However, cinemagoers in the US will be deprived of a climactic orgy scene because director Stanley Kubrick wanted to avoid an adults-only NC-17 certificate.

Kubrick edited the American version to get round the censors, digitally adding objects to hide the most sexually explicit 65 seconds of the film so it would get an R-rating.

An R-rating means teenagers under 17 can see it as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. An NC-17 certificate means under 17s are barred.

"NC-17 makes it really tough to market a film in a mainsteam way," says US box movie office expert Paul Dergarabedian.

"There is nothing in the picture that Stanley didn't approve," adds Cruise.

Cruise's ulcer secrecy

Cruise, who devoted nearly three years to the production, has revealed he developed an ulcer during the marathon shoot at Kubrick's Hertfordshire mansion.

Reclusive genius Kubrick at work in 1975

He tells Time magazine that he was reluctant to talk about it fearing the inevitable 'Kubrick gives Cruise an ulcer' headlines.

"I didn't want to tell Stanley," says Cruise. "I wanted this to work, but you're playing with dynamite when you act. Emotions kick up."

Kidman says she could see the pressure building. "We were both dealing with jealousy and sex in a way that it was always lurking around."

She adds: "We're so proud of the movie, but we have this strange feeling about its success. Stanley was always around. And now he's gone."

In the sexually-charged film, which is loosely based on Arthur Schnitzler's 1926 novella Dream Story, Cruise and wife Kidman play married psychiatrists.

Kurbick, who died unexpectedly aged 70 in March, completed the film a week before he died.