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Shawscope Vol. 2 Blu-ray Box (US edition)



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Invincible Shaolin

original title: Nan Shao Lin yu bei Shao Lin

Comparison:

  • Celestial version
  • Arrow Video Blu-ray
Release: Dec 28, 2022 - Author: Muck47 - Translator: Muck47 - external link: IMDB

Comparison between the Celestial version (represented here by the German DVD from T.V.P.) and the original version (included on the UK/US Blu-ray from Arrow Video).


- 17 relevant differences
- Duration: 18.1 sec

Several other master errors/"framecuts" with a duration of less than 1 sec each were not listed in the report.


In late 2021, Arrow Video released the "Shawscope Vol. 1" box set in the UK/USA, which included 12 films from the legendary Hong Kong film studios. In addition to 5 legacy HD masters from licensor Celestial, there were 7 new HD restorations here that did not have the infamous framecuts that can be found in most of Celestial's catalog. In several reports, exemplified by the comparison to The Five Venoms, where other reports for titles in the box are also linked. Since November 21, 2022 (UK) and December 06, 2022 (USA) respectively, the "Shawscope Vol. 2" box is now available. This time there are even 14 films on board, with 9 of them in new HD restorations without framecuts.

After the comparison on The Kid with the Golden Arm we now turn to Invincible Shaolin, which is included on the same disc 4 in the set. Already the difference in running time is clear here:

  • Previous Celestial master: 98:43 min (German/Hongkong DVD in PAL speed) - equivalent to 102:56 min in NTSC/film
  • 2022 restoration from Arrow Video: 106:11 min (Arrow Video Blu-ray at 23.976 fps).

Substracting Celestial notes the new Arrow version is exactly 03:28 min longer. Thus, this is once again a title that is really affected by the framecuts. Several shots are missing 0.5-1 sec and even without listing most of them in the report, it should be clearly stated: The film often looks a bit choppy and hectic in the Celestial version, the new Arrow restoration is simply more pleasant to watch in motion. Otherwise, a completely missing 5-second part during the training with sticks stands out in particular. In the finale, there are more missing shots and various B&W flashbacks have been sloppily replaced with other footage.


Running time details are arranged according to the scheme
German DVD in 25fps / Arrow Blu-ray in 23.976fps

The Celestial logo is missing from Arrow, at least as part of the movie file. Not included in cut duration.

+ 11 sec



The opening credits with yellow vs. white credits. As usual, the white version of Arrow should match the original. In the white Arrow restoration, the text also flies in and out of the frame a bit more often - see second image with credits only half rolled out in white.

German DVDs (Celestial master)2022 UK/US Blu-ray (Arrow Video restoration)




20:36 / 21:55

Here, for the first time, there is the practice used in many Celestial restorations of including a short recut in the version here. This covers up what must have been a slightly damaged middle section of a shot at the time.

No runtime difference

German DVDs (Celestial master)2022 UK/US Blu-ray (Arrow Video restoration)




21:56 / 23:21-23:23

An example for many similar moments of ~ 1sec missing at the beginning/end of shots: The corpse is still covered (offscreen) at the beginning of the shot.

1.3 sec




43:02 / 46:19-46:24

In the training sequence with the stick, an additional shot is missing here. He Yingwu pierces two more paper covers and there is a soft fade to another paper.
How he pierces this is included again in the Celestial version. The cut is not directly noticeable, because in the last shot before the cut, He is also stabbing with the stick.

4.6 sec




47:51 / 51:33-51:36

Zhangcheng's thumb can be seen earlier. The Celestial version doesn't start until he pulls his hand away.
This is also basically only exemplary for the many misses at the end/beginning of shots, without losing anything really relevant. But since we have already arrived at a duration of more than 2 sec here, it was once mentioned individually.

2.3 sec




74:35 / 80:24-80:25

At the end of the shot, the two students come into view in the front and the camera moves back.

1.7 sec




76:54 / 82:54-82:55

Also not too spectacular, but a bit more striking: The master shakes himself at the end of the shot and slumps backwards.

0.9 sec




81:42 / 86:05-86:06

A medium long shot is significantly longer.

1.5 sec




85:22 / 92:03-92:06

When the brawl begins, the very first shot is significantly longer. At the beginning there is a small jumpcut here, which was probably the reason for the cut in Celestial.

2.5 sec




85:39-85:42 / 92:24-92:27

The flashback to the training shows two other shots in the Celestial version. Probably the right moments for this were not found in Celestial.

Arrow 0.3 sec longer

German DVDs (Celestial master)2022 UK/US Blu-ray (Arrow Video restoration)




86:45-85:42 / 93:34-92:27

Again, a short B/W training insert diverges.

No runtime difference

German DVDs (Celestial master)2022 UK/US Blu-ray (Arrow Video restoration)




90:54-90:58 / 97:57-98:01

Ditto.

No runtime difference

German DVDs (Celestial master)2022 UK/US Blu-ray (Arrow Video restoration)




91:06 / 98:10-98:11

In additional close-up, more stones are thrown up.

0.8 sec




91:45-91:46 / 98:51-98:52

Another alternate B&W flashback, this time during close-quarter batting practice.

No runtime difference

German DVDs (Celestial master)2022 UK/US Blu-ray (Arrow Video restoration)




93:01 bzw. 93:05-93:06 / 100:13-100:14

Xiu Yin takes a few more steps forward. But this part is also inserted in the Celestial version shortly after, after Xu has taken a kick.

No runtime difference



On the other hand it is missing at the moment of the re-arranged bit, how Xu, initially hit by the kick, rolls across the floor and reaches for the flowerpot.

1.4 sec




93:07-93:17 / 100:21-100:32

The next flashback with the barbell can be seen from a different angle. Shortly after that, shots were also mirrored or exchanged, shown here as well.

No runtime difference

German DVDs (Celestial master)2022 UK/US Blu-ray (Arrow Video restoration)



Note: In the 97th/104th minute, a short flashback moment of the barbell flying against a tree actually remained unedited.


The ending title card differs.

German DVDs (Celestial master)2022 UK/US Blu-ray (Arrow Video restoration)



At last again only the Celestial version comes with corresponding references (12 sec).