Comparison between the cut Korean HD version (included in the British 4K-UHD set by Arrow Video) and the uncut Korean VHS - 20 cuts Additionally, 2 missing scenes in the VHS with a total duration of 20.4 seconds. The HD master also has several "Framecuts" of less than 0.5 seconds each, which create an additional difference in runtime.
Regarding the British Box-Set BRUCE LEE AT GOLDEN HARVEST by Arrow Video in 4K-UHD, we have already summarized all the essential details in the report for the Mandarin Cut of the first film The Big Boss. It is a must-buy for die-hard fans, particularly because of this absolutely spectacular version, which is 10 minutes longer. Game of Death II (aka Tower of Death) doesn't really belong to Lee's filmography, but it still contains some exclusive footage with the real Bruce Lee. There is no 4K scan available for this film, but Arrow Video has included an impressively equipped Blu-ray in the set. As the main feature, you get a new HD master of the international theatrical version of the film, which is slightly longer than the Hongkong version. The US VHS cut with an alternative flashback scene is available as well. Additionally, there is an HD scan of the alternative Korean version. In this version, much of the trashy Bruceploitation storyline has been removed, focusing even more on the excellent fight scenes choreographed by Sammo Hung and Corey Yuen. There is also some exclusive footage featuring Korean actors Kim Tai-chung and Hwang Jang-lee, which will be covered in a separate report later. Surprisingly the HD version of said Korean version is 4 minutes shorter than the Korean VHS, resp. the original length of this version. It doesn't seem to be due to censorship, but rather, the whole master is filled with countless frame cuts, similar to Celestial restorations of Shaw films. As commented in the Blu-ray.com forum, this version of the film has been circulating on Korean streaming portals since 2021, and unfortunately, Arrow only had access to this version. Regrettably, several fight scenes are noticeably shortened in this version. All the missing bits are available in the international theatrical version. Ultimately, of course it would have been nice if the cuts were reinstated in this bonus version of the "bonus film" in the set. But this issue goes back to the actual processing of this version in Korea and apparently it was just overlooked on the final disc by Arrow. Taking into account the numerous other versions on this movie as well as all others in the box, several exclusive audio options and lovingly crafted bonus material, it doesn't change our clear recommendation to purchase the entire box.
Runtime information follows the format The HD version has an additional credit at the start, while the VHS has more black screen time with music already playing.
VHS cut 01:24-01:43 / 01:27 The long opening shot of the approaching airplane starts much earlier in the HD version. + 18.5 sec
Here's a brief image comparison between the cut HD master of the Korean version and the uncut Korean VHS. Due to the terrible quality and significant loss of picture information, we have verified whether all the following scenes appear exactly the same in the international version and have illustrated them accordingly.
21:03 / 20:58-21:02 In one of the few scenes featuring the real Bruce Lee in the Korean cut, a short bit is missing. The monk (Roy Chiao) speaks a little longer in a medium shot. In the international version of the film, this appears from 14:12-14:16 and has been used for the screenshots. 4 sec
25:58 / 25:58-26:02 Shortly after Billy kicks the light out, when the guy in the white outfit attacks, the subsequent shot actually starts a bit earlier. Billy kicks him a few more times. In the international version of the film, this appears at 28:12-28:15 and has been used for the screenshots. 3.6 sec
26:01 / 26:05-26:12 After the guy has been kicked through the door, another part of the fight is missing, where Billy delivers a few more hard attacks. In the international version of the film, this appears at 28:18-28:25 and has been used for the screenshots. 7 sec
26:33 / 26:44-26:46 At the beginning of the shot, two kicks from Billy are missing. In the international version of the film, this appears at 28:57-28:59 and has been used for the screenshots. 2.2 sec
28:04 / 28:18-28:39 Before the car drives up, Billy takes down several more opponents - mostly with his legs. In the international version of the film, this appears at 30:33-30:54 and has been used for the screenshots. 21.1 sec
30:47 / 31:25-31:26 Roy Horan gets to demonstrate training steps a little longer. In the international version of the film, this appears at 43:45-43:47 and has been used for the screenshots. 1.7 sec
47:08 / 47:56-47:58 After finding Roy Horan's corpse, Bobby looks down a little longer. There is also a brief cut to the fighter outside for a few frames. In the international version of the film, this appears at 63:27-63:29 and has been used for the screenshots. The outdoor shot is colored brown here to indicate it as a flashback. 2.3 sec
The mentioned cut here once with the color filter added for the international version and once in the original version, as shown again immediately after in the HD version of the Korean cut by Arrow.
