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Comparison between the uncut theatrical version (represented by the Hong Kong DVD from Universe) and the extended version on the Taiwanese DVD from Best Friend Films Limited. Minor insignificant deviations under 1 second are not listed in the edit summary for clarity. Similar to Last Hero in China, there is also a roughly 2.5-minute longer version available on a rare DVD from Taiwan for this second appearance of Jet Li as the folk hero Fong Sai-Yuk. While the differences in Last Hero in China were unremarkable but at least deepened the plot somewhat, here one encounters quite a disappointment. Almost every discrepancy arises (much like in Hard Boiled) solely due to numerous utterly inconsequential frame variations, which would otherwise be classified as template errors in older films. If one were to be extremely precise, it would definitely reach the triple-digit range. However, even with the generous minimum length of 1 second, there are nearly 50 such instances documented here. For this reason, precise information about editing duration/quantity has been omitted. What remains clear, though, is that there is virtually NOTHING spectacular to discover. Indeed, at least 3 scenes offer some alternative footage, and a few additional seconds. However, they are still absolutely insignificant in terms of content. Equally nonsensical are a few action/violence differences. When there is more visible in Taiwan, it certainly wasn't removed from the theatrical version due to censorship reasons; if anything, the extended version is suspicious in this regard. Moreover, it's worth noting that the scene featuring Mi's lover's naked bottom has been completely removed from this version. Incidentally, this scene was also a victim of censorship in the US version, as seen in the corresponding report. In summary: Be content with the theatrical version; in this case, it's definitely not worth hunting down the DVD from Taiwan. Running times are arranged according to the schema Logos / Credits
00:00-01:23 / 00:00-01:01 Additional logo on the HK DVD, followed by different credits: Only in Taiwan, on a white background and without English translation. Theatrical version 21.9 sec longer
02:04 / 01:42-01:43 An earlier shot of Fong on horseback. 1.1 sec Alternative 02:09-02:20 / 01:48-02:15 The flashback to Part 1 is slightly more detailed, and there's no color filter. Extended version 16.3 sec longer
The flashback sequences interspersed later are also without color filter - not further illustrated since the scenes are otherwise 1:1 identical or not expanded. 03:25 / 03:20-03:26 Fong rides for about 4 seconds longer, and his father turns to him in an additional shot. 5.7 sec
04:41 / 04:43-04:44 The waiter is seen a bit longer. 1 sec 20:44 / 20:53-20:55 After several small frame deviations or template errors, here's a slightly longer flawed moment as Fong speaks with his master. 1.8 sec 21:13 / 21:24-21:26 Also, when Ting-Ting approaches Fong. 1.6 sec 21:40 / 21:53-21:56 A slightly later fade to black. 2.8 sec 22:33 / 22:51-22:52 Another slightly longer flawed moment (during the poetry contest, anyway, there are particularly many more mini-deviations under 0.5 sec here). 1.1 sec 22:55 / 23:16-23:17 The master is seen a bit longer. 1.1 sec 24:26 / 24:48-24:50 The character appears a bit earlier. 2.6 sec 26:08 / 26:37-26:38 After numerous minor deviations during the assignment distribution (see accumulated additional runtime difference of 5 sec between this and the previously listed section), here's another slightly longer flawed moment: Ting-Ting follows Fong a moment earlier. 1 sec 26:30 / 27:00-27:02 People in the alley watch Fong as he rides away, a bit longer. 1.9 sec 28:25 / 28:57-28:58 Short additional shot of fighters jumping around. 0.8 sec
