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King Kong (1933)
The eighth wonder of the worldDirector: Merian C. Cooper & Ernest B. Schoedsack
OVERALL: Draw-
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Extras:Filmographies (text only)
Posters -
Subtitles:English, Portuguese and Spanish
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:This is the colorised version.
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Special thanks to Rewind user Percebe for providing these specifications.
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Extras:* Godzilla Vs. the Thing
* The Film -
Subtitles:Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Commentaries:Audio commentary by visual effects artists Ray Harryhausen and Ken Ralston (with archival excerpts from actress Fay Wray and producer/director Merian C. Cooper)
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Extras:Merian C. Cooper Trailer Gallery: (16:47 / 'Play All' option):
- "King Kong" [1933] (1:32)
- "Son of Kong" [1933] (1:45)
- "Flying Down to Rio" [1933] (1:29)
- "Fort Apache" [1948] (1:44)
- "3 Godfathers" [1948] (3:21)
- "Mighty Joe Young" [1949] (1:39)
- "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" [1949] (2:30)
- "The Searchers" [1956] (2:45) -
Subtitles:English, French, Spanish
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 1.0
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Region 1/2/3/4 encoded. The image is windowboxed to minimize the overscan.
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Special thanks to Rewind user Brent_Reid for providing these specifications.
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Extras:DISC ONE
* The Film
Audio commentary by visual effects artists Ray Harryhausen and Ken Ralston (with archival excerpts from actress Fay Wray and producer/director Merian C. Cooper)
Merian C. Cooper Trailer Gallery: (16:47 / 'Play All' option)
- "King Kong" [1933] (1:32)
- "Son of Kong" [1933] (1:45),
- "Flying Down to Rio" [1933] (1:29)
- "Fort Apache" [1948] (1:44)
- "3 Godfathers" [1948] (3:21)
- "Mighty Joe Young" [1949] (1:39)
- "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" [1949] (2:30)
- "The Searchers" [1956] (2:45)
DISC TWO
"I'm King Kong! The Exploits of Merian C. Cooper" narrated by Alec Baldwin documentary (56:56)
"RKO Production 601: The Making of Kong, Eighth Wonder of the World" documentary (158:45):
- The Origins of King Kong (14:15)
- Willis O'Brien and Creation (23:04)
- Cameras Roll on Kong, the Eighth Wonder (12:56)
- A Milestone in Visual Effects (41:26)
- Passion, Sound and Fury (17:25)
- The Mystery of the Lost Spider Pit Sequence (35:31)
- King Kong's Legacy (14:07)
"The Lost Spider Pit Sequence" reconstructed by Peter Jackson, with Weta Workshop (5:57)
Abandoned film "Creation (1931)" test footage (with audio commentary by visual effects artist Ray Harryhausen) (4:56) -
Subtitles:English, French, Spanish
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 1.0
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Region 1/2/3/4 encoded. The image is windowboxed to minimize the overscan. This 2-disc release is also available in:
- "Collector's Edition", with "Collectible tin packaging" (and 2-disc set in Digi-Pack, with Slip cover), "20-page reproduction of original 1933 souvenir program", "King Kong memorable scenes postcards", and "Vintage King Kong poster mail-in offer".
- "The King Kong Collection" box set, with "Son of Kong (1933)", and "Mighty Joe Young (1949)".
- "Best Buy" exclusive box set: "Collector's Edition", with "Collectible tin packaging" (and 2-disc set in Digi-Pack, with Slip cover), "20-page reproduction of original 1933 souvenir program", "King Kong memorable scenes postcards", and "Vintage King Kong poster mail-in offer" + "Son of Kong (1933)", and "Mighty Joe Young (1949)". It has also "Best Buy exclusive": 5 additional postcards. -
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Extras:Includes both 1971 Director's Cut and the 85 min. cut version
Poster Gallery
Production notes on the special effects - French text
Extracts of the OST CD
Cast and Crew: Biographies and Filmographies - French text
Preview Trailers
DVD Credits Information -
Subtitles:French
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (Only on Director's Cut)
French Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (Only on Theatrical Cut) -
Case type:Keep Case
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Extras:"Hollywood Stuntmakers" featurette (9:00)
Text based info pages (including the lost spider scene)
Production notes
Photo gallery
Filmographies
Trailer (1:31)
Bonus trailers -
Subtitles:German
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Special thanks to Rewind user ElPampeGrande for providing these specifications.
