Masters of Cinema - Spine # 185

Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

LPCM Audio Chinese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

Edition Details:
• A new video essay by critic and filmmaker David Cairns (21:18)
• A new interview with Asian cinema expert Tony Rayns (21:28)
• Trailer (1:47)
• A collector’s booklet featuring an abundance of archival writing and imagery

Blu-ray Release Date: March 8th, 2018
Transparent Blu-ray Case inside cardboard slipcase

Edition Details:
• Interview with film critic Tony Rayns (21:29)
• Video essay by film critic Travis Crawford (18:15)
• Photo Gallery (4:57)
• Trailer (1:49)
• Booklet essay by novelist Grady Hendrix

Blu-ray Release Date: May 1st, 2018
Standard Blu-ray Case

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

ADDITION: Kino Lorber - April 2018: Although also from the same 4K restoration, and a similar technical transfer and bitrate graphs, the two 1080P image show some differences. The Kino is a shade cropped and a bit lighter than the UK Masters of Cinema Blu-ray. Colors are deeper on the MoC. For most systems the disparity will be barely noticeable but we note them here. You can toggle between larger captures to see more.

Kino use a DTS-HD Master (24-bit) 2.0-channel mono track - in sampling I couldn't detect any significant difference in the audio. The US may be a shade deeper and the UK a tighter high-end but I couldn't state a preference - the differences were so small. The Kino Blu-ray is Region 'A'-locked and has optional English subtitles in slightly bolder font.

Similar extras - the same Tony Rayns video and trailer. Replacing the Cairns visual essay is one by Travis Crawford that also has good value - plus there is a Photo Gallery and liner notes booklet essay by novelist Grady Hendrix.

Another wonderful package and, while very similar, it's nice to have slight differences for fans to be discernable. Amazing viewing experience - film is a must-own.   

***

To the delight of King Hu fans, Masters of Cinema are releasing his intoxicating The Legend of the Mountain on Blu-ray. The 4K restoration of the film was part of the "Taiwan Film Classics Digital Restoration and Value Adding Project" commissioned by the Ministry of Culture to Taiwan Film Institute in 2016. Colors are rich and deep but not, unnaturally, vibrant. There re some stunning visuals - mostly shot in Korea, I believe. The HD image is exceptional. 

Masters of Cinema use a faithful linear PCM mono track which retains the film's weak higher end - frequently sounding tinny. It is authentically flat exporting the score by Ta Chiang Wu (A Touch of Zen, Dragon Inn) adding a nice layer to the film's impressive visuals. There are optional English subtitles on the Region 'B' Blu-ray disc.

Supplements include a new 21-minute video essay by critic and filmmaker David Cairns and it is at his usual excellent standard in detailing the production minutia, themes and many interesting details of The Legend of the Mountain. There is also a 21-minute new interview with Asian cinema expert Tony Rayns who also augments appreciation by focusing on Hu, the film and some of the more less-discussed details. There is a trailer plus the package has a liner notes collector’s booklet featuring an abundance of archival writing and imagery. The first 2,000 units have a Limited Edition O-Card.

The Legend of the Mountain is quite a unique and beautiful film. It has elements of mystery, horror, fantasy, romance and... no martial arts. It is a deliberately paced film fusing desire and ghosts in a haunting fashion. I loved it. The Blu-ray presentation is magnificent and a pleasure to see the uncut version. Strongly recommended!

 - Gary Tooze

Masters of Cinema - Spine # 185

Region 'B' - Blu-ray