Before getting into the actual comparison, please refer to three sets of uncompressed screenshots that we have compiled for further qualitative analysis:

1. 88 Films 4K-remastered Blu-ray (2026) vs. 88 Films Old Blu-ray (2019) vs. Splendid Blu-ray (2014) vs. Paramount JP Blu-ray (2014)
-> In 2026, 88 Films used essentially the same restoration for identical material in the US and Hong Kong versions, with only some minor differences in color grading and encoding. The SD versions of the HK edition from Splendid & 88 Films were identical, differing only slightly in the cropping of the frame. The HD upscaled “main version” from Splendid looked better, but of course isn’t particularly impressive anymore these days, given the 4K restoration.
* The first scene (arrival at the bar) is interesting; it was actually supposed to have a day-for-night filter, which was implemented differently or not at all depending on the version.
* The second image also confirms once again that the censorship in the old R-rated version was not an issue in any of these digital releases.
* The third image differs in the Asian versions because an alternative shot was used here for what is essentially the same scene.

2. Comparison of Hong Kong/Japan Bonus Material
-> Unsurprisingly, the new 4K master from 88 Films finally presents this coveted version in a respectable format. No differences in quality between the Hong Kong scenes and the US footage are discernible. The Japanese version was already in HD on the Japanese Blu-ray second edition, but it exhibits typical signs of wear and tear and features burned-in subtitles.

3. Japanese Exclusive Material
-> A scene in the middle of the film and the outtakes credits were only available in Japan. The quality drops slightly here, but it’s still quite watchable and, of course, clearly better than the old Laserdisc. It is possible that the image source from the Japanese theatrical print was reused here, but color-corrected and restored -specifically, many small imperfections were removed, as were the burned-in subtitles for the brief dialogue (mentioned further down in the report at 50:25 / 51:15–51:44 ).


The Hong Kong version starts with a reference to Fortune Star.

+ 37.5 sec

In contrast, the Japanese version has its own in-house opening.

11.5 sec

The Golden Harvest logo in the Japanese version is the export variant without Chinese characters on the sides. The credits also start on a black background.

Japanese version 2.4 sec longer

Hong Kong version on British 4K remastered Blu-ray	Japanese version on British 4K remastered Blu-ray

The different credit language also runs through the rest of the scene - although there are no differences in the editing. This is worth mentioning again because the US version, with the same yellow credits in English, was slightly longer in several places; see another report.

Hong Kong version on British 4K remastered Blu-ray	Japan version on British 4K remastered Blu-ray

Worth noting is the 22nd minute, because when our police duo flies to Hong Kong here, from this moment on, Cantonese is suddenly spoken in the Japanese version. Earlier in New York, Cantonese was already heard in the Hong Kong version, while the Japanese version offers the original English audio here (like the US version). It’s a somewhat odd hybrid, because Garoni, played by Danny Aiello, suddenly starts conversing fluently in Cantonese with Jackie from this point on - while conversely, in the US version, English is still spoken throughout, even in Hong Kong.


25:00 / 24:37-25:36

We see everyone leaving the room for a longer period of time. This is followed by a scene in which the cop talks to Billy and Garoni. He gives the two a lead that takes them to the sauna, which they check out next - which better sets up the scene that follows in all cut versions.

Note: The scene appears in the US cut at 30:32–31:31 (88 Films 2026); so it is not Japan-exclusive material, but merely a scene added to the US version.

59.1 sec

50:02 / 50:38-50:53

Billy and Garoni are seen again (just before Benny Garucci arrives at the airport).
They walk away and talk a little.

Note: This scene also appears identical in the US cut at 54:29–54:44 (88 Films 2026).

15 sec

50:25 / 51:15–51:44

The scene in which Benny Garucci arrives in Hong Kong is longer: The chauffeur gets into the car and drives off. Then there is a brief conversation between Benny and Ko’s henchman.

Note: The arrival scene itself is missing from the US cut, so this section is not included there either. This makes it (along with the outtakes credits) the only scene that is truly exclusive to the Japanese version.

28.3 sec

Alternatively
68:30-68:32 / 69:49-70:58

In the Japanese version, Benny arrives at Harold Kos’s office. They discuss how their businesses are being threatened by the two cops.

Note: This scene also appears in the US cut at 62:33–63:45 (88 Films 2026). However, it differs slightly here in that the conversation is even more detailed in the US cut. Even the opening shot of the street outside is longer, and at the end, Ko says that they will take care of the cops + additional reaction shot of Benny.

The Hong Kong version includes a shot of the harbor instead.

Japan version 66.5 sec (= 1:07 min) longer


At 90:47 / 93:12, the credits begin in the Hong Kong version. The Japanese version first shows the shot briefly without any text overlays, then the image is “folded” smaller in the center, introducing the outtakes credits.

Hong Kong version on British 4K remastered Blu-ray	Japan version on British 4K remastered Blu-ray

In the Hong Kong version, the end credits now run to a close (virtually exactly as in the US version, except that the US version features English credits) over the long, continuous tracking shot.

In the Japanese version, as mentioned, the outtakes credits roll, with English credits as at the beginning.

Japan version 137.2 sec (= 2:17 min) longer

The final information panel differs slightly.

Hong Kong version on British 4K remastered Blu-ray	Japan version on British 4K remastered Blu-ray