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Release: Nov 05, 2020 - Author: Muck47 - Translator: Mike Lowrey
- external link: IMDB
Comparison between the Hong Kong version on the Hong Kong DVD by Deltamac and the export version on the German DVD / South African DVD.
A few additional master errors with a duration of less than 0.5 sec each were not listed in the report.
Cynthia Rothrock was known to appear in some weaker US productions, but especially in the 80's was she able to show her skills extensively in Hong Kong productions. The present film, internationally also known as Lady Reporter or Blonde Fury, was produced by Sammo Hung among others and the fan knows that this implied very fast cuts especially in the 80's. This probably explains in part what you can find here: The Hong Kong version of the cult B-actioner was cut together alternatively in not all, but just a few selected action scenes. Obviously, the intention was to adapt to the local viewing habits. The rest of the movie is identical, but in these fights, the devil is in the details. Similar to The Protector, there were several tightening interventions: The international export version of the film is a bit more ponderous and thus a few minutes longer. The Hong Kong version was not only shortened, but also offers several short additional moments. For fans of fast-paced action, it's even the better choice in the end, the cut is simply much crisper here. Nevertheless, the export version also has a few interesting extra bits here and there. In Germany, there was only the export version available on VHS and DVD. Unfortunately, the image quality is not thrilling, the strongly zoomed full screen spoils the fun a bit. To our knowledge, there are not many DVD releases worldwide but, strangely enough, you can find a widescreen release of this version in South Africa. The Hong Kong version was again released on DVD in addition to Hong Kong itself, among others, in France. It remains to be seen whether this genre cracker will also receive an HD release at some point and which version will then form the basis. Update: From June 2023 both versions of the movie are available on Blu-ray in the UK by Eureka Entertainment. Runtimes are ordered as follows: Hong Kong DVD / German DVD
Both the HK-DVD and the German DVD start with the Golden Harvest logo. In Hong Kong, however, still with the Chinese letters on the side.
Afterwards, only in Hong Kong is there a reference to Bo Ho Films. The following credits also differ. Comments: * In South Africa, the Golden Harvest logo is also missing, so you have to subtract 19 seconds for the runtime information there. * At the beginning, the German picture actually shows a bit more information at the top and bottom. But in the further course, it is strongly zoomed. Therefore, the widescreen image of the African DVD was used for the other differences. HK-DVD 20 longer than the German DVD / 39 sec longer than the South African DVD
Here is another small picture comparison between the releases of the export version on the German and the African DVD. With the crassly zoomed full screen, it should be clear why we preferred to use the African DVD for the following screenshots.
Update: Here's a quick at the 2022 DVD re-issue from Cargo Records. The Hong Kong version was available with a new, better looking picture master. It was also used for most of the export version. In each case, the German title card was superimposed over the slightly different moments of the original inserts.
First scene (scaffolding fight): 15:49-17:41 / 15:29-17:38Difference: export version 17.5 sec longer 15:49 / 15:29-15:30 Before Cynthia comes running around the corner, two shots in the export version are insignificantly longer. 0.6 sec
15:51 / 15:32-15:33 The same happens directly afterwards. 1.3 sec
15:53 / 15:35-15:38 Also before she arrives at the red hatch. 2.9 sec
HK version longer 15:55-15:56 / 15:40 Only in the HK version is the view of the pursuers interrupted by an exclusive shot where Cynthia closes the hatch. + 1 sec
Alternative / HK version longer 15:57 / 15:41-15:42 The pursuers run away to the side in the HK for a moment longer. But in the export version, the follow-up shot comes earlier. Export version 0.7 sec longer 16:00 / 15:45-15:46 Again a trivial tightening. 0.7 sec 16:06 / 15:51-15:52 After a 0.3sec tightening in between, the next one follows before the guy in the red jumpsuit attacks. 0.9 sec Alternative / HK version longer 16:09-16:10 / 15:55-15:56 The HK version shows here how Cynthia turns around in an additional shot. Then another cut to two baddies. In the export version, only the previous shot is longer, with a guy in a white jumpsuit running forward. HK version 0.6 sec longer
Alternative / HK version longer 16:12-16:13 / 15:58-15:59 In the HK, there's an additional shot of the approaching pursuers. The export version only remains longer in the shot from above. Hong Kong version 0.4 sec longer
Here are a few more variations according to this scheme: super-short additional shots in HK, longer shots in the vicinity in the export version. Alternative / HK version longer 16:16-16:19 / 16:02-16:05 How Cynthia comes down with the rope is shown in several additional shots in the HK, instead of the long one from above in the export version. Again, the HK version looks more dynamic. HK version 0.6 sec longer
