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Shout! 4K UHD Blu-ray |
Comparison between the cut Hong Kong VCD from Mei Ah and the theatrical version on the 2026 US Blu-ray from Shout!
- 25 missing scenes with a duration of 6:53 min without the alternate ending / 17:37 min with alternate ending
As we recently noted in a detailed report, the “Festival Cut” of John Woo's classic, newly remastered in HD for the first time on the 2026 US Blu-ray, is unfortunately a patchwork version in which three violent cuts can be detected, even though the scenes were included uncensored in all DVD/ Blu-ray releases of the “regular theatrical version.” These violent scenes were also included on the VHS of a 35mm copy of the Festival Cut circulating among fans, and they are also included in the German “Director's" Cut. However, we had already noted that the old VCDs from Mei Ah & Megastar in Hong Kong represented a curious piece of the puzzle in the film's censorship history, which provides a possible explanation for this annoying circumstance in the Shout release. Accordingly, we will now take a closer look here. According to the extended bits in the opening credits scene, which were previously only found here, the VCD was probably based on a longer theatrical scan, potentially the festival cut. However, this was radically shortened, apparently to match the second audio track. This Mandarin audio track came from the Hong Kong LaserDisc, which was based on the internationally known theatrical version but deliberately cut to just under 2 hours in order to save money by fitting the film onto a single LaserDisc. However, the LaserDisc still showed the longer original ending with the car chase, while the VCD offers the shorter alternative ending. A beautiful mess. On the one hand, the VCD was still interesting because of the Cantonese soundtrack, as the alternative music cues hinted at the existence of the longer festival cut at an early stage. On the other hand, it is now worth taking another look at it in view of the Shout censorship described at the beginning, because exactly the same three censorship cuts can be found here – and they have conspicuous splice marks, which were typically clear indications of domestic censorship in Hong Kong films in the 80s/90s. It remains unclear exactly when this happened, but the film was obviously shown in Hong Kong cinemas with these scenes toned down, and the raw scan, which unfortunately was not included by Shout, probably already featured these cuts. There has been discussion in forums as to whether the Shout long version is therefore basically just a faithful reconstruction of the festival cut. But it remains strange why the scenes are included in the VHS recording of older festival cinema screenings and actually fit in homogeneously in terms of quality, i.e., they do not look like they have been added afterwards. Either way, it can still be assumed that Woo would not have consciously accepted these censorship cuts in his penultimate cut. The other plot cuts in the Shout long version are also found on the VCD, and at least these bits were missing in the festival VHS as well. In this respect, the cuts in the Shout version are at least somewhat understandable, because some of the original Mandarin dialogues are missing. However, the VCD (probably thanks to the aforementioned LaserDisc as an additional editing template) was shortened by several additional scenes anyway. This means that a direct comparison to assess “right or wrong” of these cuts is not possible. All in all, the VCD is not suitable as further justification that Shout's “Festival Cut,” which was deliberately shortened by a few scenes, is correct from a purely editing point of view. The sloppiness detailed in the other report (unnecessary subtitle passages, jump cuts, etc.) does not necessarily speak in its favor either.
Running times are listed according to the following scheme Other logos/notes for getting started.
VCD 20.3 seconds longer
Extension from the festival cut on the VCD Disc 1: 01:29-01:37 / 01:09 Shortly after the title card, there is a cross-fade to a first/further shot of the big dance. This moment was not included in the bonus version of the Hong Kong DVD. From this point on, the song in the background shifts slightly on the soundtrack. Illustrated here by Shout's Festival Cut. It's great that these exclusive moments can now be experienced in HD for the first time, even though there is some damage to the image. VCD 7.8 sec longer
Extension from the Festival Cut on the VCD Disc 1: 02:06-02:10 / 01:38 Here, too, there is a different crossfade with further dance lessons. The credit for Yolinda Yam differs accordingly. Illustrated here from Shout's Festival Cut. VCD 3.7 sec longer
Disc 1: 02:16 / 01:45-01:46 The last extension to the dance scene (Ben gives a few more instructions in the Festival Cut) was not included on the VCD. Immediately afterwards, possibly accidentally, the first shot of Ben using a pot as a mirror was also removed. 1.3 sec
Regarding Disc 1: 06:01 / 05:31, it is worth noting that the VCD had a location insert here (unsurprisingly at exactly the same point as the VHS recording of the 35mm version of the festival cut).
Disc 1: 19:46 / 19:17-19:39 Some more dialogue: Paul says “Wait!”, Frankie apologizes, and Ben says he's his best friend. Then there's a stylized cross-fade to the next scene, which “slides” into the picture from the left. Presumably, there was a reel change here and a lot of material was generously removed around it. 21.8 sec
Disc 1: 21:46 / 21:40-21:41 Frankie and Paul are seen a little longer. The follow-up shot (freeze frame of the people holding up their passports at the demonstration) also begins a moment earlier. 1.2 sec
At Disc 1: 25:30 / 25:25, the VCD (like the Festival VHS) refers to Saigon.
Disc 1: 31:31 / 31:26-31:27 The impact of the headshot can be seen, while the VCD (exactly as Shout's festival version) is cut off earlier, just before the blood splatters. 0.5 sec
Incidentally, it is also interesting to look at the single frame directly before the cut, because the VCD master has a splice in the middle of the image here.
