A Tale of Two Sisters Blu-ray

(aka "A Tale of Two Sisters" or "Janghwa, Hongryeon" or "Red Rose, Red Lotus")

directed by Kim Ji-woon
South Korea 2003

That Asia is making great horror films should be obvious to everyone now, especially after Hollywood have begun remaking them by the numbers. The wave began with Nakata’s “The Ring” in 1998 and even though I’m not a particular fan of it, it’s influence and impact is so strong, that most horror films today are weighted by it, as “A Tale of Two Sisters”, which on its cover says, “The most frightening film since RING”. Personally I find “A Tale of Two Sisters” a far better horror film, and judging from the films we’ve seen over the recent years, Asian horror is still developing and we can expect many more great horror films in the years to come.

Following the death of their mother, the two sisters Su-mi and Su-yeon have spend some time recovering at a mental hospital, and are now returning home to their father, and their new “mother”. Already on their first night at home, strange things start to happening: footsteps, doors opening by themselves, and it soon is obvious, that the sisters isn’t what their stepmother had hoped for and she isn’t what the sisters want. Is it ghosts? Is it the stepmother who is playing tricks on them? Or is it something else?

What may appear as a modern retelling of an old folktale is nothing short of one of the most intelligent horror film yet to come from Asia, and the best Korean horror film to date. Kim knows his horror and plays the audience with all tricks in the book. For me personally, great horror should never attempt to outsmart the audience, nor should the explanation. While it is suspension of disbelief, if the explanation completely disarms the value of the horror, the horror will stand by itself, either empty or illogic. Kim never disarms the horror. We, the audience, is never sure of what really goes on, and even if we believe we have figured it all out, Kim plays us by using imagery which makes us become uncertain, thus believing in the horror. When the final revelation then arrives and we realize what really goes on, the horror is not disarmed, but only intensified.

But its not enough to just being able to tell a great horror story. This is where Lee Mo-gae, the DoP, and Oh Seung-chul, the lighting director, comes in. We all know that something is lurking in the shadows, that someone is standing behind the person we see, but we still want to be surprised, and thanks to some amazing mise-en-scene and lighting, those shadows are just a tiny bit more obscure and that someone who stands behind someone else is just revealed a bit more frightening. Also score and sound is top notch in “A Tale of Two Sisters”. One really have to bless the inventor of surround sound, as it really allows sounds to attack you from any direction, only adding to your confusion.

Finally let me say a few praising comments for the actors, especially Im Soo-jung and Yeom Jung-ah, who plays the stepmother to perfection, ranging from overly ecstatic happy happy joy joy to cold and calculating. This again all reflects back onto Kim’s character direction. Solid.

Good horror is rare these days, great horror is next to nowhere to be found, so when a film like “A Tale of Two Sisters” comes along, horror fans really have to bless themselves. It is not perfect, it may be a bit confusing at times, and some may feel some scenes are a bit too long, but who am I kidding? Its all about getting chills, and “A Tale of Two Sisters” delivers.

Henrik Sylow

Posters

Theatrical Release: June 13th, 2003 - South Korea

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Comparison:

Tartan Asia Extreme (2 Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL vs. Tartan Asia Extreme (Special 2-Disc Set) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Metro DVD (2-disc) - Region 3 - NTSC vs. Palisades Tartan Video - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Arrow Video - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Henrik Sylow and Gregory Meshman and Jani Kauppila for the DVD Screen Caps!

