Once Upon a Time in China Jet Li

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Wong Fei Hung" or "Once upon a Time in China")

directed by Tsui Hark
China 1991

The 2021 Criterion "Once Upon a Time in China" The Complete Films Blu-ray package is reviewed HERE

Master of just about any kung fu style out there and massive opponent of imperialism, the legendary Wong Fei is pretty much there whenever China needs him, and, when one of China’s anti-imperialist generals goes off to resist the French Occupation of Vietnam, Wong Fei is set to train a local militia to ensure that the West doesn’t overrun the country while the General is away. Wong, with the help of many a militiaman with a strange-translated nickname (like Porky or Buck Teeth), attempts to do so, but this being a movie, something had to go wrong. In this case, his militia men get involved in a street fight with a local mobster, Leung Fu (Biao Yuen), and just happen to fight their way into Wong Fei-hung’s diplomatic dinner with the Americans.

Excerpt from filmcritic.com (James Brundage) located HERE

Theatrical Release: February 19th, 1991 (Berlin Film Festival) - Germany

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DVD Comparison:

Contender Entertainment Group (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 2 - PAL vs. Universal - Region 2 - PAL

Big thanks to Vincent BOUCHÉ for all the Screen Caps!

(Contender Entertainment Group (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Universal - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Contender Entertainment Group Region 2 - PAL	Universal Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	2:08:29 (4% PAL speedup)	2:08:39 (4% PAL speedup)
Video	2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 4.86 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.98 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Contender Entertainment Group (Special Collector's Edition)
Bitrate: Universal
Audio	Cantonese DD5.1 and English DD5.1	Cantonese DD2.0 Mono and DD5.1, French DD2.0 Mono and DD5.1
Subtitles	English, none	French, none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Contender Entertainment Group Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 Edition Details: • Audio commentary with Bey Logan and Mark King • Animated biography showcase • Photo Gallery • Original theatrical trailer • UK promotional trailer • Interview gallery DVD Release Date: Amaray Chapters 36	Release Information: Studio: Universal Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 Edition Details: • Movie presentation by Jean-Pierre Dionnet • 3 Wong Fei Hung movie excerpts (including presentation by Jean-Pierre Dionnet) • Theatrical Trailer • Teaser trailer • Posters • Filmographies DVD Release Date: 18 March 2000 Digipack Chapters 16

Comments

The 2021 Criterion "Once Upon a Time in China" The Complete Films Blu-ray package is reviewed HERE

The Contender Entertainment Group release appears to be slightly cropped on the left edge and the colors are very different than its Universal counterpart. It's hard to know which are most accurate, but I lean towards the darker UK release at times. There is some contrast boosting in the Universal. The UK edition has the superior extras (with the commentary), but most importantly the UK release has English subtitles where the Universal only has French. The UK has an English DUB and the Universal a French DUB with more options. Overall the Universal appears to have better color balance, but they both contain the same level of sharpness. If the Eng subs are not important to you, you may wish to get the Universal for the superior image.

-Gary Tooze

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(Contender Entertainment Group (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Universal - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)