A World Without Thieves

(aka 'A World Without Thieves' or 'Tian xia wu zei)

Directed by Xiaogang Feng
China / Hong Kong 2004

They are the perfect Bonnie and Clyde: Bo, a master pickpocket from Hong Kong, and Li, a femme fatale grafter from Taiwan. Partners in crime and passion, the couple swindle their way across China until one day Li suddenly decides to call it quits, both to her egregious lifestyle and to her entanglement with Bo. It is at this crossroad in their lives that they run into Fu Gen, a humble peasant -- an encounter that will alter their fate forever…

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Theatrical Release: December 6th, 2004

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DVD Review: Tartan Video - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Tartan Video - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:50:08
Video	2.35:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.78 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.
Bitrate:
Audio	Mandarin (Dolby Digital 5.1), Mandarin (DTS) , Mandarin (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, Spanish, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Tartan Video Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1 Edition Details: • 6 deleted scenes • Making of... (2:02) • Theatrical Trailer • Photo Gallery • Tartan trailers DVD Release Date: July 24th, 2007 Keep Case Chapters: 16

Comments:

Tartan are known for erratic transfers - sometimes interlaced- sometimes from the opposing standard but A World Without Thieves appears quite competent. It is anamorphic in the impressive 2.35:1 scope, progressive and is transferred onto a dual-layered DVD. It has a bit of a brownish hue but detail is decent and there are optional English or Spanish subtitles supporting the 5.1/DTS or 2.0 channel Mandarin tracks.

Extras consist of 6 short deleted scenes (about 1-2 minutes each) and an equally short Making of... tidbit that lasts a scant 2 minutes. There is the original theatrical trailer, a photo gallery (about 40 nice colorful production shots) and some Tartan Video trailers.

Although highly 'commercially made' with obvious plot junctures and exaggerated characters (often to a comedic level) - it is still a highly entertaining film. Andy Lau and Rene Liu seem to work well together and I was amused through most of the movie. This is better than standard fare.