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US Shout factory Blu-ray set with both versions |
Comparison of the censored alternative Mandarin version and the uncut Cantonese original version, both included on the 3-disc British Trilogy Blu-ray box set of 88 Films
43 differences, including 7x alternative bits & 8x exclusive material in the alternative Mandarin version
In 1987, A Chinese Ghost Story was a huge hit, and in 1990, the sequel was just as successful at the box office. In combination with the booming market for Cat III productions geared towards sex and violence, it was a sure-fire success - so in 1990, Erotic Ghost Story presented lots of soft-sex scenes in a rather stupid fantasy setting, and the voluptuous Amy Yip finally became a wet dream of male viewers. Director Ngai Choi Lam went on to direct Story of Ricky shortly afterwards, but two more Erotic Ghost Story instalments by other directors further exploited the recipe for success. After 88 Films in the UK had already released a Blu-ray of the first part as a Deluxe Collector's Edition in 2021, they followed it up with a trilogy set on 3 March 2025. In addition to the sequels and generally new bonus material, we are particularly excited about the fact that alternative Mandarin versions of all three parts are included. Genre fans are probably aware that significantly longer versions, which have also been shortened by a few scenes, are often in circulation in Taiwan. Interesting examples of alternative Mandarin versions that have also been released on Blu-ray in recent years are Righting Wrongs and A Chinese Torture Chamber Story. The differences are not quite as stark as in the latter, which offers lots of nudity as well. But unsurprisingly, all the more ribald nude/sex scenes were toned down here. Once again, the pubic area was a particular thorn in the side of the censors. At least you can discover a bit of exclusive material in the form of alternative takes, an additional opening credits sequence and at least one extended dialogue scene. But it's not all that exciting. On top of that, the longer running time of the Mandarin version is quite a sham: quite a few scenes are simply played back in yawning slow motion. Not really worth seeing, so anyone interested should stick with the uncensored original Cantonese version. Nevertheless, for the sake of completeness, it is a nice extra. Note: The trilogy was also released in Australia by Imprint in January 2025. We also had this version. The films are encoded here in 24fps instead of 23.976fps and are therefore a few seconds shorter, but otherwise identical in frame. All three parts are also available here including the alternative Mandarin versions. In addition, a ‘Golden Harvest Volume 1: Supernatural Shockers’ Blu-ray set was also released in the USA by Shout Factory in November 2024. Parts 1 and 3 were also available here in both Mandarin versions, part 2 only in the original Hong Kong version.
Runtime data is arranged according to the scheme Additional material in the alternative version
01:04-01:52 / 01:04 The alternative Mandarin version shows its own opening credits over still images directly after the logos. + 48 sec
The normal version has credits over the first shots, which the alternative version does not have.
02:05-02:46 / 01:16-01:37 The two shots of Pai walking around run a little slower in the alternative version. This makes the alternative version 21.2 sec longer. After an identical long shot, the next two shots (until 04:00 / 02:20 ) are again slowed down considerably. A close-up of breasts (until 04:18 / 02:33 ) is also shown again. Alternate version 34.8 sec longer Alternative / Additional material in the alternative version 22:39-22:48 / 20:55-21:02 An alternative take of Fei Fei bathing, in which she can be seen from a greater distance and the nakedness is completely covered by a shrub. Alternative version 2 sec longer
23:00 / 21:14-21:23 She caresses her genital area in close-up. 8.9 sec
23:04 / 21:27-21:30 The next shot also starts a little earlier and the alternative version begins when the camera has moved up a little. 2.4 sec
Alternative / Additional material in the alternative version 23:35-23:44 / 22:01-22:06 When Hua (Amy Yip) starts splashing water at Fei Fei, the alternative version returns to the more harmless perspective. Alternative version 3.6 sec longer
24:04 / 22:26-23:08 Shortly before the end of the scene, there are a few more sensual shots that were removed in the alternative version. 42.7 sec
40:32-41:51 / 39:36-40:16 How Wu Ming attacks Hua is once again shown in slow motion, making the alternate version 39.2 sec longer. 41:51 / 40:16-40:28 At the same time, the shot from above is a bit longer and at the end you can see Wu Ming's backside. This is followed by a close-up of Hua's breasts. 12 sec
The next shot is slowed down again, making the alternate version 8.6 sec longer. 42:08 / 40:37-40:43 An additional shot from above. 6.8 sec
