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Fight Back to School II

original title: To hok wai lung 2

Comparison:

  • Theatical Version
  • Taiwanese Extended Version
Release: Dec 18, 2023 - Author: Muck47 - Translator: Muck47 - external link: IMDB

Comparison between the theatrical version on the British Blu-ray from 88 Films and the Taiwanese Extended Version on the Taiwanese DVD from Scholar

169 differences, including 9 alternate sequences & 7 cuts

  • Additional material in the theatrical version: 10:37 min (spread across 23 segments)
  • Additional material in the Taiwanese Extended Version: 41:05 min (of which 22:17 min is solely through montages in opening/closing credits)

Runtimes: 98:34 min (88 Films Blu-ray) / 127:41min (Scholar DVD)

Several other minor divergences with a duration of < 0.5 sec were not listed in the report.

Stephen Chow had been engaged in Hong Kong television at TVB since 1982, much like Chow Yun-fat and many other local stars. Starting from 1988, his comedic talent was showcased on the big screen, and after delivering the financially successful film of the year in 1990 with All for the Winner, he achieved this once again in 1991 with Fight Back to School. The sequel, Fight Back to School 2, couldn't surpass this in 1992 but was still lucrative enough, leading to a third installment in 1993.

The trilogy has been available in the UK on Blu-ray since September 11, 2023. In the report for the Hong Kong DVD, we previously mentioned two rather inconsequential minor cuts. However, what's more intriguing is the 30+ minutes longer version not included on the Blu-ray but found on the Taiwanese DVD. This curiosity is the focus of the following report.

Firstly, it's noteworthy that conversely, over 10 minutes of material from the theatrical version is missing, with the scene featuring Chow on the cross hinting at censorship. Typically, the Taiwanese version likely represented an early cut of the film. In the final theatrical release, additional filler scenes were probably included here and there, offering better transitions in Chow's typically episodic film structure. It should be immediately noted that the theatrical version works better as a film, while the Taiwan Extended Version has more of a "rough cut" feel, thus being more of a bonus for fans.

Precisely for this reason, it's sorely missed though, particularly considering the usual amount of other bonus material on the UK Blu-ray. Admittedly, a significant portion of the difference is due to a long highlights montage at the beginning/end and numerous minor trims.

However, excluding the missing minutes, it amounts to a substantial 40 minutes (or 19 minutes excluding credit sequences) "more" in Taiwan, revealing several more gags from the exceptional talent Chow. There are some nice, small moments to be discovered here and there are, of course, "actual" additional scenes. Chow's relationships with both his actual girlfriend and his school sweetheart are given much more depth, incidentally explaining, for example, how the former ends up with the math teacher by the film's end. Ng Man-tat also gets more screen time, garnering a few more laughs on his side.

Runtime details are arranged according to the following format:
British Blu-ray in 23.976fps / Taiwanese DVD in NTSC

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The Blu-ray has an additional logo at the beginning.

24.5 sec



00:43 / 00:19-11:24

It starts with a long recap of Part 1, accompanied by a voiceover. Unfortunately, unlike the rest of the film, this section lacks English subtitles.

665.7 sec (= 11:06 min)



Until 01:18 / 12:45 , the following credits sequence runs much longer. The welding through the image begins later in the theatrical version, while the TW shows this almost endlessly long.

Taiwanese DVD 46.3 sec longer

Theatrical VersionTaiwan Extended Version




01:25 / 12:52-12:54

Here, too, a simple trim: The shot of the corridor is a moment longer in Taiwan.

1.8 sec




01:39 / 13:08-13:11

After Chow looked at his watch, he is seen a bit longer.

3.3 sec




01:44 / 13:17-13:20

The men in the corridor a bit longer.

2.9 sec


01:48 / 13:24-13:25

Next mini-trim before the door is kicked in.

1.7 sec



02:03 / 13:41-13:42

Another shot of men scurrying through the hallway.

1.6 sec




02:09 / 13:48-13:50

A first shot against the door.

2 sec


02:33 / 14:14-14:15

Chow gets up from his seat a moment longer.

1.5 sec


02:55 / 14:37-14:38

He takes another step back towards his men.

1.1 sec


04:17 / 16:00-16:01

A few frames more of Chow and Tso (Ng Man-Tat), changing from a distant to a close-up perspective at the table.

1.3 sec


05:11 / 16:56-16:57

When Tso grabs Chow by the arm, there is another mini-trim.

1.3 sec



Additional material in theatrical version
05:49-05:53 / 17:35

Tso makes a gesture with his hand at the end of the shot in the theatrical version, after getting water on his face.

+ 3.8 sec




07:27 / 19:09-19:10

A few frames after Tso is pushed away and Chow then holds Blacky Ko.

0.6 sec


07:29 / 19:12-19:14

The next mini-trim as Tso then gets up...

1.3 sec


07:31 / 19:16-19:17

...and grumbles off.

0.8 sec


08:49 / 20:35-20:36

After Chow has taken over again in the "wrestling match" with Blacky, Tso grabs his sore neck.

1.5 secs


08:54 / 20:41-20:43

Tso can be seen a little earlier.

1.2 sec


09:03 / 20:51-20:53

Tso fidgets for a moment longer before Lydia joins them.

1.9 sec


09:21 / 21:11-21:13

At the beginning of a shot, Tso looks over at Blacky again.

1.8 sec


10:41 / 22:33-22:34

Blacky curls up in the corner for a moment longer at the end of the scene.

0.9 sec


11:12 / 23:05-23:07

Lydia can be seen a moment earlier.

