OVERALL: Draw

The French release has anamorphic transfers and both versions of the film, but the theatrical cut has no English subtitles and the English subtitles on Disc 2 are not 'that' clear and do have spelling mistakes (think Video CD quality, the subtitles NOT the DVD).

The Taiwan release also features the original, extended cut but the transfer is dark with a lot of film damage, it has burnt-in subtitles and is dubbed. It is also not Woo's preferred cut.

The Korean, Chinese and IVL and Fortune Star HK discs have DTS with anamorphic transfers, and the original mono sound for purists. Note, though, that the newer Fortune Star is the only one with a good DTS track.

Both the R0 American discs and the UK disc all have unique commentaries, but the UK version also makes some music changes from Woo's director-approved Criterion edition.

For all-round extras, the 2-disc R1 release is the best although note it is missing the commentary from other releases.

The choice is yours as to what's more important.

Image comparison between the French, IVL, UK and new German discs can be found here.

Image comparison between the German, HK (Universe), US (Winstar), UK discs can be found here.

For a comparison of the French, UK, and 2 US editions, click below:

CUTS:

• R0 America- Criterion Collection - No cuts (110:48 NTSC).
• R0 America- Fox Lorber - No Cuts (110:30 NTSC).
• R0 DTS China- Zoke Culture - No cuts
• R0 Czech Republic- Magic Box - No cuts. (106:41 PAL)
• R0 Hong Kong- Joy Sales - No cuts (111:00 NTSC)
• R0 Hong Kong- Mega Star - No Cuts
• R0 Hong Kong- Universe Laser and Video Co. Ltd. - No Cuts (110:57 NTSC)
• R0 Double Feature Hong Kong- IVL - No cuts. (111:05 NTSC)
• R0 Taiwan- Long Shong International - No cuts - Extended Cut (123:34 NTSC).
• R1 Ultimate Edition America- Dragon Dynasty - No cuts (106:18 PAL>NTSC)
• R2 Edition Collector Limitée France- HK Video - No Cuts - Theatrical Version (106:15 PAL) and the Extended Version (124:10 NTSC>PAL)
• R2 Germany- e-m-s - No cuts (106:55 PAL).
• R2 Germany- Laser Paradise - No Cuts (110:05 PAL).
• R2 Hong Kong Legends Holland- Medusa Communications - No Cuts (107:12 PAL)
• R2 Japan- Pioneer - No cuts (110:17 NTSC)
• R2 Japan- Universal Home Entertainment - No cuts (111:05 NTSC)
• R2 Japan- Universal Pictures - No cuts (111:04 NTSC)
• R2 Scandinavia- Scanbox Entertainment - No cuts (106:50 PAL)
• R2 Spain- Magnafilms - No cuts.
• R2 Special Collector's Edition United Kingdom- Hong Kong Legends - No Cuts (107:12 PAL)
• R3 South Korea- Spectrum - No cuts

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

Comparison added by Adrian_Busby on 05/06/02
Comparison last updated by Eric_Cotenas on 10/09/18

UPDATE LOG:

06/04/10: R1 "Dragon Dynasty" release added
10/09/18: Added Dutch release.