The next shot is slowed down again and is therefore 3.1 sec longer in the alternative version. 42:14 / 40:46-40:56 And again from a slightly more distant perspective. 9.7 sec
The next shot is slowed down again and thus 5.9 sec longer in the alternative version. 42:26 / 41:02-41:15 And one last time at the end of the scene, the camera moves back further. 13 sec
46:54-47:47 / 45:43-46:09 The breasts are uncovered in slow motion, making the alternative version 26.4 sec longer. 47:47 / 46:09-46:19 The slip is only moved a little in the original Canto version. 9.8 sec
The following frontal shot is slowed down again, making the alternative version 2.3 sec longer. 47:54 / 46:24-46:29 On the other hand, the shot is longer at the end in the original version, so she takes her hands away from the intimate area. 4.8 sec
When he kisses her, it is again painfully slowed down and by 49:52 / 47:30 the alternative version is 57.3 sec longer. 49:52 / 47:30-47:44 But it is also cut off early, just as he is almost at the genital area, or at least it is in the picture. 14.1 sec
In the next shot, the alternative version is 6.6 sec longer, thanks to annoying slow-mo. 50:05 / 47:50-48:47 In an additional close-up, he returns to her intimate area. Then he lays her down for the first time and pampers her with (suggested) oral sex. 56.5 sec
The next shot is again the alternate version, which is 17.8 sec longer due to annoying slow-mo. Alternative / Additional material in the alternative version 50:41-52:23 / 49:05-50:46 Finally something a bit more special again: The long rest of the scene is completely made up of alternative takes. Once again, only the original version clearly shows the naked intimate area. Alternative version 0.9 sec longer
Additional material in the Mandarin version 52:23-52:43 / 50:46 The Mandarin version has an additional short dialogue scene between Hua and Fei Fei directly afterwards. Hua asks about the little sister, but Fei Fei has not seen her. + 20 sec
When Miss Wang kisses Wu Ming at 58:15-60:10 / 56:18-57:15, the slow-motion nonsense starts again and here the alternate version is 57.1 sec longer. 60:10 / 57:15-57:41 Miss Wang rubs her breasts over his genitals in close-up. The following medium long shot then also starts a little earlier. 25.4 sec
More slow-motion mischief follows, this time the alternative version is 26.4 sec longer. 61:02 / 58:07-58:11 At the end of the shot, Miss Wang gives the penis a quick massage. 4.2 sec
Through slo-mo nonsense till 63:35 / 59:29 the alternative version is 76.1 sec (= 1:16 min) longer. Shortly after a soft fade, the deceleration sets in again from 65:46-67:12 / 61:39-62:22, making the alternative version 43.1 sec longer. Alternative / Additional material in the alternative version 67:12-67:28 / 62:22-62:41 When Fei Fei jumps around in close-up, the alternative version uses a different take and the camera position is much closer. The subsequent shot from above is also from a different take, with more bushes obscuring everything explicit in the alternative version. Original version 3.2 sec longer
77:19 / 72:32-72:41 Fei Fei takes off her clothes for longer: you can see her intimate area. 9.2 sec
Alternative version / Additional material in the alternative version 80:59-81:04 / 76:21-76:27 Here you can find an alternative take that is much closer, so the intimate area at the bottom is out of the picture. The shot is also slightly longer in the original version. Original version 0.8 sec longer
Alternative version / Additional material in the alternative version 81:10-81:25 / 76:33-76:46 Here, too, the perspective differs twice. A brief reaction shot to the monster is identical in between. Only in the original version do the breasts swing wildly through the picture. Mandarin version 2 sec longer
Alternative version / Additional material in the alternative version 81:32-81:38 / 76:53-77:05 The way the three-headed monster then delves into the breasts can first be seen in an additional shot and then the alternative version offers a completely different angle without explicit details. Original version 5.6 sec longer
81:44 / 77:11-77:16 The next shot is shortened at the beginning, where the breasts are still being kneaded extensively. 5.6 sec
From 89:03-90:07 / 84:35-85:08 the slow-motion effect sets in again as our three girls land back on the floor and then carry out the counterattack. Overall, the alternate version is 32.4 sec longer. When Wu Ming undresses Fei Fei at 90:59-92:15 / 85:59-86:37 and the other two then follow suit, the slow-motion effect sets in again in the middle of the shot. Overall, the alternate version is 38.4 sec longer. From 93:06-93:35 / 87:28-87:43, the slow-motion effect is reintroduced for the final fight scenes. Overall, the alternate version is 14.6 sec longer. The end credits differ and start a little earlier in the original version.
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