HumanMedia Posted December 5, 2008 Posted December 5, 2008 (edited) OK The USA release is heavily cut. The UK release is also badly cut in a different way. The French release is FULLY UNCUT. I just noticed the Australian release at JBHiFi. Does anyone know if this is the fully uncut version also, as per the French release???? Here is how to tell if its the same as the UK version: In the uncut version there should be four horses falling to the ground one after the other starting at around 30'57 over the next 20s or so. On the UK version, only one horse fell. Here is how to tell if its the same as the USA version: The USA version has the above sequences intact but with the following changes: 46:50. Four shots have been removed of Jin attacking and slicing the throat of a soldier. 1:41:50. As Jin discovers Mei lying injured, the scene has been condensed to cut directly to Leo's attack. In the original Chinese cut of the film, Jin cradles Mei's body for 30 additional seconds, and we discover that she is still alive when she attempts to whisper in his ear. Mei's voice is inaudible, but Jin repeats aloud what he hears: "Mei. Mei! What? Turn… Turn around. Look behind you." At this point he turns around to see Leo charging towards him. The beginning of the fight between the two men has also been edited slightly differently, but the content of the battle remains basically unchanged. 1:45:50. A brief shot has been removed of Leo's sword slicing Jin's torso and drawing blood. 1:46:20. During Leo and Jin's duel, the appearance of blood spatters has been digitally reduced. Blood still flies as the combatants slice at each other, but in slightly lesser volume. 1:49:20. After Mei removes the dagger from her chest, a gusher of blood has been digitally erased. Initially, we see a small amount of blood pour out (this is identical to both versions of the movie), but after the camera cuts away and cuts back to her the Chinese edit shows more blood flowing out. In the American edit we see a stain on her shirt but no further stream of blood. Can anyone give feedback on which version the Australian release is? Edited December 5, 2008 by HumanMedia
momaw Posted December 5, 2008 Posted December 5, 2008 I'm really keen on an answer to this too. I wish EDKO would release it.
aeon1503559541 Posted December 5, 2008 Posted December 5, 2008 I'll be picking up the Australian release, when I'm not sure, but once I do, I'll let you guys know (unless someone else can answer first!) I've got the US version, and it's _ok_, but not ideal.
Zarthaz1503560824 Posted December 6, 2008 Posted December 6, 2008 (edited) OK The USA release is heavily cut.The UK release is also badly cut in a different way. The French release is FULLY UNCUT. I just noticed the Australian release at JBHiFi. Does anyone know if this is the fully uncut version also, as per the French release???? Here is how to tell if its the same as the UK version: In the uncut version there should be four horses falling to the ground one after the other starting at around 30'57 over the next 20s or so. On the UK version, only one horse fell. Can anyone give feedback on which version the Australian release is? Just watched it, 4 horses fall down in that sequence. Throat was sliced at 46.50 minutes in with a flying dagger. When the movie starts the first language choice is French and second is English. Watched the movie in the Asian DTS-HD High Resolution soundtrack with English subs. As a side note, was surprised to my AVR actually display DTS-HD High-Res on its front panel, not seen that before. Hope this helps..... Z /edit on Movie has the scenes intact from what i can figure, plenty blood coming out of Mei when she removes the dagger etc etc its gushing out actually for a while , so it seems we have the French release Edited December 7, 2008 by Zarthaz
aeon1503559541 Posted December 7, 2008 Posted December 7, 2008 Awesome, nice work, can't wait to get my copy of it now. Anyone want to buy my old American blu-ray?
momaw Posted December 8, 2008 Posted December 8, 2008 I just grabbed the local release. I didn't have time to check all the stats in store, but now I've had a look, it seems to be the French release based on it having a DTS HD MA French track. Since the Mandarin is only DTS HD (not MA) I am considering returning it and sticking with the US version until Hong Kong do a proper release. Decisions decisions.
ajm1503559545 Posted December 8, 2008 Posted December 8, 2008 mo, how would you rate the PQ and Aq overall though?