28:39 / 29:12-29:13 The man with the box is seen a bit longer after dropping his opponent into the water. 1.3 sec 30:17 / 30:51-30:53 The opponents pause for a moment before attacking Fong. 1.6 sec 36:24 / 37:04-37:05 Fong and Miu hold their pose a bit longer. 1 sec 37:32 / 38:18-38:19 Miu rears up a bit longer in front of Lee. 1.5 sec 38:26 / 39:14-39:16 Miu makes a short grimace, and Lee a bit earlier. 1.8 sec 39:28 / 40:19-40:20 Lee exits the frame normally in the Taiwan version, while in the theatrical version, he suddenly disappears (possibly intentionally) from one frame to another. 1.1 sec Theatrical version longer 42:54-42:59 / 43:46 In the Taiwan version, some scuffle over the water container has been removed – perhaps due to Lee's naked buttocks. + 5.2 sec
Theatrical version longer 43:50-43:53 / 44:37 Correspondingly, the end of the scene is missing in Taiwan, leaving Lee naked in the room. + 3.4 sec
45:03 / 45:47-45:48 A long shot of the conversation starts a bit earlier. 1.1 sec Theatrical version longer 47:33-47:36 / 48:22 The letter is visible a bit earlier in the theatrical version. + 2.7 sec 50:46 / 51:33-51:34 Fong and Miu a bit longer. 1 sec 51:46 / 52:34-52:35 The fighters stand in amazement a moment earlier. 1.1 sec 52:11 / 53:01-53:03 The fighters a bit longer, then the announcer enters a bit earlier from the left. 2.2 sec Alternative 54:07-54:38 / 55:00-55:27 As Fong heroically enters in slow motion, this is slightly different in both versions. Only in the extended version is there a more distant shot, while the theatrical version has more frontal shots in time-lapse. Theatrical version 3.4 sec longer
63:15 / 64:11-64:13 Ting-Ting on the bed a bit longer, then singing Miu enters a bit earlier. 2 sec 63:25 / 64:23-64:25 Fong a bit longer after taking a sip. 2.2 sec 65:45 / 66:49-66:51 The general a bit earlier. 1.5 sec 66:13 / 67:21-67:23 Same before he gives the order for the arrest. 1.8 sec 68:25 / 69:36-69:40 As unspectacular as the numerous tiny deviations in small lettering, but illustrated due to the duration: Ting-Ting watches Fong for a bit longer. 3.8 sec
68:35 / 69:51-69:54 But one screenshot should suffice. Shortly after, she is seen a bit longer again. 3.2 sec 69:19 / 70:38-70:39 A shot of the riders a bit longer. 1.2 sec 68:37 / 70:58-70:59 Another shot is slightly longer. 1.4 sec 68:47 / 71:09-71:11 Riders again. 1.4 sec 70:50 / 72:15-72:18 Yu speaks a bit earlier to Fong. 3.4 sec 70:57 / 72:25-72:27 Fong speaks a bit longer to the students. 1.7 sec 76:12 / 77:53-77:55 In the last 5 minutes of the film, the difference has increased by 10 seconds, spread over countless mini-deviations under 1 second. Here's something slightly longer: Miu speaks earlier to the dying Lee. 2.1 sec Theatrical version longer 77:02-77:04 / 78:46 Only in the theatrical version, Miu screams theatrically at the end of the overhead shot. + 2.1 sec 78:28 / 80:13-80:14 The text panel appears earlier before Yu emerges from it. 1.3 sec Theatrical version longer 82:03-82:10 / 83:52 Could be interpreted as censorship cut in Taiwan: The theatrical version shows Miu hanging from the noose significantly longer. However, there are still many comparable shots afterwards that are identical in both versions. + 7.5 sec
82:47 / 84:30-84:32 Fong a bit earlier. 1.9 sec 90:15 / 92:02-92:05 A shot of Fong and Yu each. 3.7 sec
Alternative 90:16-90:21 / 92:06-92:20 More shots of Fong underfoot and the spitting insults of Yu, with some variations in sequence for the side shot and one of Fong in the theatrical version. Extended version 8.1 sec longer
93:01 / 95:01-95:03 Fong goes to the girls a bit earlier. 2.1 sec 93:38 / 95:40-95:42 Fong's father a bit earlier... 1.8 sec 93:42 / 95:46-95:47 ...and longer. 1.1 sec 94:02 / 96:07-96:09 A bit longer shot of the riders. 1.4 sec 94:21 / 96:28-96:30 Ting-Ting and On-yee argue a bit longer, then Fong and his father a bit earlier. 2.5 sec 94:49 / 96:59-97:06 First, the shot of Miu is a bit longer as usual, followed by two additional shots: Ting-Ting and On-yee again, then a wide shot showing more armlets being distributed. 6.7 sec
95:02 / 97:20-97:24 Miu shouts more at the beginning. 4 sec
95:04 / 97:26-97:28 She rides off in a short additional shot. 2.5 sec
95:07 / 97:31-97:32 Fong a bit longer. 1.2 sec |
