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Comparison between the regular theatrical version (identical except for opening/closing credits in, for example, Hong Kong, USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, and Spain) and the Australian VHS from Chinatown Video
An additional cut in the US versions with a duration of 10 seconds (last shot before the closing credits) Also, four minor missing segments in the Taiwanese DVD with a duration of 6.4 seconds A few additional master errors, each lasting 0.5 seconds, were not listed in the report. We have already extensively discussed Jet Li's magnificent Fist of Legend in the report for the Taiwanese DVD. In the course of the following comparison, we have thoroughly revised the old report with details on various releases worldwide. What was curious, however, was the closer examination of the Australian VHS from Chinatown Video. It turned out to be a kind of "hybrid" because some scenes, which could only be found in Taiwan otherwise, are actually included in the film here. Furthermore, they even come with Cantonese audio, like the regular theatrical version. The Taiwan DVD has only Mandarin audio in below-average quality. The legendary opium scene is once again not included, and neither is the scene directly following it with the couple in love. Nevertheless, this is an intriguing discovery, especially considering that the image quality of the scenes is actually superior to the Taiwanese DVD. Ideally, all additional scenes would be newly scanned in Asia, but at least there is yet another SD source available for both image and, especially, audio material. Runtime information is organized according to the format: The Chinatown VHS has the original Chinese credits. As in the Taiwan version, the last panel with the supporting actors is different. We will not illustrate the terrible alternative credits of the US DVD again here, see other report. Instead we display the French DVD with the original credits.
23:08-23:09 / 21:38 The autopsy scene is missing the first few inconsequential frames. + 0.9 sec 30:57 / 29:08-29:42 The conversation between the General and his assistants starts earlier (just like in the Taiwan version). The General slams the paper with his hand on the open floor between the men sitting in the circle. Very angry, he complains to his men about their poor performance. Then he turns to the Japanese diplomat. He asks him whether the "Kokuryu clan" has good relations with the Chinese. The man replies that it is difficult to have good relations with the Chinese since the Japanese conquered Tsingtao and refused to relinquish it. The general then leans forward very angrily and explains that Tsingtao was conquered by the Germans with Japanese blood. If the Chinese wanted it back, they would have to exchange it for their own blood. 33.2 sec
For comparison, here is the last screenshot from the Taiwan DVD:
44:50-44:51 / 43:00 Probably the next reel change: Chen and Mitsuko hold each other a moment longer and the subsequent shot begins a few frames earlier. + 1.2 sec 51:02 / 48:56-49:10 After bowing several times in a crouch to say goodbye, Chen Zhen can still be seen leaving the Jingwu School. Someone hands him his suitcase and he and Mitsuko walk towards the front gate. Mitsuko stops once more, turns around and bows deeply. Then she follows Chen Zhen. 14.7 sec
Here, too, is a corresponding comparison image from the Taiwanese DVD.
The opium scene shortly afterwards is also missing on the Australian VHS - as is the scene a few minutes later that alludes to it (Tien's girlfriend brings him tea).
59:44-59:46 / 57:31 Another moment is lost during a reel change - in Taiwan only 0.6 sec, but here even... + 2 sec
76:47 / 73:50-74:17 After the big match between Chen Zhen and Mitsuko's uncle Funakoshi, the scene switches to a round of Go between Funakoshi and the Japanese diplomat. In the theatrical version (after the close-up of the board), the beginning of the conversation during the game is missing: the diplomat asks if Funakoshi has never thought that his position in his clan could be "fatal". He doesn't know what he's talking about at first, but then understands quite quickly. He says that there is nothing to apologize for. What he is doing is still better than being a military stooge. 27.2 sec
Here is another picture to go with the Taiwanese DVD:
78:51-78:54 / 76:16 Reel change: When switching to the next scene outside, the TW again misses a few insignificant frames. + 2.3 sec
92:21 / 89:11 When Chen is kicked in the stomach, the shot begins 8 frames earlier. 0.3 sec
96:50 / 93:29-93:35 Chen limps a little longer to the door with Tien in his arm. The subsequent shot of the soldiers rushing in also begins a little earlier. 6.5 sec
100:47-100:54 / 97:23-97:35 In various releases (= identical on US DVD and therefore also UK DVD + German Blu-ray, French DVD & Spanish DVD) the picture freezes just as the car is driving off. After a few seconds it fades to black. In the Taiwan version, the shot is much longer instead. The car drives completely out of the picture and you can still see the street life, while a text appears on the right. Australian VHS 5.5 sec longer
Finally, to make it a little more complicated about the credits: The Australian VHS shows slightly different text here than the other versions.
Furthermore, this longer shot appears at least almost complete on both the Hong Kong laserdisc by Mei Ah and the British VHS - it fades out a little earlier here than on the Taiwanese and Australian versions. The Chinese fade-in was presumably part of the picture master and was therefore also cut out on the French DVD, although this is actually part of the theatrical version. On the Australian VHS this is not subtitled (unlike the location information at the beginning after the opening credits), but both the British VHS and the Hong Kong laserdisc (the latter used here for the screenshots) offer the explanation of what is written here:
The subsequent shot of the runners is missing completely from the US versions. The French DVD with the Hong Kong theatrical version shows it in its entirety, although here the first second is faded from black, while the Taiwan version shows this first second "normally". At the end, Tien can be seen patting someone on the shoulder and nodding with satisfaction. 10 sec
The crew shot at the end of the credits found on the British VHS and the Hong Kong laserdisc is unfortunately missing from the Australian VHS.
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