Heroes Shed No Tears

[JinMode]

www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/9...oduct.html (http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/917856/Heroes_Shed_No_Tears/Product.html)

Where's the HKL logo? I've noticed that some recent releases doesn't have the logo on the covers, why?

[Markgway]

Ugh! I think we have a new winner for the worst HKL cover ever title. :rolleyes

[Linn1]

always change the cover later? I seem to remember them sending out spec covers a lot.

[The Running Man]

That cannot be the cover.

[JinMode]

That cannot be the cover.

I hope so.

[gfanikf]

I like it. I lke the stark image against a background maybe change the green though.

Shame it wont have a Bey Commentary or anything of the massive ammount of missing footage. I would hope the woo interview is a little long and germane to the film. Not a great flick but I always liked it. I only ahve the DM disc so should I upgrade (granted the pic quality should be great). Plus Lam is a total sadistic badass and Eddie Ko isnt evil for once. That makes it worth a view for anyone.

[JinMode]

Shame it wont have a Bey Commentary or anything of the massive ammount of missing footage. I would hope the woo interview is a little long and germane to the film.

I don't mind if the dvd will have so little extras in hand, as long as the picture/audio is great, I don't care.

[gfanikf]

Normally I would agree but there is so much confusion and history of HSNT that I think it would be extremly benefical for some of the facts and nuggest of the Production which began as the Sunset warrior were to emerge

[JinMode]

have you seen the longer version and do you know the running time?

[Markgway]

I like it. I lke the stark image against a background maybe change the green though.

You always get one don't you?? :p

Was Sunset Warrior not released in Korea before the picture was shelved and re-edited?

[The Running Man]

Normally I would agree but there is so much confusion and history of HSNT that I think it would be extremly benefical for some of the facts and nuggest of the Production which began as the Sunset warrior were to emerge

Hmmm...never knew there was a story behind this one. Care to share, or anyone else, what they know? :)

BTW, I would rather get stories like this from the people who were actually involved. Not Bey "Sellout" Logan who defends and protects Harvey Weinstein and calls him the most passionate man about Asian cinema that he has ever met. :rolleyes

[Linn1]

Was Sunset Warrior not released in Korea before the picture was shelved and re-edited?

The only place I'm aware of it got a release, under the Sunset Warrior title and uncut, was Austrialia of all places. It was about 15 minutes longer WITHOUT the added scenes with the American and the women.

[Markgway]

I'd love to see that version, as those extra scenes scenes really detract from the film. Pity Sunset Warrior was never committed to tape. Any idea who directed the new scenes for Heroes Shed No Tears?

Here's the KOFA entry:

www.koreafilm.or.kr/engli...taid=03809 (http://www.koreafilm.or.kr/english/db_detail_eng.asp?p_dataid=03809)

Released in 1984, two years before the revised HK release, so surely that's the director's cut?

[chen lung]

Yeah, GH were unhappy with it in '84 and I imagine due to 'Better Tomorrow's success, it was re-edited and released in '86.

[gfanikf]

Oh yeah the trailer on the Deltamac disc has a picture of John Woo and stuff about ABT on it I beleive I hope the HKL has it. Well I would thing they would

[Markgway]

It absolutely was the success of ABT that prompted GH to release this in HK.

They belatedly realised that John Woo + violence sells tickets.

Mind you if it had been released back in in '84 on the back of a run of comedies it may have flopped.

[gfanikf]

Actually according to John Charles of Digital HK in his book it still only lasted a week in HK theatres. its not a great film but still I enjoy it for what it is and its neat seeing reversal of the two leads

[Markgway]

it still only lasted a week in HK theatres

:lol

[The Running Man]

Can someone explain this from the beginning? I am totally lost.

[killer meteor]

"The only place I'm aware of it got a release, under the Sunset Warrior title and uncut, was Austrialia of all places"

I looked on the Australian censor site and couldn't find this film

[The Running Man]

Can someone respond to what I asked please?

[killer meteor]

From what I can gather. John Woo makes the film in 84. It is deemed unreleasable in HK - Woo was then know more for comedies - but does get released in Korean and Australia.

1986 - the film is released in HK to cash in on the success of A Better Tomorrow

[JinMode]

anyone know what language the long version had when it was released back in 84, cantonese or mandarin?

[Markgway]

Film was made in Cantonese if that's what you mean?

[The Running Man]

Ok...so John Woo made the film in 84 and it wasn't released in HK until after Better Tomorrow.

So what is this talk about extra scenes being filmed by someone else or whatever? Was the film retooled for it's 86 release by someone else?

[chen lung]

Na, he's taking about the longer version, the GH approved was Cantonese yeah.