1.9 sec


11:37 / 23:32-23:35

Chow arriving on the motorcycle (an obvious parody of Police Story 2) is seen a little earlier.

3 sec



11:44 / 23:42-23:47

The shot is also significantly longer.

5.4 sec




11:50 / 23:53-23:55

The following side shot is also a moment longer.

1.8 sec


11:53 / 23:58-24:01

Another little trim before the colleague looks over at Chow.

2.9 sec



11:57 / 24:05-24:11

Chow looks perplexed earlier and digs out his sunglasses.

6.3 sec




12:05 / 24:19-24:23

Chow fumbles helplessly with his gloves for longer.

4 sec




12:24 / 24:42-24:51

Chow drives away for much longer.

8.9 sec




Alternate / Additional footage in theatrical version
12:24-12:32 / 24:51-24:57

Interestingly, the Taiwan version uses an alternate take as Chow drives past the billboard. The shot from the theatrical version is more effective, however, because only here two children walk past and look after him with pity.

Theatrical version 2.6 sec longer.

Theatrical versionTaiwan long version




12:37 / 25:02-25:06

The transition from the following long shot to the close-up of Chow is a little longer.

4 sec



12:45 / 25:14-25:20

Chow gesticulates angrily for longer.

5.8 sec




12:58 / 25:32-25:43

The referee game goes on a little longer and then Chow pushes the school bus much earlier.

11.1 sec




13:02 / 25:47-26:06

The same shot is also slightly longer. Then the students (more reminiscent of stern adults) stand around Chow and speak to him a little earlier.

18.8 sec



Shortly afterwards, the TW is several times a few inconsequential frames longer.


Alternate / Additional material in theatrical version
14:43-15:56 / 27:48-28:14

Interestingly, the speed trap scene in the Taiwan version is completely alternate. Here you only see that Chow doesn't really notice the passing cars because he's barbecuing. Then it continues abruptly with the operation in the warehouse.


In the theatrical version, there is an alternative take from the street instead, and as Chow barbecues, Tso drives past. After a short conversation, a shot of the warehouse follows to introduce the next scene.


Theatrical version 46.7 sec longer


16:17 / 28:34-28:35

Chow walks around the corner a moment longer.

0.8 sec



16:19 / 28:37-28:40

Another shot of the men rushing through the room.

2.3 sec




16:25 / 28:46-28:47

Chow takes a few more steps forward.

1.3 sec


16:32 / 28:54-28:56

A few more unnecessary steps from the men.

2.4 sec



16:45 / 29:10-29:14

Tso remains anxious for a moment.

3.9 sec




17:01 / 29:29-29:35

A colleague is still standing by Tso and moves to the side.

5.8 sec




17:20 / 29:54-30:02

Tso takes a first step forward and sees a colleague with his badge at the ready. He backs away and ponders briefly - then the theatrical version kicks in with a brief moment of the shot.

7.6 sec




Additional footage in theatrical version
17:21-17:23 / 30:03-30:04

The theatrical version interrupts the shot of Tso for a moment to show the various police people on the other side for the first time. In the Taiwan version, the shot of Tso continues in one continuous take instead, with a few extra inconsequential frames in the middle.

Theatrical version 1 sec longer




17:35 / 30:16-30:18

Before Mark shoots, we see him a moment earlier.

2.5 sec


17:37 / 30:20-30:21

Before Tso gets scared, there are a few more inconsequential frames.

0.9 sec


17:41 / 30:25-30:26

Chow takes a step forward earlier.

1.2 sec


17:52 / 30:37-30:40

The baddies come up the stairs a little earlier.

3.7 sec


18:05 / 30:53-30:56

At the end of the scene, Tso takes another step forward.

2.5 sec


18:37 / 31:28-31:29

A shot of Chow begins a moment earlier.

0.6 sec


19:29 / 32:21-32:22

Chow walks away a moment longer in the corridor.

1.5 sec


20:01 / 32:54

A few inconsequential frames in conversation.

0.5 sec



20:51 / 33:45-33:48

The father has to listen to a little more criticism.

3 sec




21:09 / 34:06-34:07

Trivial frames.

0.9 sec


21:39 / 34:37-34:39

The father tries to distract from the wedding theme for a moment longer.

1.8 sec



Alternate / additional material in theatrical version
22:58-23:01 / 35:58-36:01

The theatrical version has an additional cut to Chow. In the Taiwan version, the subsequent shot of Lydia begins a little earlier.

No time difference

Theatrical versionTaiwan long version




25:24 / 38:23-38:28

A trivial moment at the scene transition (Chow -> rocks in the sea).

4.2 sec


25:27 / 38:31-38:33

The change to the next shot is also a little slower.

2.3 sec



26:39 / 39:45-40:34

The boys' briefing starts much earlier. Chow distributes the tasks: For example, Turtle is to be responsible for equipment, Potato for finances and Y is put in charge of homework. There is a bit of discussion and they stand up.

49.1 sec




27:30 / 41:25-41:27

The transition to the next scene was tightened up a little again.

1.8 sec



27:41 / 41:38-41:43

Basically the same principle, but illustrated here: End/beginning of the transition between two shots.

5.4 sec




28:04 / 42:06-42:19

The director stands up, sits down next to Chow and starts looking in his folder. Chow presents the transcripts.

12.4 sec




28:41 / 42:56-42:57

Next scene transition.

0.7 sec


28:45 / 43:01-43:03

The boys stand in position a moment longer.

2.2 sec
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