Beauty of Beauties (1965) (88 Films)

[MifuneFan]

88 Films will be releasing the epic period film Beauty of Beauties (1965), the most expensive Chinese-language film of its time, on Blu-ray tentatively in March May.

https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Beauti...s%2C380&sr=8-1

• Brand new 4K Remaster from the Original Negatives High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray in 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
• 2.0 Original Mandarin Mono
• Newly Translated English Subtitles
• An Interview with Oriental Cinema Expert Tony Rayns
• Original Trailer Restoration Comparison

Rarely screened, this spectacular historical epic swept the Golden Horse awards, winning for best feature film, director, actor, color cinematography, and art direction. In a story drawn from China’s legendary Warring States Period, the King of Yue, Goujian, is defeated and imprisoned by the King of Wu, Fucha. But when Goujian returns to his much-maligned homeland, he is determined to defeat Wu once and for all, with a secret weapon: a local beauty named Xi Si, who is sent to serve Fucha and lure him to his doom.

[StarDestroyer52]

Trailer(Not of this particular Blu-ray release, but of the film, for those who are interested)

I like what I've seen from the trailer, so count me in for this release whenever it eventually comes out, seeing as this is 88 here. Hopefully, they can release more Taiwanese fare of this type.

[qw0aszx]

I posted the following on the 88 thread, think should post here also:

Originally Posted by qw0aszx

There exists a detailed essay on the restoration of this film on TFAI website. The Beauty of Beauties was first released as two films in 1965, runs about 220 minutes in total according to the information submit from censorship. In 1975, this film was re-edit into one film, the running time was shortened to 152 minutes. When TFAI started the restoration project, they found most existing materials of this film was the shortened version. However, a screening print of complete part two (runs 93 minutes) and a bunch of negatives cut from the longer version still exist. The print for part two was scanned in HD and compared with the shortened version and the cut negatives. They found the cut negatives in the archive include some but not complete cut scenes from both parts. 11 sequences were cut from part two for the shortened version and four of them exist in the cut negatives they had. There are still five complete sequences from the cut negatives, so they assume these were cut from the first part. However, due to the lack of information and materials about the original first part of this film, TFAI still chose the shortened version for this 4K restoration, the final running time of this restored version is 154 minutes. With HD scan of second part and cut negatives preserved for archiving purposes.
I suppose 88 films only licensed the 4K restored version for the blu-ray presentation. However, I truly hope they managed to get the scanned files of the print for second part and cut negatives, in this way, they could use 4K restored version and cut negative scan to reconstruct a better version for the original second part of this film.

[MifuneFan]

A few details on the release from the UK listing

• Brand new 4K Remaster from the Original Negatives High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray in 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
• 2.0 Original Mandarin Mono
• Newly Translated English Subtitles
• An Interview with Oriental Cinema Expert Tony Rayns
• Original Trailer Restoration Comparison

Credit to cooey

[MifuneFan]

The Beauty of Beauties artwork is Beautiful

[tomblu]

Has anyone seen this?

Would be interesting to hear what it is like!

[russweiss1]

Originally Posted by tomblu

Has anyone seen this?

Would be interesting to hear what it is like!

I haven't seen this but will be buying. It looks quite epic and I'm a fan of Asian cinema.

[bergman864]

Very classy artwork.

[MifuneFan]

Now moved to May 21st.

[AndrewFM]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Now moved to May 21st.

Is that just on Amazon? or have 88 Announced that? Just says TBC on their website.

[cooey]

Originally Posted by AndrewFM

Is that just on Amazon? or have 88 Announced that? Just says TBC on their website.

MVD distribution have the date as 21st May for the US release

[Alexcap]

88films website says TBC so it doesn't really say what month or date its getting released.

[Daedolon]

Sold out?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Daedolon

Sold out?

Stil shows as available to order from Amazon. Are you from outside the US? I know Amazon shows some titles as unavailable if you reside in certain countries.

[MJW]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Stil shows as available to order from Amazon. Are you from outside the US? I know Amazon shows some titles as unavailable if you reside in certain countries.

It's not out until May 21, correct? Are there are limited number of copies of this release?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by MJW

It's not out until May 21, correct? Are there are limited number of copies of this release?

Right, as of now it's still coming out May 21st. The only thing that tends to be limited about 88 Films' releases are the slipcovers. I don't know what print runs they have on those, but I know some movies like Magnificent Warriors sold out of their slipcovers relatively fast. Otherwise the BD itself isn't limited at all.

[MJW]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Right, as of now it's still coming out May 21st. The only thing that tends to be limited about 88 Films' releases are the slipcovers. I don't know what print runs they have on those, but I know some movies like Magnificent Warriors sold out of their slipcovers relatively fast. Otherwise the BD itself isn't limited at all.

Oh ok, thanks for that information. Does Amazon usually carry the slipcover versions or is that reserved for the smaller boutique retailers?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by MJW

Oh ok, thanks for that information. Does Amazon usually carry the slipcover versions or is that reserved for the smaller boutique retailers?

It'll be the same version with slip everywhere. I think I've bought all of my 88 Films titles from Amazon to date (usually within a few months of their release), and they've all come with slips.

[Daedolon]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Stil shows as available to order from Amazon. Are you from outside the US? I know Amazon shows some titles as unavailable if you reside in certain countries.

I meant the 88 Films store copy, sorry. For some reason it only recently came out from the £888.88 price point and immediately became "sold out". As 88 Films uses that large price point to denote releases that are not yet supposed to be available for order, I'm assuming it actually got sold out.

[russweiss1]

Originally Posted by Daedolon

I meant the 88 Films store copy, sorry. For some reason it only recently came out from the £888.88 price point and immediately became "sold out". As 88 Films uses that large price point to denote releases that are not yet supposed to be available for order, I'm assuming it actually got sold out.

88 has restocked "sold out" titles before. With this release there isn't even a set number listed as being limited. It would be very surprising if a mostly unknown title like this actually sold out well before release date.