Did each version have the same music/foley/voices?

[JinMode]

Ok...so John Woo made the film in 84 and it wasn't released in HK until after Better Tomorrow.

that's right, because it was considered too violent when it was finished and it got shelved but was released elsewhere, Korea and Australia that is which ran something like 93-97 min. then after ABT was released GH finally released it but made some changes and the result became a shorter edit, 82-84 min.

[The Running Man]

chen lung,
Can you expound on what you wrote? So you are saying there were two directors on the project?

JinMode,
Was there ever a home video release for this longer version? Were the versions released in Korea and Austialia (!) in Cantonese?

Does anyone know what the alterations were?

Why has no one tried to release the original cut on DVD?

[chen lung]

John made the movie in '84, GH didn't like it but when '86's 'Better Tomorrow' success proved the genre was loved, GH re-edited the movie. Only one director, two conflicting opinions (John vs GH).

2 versions available:

HK: Megastar. Tai Seng. Deltamac. (AFAIK).
Longer (likely 'DC'): Unknown.

[JinMode]

Was there ever a home video release for this longer version? Were the versions released in Korea and Austialia (!) in Cantonese?

I'm trying to find out if the case is so, Australia and Korea did show the longer version after all.

[The Running Man]

Only one director, two conflicting opinions (John vs GH).

You sure? Linn mentions that the American and the women's scenes in the movie were "extra" scenes which would mean that GH had them added after they shelved it. That means that there was another director invloved in those scenes unless John actually agreed to f-up his own film.

That could also mean there was even more stuff that they cut aside from the 15 minutes or so that was already cut out.

[JinMode]

That could also mean there was even more stuff that they cut aside from the 15 minutes or so that was already cut out.

interesting stuff.

[chen lung]

Both may have fotage not in the other.

I was just summing up the fact there was only one credited director, unless there was someone else. Possibly deleted footage originally shot by John but dumped for the '84 release was used.

[JinMode]

they must've included suitable parts and exluded useless ones for the 84 release.

[The Running Man]

I have to say that this is fascinating stuff because I remember reading somewhere long ago that John Woo was never happy with the version that was released of this film.

I never knew that meant that his original film was taken away from him and heavily altered. Thanks for the mention of this really.

Add this to the long list of Asian films that need to be released in a true proper version.

[JinMode]

Running Man,

from the HKL board:

"Although SUNSET WARRIORS (the films original english title) was filmed in 1983 the studio, Golden Harvest, refused to release it because John Woo changed the script without their permission and made a totally different movie than they intended. When the movie was finished the studio executives fired Woo and hired another director who re-shot almost half the film and put in some new scenes containing humour and sex (e. g. the dice-gambling-scene and the sex-scene with Louis and his girls)."

"The result was considered so bad that the film dissapeared in the studio archives. And it wasn't until the big success of A BETTER TOMORROW that Golden Harvest decided to make some additional money with Woo's now famous name and finally released SUNSET WARRIORS under the new title HEROES SHED NO TEARS in 1986."

source: www.hongkonglegends.com/i...on=msgview (http://www.hongkonglegends.com/index.php?msg_id=4313&art_id=129&board_id=2&action=msgview)

[Markgway]

So was the Director's Cut ever put out on tape in Korea? Or was it only released theatrically there?

[wanchaitransient]

from the HKL board:

"Although SUNSET WARRIORS (the films original english title) was filmed in 1983 the studio, Golden Harvest, refused to release it because John Woo changed the script without their permission and made a totally different movie than they intended. When the movie was finished the studio executives fired Woo and hired another director who re-shot almost half the film and put in some new scenes containing humour and sex (e. g. the dice-gambling-scene and the sex-scene with Louis and his girls)."

"The result was considered so bad that the film dissapeared in the studio archives. And it wasn't until the big success of A BETTER TOMORROW that Golden Harvest decided to make some additional money with Woo's now famous name and finally released SUNSET WARRIORS under the new title HEROES SHED NO TEARS in 1986."

I would second that statement. I believe that's a pumped up dramatic exaggeration with all due respect to HKL. Supposedly, the script was never drastically altered by Woo. Sure, Woo had his creative ways, like any director does, but he didn't completely change the script. A director doing that in HK would be banned from the HK industry forever! Woo was the only director and the foreigners were included, as 95% of the scenes, in the original script. Woo prepared his version and Golden Harvest didn't think the movie was box office quality and therefore, the movie wasn't released in HK. The reason why the uncut version was released in Korea and Australia is because it was a Korean coproduction, and for the Australians, some money went into the production in a GH theater deal. The Japanese had some money and crew in the project, but after GH shelved the movie, the movie was thought to be a loss and was given up. They listened and learned. Woo moved onto other projects without being fired. In my opinion that's what happened.

