Once Upon a Time in China on blu-ray best one?

[davidthenikonuser]

I want to get Once Upon a Time in China on blu-ray. Which is the best one to get?

[robgmun]

Interested in the first 3 films too, the US has a box set but that's region locked to A

[davidthenikonuser]

Originally Posted by robgmun

Interested in the first 3 films too, the US has a box set but that's region locked to A

The US has a box set??? That's news to me, never seen it. Only thing I can find are imports.

[Markgway]

AFAIK, all are upscales.

[drauch]

Originally Posted by robgmun

Interested in the first 3 films too, the US has a box set but that's region locked to A

Not worth your time. Go for one of the HK sets. Might as well get the DVDs, since as mentioned, the BDs are upscales.

[almo89]

If possible, look for the DVD boxset that includes the original mono soundtrack. That is the only one worth listening. The surround remixes lack any punch and just atrocious to listen to.

[rs3771]

I have the HK box set and have been able to see only the first one - I wouldn't call it entirely upscale - there are lots of HD moments mixed in with upscale stuff - overall not too bad if you're a fan and also because nothing else is available. I've read that the sequels have much better PQ.

[GR44]

Or, you can purchase the upcoming Korea release, if you're interested in nice packaging. But, I bet they're the same transfer as Hong Kong release.

[Blu-ray] Once Upon a Time in China (3-disc) Digipack Boxset 777 copies Limited Edition

[davidthenikonuser]

Guess I'll just stick with the dvd I have then.

[x3ntaur]

I found the UK's 'Hong Kong Legends' DVD version was great. I think I also got the Hong Kong version but unsure. It would be interesting to see the Blu ray version.

[reason108]

Originally Posted by davidthenikonuser

I want to get Once Upon a Time in China on blu-ray. Which is the best one to get?

Originally Posted by GR44

Or, you can purchase the upcoming Korea release, if you're interested in nice packaging. But, I bet they're the same transfer as Hong Kong release.

[Blu-ray] Once Upon a Time in China (3-disc) Digipack Boxset 777 copies Limited Edition

I own both the Fortune Star dvd box set which only contains I, II & III and the FS K&R Jet Li Legendary Collection blu ray box set that holds I, II, III & VI(OUATIC & America). Of course, you could just buy VI by itself. There are differences though between the 2 box sets. The blu-ray is a minor improvement in PQ; for the most part. Also, the subtitles are different between the dvd box set and the blu-ray box set. Not sure which is more correct. There are some audio differences too; as previously stated. Not having the original soundtrack on the blu sucks. The remix screws some stuff up at the beginning of II and in the emotional Club Foot scene from III. There may be other differences but those are the ones I remember. The dvd features a few extra extras. But, you get the main extra of the Wong Fei-hung doc spread out across each disc on both box sets.


It looks like the Korean version has the same extras as the previous sets. Now, the question is which subtitle will the Korean version have?

[Futurhythm]

There's also a French boxset. I'm super interested to know what it's like. I haven't found any information on whether or not they use the Fortune Star upscales, but all the Amazon reviews are positive (not that you can really trust Amazon reviews).

The other thing about it is is that it's from a company called HK Video. I don't own any of their Blu-rays, but I do have some of their DVDs, and they are top notch. A lot of their stuff is out of print, but over the years they have been the only ones to release in anamorphic widescreen and with decent PQ and AQ, a lot of obscure and hard to find Hong Kong movies from guys like Tsui Hark and Johnnie To. In fact, some Hong Kong movies have only ever been released on home video from them. Their packaging is also really nice, but they aren't English-friendly.

Wish I had a spare €44.90 to throw around.

[robgmun]

I'm tempted to pull the trigger on the Korean set

[Dan Average]

Originally Posted by Futurhythm

There's also a French boxset. I'm super interested to know what it's like. I haven't found any information on whether or not they use the Fortune Star upscales, but all the Amazon reviews are positive (not that you can really trust Amazon reviews).

The commentary here says that the HK Vidéo discs are upscales and the label has fallen a long way from what it once was.

[bongozoid]

Originally Posted by robgmun

I'm tempted to pull the trigger on the Korean set

I've placed it on pre-order so if anyone is interested I can let people know what the quality is like once I get my copy

[robgmun]

Originally Posted by bongozoid

I've placed it on pre-order so if anyone is interested I can let people know what the quality is like once I get my copy

Thanks bongozoid, i will wait for your review and my purchase will hing on it. Even if its an upscale I might as well go for it if it expertly done. As a good upscale will beat anything my equipment can do and be on a format that'll last longer than dvd

[bongozoid]

Originally Posted by robgmun

Thanks bongozoid, i will wait for your review and my purchase will hing on it. Even if its an upscale I might as well go for it if it expertly done. As a good upscale will beat anything my equipment can do and be on a format that'll last longer than dvd

Yeah, that was what I was thinking as well - I have the UK Hong Kong Legends DVD set but it has had a hard life so figure I would take the risk. I'm hoping the packaging is as great as it looks in pictures (I'm a sucker for great packaging).

Got notification it had shipped a few days ago. Do you need to know if it is region locked as well? I've read it is region-free but will be able to test that when it comes in

[bongozoid]

I've only watched a few minutes of Once Upon a Time in China but it would seem to be a direct port of the Fortune Star collection.

The outer box seemed like quite a cheaply printed box to me, but I think that is because the stock used has some type of embossing.

However, inside the packaging is gorgeous. The booklet contains no English, but the postcards look great and everything just looks very classy, from the digipak to even the printing on the discs themselves.

Blu-ray discs are region free.

I'm personally quite happy with this set and if anyone was looking for a good looking set of these movies, this is probably the best way to go.

[robgmun]

Originally Posted by bongozoid

I've only watched a few minutes of Once Upon a Time in China but it would seem to be a direct port of the Fortune Star collection.

The outer box seemed like quite a cheaply printed box to me, but I think that is because the stock used has some type of embossing.

However, inside the packaging is gorgeous. The booklet contains no English, but the postcards look great and everything just looks very classy, from the digipak to even the printing on the discs themselves.

Blu-ray discs are region free.

I'm personally quite happy with this set and if anyone was looking for a good looking set of these movies, this is probably the best way to go.

Just got mine through the post and the i have to agree that the packaging is beautiful, i will stick in the discs tonight and let you know my opinion of the PQ

[tenebre6]

any decent copies of 4 or 5 out there? the only ones i found were the awful Us release thats just a laserdisc port with a bad dub and of course the french release that has no subs and is OOP so super expensive.