Box Covers
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Distribution	Tartan Asia Extreme Region 2 - PAL	Tartan Asia Extreme Region 1 - NTSC	Metro DVD Region 3 - NTSC	Palisades Tartan Region 'B' - Blu-ray	Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:49:51 (4% PAL speedup)	1:49:40	1:54:26	1:54:31.431	1:54:30.905
Video	1.83:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 7.52 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1.83:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 7.50 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 8.33 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1080i Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 22,559,005,638 bytes Feature: 20,728,719,360 bytes Video Bitrate: 17.99 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video	1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 49,841,835,250 bytes Feature: 31,200,723,072 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 28.94 Mbps
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Tartan Asia Extreme (2 Disc Special Edition)
Bitrate: Tartan Asia Extreme (Special 2-Disc Set)
Bitrate: Metro DVD (2-disc)
Bitrate: Tartan Blu-ray
Bitrate: Arrow Blu-ray
Audio	Korean (Dolby Digital 2.0), Korean (Dolby Digital 5.1), Korean (DTS)	Korean (Dolby Digital 2.0), Korean (Dolby Digital 5.1), Korean (DTS)	Korean (Dolby Digital 5.1 EX), Korean (DTS-ES 5.1)	DTS-HD Master Audio Korean 2073 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2073 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Dolby TrueHD Audio Korean 1363 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1363 kbps / 16-bit (AC3 Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps)	DTS-HD Master Audio Korean 1491 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1491 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 512 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio Korean 2934 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2934 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Commentaries: Dolby Digital Audio Korean 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -31dB
Subtitles	English, None	English, Spanish, None	Korean, English, None	English, None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Tartan Asia Extreme Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.83:1 Edition Details: • Interview with Kim Ji-woon (28:27) • Audio Commentary by Kim Ji-woon and Im Soo-jung • Audio Commentary by Kim Ji-woon, Lee Mo-gae and Oh Seung-chul • Disc 2: • Behind the Scenes (23:55) • 4 production featurettes (30:27) • 12 Deleted Scenes with Audio Commentary (27:51) and Outtakes (3:32) • Interviews with Kim Kab-su (10:47) • Interviews with Yeom Jung-ah (9:52) • Interviews with Im Soo-jung (12:35) • Interviews with Moon Geun-young (13:16) • An Explanation by the Director (10:26) • Directors Thoughts on Horror (15:50) • A Psychiatrist Perspective (5:20) • Stills Gallery DVD Release Date: November 22nd, 2004 Amaray Chapters 16	Release Information: Studio: Tartan Asia Extreme Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.83:1 Edition Details: • Audio Commentary by Kim Ji-woon and Im Soo-jung • Audio Commentary by Kim Ji-woon, Lee Mo-gae and Oh Seung-chul • Disc 2: • Behind the Scenes (23:54) • 4 production featurettes (30:27) • 12 Deleted Scenes with Audio Commentary (27:51) and Outtakes (3:32) • Interviews with Kim Kab-su (10:47) • Interviews with Yeom Jung-ah (9:52) • Interviews with Im Soo-jung (12:35) • Interviews with Moon Geun-young (13:16) • An Explanation by the Director (10:26) • Directors Thoughts on Horror (15:50) • A Psychiatrist Perspective (5:20) • Stills Gallery DVD Release Date: March 29th, 2005 Amaray Chapters 16	Release Information: Studio: Metro DVD Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1 Edition Details: • Commentary with director, director of lighting and cinematographer • Commentary with director • Trailer • Disc 2: • Story of Janghwa, Hongryeon (23:54) • 4 interviews with actors (46:25 total) • 15 deleted scenes with audio commentary (31:10 total) • Key scenes with different actors (3:31) • Production design (12:09) • Music score (6:11) • CG (6:02) • Poster (6:08) • Tea table discussion about the film? (26:15) • See the movie with psychiatrist (5:18) • Gallery (4:27) DVD Release Date: October 24th, 2003 Digipack Chapters 16	Release Information: Studio: Palisades Tartan 1080i Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 22,559,005,638 bytes Feature: 20,728,719,360 bytes Video Bitrate: 17.99 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Behind the Scenes (23:55 in SD) Blu-ray Release Date: March 29th, 2005 Standard (thicker) UK Blu-ray case Chapters 16	Release Information: Studio: Arrow 1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 49,841,835,250 bytes Feature: 31,200,723,072 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 28.94 Mbps Edition Details: • Brand-new Audio commentary by Korean Cinema historian Pierce Conran & critic James Marsh • Audio commentary by writer/director Kim Jee-woon, lighting cameraman Oh Seung-chul and cinematographer Lee Mo-gae • Audio commentary by writer/director Kim Jee-woon and cast members Im Soo-jung and Moon Geun-young • Always on the Move: The Dynamic Camera and Spaces of Master Stylist Kim Jee-woon, a brand-new visual essay by Korean Cinema historian Pierce Conran (16:42) • Spirits of the Peninsula: Folklore in Korean Cinema, a brand-new visual essay by cultural historian Shawn Morrisey (22:14) • Imaginary Beasts: Memory, Trauma & the Uncanny in A Tale of Two Sisters, a brand-new visual essay by genre historian and critic Kat Ellinger (31:16) • Behind the Scenes, an archival featurette shot during filming (23:57) Outtakes, archival footage from set (3:34) • Production Design, archival featurette about the intricate look of the sets (12:10) • Music Score, archival featurette (6:13) CGI, an archival featurette (6:03) • Creating the Poster, an archival featurette about the iconic original poster (6:10) Cast Interviews, archival interviews with Kim Kab-su (Father - 10:47), • Yeom Jung-a (Stepmother- 9:54), Im Soo-jung (Su-mi - 12:37), and Moon Geun-young (Su-yeon - 13:18) • 15 Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary • Director's Analysis (10:28) • Director's Thoughts on Horror (15:52) Psychiatrists Perspective (5:20) • A Letter From Su-mi to Su-yeon (4:42) • A Letter From Su-yeon to Su-mi (8:53) Deleted scenes with director’s commentary Director’s analysis, an archival featurette in which Kim Jee-woon discusses the complexity and ambiguities contained within the film and why they were important to him • Director’s thoughts on horror, an archival featurette in which Kim Jee-woon discusses his feelings about the horror genre Psychiatrist's Perspective, an archival featurette exploring the psychological reality behind the story of the film • Theatrical Trailer (2:05) Stills galleries Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Sister Hyde • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated booklet featuring new writing by critics Stacie Ponder and Anya Stanley, plus a new translation of the original Korean folktale that inspired the film.) Blu-ray Release Date: August 16th, 2021 Transparent Blu-ray case Chapters 16

