Best DVD Version(s) of Asian Films-Thread

[thelostdragon]

Hey,

lately I have the feeling that whichever DVD is released many people on the internet complain about it (and this forum is harmless in comparison, ).

So go ahead, list your favourite DVDs of Asian movies. The perfect versions.

Below is an alphabetical list of the titles people have posted.

Hong Kong
2 Young - R0HK - Panorama - 2 discer

2000 AD - HKL

2046 - R4AU - Hopscotch 2-disc Limited Edition

All About Ah-Long - R3HK - Joy Sales

Autumn's Tale, An - R0HK - Fortune Star/IVL

Avenging Fist, The - HKL

Beast Cops - HKL

Big Brother Cheng - R3HK - IVL

Breaking News - R4AU - Madman/Eastern Eye

Bride With White Hair, The - Madman/Eastern Eye (R4AU - Native PAL)

Bullet in the Head - HKL - 2 discer
First class extras. There are alternatives if you are looking for the best AV quality.

Bullets Over Summer - R0HK - Mei Ah Remastered

Center Stage - R0HK - Fortune Star/IVL

City on Fire - HKL
The transfer's blue tint was unfortunately reduced.

Crime Story - R0HK - Joy Sales
Alternatively the HKL DVD.

Dog Bite Dog - R0HK - Joy Sales - 2 DISC EDITION
Make sure to get the 2 discer. The single disc release is supposed to be heavily interlaced.

Dragon Lord - HKL

Dragon Squad - R0HK - Mei Ah

Dragon Tiger Gate - R0HK - Deltamac

Dragons Forever - HKL - 2 discer

Dream Lovers - R0HK - Joy Sales
Non-remastered title. New & improved English subtitles.

Duel to the Death - HKL
This release is stunning in every department.

Ebola Syndrome - R0HK - Universe

Election - Panorama 2-disc
PQ is excellent. Sound is very good too. Second disc has tons of extras, all subbed in English.

Election 2 - Panorama 2-disc
PQ is excellent. Sound is very good too. Second disc has tons of extras, all subbed in English.

Exiled - R3HK - Mega Star

Explosive City - R0HK - Deltamac

Fearless: Director's Cut - Edko (R3HK)
The best English friendly version around (at time of posting: Jan. 22nd 07)

Fight Back to School - R3HK - Mei Ah Remastered

Fist of Fury 1991 - R0HK - Mei Ah Remastered

Fist of Fury - HKL - 2 discer
I'd suggest alternate editions if you are have the feeling that the transfer is too pink.

Fly me to Polaris - R0HK - Deltamac

Full Contact - HKL
The German disc from e-m-s has the best transfer as it is HD sourced. No English subs however.

Fulltime Killer - R0HK - Deltamac

Gambler's Story, A - R0HK - Mei Ah

God of Gamblers - R0HK - Mei Ah Remastered

Green Snake - R0HK - Mei Ah Remastered

Hapkido - HKL
Fine unless you want the original English dub.

Hard Boiled - R2UK Tartan (if you need English subs)
French HKVideo and German e-m-s feature the best image quality and are roughly the same. No English subs, however.

Her Fatal Ways - R0HK - Joy Sales
Non-remastered title. New & improved English subtitles.

Hero Shed No Tears - HKL
HKL version has been re-titled to "Heroes Shed No Tears".

Iceman Cometh, The - HKL
Picture quality is a bit grainy, but it's the best English friendly version out there.

Iron Monkey - HKL - 2 discer

Isabella - R0HK - Mega Star

Juliet in Love - R0HK - Mei Ah

Knockabout - HKL

Longest Summer, The - R0HK - Universe

Love Battlefield - R0HK - Mei Ah

Love on Delivery - R0HK - Celestial/IVL

Master, The - HKL

Millionaire's Express - HKL
A fine presentation - though it is a pity the scenes from the alternate cut couldn't be included as supplements.

Miracles - HKL
The best picture quality you can get for this film. Some people have major problems with the 5.1 sound, though.

Moment of Romance, A - R0HK - Mega Star

Moment of Romance 2, A - R0HK - Mega Star Remastered

Moment of Romance 3, A - R0HK - Mei Ah Remastered

Moon Warriors - HKL

Naked Killer - HKL

Naked Weapon - HKL
Available as single and double disc edition. Extras on the double disc are very recommendable.

