Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits (1971-1978)

[dwk]

Originally Posted by OldPangYau

Something tells me this won't just be the same four movies...

Don't know if you can hint at this (or if you even know), but any word on if they were allowed to color correct the transfers (like the Shout Select Blus), or they stuck using them as is (ala Police Story)?

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by dwk

Don't know if you can hint at this (or if you even know), but any word on if they were allowed to color correct the transfers (like the Shout Select Blus), or they stuck using them as is (ala Police Story)?

That... I honestly don't know, lol. If Criterion officially announces a set, the only silver lining is that Fortune Star has definitely been more laxed about their previous restrictions (additional color correction, alternate cuts, etc), so hopefully that will remain for future titles from various distributors (the alternate cuts and additional color correction for the 88 Films release of Dragons Forever seem to imply as such.)

[Killer Meteor]

I'd be interested to know if Golden Harvest's archives have a longer print of Big Boss, overlooked from previous releases due to burnt in subs.

[Fabhui]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

I'd be interested to know if Golden Harvest's archives have a longer print of Big Boss, overlooked from previous releases due to burnt in subs.

You and me both.

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

I'd be interested to know if Golden Harvest's archives have a longer print of Big Boss, overlooked from previous releases due to burnt in subs.

Lord knows I've contemplated this for years (One Armed Boxer as well), but we've learned in recent years that The Big Boss was most likely cut *twice* before landing on the version we now have. First time for censorship (violence and sexuality), second time to increase number of theater showtimes (and to get to Lee's first fight quicker).

[grim_tales]

I never knew that it was cut twice, interesting.
Were the first cuts made after the premiere in Hong Kong? I thought the Mandarin version shown in cinemas in the UK in 1976 (1979?) was uncut, it had more violence/sex than we have now anyway.
Even a less cut version (than what we now have) would be interesting to see.

[WaverBoy]

If Criterion releases THE BIG BOSS uncut, I’ll double dip for sure.

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by grim_tales

I never knew that it was cut twice, interesting.
Were the first cuts made after the premiere in Hong Kong? I thought the Mandarin version shown in cinemas in the UK in 1976 (1979?) was uncut, it had more violence/sex than we have now anyway.
Even a less cut version (than what we now have) would be interesting to see.

The saw-in-the-head scene wasn't in that screening, but I'm not sure it was ever in the completed film.

[Killer Meteor]

Here are some suggestions I made to Criterion to improve this over prevous releases

BIG BOSS
Mandarin mono on Shout release is fine, but needs better subs
US dub - the audio for the sound FX weirdly dips on some of the early fights on some versions. The HKL doesn't have this problem but there is a strange echo on all the sound FX
Cantonese mono - HKL platinum edition isfine, SF replaced some of the Pink Floyd music
Any chance FS can check the vault for a longer/uncut Mandarin theatrical print?

FIST OF FURY
Better Mandarin mono
Japanese print as an extra possibly?

WAY OF THE DRAGON
Better Mandarin mono with matching subs - all current translations are based on Cantonese version
English mono is a tad patchy. the one on the SF BD sounds cobbled together and volume is erratic

GAME OF DEATH
Transfer of proper HK print (with Chi Hon Tsoi fight in the middle and happy ending) if it can be found?
Restore the original "Golden Harvest Presents" and opening fanfare to the English version? They are hidden by the Media Asia Logo on the HKL DVD, and totally missing from the FS version (you can just catch the end of the fanfare on the good 2.0 track on the SF BD). Even just playing the fanfare over blackness would be an improvement

[Xephix]

The only problem with the uncut version of The Big Boss is that if an extended print is found, it will likely not contain the footage people want to see. From what I've read the most infamous scenes, the saw in the head and scene with the second prostitute, were cut by the Hong Kong censors and is not in any theatrical prints or the 1979 Mandarin print.

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by Xephix

The only problem with the uncut version of The Big Boss is that if an extended print is found, it will likely not contain the footage people want to see. From what I've read the most infamous scenes, the saw in the head and scene with the second prostitute, were cut by the Hong Kong censors and is not in any theatrical prints or the 1979 Mandarin print.

The second prostitue scene was in that 1979 showing, AFAIK.

[grim_tales]

Maybe the saw-in-the-head scene was cut in 1971, I don't know On the HKL Platinum DVD it says it was in an original HK print and then cut by the censors. There's that famous poster showing a saw-in-head.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

The saw-in-the-head scene wasn't in that screening, but I'm not sure it was ever in the completed film.

I strongly believe it was. There's a splice edit where the shot is supposed to be. The only question for me is when was it cut and by whom?

[chen lung]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Uncorrected Ritrovata nastiness for colour, barely a fraction more detail than 1080p, that set is best avoided.

A ringing endorsement if I ever saw one.

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by Markgway

I strongly believe it was. There's a splice edit where the shot is supposed to be. The only question for me is when was it cut and by whom?

According to Wikipedia - "The notorious "handsaw in the split head" shot was cut by the censors in Hong Kong shortly before the film was released there in October 1971. It was only shown in a private screening at Golden Harvest for the press, cinema owners and prospective buyers on 17 October,[5] but has not been seen since; all that survives are a few stills. "

[chen lung]

I think Maria Yi mentioned seeing it the premiere, though perhaps she meant a pre-release screening?

The film has probably been cut about four times:

• 1971 (for premiere)
• 1972 (re-editing and censorship - seen in pre-National General Pictures international versions by Golden Harvest)
• 1973 (US National General Pictures version)
• 1982(?) (Cantonese Golden Harvest version)

[knobby69]

Does anyone know if there is a 4k version of the films and if so,how’s the OQ & AQ???

[Achilles00]

Originally Posted by OldPangYau

That... I honestly don't know, lol. If Criterion officially announces a set, the only silver lining is that Fortune Star has definitely been more laxed about their previous restrictions (additional color correction, alternate cuts, etc), so hopefully that will remain for future titles from various distributors (the alternate cuts and additional color correction for the 88 Films release of Dragons Forever seem to imply as such.)

Is this the Dragons Forever release you're referring to? https://www.zavvi.com/blu-ray/dragon.../12297148.html

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by chen lung

I think Maria Yi mentioned seeing it the premiere, though perhaps she meant a pre-release screening?

The film has probably been cut about four times:

• 1971 (for premiere)
• 1972 (re-editing and censorship - seen in pre-National General Pictures international versions by Golden Harvest)
• 1973 (US National General Pictures version)
• 1982(?) (Cantonese Golden Harvest version)

I'd be interested in seeing the Japanese version, which has a different music score again - there are four different ones!

[Shingster]

Originally Posted by Achilles00

Is this the Dragons Forever release you're referring to? https://www.zavvi.com/blu-ray/dragon.../12297148.html

Yes.