Mad Detective - Johnnie To

[m_burlock]

Which Blu-Ray of this movie is the best in terms of PQ, cut or uncut issue, Region A player compatibility, and English subtitles?

[pro-bassoonist]

Hello,

The transfer used by Eureka is supervised by the directors of the film. The transfer used by Mei Ah has not been supervised (hence the color discrepancies).

UK Release:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Mad-D...y/1316/#Review

HK Release:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Mad-D...y/4233/#Review

Pro-B

[Volume11]

The Eureka edition also has an outstanding essay that really helps unravel some of the nuance of the film, particularly of the last scene. It does, however, have a shorter run time cut, as per To's request.

I would absolutely go with the Eureka MoC edition as its director approved and has a great essay book included (do NOT read it before watching the film).

[DooK]

Originally Posted by Volume11

It does, however, have a shorter run time cut, as per To's request.

Correct... The Hong Kong cut runs at 91 min while the Eureka bluray has a running time of 89 min. The former is currently on youtube. The scene at 54:42-55:14 is only exclusive to the now OOP Mei Ah DVD and bluray.

Mad Detective (2007) Hong Kong Crime Movie Full English Subtitles - YouTube

I can also confirm another scene cut out from the Eureka bluray. It's the scene where Andy On is chasing the suspect through the street before they bump onto a moving truck separating them from each other. What follows is two different outcomes for respective cuts:

- In the Hong Kong cut, Andy On is about to get up and sees the suspect who looks at Andy. Then we see the suspect running towards Andy, who tries to reach for his gun but realizes that it's missing. The suspect points his gun at Andy and proceeds to search him and asks him where Andy has his gun. Andy responds saying that he lost it, and then the suspect kicks him down and starts hitting him with his gun while repeatedly asking for Andy's gun while Andy lying on the ground injured repeats saying that he lost his gun. The suspect is shown pointing his gun at Andy while thinking it's not worth killing him, and starts walking away. An overhead shot of Andy still lying on the ground is shown afterward.

- In the international cut, Andy is shown lying on the ground while looking for the suspect who is nowhere near in sight (alternate shots exclusive to the UK bluray and other international releases of the movie), and starts lying on the ground again before the overhead shot of him begins.