Ninja in the Dragon's Den - HKL

No Problem 2 - R0HK - Universe

Odd Couple, The - HKL

Once Upon a Time in China - IVL

Once Upon a Time in China 2 - HKL

Once Upon a Time in China 3 - HKL
NOTE: This release has been cut for animal cruelty.

One Nite in Mongkok - R0HK - Universe

Outlaw Brothers - HKL
NOTE: This release has been cut for animal cruelty.

Peacock King, The - HKL

Purple Storm - HKL

Red Wolf - HKL - 2 discer

Rouge - R0HK - Fortune Star/IVL

Running on Karma - R0HK - Mei Ah

Running out of Time - R0HK - Mei Ah

Sha Po Lang - R1US - Dragon Dynasty - 2 discer
The Dragon Dynasty release has been re-titled to "Kill Zone".

She Shoots Straight - HKL

Tea House, The - R3HK - Celestial/IVL

Throw Down - R3HK - Panorama

Tiger on Beat - HKL
Note: This version has been re-titled to "Tiger on the Beat".

Turn Left Turn Right - R3HK - Warner

Twin Dragons - R0HK - Joy Sales
Non-remastered title. New & improved English subtitles.

Untold Story, The - R0HK - City Connection

Wheels on Meals - HKL - 2 Disc Platinum Edition
Pretty definite, apart from the missing original English soundtrack.

Yesterday Once More - R0HK - Mega Star



Japan
Battle Royale - Tartan (R2UK) Tin Box Set



Korea

Shiri - Columbia Tristar R1 or Tartan UK R2 - Both identical and have Korean DD5.1 + a Making Of. The PQ has been Remastered over the Korean DVD. Korean DTS from the Korean DVD has been dropped.

Taegukgi (aka Brotherhood) - Premier Asia (R2UK)
This 2-disc edition is uncut and the 2nd disc is packed with English friendly extras. A limited extended edition from Korea is available as well which runs for 157 minutes, 9 minutes than the usual cut.

[thelostdragon]

I started this thread over at the ADVDG, but they figured that it was impossible to make a list of the best versions of Asian films. So if there is any entry you do not agree with as the best version available, post it here and we'll discuss it.

[BiscLimpkit]

Christ this would take forever. What's wrong with just DVDcompare.net?

[Lourdes]

This thread is impossible and that release of BR is horrid.

[thelostdragon]

LOL, it's not supposed to take any amount of time, Bisc. It's something I'll keep updated as long as people post films and what they think is the best DVD versions of these films.

Nothing is wrong with DVD Compare per say, but this is something like "Best of Bullets DVDs" or so. Sometimes, DVD Compare don't see the faults with certain DVDs or so.

I'm sure Tom will like this.

[thelostdragon]

This thread is impossible...

Dudes, if you wanna complain sign up at Asian DVD Guide, please. This is not supposed to be the bible (or the Qur'an ). It's just a guide for us Bulleteers.

and that release of BR is horrid.

Explain why you think so, please and nominate another DVD. Only so can we determine which version is best.

[BaronKermit]

The Korean special edition of 'Fighter in the Wind' is fabulous. The picture quality is fantastic. I dont know what the R2 version is like doubt it can beat the Korean release though.

[thelostdragon]

The Korean special edition of 'Fighter in the Wind' is fabulous. The picture quality is fantastic. I dont know what the R2 version is like doubt it can beat the Korean release though.

As far as I know it has subtitled extras. Do you by chance have any idea what the picture quality of the R2 is like?

[bradavon]

This thread is impossible and that release of BR is horrid.

And I disagree. Which tbh brings a problem to this thread, differing opinions.

But yes agreed people nitpicking over every fault does my head in.

Here's one from me:

Shiri - Columbia Tristar R1 or Tartan UK R2 - Both identical and have Korean DD5.1 + a Making Of. The PQ has been Remastered over the Korean DVD. Korean DTS from the Korean DVD has been dropped.

Personally for that reason I prefer the Korean DVD but no one else it seems does.

[thelostdragon]

Thanks, brad!

