Comparison between the IFD version and the original film To Catch A Ninja (both included on the German DVD by AVV / WMM)

26 differences, including 7x alternative courses & 2 re-cuts
* 12 additional scenes in the IFD version with a duration of 1196.6 (= 19:57 min)
* 21 additional scenes in the original film with a duration of 1056.3 (= 17:36 min)

Difference: 140.3 sec (= 2:20 min) [in PAL].

A few additional master errors with a duration of less than 0.5 sec each were not listed in the report.

 

Created in 1984, Ninja Thunderbolt is indeed an outstanding title in the oeuvre of Godfrey Ho and Joseph Lai's production company IFD. After the success of Enter the Ninja with Franco Nero, this was the FIRST production in which Ho hired Richard Harrison and spiced up a Taiwanese cheap action movie with a few scenes that were produced later on. It is also known that Harrison was really paid for the resulting patchwork. But he is not supposed to have known that his material, which was shot at that time, was used for several other films or given such an international appeal. On top of that, a "Jackie Chan" appears in the credits, although the well-known namesake really has nothing to do with the film. On some international posters, however, the name probably already caused a stir and one character in the movie was even called Jackal Chan.

On the German DVD by distributor AVV, the so-called IFD Legacy Collection features the film in two versions. Apart from the uncut IFD version, the bonus material also includes the original film from Taiwan. This film has its own English dubbing and as you can see from the logo at the beginning, it was based on a VHS release from the then very active label Ocean Shores.

The version runs in NTSC speed and is about 2 minutes shorter than the well-known IFD version, but of course the differences are much more extensive. About 20 minutes of additional material, mainly featuring Richard Harrison, can be found here, and vice versa, of course, a corresponding number of scenes from the original film was deleted. Harrison was taught under the same ninja master as the ninja from the original film and in newly edited police station scenes, he is suddenly also the superior of the policeman of the actual plot. Mainly long-winded scenes were tightened up, the IFD version is, as expected, a bit quicker. And strangely enough, there are also more nude scenes: Presumably the original film was already shot in a softer and more explicit form for more strict Asian markets.

So all in all, it's nice that To Catch A Ninja was included as a bonus for completeness. Especially as a film historical document for this prelude to the Ninja recycling madness is praiseworthy. But in the end, every fan is clearly better off with the IFD version.

Runtimes are ordered as follows: IFD version in PAL / original film in NTSC

Additional material in the IFD version
00:00-01:50 / 00:00

The IFD version starts with an additional ninja scene. A master explains the code of their community as well as the usual blah-blah on how invincible they are. Richard Harrison sits directly in front of them and Shima (Yasuaki Kurata) from the original film is cut briefly into some room in between. This is followed by the title insertion over an additional shot of the city.

+ 110,4 sec (= 1:50 min)

The credits following immediately afterwards are different. Of course, the half-English pseudonyms in the IFD are nice.

IFD version	Original film

04:56 / 03:13-04:39

Shima is pulling down the rope. He looks around a bit and then opens the disc with a suction cup. Silently, he sneaks inside and rolls himself through various offices.

82.6 sec (= 1:23 min)

The following pictures inside are crassly darkened in the IFD master. In general, the colors are not so sparkling, see also the scene on the beach a few minutes later.

IFD version	Original film

11:17 / 11:16-11:23

Shima runs away through the stairwell and Harry follows him.

6.4 sec

Additional material in the IFD version
12:38-12:41 / 12:47

For the introduction to the scene at the police office, the IFD version has a view of the building.

+ 3,3 sec

15:17 / 15:30-16:29

Sarah visits Shima in the hospital. She says that it was close and he makes a few combative comments.

56.6 sec

15:20 / 16:32-18:02

After an identical outdoor shot, Jenny uses a face mask earlier. In between, Harry enters the house and wanders through several rooms, accompanied by music to build up tension.

86 sec (= 1:26 min)

Alternative / Additional material in the IFD version
16:01-18:18 / 18:44-23:06

Harry and Jenny are smooching in the original version for a while. Then she says that she is not taking the pill right now. Harry is unimpressed. After the sexual act, there is some discussion about whether it should be a boy or a girl. Suddenly, the phone rings and the not yet dead Shima is on the line. After a short complaining, there is another sex scene between Shima and Sarah.

In the IFD version instead, an additional scene in which the bald man picks up drugs from a dark-skinned man - which he curiously conjures up in masses from the corner of his mouth. Suddenly, Richard appears with an entourage and since the baddies naturally resist arrest, a short fight ensues. Richard arrests the bald man, his colleagues take him and his accomplices away.
This is followed by another drug deal on a bridge, which is also stopped by Richard and a colleague.

Original version 114,4 sec (= 1:54 min) longer



Additional material in the IFD version
18:22-18:58 / 23:10-23:18

In the following scene, Harry's telephone calls from his bed are interrupted only in the IFD version by several cuts to Richard. He explains the background of the drug case there and orders Harry to the office.

Instead, the original version stays with Harry, who initially expects the opponent from the previous scene. Since he is also called to the office by the boss, his tone of voice changes.

IFD version 27.8 sec longer

IFD version	Original film

Additional material in the IFD version
20:10-20:12 / 24:34

For the entry of the slides with the stolen objects, the IFD version offers a close-up of a projector.

+ 1,2 sec

Alternative / Additional material in the IFD version
20:19-20:43 / 24:43-24:58

From here on, there will be several re-cuts to Richard in the IFD version and again to the projector. For this, comments of the colleagues present from the original version were also ignored occasionally. In general, the meaning was of course completely changed here.

IFD version 8.6 sec longer

IFD version	Original film