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Subtitles:No
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Special thanks to Rewind user ElPampeGrande for providing these specifications.
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Extras:DISC ONE
*The Film (black and white + colorised)
DISC TWO
King Kong (1933) trailer (2:40)
2001 Fay Wray interview (21:38)
"R.F.D. 10,000 B.C." short (1917) (8:37)
"Creation" test footage (1930) (4:43)
"The Lost World" (1925) (92:40) - complete feature film (Film Preservation Associates restored version, w/soundtrack by the Alloy Orchestra) -
Subtitles:Italian (optional)
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Special thanks to Rewind user Brent_Reid for providing these specifications.
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Extras:Photo Gallery (8 pages)
Biographies
- Fay Wray - Ann Darrow (1 page)
- Robert Armstrong - Carl Denham (1 page)
- Bruce Cabo - John Driscoll (1 page)
- Frank Reicher - Captain Engelhorn (1 page)
- Sam Hardy - Charles Weston (1 page) -
Subtitles:Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish (optional)
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Coded regions 1/2.
The text pages are in English. -
Special thanks to Rewind user ElPampeGrande & Åsmund_Utvik for providing these specifications.
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Extras:"It Was Beauty Killed the Beast" documentary (25.00)
"The Films of King Kong" text -
Subtitles:No
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Special thanks to Rewind user ElPampeGrande for providing these specifications.
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Extras:Bonus Trailer:
- "King Kong" [2005] -
Subtitles:English HoH
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Also available as part of the "Classic King Kong Triple" set which also includes "King Kong vs Godzilla" and "King Kong Escapes".
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Extras:DISC ONE (Blu-ray Copy)
DISC TWO (DVD)
*The Film
Audio commentary by visual effects artists Ray Harryhausen and Ken Ralston (with archival excerpts from actress Fay Wray and producer/director Merian C. Cooper)
Merian C. Cooper Trailer Gallery: (16:47 / 'Play All' option)
- "King Kong" [1933] (1:32)
- "Son of Kong" [1933] (1:45),
- "Flying Down to Rio" [1933] (1:29)
- "Fort Apache" [1948] (1:44)
- "3 Godfathers" [1948] (3:21)
- "Mighty Joe Young" [1949] (1:39)
- "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" [1949] (2:30)
- "The Searchers" [1956] (2:45) -
Subtitles:English, French, Spanish
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 1.0
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Part of HMV's "Premium Collection" which also comes with a 34-page booklet as part of the case that includes color photos, essays and more. Also comes with a Digital HD Ultraviolet copy. The DVD is in NTSC, identical to the first disc if the US single disc release.
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Extras:DISC ONE
*The Film (black and white)
Bonus Trailer:
- "King Kong" [2005]
DISC TWO
*The Film (colorised)
"It was Beauty Killed the Beast" featurette (25:00)
DISC THREE
*King Kong vs Godzilla
DISC FOUR
*King Kong Escapes
IN THE CASE
12 page booklet featuring production notes, biographies and photos -
Subtitles:English HoH
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
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Case type:Special Case
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Notes:As far as we are aware, King Kong is not available as a standalone two-disc release. Discs one, three and four are available individually though.
Packaged as a 4-disc digipack with sleeve. -
Special thanks to Rewind user Brent_Reid for providing these specifications.
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Subtitles:No
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English MPEG 2.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Extras:DISC ONE
* The Film
Audio commentary by visual effects artists Ray Harryhausen and Ken Ralston (with archival excerpts from actress Fay Wray and producer/director Merian C. Cooper).
