or rent:

Zoke Culture (China)

Region 0 - PAL

2.22:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 4.77 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 8.74 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Starmax (2 disc)(Korea)

EDKO (2 disc)(Hong Kong)

Zoke Culture (China) (DVD-5)

EDKO Films (Hong Kong)

Mandarin Dolby Digital / DTS 5.1

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Making of (45:02)
• Storyboards
• Cast & Crew Biogrphies
• Site Visit
• Gallery
• Trailers
• TV Spots
• 'Lovers' Music Video
• Andy Lau in Dubbing Studio

DVD Release Date: 23rd December 2004
Double Amaray Case

Chapters 12

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterboxed - 2.22:1

Edition Details:
• No extras!

DVD Release Date: October, 2004
Paper sleeve

Chapters 10

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Theatrical trailer (widescreen with burned in Chinese subtitles) - 2:01
• Photo Gallery (at in click thru fashion) very nice images!
• Cast & Crew filmographies (static screens - only in Chinese)
• Collectable wallet sized holder containing 4 bookmarks

DVD Release Date: October, 2004
Keep Case

Chapters 12

ADDITION: Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1- NTSC - April - 2005 - Columbia has a bit of a record of mistreating some foreign films (ex. The Scent of Green Papaya, King of Masks, The Apu Trilogy etc.) - not only in the image department, but also having a lack of any extra features. This new "The House of Flying Daggers" DVD is stacked with extras, although the image is a bit softer than previous editions of the film.

The Image: Slightly softer than the Starmax and even minutely softer than the EDKO (2 disc edition). I would think a film with such strong visuals that it may not be noticeable at all on tube systems. I think the Columbia image may be slightly vertically stretched, but it is an extremely small amount. Colors are good and there is no visible cropping.

The Audio: Strong 5.1's in original and 2 DUBs, but no DTS. I found the audio to be excellent, but the EDKO's DTS beats it out.

The Extras: This is where the Columbia disc shines - the commentary has optional subtitles and the "Making of" featurette is insightful. I think this is the first Zhang Yimou commentary that I am aware of and I am still going through it. I will post more on this soon...

Subtitles: I've already stated my displeasure with Columbia's yellow subtitle, but the font here is also quite large an intrusive.

Bottom Line: Of Course I wished that Columbia had improved the image )or at least equaled the Starmax), I didn't have high expectations and it is not a total failure. I am overwhelmed with the extras especially the commentary which makes this a 'must buy'.

NOTE: There is also a Sony UMD 'Playstation" DVD version located HERE. Universal Media Discs (UMDs) are playable only in the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) and are not compatible with contemporary DVD players.

This Columbia version is cut for violence different than the UK version - The UK version is cut by the BBFC by 18 seconds. The cuts were to remove three instances of real animal cruelty (in this case, three horsefalls) which would have fell foul of Animal Cruelty laws in the UK.

We think the Columbia is longer as they play the music (from the video) at the end of the credits.

SPOILERS

(Thanks Will!) The Columbia DVD has a small cut ex. There is no blood when Mei removes the dagger. This was done to get a PG-13 rating. We will post when we know more.

and...

(Thanks Keith!) In the theatrical print, towards the end of the film, when Jin runs to Mei on the field, he leans down and cradles her. She wakes up briefly and whispers to him "Look... look behind you." At which point Leo comes flying out from behind him and they begin their final battle.

On the Columbia DVD, Jin runs towards Mei, looks down at her, and Leo comes flying out right then and there. No "Look behind you" moment with the two lovers. Now this might not be an unknown cut, because when I paid to see the film in a theater (at the Brooklyn Academy of Music), the same scene was missing. It makes me wonder if Zhang went back after the New York Film Festival and/or critics' screenings - where there was much tittering because Mei "woke up" several times - and edited the scene to make it more palatable.

****

I saw your excellent comparison of the many House of Flying Daggers DVDs.

For Sony's region 1 DVD, in addition to the two cuts you mentioned, there are three more. They were all missing in the theatrical release as well.

1) During the fight in the field of wild flowers, Jin slits the throat of a government soldier. About a 10 second cut.

2) In the Chinese version, when Leo attacks Jin, Jin bats the sword away but right after we see that he still gets cut. In the US version, the split second shot of him getting cut is taken out.

3) This is just like #2, near the end of the fight between Jin and Leo, another split second shot of Jin being cut is removed.

Your US visitors might be interested to know that for the two major missing scenes (the slit throat and when Jin finds Mei and whispers to her) there are videos clips at my website here, about halfway down the page.

http://www.helloziyi.us/Movies/HoFD.htm

so they can see what they are missing.
(Thanks Chris)

/SPOILERS

*****

ADDITION - Starmax (2 Disc) - February - 05 - Although Riny (a new contributor - many thanks!) did not get a couple of exact frame matches, it is quite evident that the Starmax edition is very good - as good as the EDKO (2 disc) - if not a notch ahead in sharpness. I suggest reserving judgment on a definitive edition till the Columbia Tri-star release comes out in April 2005-listed HERE.

*****

ADDITION - EDKO (2 Disc) - January - 05 - The new two-disc release from EDKO Video features a much improved transfer (i.e. not a PAL to NTSC conversion). Better colors and contrast. It also contains a discrete 6.1 audio track as well as a host of extras. Right now, THIS is the one to get folks.

*****

Well, I am hoping I don't have to say too much here. It should be painfully obvious that the EDKO is far superior. To add insult to injury the Zoke Culture logo (capture 1) is on all the time. It has no extras, it is hazy, they have digitally manipulated and messed the wonderful colors. Arghhh! I strongly recommend seeing this in the theatre, but barring that the EDKO is the best alternative right now. We hope to add numerous other superior versions as they are released.

NOTE: We will verify why the time on the Chinese version is longer. It may be a misprint.

 - Gary Tooze