[Yi-Long]

I am pretty satisfied with the Tartan Tin 2 disc release of Battle Royale. I'm sure a better transfer would be possible, and maybe is already released somewhere, but havent heard about it so far. It was cheap as well, so no complaints

[thelostdragon]

Updated list with a few HK titles. As usual, please let's discuss titles you disagree with being nominated as the best versions.

[EvaUnit02]

2046 - R0HK - Mei Ah - 2 discer

No, the MeiAh DVD is interlaced shit taken from an inferior slightly damaged and grainy print. The R4 2-disc LE is the best. Port over of the lovely transfer and DTS track from the French release, ditto for R2UK Tartan.

Breaking News - R0HK - Mega Star

R4 is slightly better, has a 20min Q&A with Johnnie To at the Melbourne(?) Film Festival. PQ and sound are roughly the same though (both have native progressive transfers and DTS tracks).

Full Contact - HKL
The German disc from e-m-s has the best transfer as it is HD sourced. No English subs however.

Otherwise get the HKL if you require English subs. The MeiAh is interlaced shit.

[EvaUnit02]

Hard Boiled - French HKVideo and German e-m-s are roughly the same. R2UK Tartan CE (remaster) is the best if you need English subs.

Sonatine - R1 has the best transfer, but is packaged with the inferior R1 Miramax with the wrong colours. R4 is close but is slightly contrast boosted. Has a decent 5.1 remix only, no original stereo.

Violent Cop - R4 is the best version in print. Progressive PAL w/ optional player generated English subs. Slightly contrast boosted. Has a decent 5.1 remix only, no original stereo.

Boiling Point - R4 is the best version in print. Progressive PAL w/ optional player generated English subs. Slightly contrast boosted. Has a decent 5.1 remix only, no original stereo.

Zatoichi (2003) - R2UK Artificial Eye 2-disc CE tin. Great progressive transfer with correct colours (as intended by filmmakers), awesome DTS track. Hours of extras, including subbed extras from French DVD.

Hana-bi - R3K, R2J or R3T for the correct colours and least cropping.


Brother - R2UK FilmFour. Great progressive transfer + DD5.1 Uncut version of the film. Has great extras, most notably a meaty doco ~50min Kitano doco.

Gohatto - R3K, only release with DD5.1 track and English subs. Great transfer progressive too.

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - R2UK Optimum. Awesome remastered transfer and great exclusive extras.

Kairo (Pulse) - R4 Madman. Progressive PAL transfer + DD5.1.

When The Last Sword is Drawn - R3K or R2J. Great progressive transfer, has a DTS track and English subs. R2UK Tartan is NTSC-PAL but has subbed extras. R1 is barebones and is missing the original 5.1, only has a DD2.0.

[thelostdragon]

Thanks, Eva.

[slasher13]

Hey LD

Once Upon a Time in China - HKL

Don't you think the IVL is a better version, okay not much extra, but better A/V especially of the 1st movie which HKL seem a bit grainy.

[thelostdragon]

Salaam slasher,

I never watched the IVL version. Thanks for the heads up.

[thelostdragon]

Whatever happened to this list?

[EvaUnit02]

Because the aim of the thread is unrealistic, as if it's possible to compile a list of all the best DVD versions of films. Then there's different opinions, ie neither Brad or I will touch a DVD if it doesn't have English subs. There maybe a French edition minted from the original master by a distributor with a time machine, but it's worth jack shit without English subs.

TBH people can't be bothered to contribute, maybe if it was stickied. Argue your case to Tom.

[bradavon]

Individual threads about the best DVD for a particular film work but an all out thread would be impossible to manage and as Eva says the word "best" can mean so many things it would make it even more impossible to manage.

[chenlung]

Looks like it's EvaUnit02 and myself VS bradavon and thelostdragon .

Half that list has faults and it would be unfair and inconclusive to call it the best if another DVD (say the French) has better AV, but no subtitles.

Just delete it, or elaborate on everything and take it from there .

The problem with DVDCompare, is that they're idiots . They assume because it's got a 5.1, it wins automatically.

[thelostdragon]

"Most recommendable DVD versions" then?

[chenlung]

"Most recommendable DVD versions" then?

Better .

Would be better if you could briefly state it's faults and other solutions, if not a full breakdown.