Merian C. Cooper Trailer Gallery:
- "King Kong" [1933] (1:32)
- "The Searchers" [1956] (2:45)
DISC TWO
"I'm King Kong! The Exploits of Merian C. Cooper" narrated by Alec Baldwin documentary (56:56)
"RKO Production 601: The Making of Kong, Eighth Wonder of the World" documentary (158:45):
- The Origins of King Kong
- Willis O'Brien and Creation
- Cameras Roll on Kong, the Eighth Wonder
- A Milestone in Visual Effects
- Passion, Sound and Fury
- The Mystery of the Lost Spider Pit Sequence
- King Kong's Legacy
"The Lost Spider Pit Sequence" reconstructed by Peter Jackson, with Weta Workshop
Abandoned film "Creation (1931)" test footage (with audio commentary by visual effects artist Ray Harryhausen) -
Subtitles:English, English HoH, Czech, Hungarian and Polish
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:A tin-case version is also available, exclusive at www.ezydvd.com.au in Australia and at Whitcoulls in New Zealand. The Tin case does not include any of the collectibles in the R1 release, it's just the 2-disc set packaged in the special case.
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OVERALL: Draw
R1 and R4 2-disc SEs have the best transfer (2005 restoration) and the most comprehensive set of extras. Note that the R1 SE has additional Merian C. Cooper trailers and some extra goodies with the "CE tin".
Other releases for completists:
- R2 France: has an additional rerelease edit of the film.
- R2 Germany: has an addtional featurette and some text-based features.
- R2 Italy: has several exclusive extras and a complete extra feature film.
- - R2 UK: the original release and 4-disc King Kong Classic 4 DVD Collection both have an exclusive featurette.
GENERAL NOTES:
◦ Between 1936 and 1956 this film was rereleased several times, on each occasion suffering various censorship cuts.
◦ In 1971 Merian C. Cooper restored King Kong to its original, 100 minute, 1933 theatrical release length. This version received further restoration over the next few years and is the one most commonly released on DVD.
◦ Between 1999-2005, Warner Brothers/Turner Entertainment undertook a new, costly, fully digital restoration. This version has vastly improved sound and picture quality and adds a 4 minute overture, bringing the overall running time to 104 minutes.
◦ Warner Brothers hold the exclusive worldwide video rights to their 2005 restoration; releases on any other label feature the earlier version.
* It is widely noted that the 1980's colorisation is of a poor standard and almost unwatchable. You may want to take this into consideration when making your decision.
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CUTS:
- R0 Brazil- Continental - No cuts
- R0 Taiwan- Buddha Video Limited - No cuts.
- R1 America- Warner Home Video - No cuts - Warner Bros. 2005 Restoration (104:16 NTSC)
- R1 Special Edition America- Warner Home Video - No cuts - Warner Bros. 2005 Restoration (104:16 NTSC)
- R2 Special Edition France- Editions Montparasse - No cuts - Includes both 1933 version and 85 minute rerelease edit.
- R2 Germany- Kinowelt - No cuts (95:36 PAL).
- R2 Italy- Explosion Video - No cuts
- R2 Special Edition Italy- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment - No cuts
- R2 Scandinavia- Svensk Filmindustri - No cuts (99:59 PAL)
- R2 United Kingdom- Polygram - No cuts
- R2 United Kingdom- Universal Pictures - No cuts
- R2 United Kingdom- Warner Home Video - No cuts - Warner Bros. 2005 Restoration (104:16 NTSC)
- R2 King Kong Classic 4 DVD Collection United Kingdom- Universal Pictures - No cuts - includes the original black and white version (95:57 PAL) and the colourised version (100:18 PAL).
- R4 Australia- Magna Pacific - No cuts
- R4 Special Edition Australia- Warner Home Video - No cuts - Warner Bros. 2005 Restoration
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Comparison added by Noor_Razzak on 21/02/03
Comparison last updated by Anthony_DiPaola on 09/09/19UPDATE LOG:
21/04/12 - Major clean-up and added R1 single disc, R2 UK Universal, R2 UK Universal 4 DVD Collection and R2 Italy SE.
Please ensure you read our disclaimer.
23/04/12 - Minor fixes.
05/12/18: Capsaholic.
09/09/19: Addition of Taiwan release.
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