the full version of Fanny and Alexander! I saw the 5 hour version over Christmas break 2 years ago, and it's my favorite movie of all time (seriously, it's #1). I raved about it to my wife and friend, but I told them I'd spare them the full 5 hours. MUCH to my disappointment, every single one of my favorite scenes was gone. This isn't an exaggeration. There were 3 scenes in the movie that I remembered loving, and none of them were in the cut version. I have since seen the 5 hour film again, and loved it.
Since you will probably only watch such a long film once in your life, please do it right the first time! You'll never go back and watch the full version if you don't do it now!
Thanks!
Jake