momaw Posted December 8, 2008 Posted December 8, 2008 mo, how would you rate the PQ and Aq overall though? If I open it I can't return it. Undecided so far. Besides, have another toy I'm playing with right now
ajm1503559545 Posted December 8, 2008 Posted December 8, 2008 If I open it I can't return it. Undecided so far. Besides, have another toy I'm playing with right now Yeah fair enough. Another toy? Interesting!
aeon1503559541 Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 Finally got hold of my Australian release today, will watch it sometime soon. I sold my US release on ebay a few weeks ago... though I didn't realise until today that the Aus release has "only" got a (lossy) DTS HD HR soundtrack rather than the (lossless) PCM track found on the US Blu-ray. It's a shame, but the uncut nature of the disc (and the reported PQ improvement) does one-up the lesser spec'd audio track. Not sure if I remember the video quality on the US release to do a PQ comparison though...
zallapo Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 so how is the PQ anybody? Hired it from Quickflix a few weeks ago, wasn't that impressed. Seriously needs a remaster badly. Am hangin on Hero tho. Love the B&W sequence.
aeon1503559541 Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 (edited) I had a quick look last night - subjectively it look slightly better than the US release that I recall... but I'm not sure there was much in it. Still has the horrible telecine wobble throughout, which is absolutely shocking (and has been prevalent since the first DVD releases). I wonder if this is the best we'll ever get. Edit: Just found some screenshot comparisons: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread....48#post15330948 Edited February 9, 2009 by aeon
SDL Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 I just wish good copies of Jet Li's Fearless, House of the Flying Daggers, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, etc. etc would come out.
aeon1503559541 Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 er... there IS a good copy of Fearless out - has all three cuts (the Director's Cut is the best); http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1846/fearless.html Out in Australia too...
SDL Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 er... there IS a good copy of Fearless out - has all three cuts (the Director's Cut is the best);http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1846/fearless.html Out in Australia too... Never thought i was going to do this, but I might have to buy a BD I have on HD DVD.
HumanMedia Posted February 10, 2009 Author Posted February 10, 2009 er... there IS a good copy of Fearless out - has all three cuts (the Director's Cut is the best);http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1846/fearless.html Out in Australia too... Doesnt the Australian release only have the Directors Cut? (not that that isn't the best cut anyway)
aeon1503559541 Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Doesnt the Australian release only have the Directors Cut?(not that that isn't the best cut anyway) I got my Australian release yesterday, and the menu allows you to choose from all three cuts... (which is pointless, as the director's cut is all anyone should ever watch ... still nice to have them there I guess).
Adelaideltpc Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 I got my Australian release yesterday, and the menu allows you to choose from all three cuts... (which is pointless, as the director's cut is all anyone should ever watch ... still nice to have them there I guess). Does it include Michelle Yeoh? She was omitted completely because they wanted to shorten the movie by 40 minutes.
Bosch Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 I got my Australian release yesterday, and the menu allows you to choose from all three cuts... (which is pointless, as the director's cut is all anyone should ever watch ... still nice to have them there I guess). Nice one. Out of interest, the Australian R4 DVD of FLYING DAGGERS was one of the few fully uncensored and 'extended' versions released in the world. From DVD Compare (not much to go by)... Blu-ray (obviously needs updating): http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=9667 SD DVD: http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=6219 I'm not sure which version played in cinemas. It was probably the trimmed US theatrical assembly, if anything.
aeon1503559541 Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 Does it include Michelle Yeoh? She was omitted completely because they wanted to shorten the movie by 40 minutes. Yes Michelle Yeoh is in the Director's Cut - her scenes total about 3 minutes all up.
Adelaideltpc Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Yes Michelle Yeoh is in the Director's Cut - her scenes total about 3 minutes all up. Thanks!
Adelaideltpc Posted February 26, 2009 Posted February 26, 2009 er... there IS a good copy of Fearless out - has all three cuts (the Director's Cut is the best);http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1846/fearless.html Out in Australia too... Does the Aus version have the same cover art-work? I looked at Fearless in store but could not see the "Director's Cut" on the cover.
aeon1503559541 Posted February 26, 2009 Posted February 26, 2009 Just had a look at my copy - doesn't mention the director's cut anywhere heh, it's definitely on there though, I watched it the other week.
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