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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka "Jiang tou" or "Gong tau")
directed by Ho Meng-Hua
Hong Kong 1975
| Few Eastern frighteners build up quite as much menace and mania as 1975's masterpiece of Southeast Asian eeriness BLACK MAGIC. One of the first horror shockers to be shot in the sun and cityscapes of Malaysia, and its picturesque capital Kuala Lumpur, BLACK MAGIC is a sordid story of sex, sleaze, slime and spells - with an ancient magician able to bring lonely spinsters together with their ideal partners thanks to some good old fashioned witchery. Of course, this is not say such demonic antics do not sometimes go wrong and with BLACK MAGIC viewers are exposed to some of the most sublime scares ever dreamed up by the Shaw studio! Featuring a leading man turn from the legendary Ti Lung (A BETTER TOMORROW), there is little doubting that BLACK MAGIC is one of the finest Asian horror gems ever concocted. Watch it now and prepare to be hypnotised by its gruesome greatness! |
Posters
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Theatrical Release: 1979 (USA)
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC vs. 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Big thanks to Eric Cotenas for the Image Entertainment Screen Caps!
(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
Image Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC |
88 Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
| Runtime | 1:32:18 | 1:35:43.154 |
| Video |
2.39:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced
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2.35:1 Disc Size: 22,784,188,708 bytes Feature Size: 22,310,971,392 bytes Total Bitrate: 24.96 MbpsSingle-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Image Entertainment
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Bitrate:
88 Films
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| Audio | Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1; Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0 mono; English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono |
LPCM Audio English
2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit |
| Subtitles | English, none | English, none |
| Features |
Release
Information: Studio: Image Entertainment
Aspect Ratio:
Edition
Details: Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Studio: 88 Films
2.35:1 Disc Size: 22,784,188,708 bytes Feature Size: 22,310,971,392 bytes Total Bitrate: 24.96 MbpsSingle-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC
Edition Details: • Stills Gallery (2:29) • Reversible Sleeve featuring Cinema Poster Artwork • Limited Edition Booklet by Dr Calum Waddell (2000 Copies) • Second disc DVD included! Blu-ray Release Date: October 31st, 2016 Transparent Blu-ray case (thick - UK) LE slipcase Chapters |
| More of the 88 Asia Collection on Blu-ray |
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Bewitched |
Black Magic |
Black Magic 2 |
The Bride From Hell |
The Enchanting Ghost |
The Ghost Lovers |
HEX |
The Oily Maniac |
The Seeding of a Ghost |
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The Dragon Missile |
Five Element Ninjas |
The Flying Guillotine |
Gifted |
Killer Constable |
The Mighty Peking Man |
The One-Armed Swordsman |
Sea Fog |
The Spiritual Boxer |
The Super Inframan |
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| Comments |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: 88 Films - Region 'B'- Blu-ray - March 17': The 2006 DVD looks boosted where the 1080P looks a little faded or dampened. The SD has artifacts and the Blu-ray detail is superior. The DVD, at 2.39:1, actually shows a shade more information in the frame on the side edges than the 2.35:1 88 Films release. Colors , notably reds, are much richer and deeper on the HD. In-motion the Blu-ray looked quite good and I wouldn't have said it was too dark, but beside the brightened Image Entertainment disc - it does look as though it might appear more pleasing if brighter.Audio has linear PCM tracks for a humorous and awkward English DUB and the original Mandarin audio - the latter with optional English subtitles. There are plenty of effects - mostly whiplash like coinciding with quick pans. The authentic uncompressed remains flat but is consistent. The enthusiastic score is credited to Yung-Yu Chen (The Mighty Peking Man, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Five Deadly Venoms) and sounds solid in the uncompressed. The Blu-ray disc is region 'B'-locked. The only digital extras are a trailer and stills gallery but the package has a reversible sleeve featuring Cinema Poster artwork, a limited edition booklet by Dr. Calum Waddell (2000 Copies) and has a second disc DVD included. A cute, love-potion and deception centered film that has a dark edge. I enjoyed the concept, cute gals - there is a sexual component to the film, and the 'magician' mystique adds another layer. It's simple stuff from the Shaw Brothers - but still has their appeal. No masterpiece - just kinda fun... with a minor and brooding horror element. - Gary and Eric |
Menus
(Image
Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. 88 Films - Region
'B' -
Blu-ray
- RIGHT)
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
(Image
Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 88 Films - Region
'B' -
Blu-ray - BOTTOM)
Subtitle sample
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM)
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More Blu-ray Captures
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Report Card:
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Image: |
Blu-ray |
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Sound: |
Blu-ray |
| Extras: | DVD |
| Box Covers |
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| Distribution |
Image Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC |
88 Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
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