Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain - Eureka, 20th April

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by backslashio

Its a shame that most of the bigger titles are held by stubborn companies. Especially those that force Eureka to make it Region B only when really everybody in the world should be able to appreciate them instead of being restricted by the country they just happen to live in

Exactly. I'm looking at you Miramax and Lantern which now own The Weinstein assets. Though, I think all true BluRay fans should spend $99 to get a region free player.

[Eidolon]

I'm really hoping that a blu-ray of Mr. Vampire might be coming down the line from Eureka. It's never had a decent disc release yet, every dvd has one kind of problem or another; missing sound cues, picture cropped from. 1.66:1 to 1.85, characters given English names in the subs. The r1 Fox dvd is the best so far,but it still needs a lot better.

Nice to see the alternative cut of Zu Warriors is included here, I've been wanting to see that version for years

[Fnord Prefect]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

I'm really hoping that a blu-ray of Mr. Vampire might be coming down the line from Eureka. It's never had a decent disc release yet, every dvd has one kind of problem or another; missing sound cues, picture cropped from. 1.66:1 to 1.85, characters given English names in the subs. The r1 Fox dvd is the best so far,but it still needs a lot better.

Nice to see the alternative cut of Zu Warriors is included here, I've been wanting to see that version for years

Haven't Eureka already soft confirmed they're releasing Mr.Vampire? Or did I simply dream it?

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

I'm really hoping that a blu-ray of Mr. Vampire might be coming down the line from Eureka. It's never had a decent disc release yet, every dvd has one kind of problem or another; missing sound cues, picture cropped from. 1.66:1 to 1.85, characters given English names in the subs. The r1 Fox dvd is the best so far,but it still needs a lot better.

Nice to see the alternative cut of Zu Warriors is included here, I've been wanting to see that version for years

I'm fairly sure Mr Vampire is 1.85:1. The old 1.66:1 transfer is open on all sides where it should be matted.

[Shingster]

How many HK films of that period were 1.66:1 that weren't artsy films? I'm drawing a blank.

[Killer Meteor]

I think it was just an open matte transfer on an old Megastar disc. The left side (where the soundtrack would go) was exposed.

[Midnight Rider]

Shame they couldn't just get the wrap-around and alternate scenes scanned and re-edit the classic dub themselves using the HK cut. I've still pre-ordered, looking forward to the new Tsui Hark interview and commentary ;0)

[Shingster]

I'm sure there are a few here who remember the good old days when HK film fans were convinced that the export version of the film (Zu: Time Warrior) was in fact the original director's cut and they demanded that HKL release that cut instead of the original HK? That was until they listened to the audio commentary where Hark finally put that "rumour" to bed?

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

I think it was just an open matte transfer on an old Megastar disc. The left side (where the soundtrack would go) was exposed.

Yeah undoubtedly, I just find it really bizarre anyone would claim 1.66:1 as the original ratio for HK films of that era given the extreme rarity of that ratio in that industry!

[grim_tales]

I remember reading in Bey Logan's book that the shorter version was called Zu: Warriors from Mount Shock or something like that, don't know where that information came from

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by backslashio

Its a shame that most of the bigger titles are held by stubborn companies. Especially those that force Eureka to make it Region B only when really everybody in the world should be able to appreciate them instead of being restricted by the country they just happen to live in

They do it so the rights for different territories can be sold separately, which helps them to recover the costs of the license and restoration. If a Home Video Company can afford to pay for multiple territory rights, then they can make their releases region free. You as customer have the choice of buying a modded player than can play all regions, circumventing these restrictions.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Exactly. I'm looking at you Miramax and Lantern which now own The Weinstein assets. Though, I think all true BluRay fans should spend $99 to get a region free player.

I hope Eureka can get the rights and restore Drunken Master II to its former glory. That's my ultimate want.

The last time I saw/had the film in its untouched awesomeness was from the imported Hong Kong laserdisc release. I used to also have a VHS dub from it. The Miramax version is horribly edited and dubbed.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by Shingster

I'm sure there are a few here who remember the good old days when HK film fans were convinced that the export version of the film (Zu: Time Warrior) was in fact the original director's cut and they demanded that HKL release that cut instead of the original HK? That was until they listened to the audio commentary where Hark finally put that "rumour" to bed?

Speaking of which... The Time Warriors was the export title for The Iceman Cometh (also starring Yuan Biao).

[Eidolon]

Originally Posted by Shingster

How many HK films of that period were 1.66:1 that weren't artsy films? I'm drawing a blank.

The Channel4 broadcast back in the early 90's was 1.66:1, and the Fox dvd at 1.85:1 is very blatantly cropped, the framing is noticeably way too tight.

[Killer Meteor]

I don't think it is, it maybe you're misremembering a more open transfer.

Then again, I'll check the Fox dvd later.

[reason108]

Originally Posted by mogwai_macabre

I've seen a few of the wacky Shaw Brothers wu xia like Bastard Swordsman and Holy Flame of the Martial World. Is it along those lines?

ZU is probably arguably more “focused”.

Originally Posted by Irongod2112

Quick question guys...

Does anyone know if a classic English
dub exists for the HK theatrical cut of the film?

I've searched everywhere for one with no luck.

I wish I could say yes but doubt it at this point; unless it’s VHS. Tei Seng would be the guys to talk to. Their releases were my introduction to it. I used to think that one of their versions of it had an English dub but It’s possible it’s just the international cut I am thinking of; as that is the only English dubbed version I have. I think.

[spannick]

Tai Seng Engdub VHS is the export edition with present time scenes.

[Eidolon]

The uk dvd from Hong Kong Legends has an english dub, not sure if it's the one you're after.

[Eidolon]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

I don't think it is, it maybe you're misremembering a more open transfer.

Then again, I'll check the Fox dvd later.

Just looking on thr box of thr Fox dvd, and it's 1.78:1, not 1.85:1. Framing still looks way too tight to me, even with the tv overscan turned off.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by reason108

ZU is probably arguably more “focused”.

Zu is a far superior film to those Shaw titles mentioned. Lu Chun-Ku is no Tsui Hark!

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Zu is a far superior film to those Shaw titles mentioned. Lu Chun-Ku is no Tsui Hark!

I love ZU but HOLY FLAME OF THE MARTIAL WORLD is nothing to sneeze at IMO; tons of wacky fun. I hope it also gets one of these fancy-schmancy extras-loaded Blu-ray releases!