HK version longer 16:20-16:21 / 16:06 After the baddie has reached the scaffold, the HK inserts a short part of the view from above again. + 0.7 sec Alternative / HK version longer 16:21-16:22 / 16:06-16:07 The HK version shows in close-up how Cynthia crashes. The export version shows the shots before and after the crash in more detail. HK version 0.3 sec longer
Alternative / HK version longer 16:23 / 16:08 Again an additional shot in the HK version, while in the export version the follow-up shot of Cynthia in the framework starts a little earlier. HK version 0.2 sec longer
Alternative / HK version longer 16:24-16:27 / 16:10-16:14 How the bucket falls down can be seen in an alternative take. Then an additional close-up in the HK, while in the export version the subsequent view of it from above starts earlier. Export version 1.4 sec longer 16:27 / 16:14-16:15 Cynthia looks up a little longer in the export version. 1.6 sec
16:29 / 16:17-16:18 The follow-up shot of the boys on the railing a little longer. 0.8 sec 16:33 / 16:22-16:23 Again a few irrelevant frames during the transition of the shots. 0.8 sec ...and a few more such trivial differences in the following. 16:43 / 16:35-16:37 An interesting extension in the export version: After the knee bump, Cynthia swings out again and kicks the guy in the back. 1.7 sec
It continues cheerfully with several mini-shortenings or the now extensively presented scheme: Small additional shots in the HK in the middle. From here on, we'll do without a detailed listing of all differences and timecode information. But we can emphasize the following: At 16:52-16:53 / 16:48 , an additional frontal shot of Cynthia with rope around her neck in the Hong Kong version.
When she then has freed herself, only the export version shows a double kick on the backs of the two opponents.
Cynthia longer in the stranglehold of the next opponent in the export version.
After she has moved the guy forward into the scaffolding using leg scissors, two additional shots are shown in the Hong Kong version: The guy falls to the floor in another shot and Cynthia is briefly seen upside down.
In the following whirl, the HK shows in one movement how Cynthia kicks the next opponent in the face. In the export version, she pauses for a moment at the beginning of the second shot, which begins earlier.
For the fall of the guy, only the HK has a super short additional shot with the somersault of the guy.
When Cynthia takes the next white opponent into the headlock shortly afterwards, the movement in the HK again merges seamlessly. Instead, the export version is longer in both shots so that Cynthia grabs the guy here for a moment in the first shot.
When Cynthia smashes the bamboo canes, the re-cuts were remounted on the baddies that were hanging or falling in the scaffolding. As usual, it is edited much faster in the HK and there (but also occasionally in the export version) with additional shots.
Finally, Cynthia looks down again in the export version...
...but only the HK has the follow-up shot where she looks briefly to the side to the next attackers.
The HK has a longer slow-motion shot from below as Cynthia swings to the side. In the export version, the next shot of it starts a bit earlier - but runs at normal speed while the HK remains in slow motion.
Also only in the HK: Cynthia falls to the ground in another shot and another view of the baddies in the scaffolding.
A few more mini-deviations right after that and the versions are running in sync again as Cynthia moves down the pipe. Second scene (fight in the apartment): 40:52-42:09 / 40:49-42:35Difference: export version 29 sec longer 40:52 / 40:49-40:52 In the export version, Cynthia ties her shoe earlier before kicking the table. 2.3 sec
Only in the HK follows a short close-up of the baddie (Billy Chow).
As usual, various shots are played a bit longer in the export version, which is responsible for the slightly longer runtime. When Billy has landed on the floor again after the dance across the table, Judy leaves the room in the HK. In the export version, Billy instead spins around in the same shot and kicks Cynthia once more.
Said shot is also longer in the export version, Cynthia poses a bit. Judy then in a much earlier shot from close up, she goes to the door here, too. Finally, Billy stretches a bit and then attacks. 8 sec
The HK offers two super-short additional shots with dynamic moves, while various shots run longer in the export version at the end/beginning.
Shortly after that, Cynthia appears a little longer in the export version after one blow. Billy looks angry and attacks again.
Before he crashes onto the glass table, the HK version has a short close-up of Billy.
In the HK version, the following shot is also played back a little longer.
The next shots are all a bit longer in the export version. For example, Cynthia standing at the counter.
Cynthia takes a few first steps around the counter in the HK and retreats again.
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