OVERALL: Draw

The French R2 CE has an anamorphic OAR transfer, the uncut Hong Kong version of the film, the original Cantonese soundtrack, and some nice extras. It's the clear winner for those with French language skills. It is also a good choice for those needing an English-friendly version, although it does have a few drawbacks: there are no English subtitles for the Cantonese soundtrack, the English dubbed version is the cut Hong Kong version and has forced French subtitles (as does the Cantonese soundtrack); and some of the extras are not English-friendly.

The Chinese R0 contains the longer Hong Kong version for the English dub, but no extras and outside of the dub, is not English friendly.

The Taiwanese R0 has the longer Taiwanese version of the film, and avoids the English dub. However, it is non-anamorphic, its only soundtrack is a Mandarin dub (with burnt-in Chinese and English subtitles), and it has no extras. It is also OOP.

The releases from Dragon Dynasty and Cine Asia contain good arrays of contextual material and the Cantonese soundtrack with optional English subtitles, but as with the English-dubbed versions of the film this release contains a closing sequence that is abbreviated.

Avoid the two Buena Vista releases (non-anamorphic; cut; only English dub) and the Spanish Manga Films release (non-anamorphic; cropped; only English and Spanish dubs).

The Original Cantonese Soundtrack
The reason that the original soundtrack is so important is because it's actually part Japanese. In fact, Chen's (played by Jet Li) girlfriend is Japanese, and the film has a tension running through it because of the rivalry between the Chinese and Japanese. Watching the film in English means everyone speaks English and not Chinese and Japanese. Add to that, the English dub makes references to the Chinese not understanding the Japanese despite them all speaking fluent English.

The Hong Kong version has the film fade to black early, omitting a 21 second sequence which has on-screen text telling the aftermath of Jing Wu followed by film of students running/training with Ting Yan. There is no epilogue.

CUTS:

• R0 China- Zoke Culture - No cuts - (Hong Kong version). Contains the film of students running/training with Ting Yan, but omits the on-screen text telling the aftermath of Jing Wu Men. Unlike other releases, this version contains no cuts even when watched with the English soundtrack (the US theme song is played during the students running/training with Ting Yan).
• R0 Taiwan- Ritek - No cuts - Taiwanese version (106:19 PAL)
  Includes the following additional scenes that are exclusive to Taiwanese versions:
  - 37 secs - Fujita giving a lecture to several about the relationship between the Chinese, Germans and the Japanese
  - 18 secs - Lau Jan Sing handing over a suitcase to Chen Jen and exits Jing Wu. Mitsuko respectfully bows to Fok Yuen Gap's tablet and follows Chen
  - 136 secs - Ting Yan smoking opium while a disgrunted So Lan expresses her dislike for it
  - 20 secs - So Lan bringing tea to Ting Yan sitting by his father's tablet
  - 28 secs - Funakushi and the Ambassador discussing the latter's position in the clan whilst playing chess
  - 3 secs - A shot of the soldiers pausing before entering the dojo to arrest Chen Jen and Ting Yan
  Excludes the following scenes that are present in the Hong Kong version:
  - 2 secs - Uncle Gun thinking to himself with doubt in the kitchen
  - 2 secs - A shot of Fok Yuen Gap's tablet
  - 2 secs - Chen Jen feigning death after being kicked by Fujita
• R1 America- Buena Vista Home Entertainment - Yes - (Hong Kong version with 21 secs cut). Fades out early, omitting a 21 second sequence which has on-screen text telling the aftermath of Jing Wu followed by film of students running/training with Ting Yan. The English dub is completely different from the original Cantonese soundtracks in terms of music, foley, voice artists and sound effects, and the dialogue includes a plot change (Chen Jen marries Mitsuko in this version).
• R1 Dragon Dynasty, Ultimate Edition America- Genius Products - Yes (103:10 NTSC) - The film fades to black early, omitting a 21 second sequence which has on-screen text telling the aftermath of Jing Wu followed by film of students running/training with Ting Yan. Instead of the onscreen text, the epilogue is now subtitled before the end credits roll.
• R2 Collector's Edition France- HK Video - - No Cuts (Hong Kong version) when watched with French or Cantonese soundtracks.
  - Cuts (Hong Kong version with 21 secs cut; see R1 America for details) when watched with English dub.
• R2 Spain- Manga Films - No cuts (Hong Kong version).
• R2 United Kingdom- Buena Vista Home Entertainment - Yes (Hong Kong version with 21 secs cut; see R1 America for details).
• R2 Ultimate Edition United Kingdom- Cine-Asia - Yes (Hong Kong version with 21 secs cut; see R1 America for details) (99:05 PAL).

Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!

Comparison added by The Rewind Team on 07/05/02
Comparison last updated by Samuel_Scott on 03/03/15

UPDATE LOG:

14/10/11: Added R0 China.
03/03/15: Added UK Cine Asia release.