DVD Released by : Dimension |
Player reviewed with : Sony S3000 |
Receiver reviewed with : Sony 925 |
Features: |
Scene Access |
2.0 Dolby Surround |
Widescreen (1.85:1) |
Running Time : 103 mins |
DVD Released by : Ritek |
Player reviewed with : Sony S3000 |
Receiver reviewed with : Sony 925 |
Features: |
Chapter selection |
English and Chinese Subtitles |
Mandarin Soundtrack |
Running Time : 106 mins |
This movie is an absolute must to see if you are a Jet Li fan. If you want the DVD, you have two choices. The Buena Vista English dubbed and cut version or the Ritek, uncut, Mandarin language only soundtrack. I would have to say I recommend the Ritek over the Buena Vista.
The picture quality of the Ritek DVD isn't as good as the Buena Vista version. That was to be expected. The Ritek DVD is a little darker and has specks on the film at times. The specks seem to be worse at the beginning of the movie but thankfully they are all but gone after a while. The picture overall isn't bad. The subtitles are burned in the picture and sometimes go off the screen but they are always readable against what background they are on.
The
sub-titles in the Ritek version many times differ even from what is spoken
on the Buena Vista disc and it's not just choice of words. The subtitles
are heavier on the political side of things with the Japanese and Chinese
and what is happening at the time. The Buena Vista disc almost portrays
the Japanese Master that Jet battles blind folded as a mentor to him. The
Japanese Master even gives him advice. The subtitles definitely show that
the Master is a man of honor but it shows the two to be more like equals.
The Ritek DVD is uncut. The scene that is cut out of the Buena Vista version is one of Tang Yan smoking opium at the brothel. It shows a vulnerable side to him and he expresses his feelings for his girlfriend. Though not essential to the plot, it gives his character depth.
If you are a fan of the movie, I would strongly recommend the Ritek version. The plus side is that you have the uncut movie with the original music and subtitles. The down side is that there is no Cantonese track and the picture sometimes looks a little worn. With the Buena Vista version, the plus side is that the picture looks good, but that's it. I felt like the Ritek version was a different movie at times. The Buena Vista disc really downplayed the political elements of the story and changed the mood of the movie for me.
Buena Vista gives us an English dubbed version of this classic. The original soundtrack is totally gone. The music, sound effects and dialogue are all new. After viewing the Ritek release, I noticed this severely changes the mood of the movie.
The picture quality is very good on this DVD. It's not perfect as some dark scenes look a little blurry but the colors and brightness are pretty much on the money. The picture is the best thing about this DVD.
FIST OF LEGEND is a very good example of what can be changed when a movie is dubbed. It's not just the choice of words in this case. Character relationships and an important theme in the movie is altered.