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Arrow Blu-ray - (August 2021): Well, I never did pick-up the German Blu-ray but it's obvious to see that this Arrow package towers above Tartan's interlaced Blu-ray from 16-years ago. I can't speak to the authenticity of the colors but they are richer and bolder. In terms of detail the Arrow offers a sharper, tighter image - Arrow's 1080P is a significant improvement in every visual area. Audio, as well, steps up and goes 24-bit for lossless 5.1 and 2.0 options (in the original Korean.) Supplements as well go the way of Arrow that offer a multitude of extras including a new commentary by Korean Cinema historian Pierce Conran & critic James Marsh (plus the two previous commentaries with writer/director Kim Jee-woon), two new visuals essays; the first by Conran; Always on the Move: The Dynamic Camera and Spaces of Master Stylist Kim Jee-woon, running 1/4 hour and a second by Kat Ellinger entitled Imaginary Beasts: Memory, Trauma & the Uncanny in A Tale of Two Sisters running 1/2 hour. There is plenty more including archival featurettes, interviews - everything from 'Creating the Poster' to a 'Psychiatrist's Perspective'. Arrow's complete package has a reversible sleeve (see below) with original and newly commissioned artwork by Sister Hyde and for the first pressing we get an illustrated booklet featuring new writing by critics Stacie Ponder and Anya Stanley, plus a new translation of the original Korean folktale that inspired the film.

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

Arrow wins in a walkover with superiority in every area over every digital edition compared. It's another of their complete packages offering the best a/v, a new commentary and visual essays plus most all of the older supplements and a new booklet. Great to revisit Kim Jee-woon's "A Tale of Two Sisters" looking and sounding top-shelf with a bounty of extra features. Our highest recommendation!

Gary Tooze

***

ADDITION: Palisades / Tartan Blu-ray - REVISITED (July 2017)': I rewatched this as there is no North American BD that I can find. Yes, it is 1080i but is in theatrical running time (not PAL.) It has a low bitrate and has the same softness as the Tartan DVD. I don't think it is digitization but inherent in the source they used. It is imperfect in-motion as well but a notch above the DVDs that I sampled, but definitely not the height the format capabilities.

The audio is lossless but only 16-bit and for this particular film exporting improved depth works wonders for the atmosphere - ditto for some crisper separations. The score is by Byung-woo Lee (Mother, Tokyo!, The Host) and benefits from the DTS-HD Master. There are optional English subtitles on the Region 'B' Blu-ray.

No commentary or interviews - just the 24-minute 'Behind the Scenes' in SD.

I'm going to pick up the German Blu-ray, that has English subtitles, to compare - it's a good film and deserves a stable 1080P transfer. Let's see...

***

ON THE DVDs: Metro DVD: Judging by the runtimes, Tartan seem to have used an unconverted PAL source in their NTSC edition. The image on the Metro Korean DVD differs clearly from the other two. First thing to notice is the yellow tint most obvious in the second capture. The Metro DVD preserves detail better (capture 1). A big negative point is that the screen shakes noticeably almost all of the time. I don't know if this phenomenon is present on the Tartan versions.

The translation looks similar on all three. However, some bits are left untranslated on the Korean DVD, for example the letter by the father. Extras are not subtitled on the R3.

- Jani Kauppila

DVD Menus
(Tartan Asia Extreme (2 Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Tartan Asia Extreme (Special 2-Disc Set) - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Metro DVD (2-disc) - Region 3 - NTSC - RIGHT)

Palisades Tartan - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

1) Tartan Asia Extreme (2 Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Tartan Asia Extreme (Special 2-Disc Set) - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Metro DVD (2-disc) - Region 3 - NTSC - THIRD