I don't know but I'm hungry for some foie gras.

I'm in kind of a wait-an-see mode. I'll admit to liking my extras subtitled so I'm kind of curious as to how the R2 release compares to the region 1. Does anyone know if the former will be the uncut version?

The R1 and R2 are both cut.

The R2, courtesy of the BBFC:

When submitted to the BBFC the work had a running time of 119m 10s.
The running time of this film was calculated from the measured length of 10696+15 ( feet + frames ).

To obtain this category cuts of 0m 18s were required. The cuts were Compulsory.

Cuts required to three instances of real animal cruelty (horses made to fall using techniques likely to result in serious injury). Cuts made in accordance with the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937

Thanks Doc.

Just don't forget who found the truffles.

That's the UK R2. There will be uncut R2 versions. The scandinavian release from Sandrew Metronome for example.

It will be interesting to see if any of the Scandinavian releases will offer English subs. Considering the fact that the Danish version of Sword in the Moon was English friendly.....

Ciao,
Pro-B

For what it's worth....

Widescreen Review gave HOFD's R1 version 4.5 on picture and 5 sound. They rave about the image. Did notice some loss of detail/smearing. Lack of contrast on some scenes (this is from memory-so I maybe off on a comment).

Ron

Isn't the R1 version in DD 5.1 only? I was just thinking that a picture upgrade would nice, but the full bitrate dts track on the R3 version is so good, I think I would miss it. Even if they do a good job with the Dolby track.

I'm 99% sure it's DD 5.1 only. I'm sure an amazon listing will tell you for certain.

Ron

The R1 is DD 5.1 only. But, given this is a Sony release, I'm sure a Superbit will be along shortly much the same as was done for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

That is too bad. Although you are right. I'm sure Sony will release as many times as they can. In fact, I just noticed they are releasing it for their new handheld video game system, the Sony PSP.

Well, dvdbeaver is saying that the R1 version is uncut.

Regardless, looks like I'm going to have to triple-dip on this just to get all the good extras that go with this version.

I think there's a terminology issue going on here. In the R1 it was reported that the blood in the dagger pulling scene was indeed digitally removed. If true, then it was a visual feature that was cut as opposed to the scene itself, thus the running time should remain the same.

Correct. I'm surprised that dvdbeaver didn't point that out in their comparison.

Nice to see that dvdbeaver has updated their comparison to note a couple of the 'deletions' made in the R1 version.

I actually think the "look behind you" cut improves that scene. Though the full scene didn't cause me to break out into laughter, I can fully appreciate why others find it funny.

Where is the best place to buy the Starmax version? I don't see it on CD-Wow.

If you want the LE, oddly enough, it seems to be back in stock at dvdfromkorea.com, and for less than I paid for it ( for me, for you). I guess they've got the regular edition too, but it's only $3 less. Don't know if that's the best place to get it, though. Haven't looked around.

Damn, shipping is $9.99.

It's damn heavy, so $37 shipped is not bad for the LE.

After doing some extensive comparisons of the Edko 2-disc (HK), Starmax (Korea), and Columbia TriStar (US) discs tonight, I am downgrading some of my previous comments about the Starmax looking better than the Edko. The Starmax is slightly sharper, but the colors (especially flesh tones) look washed out in comparison. On balance, I think the Edko has both better picture and sound.

The TriStar disc looks better than either. Its colors are more vibrant and it has the best sense of depth. Unfortunately, the US version of the movie has been edited in 5 separate spots in comparison to the foreign releases. It also has only DD 5.1 audio, no DTS.

Of all, my vote goes to the Edko 2-disc as best release.

Some great news for those concerned with the image quality. The French 2SE (to be released by Universal-France) will offer English subs. The preliminary review indicates no digital blurring or cuts of any sort. In addition the Chinese DTS track is also offered on disc one (all extras are on disc 2).



Ciao,
Pro-B

And just in case anybody is searching for the French release on amazon.fr etc.: The French title is "Le Secret des poignards volants" ... the English title won't help you.
Also note that the preview of this DVD seems to indicate English subs for the hard of hearing only ...

Worth it.

My comparison review of the R1 and R3 editions has been posted:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=15518

Great review Josh Z.
Have you ever had a chance to view the Japanese version? If so, how do you feel it compares?