This is not the case with the VHS copy of the Festival Cut. Here, the entire scene runs smoothly without any splices, and even in the surrounding area, there is no indication that material from another source has been inserted. The aspect ratio jumps from shot to shot, and especially at the top, there are sometimes more and sometimes fewer bars added to the standard black matte - but this is the case throughout the entire film on this VHS. Disc 1: 31:40 / 31:35-31:38 The boy falls to the ground (with blood still spurting from his head). The follow-up shot, in which his head is kicked, also begins a little earlier because the fountain of blood is still visible at the beginning. 3 sec
Here you can see another splice in the subsequent shot on the VCD, indicating that this scene was censored in Hong Kong theatrical prints:
Disc 1: 31:48 / 31:47-32:25 The scene where the three are still standing together is completely missing. Frankie throws up, Ben is shocked. Paul, on the other hand, is determined that they need weapons and that he wants to “win”. 38.2 sec
Disc 1: 37:17 / 37:54-38:05 Luke shakes hands for longer and the following scene begins a little earlier. During some shots of the interior, Luke asks what he can do for them. 11.4 sec
Disc 1: 40:34 / 41:22-41:23 Small film tear before the soldiers drive up. 1.1 sec
Disc 1: 52:06 / 52:57-53:10 Before Paul gets up, Sally leaves the stage sobbing. She is restrained. The boss laughs and Paul gets a little upset about the situation at the table. 13.4 sec
Again, right before the following censorship cut, the VCD shows a noticeable splice, which probably explains why Shout considered it a legitimate cut when reconstructing the “Festival Cut” – even though the scene was included in the Festival Cut VHS without such noticeable marks:
Disc 1: 52:31 / 53:34-53:35 The bloody effects of the knife throw can actually still be seen at the end of the shot. 0.9 sec
Disc 1: 55:07 / 56:12-56:13 Insignificant missing bit during the transition from a shot of Paul to gunfire in the hallway. 1 sec
Disc 1: 55:56 / 57:02-57:12 Before Paul puts his foot on the gold chest, you can still see him dragging it in. Meanwhile, Frankie encourages Sally: They could join the refugees. Note: This scene was shortened in the same way on the Festival VHS and is also missing from Shout's Festival Cut. 10.6 sec
Disc 1: 59:54 / 61:10-61:11 As described in more detail in the report for Shout's Festival Cut: The final explosion in the hallway is somewhat complicated. The VCD is the shortest here: Both the festival-exclusive shot from a closer perspective and the part after the jump cut at the end (included in the international theatrical version and the German DC) are missing. 0.9 sec
Disc 1: 60:13 / 61:32-61:36 As with the VHS, two shots of our protagonists inside the car that appear here (in the theatrical version and, logically, also in the German “Director's Cut”) are missing. Once again, we see Frankie reassuring Sally. This could also suggest that this and the previous brief moment of rapprochement between Frankie and Sally were deliberately omitted from the Festival Cut and only added in the final theatrical version. 4.6 sec
Disc 2: 02:29 / 64:16-64:21 The car drives around in an additional shot before our heroes sit down on the riverbank. This was also missing from the VHS, as well as from Shout's Festival Cut. But unlike the Frankie/Sally moments, it's really hard to interpret why this would have been deliberately removed. 4.5 sec
Disc 2: 04:03 / 65:55-66:35 Before the boat approaches, there is a small conflict within the group. Paul complains to Luke about why his man on the boat hasn't shown up yet. Frankie intervenes and says that Luke is only thinking about the gold – he should help Sally instead. Ben briefly criticizes Frankie for his outburst. 40.4 sec
Disc 2: 16:52 / 79:27-79:53 After the fade to black during a shot of Paul in the evening, there is a missing scene showing a few prisoners being herded around and shot during the day. Paul looks thoughtful. 26.3 sec
Disc 2: 18:15 / 81:15-81:27 Several slow-motion shots of Luke (with his entourage) storming through the fields and a long shot were already missing from the VHS and are also missing from this VCD. They were also removed from the Shout long version. 11.8 sec
Disc 2: 41:14 / 104:28-105:31 Frankie collapses in another shot in the hallway. There is a soft transition to Ben and Luke, then we see Frankie suffering again in his hideout. He screams in pain and fumbles for his drugs. 62.8 sec (= 1:03 min)
Disc 2: 43:51 / 108:08-110:31 Ben says that they used to share both the good and the bad. Frankie used to call him “Big Brother,” but he just wanted to be his friend. Ben also reminds him of his mother and the wedding for which Frankie selflessly collected money. The dazed Frankie doesn't respond, and Ben yells at him some more. 142.2 sec (= 2:22 min)
At Disc 2: 47:46 / 114:26, it is interesting to note that the VCD has the same “Hong Kong 1970” insert as the Festival VHS.
Disc 2: 49:36 / 116:16-116:32 Before Mr. King names Paul as his successor, there is a little trim: Paul joins them. Mr. King describes him as a genius when it comes to money and praises his charisma. Another man at the table does not look so enthusiastic. 15.6 sec
Alternative Disc 2: 52:01-52:51 / 118:57-129:41 This is where the actual alternative ending begins, which was discussed in detail in a separate report (German). On the VCD, Ben pulls out a revolver and presses Paul's head onto the conference table. He threatens to shoot Paul, just as Frank shot him back then. Paul begs for his life, but Ben pulls Paul's jacket over his head, just as he did back in Vietnam. This is also shown in parallel flashbacks, and after a moment's hesitation, Ben finally pulls the trigger. The shot can only be heard over a black screen.
In the original version, a lot more is happening before the final credits: Ben puts the skull back in the bag and walks away, followed by the chase in the parking garage and the dramatic showdown in flames.
Original version 594.3 sec (= 9:54 min) longer The credits immediately afterwards run on a black background on the VCD, while in the original version they initially run over the shot of Ben going away through the flames.
After the otherwise identical credits, the VCD has a few more notes.
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