VHS cut 51:42-51:44 / 52:38 Another small missing part in the VHS: Bobby jumps into the shaft a little longer, and the subsequent shot inside starts earlier. + 1.7 sec
53:48 / 54:44-54:46 As Bobby continues is in the elevator, the shot of the floor coming closer is significantly longer. In the international version of the film, this appears at 73:38-73:40 and has been used for the screenshots. 2 sec
56:31 / 57:31-57:35 A small piece is cut from the fight against the "tiger man." As a result, the transition from posing Bobby to the reinserted shot where he steps back to the side is somewhat abrupt. In the international version of the film, this appears at 74:27-74:32 and has been used for the screenshots. 4.5 sec
57:02 / 58:09-58:27 After blocking the bent metal rod, Bobby is attacked again by the "tiger man." Bobby evades several attacks and causes him to fall several times. The "tiger man" then attacks furiously. In the international version of the film, this appears at 75:05-75:23 and has been used for the screenshots. 18.4 sec
61:11 / 62:42-62:46 The fight against the monk is significantly longer. The monk staggers back a bit further in this shot, then regains his composure and attacks again. In the international version of the film, this appears at 79:39-79:43 and has been used for the screenshots. 4.4 sec
61:34 / 63:09-64:01 Cleverly edited, as both versions cut to a close-up of the monk at this point and then zoom out again. However, the HD version omits a longer segment of the fight, where both characters hop around for a while. Bobby takes a small piece of furniture, playing around with it a bit and incorporating it into the fight. The monk looks visibly upset by this. In the international version of the film, this appears at 80:05-80:57 and has been used for the screenshots. 51.4 sec
61:39 / 64:06-64:34 Before continuing down the corridor, the fight is longer and the monk swings his staff quite extensively. However, he does this with his back to Bobby, who quickly jumps onto a railing out of reach, watching the monk's attacks with boredom from there. When the monk notices this, Bobby immediately performs a jumping kick. In the international version of the film, this appears at 81:03-81:30 and has been used for the screenshots. 27.4 sec
64:47 / 67:42-68:03 During the fight against Chin Ku (Hwang-Jang Lee), a longer segment with some artistic moves is missing here. In the international version of the film, this appears at 84:48-85:09 and has been used for the screenshots. 20.6 sec
65:30 / 68:45-68:52 A missing part that's clearly noticable: As Bobby sneaks across the bridge, he suddenly starts to hang along the side from one moment to the next. In the actual scene, he looks around the corner, sees Chin Ku's shadow, grins, and then jumps down the side of the bridge. In the international version of the film, this appears at 85:52-85:59 and has been used for the screenshots. 6.9 sec
67:16 / 70:39-70:58 Bobby attacks again, and Chin Ku uses his sword to counter. Bobby avoids several strikes skillfully but also gets a few tears in his clothing. In the international version of the film, this appears at 87:50-88:09 and has been used for the screenshots. 19.1 sec
68:20 / 72:02-72:04 At the end of the shot, Chin Ku swings the staff a few more times. In the international version of the film, this appears at 89:13-89:15 and has been used for the screenshots. 2.7 sec
68:34 / 72:18-72:55 Here, too, more attacks are shown at the end of a shot. Chin Ku falls onto the monk, who briefly gasps for breath. Then there is much more back and forth in the fight, with Bobby clearly gaining the upper hand. In the international version of the film, this appears at 89:29-90:06 and has been used for the screenshots. 36.9 sec
69:41 / 74:03-74:11 Before Chin Ku jumps in slow motion, he attacks a few more times with the sword. Bobby evades well, but his clothing gets a few more cuts. In the international version of the film, this appears at 91:14-91:22 and has been used for the screenshots. 8.1 sec
70:10 / 74:40-74:49 Chin Ku approaches Bobby in a first shot. This is followed by another shot of Bobby taking a few steps back. In the international version of the film, this appears at 91:52-92:01 and has been used for the screenshots. 9 sec
72:07-72:13 / 76:46-76:59 The HD version fades out a little earlier. The end overlay that appears is also different. VHS is 7 sec longer
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