I'm eager to buy the film Musa (http://www.kungfucinema.com/reviews/musa.htm) but I'm torn between multiple versions. Which has the better A/V? Are there differences between the HK and USA 130-minute DVDs?

130-minute HK import by Modern
http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath...products_id/936

130-minute USA domestic by Tai Seng
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00...J/0805062971-20

155-minute Limited Edition cover (slipcover? book?)
http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/products_id/323

155-minute regular cover
http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/1...tml?id=EwZrUf53


I went to the board at the IMDB and found this post:

I've seen both versions and the truth is, there's actually certain advantages to either cut of the film. The 155-minute version has more character development and slightly longer action scenes, but the subtitle translations are terrible and the music in the final battle is significantly different and far worse, too intrusive and distracting. The 130-minute cut boasts far better subtitles and the music in the climactic battle is far more appropriate, solemn and fitting in tone. This version also boasts an orange tint in the cinematography; whether or not that's a good thing I guess is up to you, it didn't bother me, and it did make the desert footage a bit lovelier.

Here's a sample difference in the subtitles: right after the Yuan general captures Yeosol, the spear-fighter, the 155-minute cut translates the general's exclamation as "He's a real fighter, with spears!" Not only does this line read and sound rather silly, it's not a particularly accurate interpretation, either. In the 130-minute cut, it's translated something along the lines of "It's been a long time since I've seen such skill with a spear." The latter is a much more accurate interpretation (I understand Mandarin).

To summarize:

130-minute version: better subtitles/stay on screen, better end music, DTS sound, region free*, lower price*, easy to find*

155-minute version: longer cut/better flow, better picture, 2nd disc of extras (though not subtitled), better box art*

* not that important


They both have their faults. Which is the version to get? Your opinions welcome.

---

Also, when I buy Musa I'm probably going to get House of Flying Daggers. The DVD is by EDKO. Has anyone heard anything about a 'face' watermark? There's also going to be a version by Starmax, yes? Is that worth waiting for?

I have the KR SE. It's been a long time since I watched it but I don't recall objecting to the subs. Your tolerance may vary. I'm glad that I got the longer version though. From what I've read, the short/long difference is greater than the subtitles difference. We're not talking minor nips for violence or animal cruelty but character development and background which is more valuable to me. I don't spring extra for the KR specials anymore, so I'd go for the basic KR edition.

re: Flying Daggers
The 'face' logo is actually the 'Face' logo, i.e., Guangdong Face, the distributor. Good thing they didn't put their full name on! :lol: So, the Edko release should be 'Face' free.

I have to say 155 minute cut all the way - it's the difference between a grand epic melodrama war film and an action movie about a princess, basically.

If you do want the shorter cut, I'd recommend looking for the UK release by Premier Asia, which features improved subtitles and better picture quality, and includes the deleted scenes as extras.

For maximum enjoyment of the film, you need to see it with the "deleted scenes" in situ though. The original Korean release with the hardback photo book was a particularly lovely edition, but whether that justifies the extra price you'll presumably pay now (since it's long OOP) depends on how much value a photo book with Korean text is to you :)

I don't own this one, but I would recommend reading up more on the likes of DVD-Basen and/or dvdcompare.net. Taiseng is probably just another rebadge of the HK release. The Scandinavian 3-disc relase has both cuts (PAL of course).

Oh, forgot to mention that - the Tai Seng disc is definitely just the HK release with added-value Tai Seng sticker ;)

I'm in agreement with Simon that the 155-minute cut is preferable for the reasons cited. I've got the photobook LE myself, and wow, is it ever a gorgeous package.

regarding Edko's release of "House of Flying Daggers", i would recommend you to hold out until a better DVD is released. Reason being is, I've seen this in theatres and to be honest, the movie is gorgeous on the big screen, everything's full of colors, and bright. The DVD, however, suffers from a PAL to NTSC conversion and the contrast is awful. I have heard that a Korean DVD is coming soon followed by a Japanese dvd release. And considering the fact that the US theatrical release isn't so far away, it's a safe bet that you should enjoy it on the big screen.

I have also heard that a 2 disc special edition is coming out by Edko in Hong Kong. Otherwise, get the current DVD release if you really want to see it.

Re the DVD of the 155 minute version of MUSA:-
"It's been a long time since I watched it but I don't recall objecting to the subs. Your tolerance may vary."

I remember being surprised when viewing it that the English subs for a Korean movie were as bad as those for many c. 1980s-mid 1990s Hong Kong movies, and can see how they could negatively affect some people's viewing of the film.

OTOH, it also does seem to me that few, if any, shortened "international versions" of a film have been as good as their lengthier original/local versions. So...

Thank you for the advice, guys. I'm going to get the 155 minute cut. I guess bad subtitles are a bearable tradeoff for a more fleshed-out version of the movie.

And I'll wait for a superior version of the House of Flying Daggers DVD.