Regarding the Korean VHS, yes, it was released on video, but finding it is quite impossible unless you have the time and patience to go through the video shops in South Korea. The Australian PAL VHS is available somewhere. Falkor will probably find it for us one day. I think he saw the uncut version.

Until then cowboys and cowgals! Cheers!-Wan

[Markgway]

Regarding the Korean VHS, yes, it was released on video, but finding it is quite impossible unless you have the time and patience to go through the video shops in South Korea.

Hey, if I lived in S. Korea, I would!! ;)

So any idea what the 5% of non-Woo scenes were? The silly sex scene, perhaps? Or what was cut when the 15m were chopped out in 1986?

[wanchaitransient]

So any idea what the 5% of non-Woo scenes were? The silly sex scene, perhaps? Or what was cut when the 15m were chopped out in 1986?

No idea. never saw the uncut version, but know many friends that do. Woo cut down the foreigner scenes for his version, which runs at 100 minutes, which is the Australian version's running time, presuming that is the most uncut version of this movie(Korean version was cut down a few minutes to fit the Korean audience, with editing done by the Koreans). The script originally had all the foreigner and sex scenes written in before, not during or after. Woo didn't see anything in using those foriegner scenes because he had another vision in mind. Now, it wasn't Woo that ruined the project, Golden Harvest thought the movie as a whole was unmarketable. The editing issue wasn't a problem for GH. GH would get the last word on the final version. From the start, GH wasn't confident in this movie. Common sense. GH needed money from Korean and Japanese producers, and money beforehand from Australian theaters in order to hold this project together.

I actually knew some of the crew involved with this production when I was in town(86), and from their account, it wasn't a controversial production at all. Shooting went better than usual, and they wrapped up in time. GH just gave up on the movie at the end. They didn't know when and how to release it for some reason.

Supposedly, the 1986 version went through many drafts. GH didn't know how to fit the version for the HK audience without messing up the movie. GH chopped the movie up in a rough way, to show more coolness, toughness, and action, and less drama. Woo did all of the movie. That extra 5% were his as well. They were actually the amount of ammo that went into the action scenes. ;) -Wan

[Linn1]

as this is story I've heard as well. According to Australian collectors (who remember the film in theaters), and have been looking for the tape for years, it wasn't released uncut there on tape. According to Woo, he did not film the sex scenes, which I believe. Largely because it's something he's always had an aversion to in his films in the first place. SOMEWHERE I read the name of the mysterious "other" director that did this segment, but I can't seem to find the info. If I come across it, I'll post. Having said that, I'd kill to see the longer cut certainly, and bow to wanchaitransient's straightforwardness. :)

[wanchaitransient]

I am a fan of John Woo and would never doubt what he says because he is a stand up guy and an artist. But, I have heard otherwise regarding what happened in that production. I never knew that there was such problems between Woo and Golden Harvest in this production and ect. That's the first time I've heard such a story. I have always heard that this production went off very well, no scraps at all, thanks in part to the helpful local crews. Linn 1 you have a genuine point there about the sex scenes. It's very possible that someone in the crew shot that footage. This is my hypothesis: If Woo didn't like the foreigner scenes at all, then maybe he didn't shoot those scenes, gave the camera to assistant, and took a cigarette break. Maybe not. :smokin

Look in those Australian video liquidations. Try to find a mate there who's really into HK movies, and you may find it. My best with a cold one-Wan

[Markgway]

I'd love to see the Aussie director's cut as I feel there maybe a good movie in there somewhere. But if it existed at all on tape wouldn't it have been bootlegged to death by now? There's a brief bit of nookie in Countdown in Kung Fu. But then there's no gurantee Woo directed that scene either. Could've one of the Koreans?

[Frank Lakatos]

Cool stuffs about this movie! It's too bad that HKL doesn't include that uncut version >: I have been looking for the Mega Star DVD for ages. Does anyone have it- It's OOP in every retailer.>:

Thanks,

Frank

lakatosfrank@yahoo.com

[chen lung]

To be honest, it isn't really HKL's fault. Anyway, it hasn't been released yet so we're yet to see what they can come up with. Would be happy if it ended up as deleted scenes.

They can only take whatever Fortune Star give to them. It can't be helped if a source isn't found for the Aussie version.

Megastar don't own the rights anymore, Deltamac did for a while until their contract for 'non-digitally remastered' titles expired.

[Markgway]

I doubt HKL tried very hard (if at all) to find extra footage.

If it was ever released ANYWHERE... then SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE has it.

[theportlykicker]

The trailer for this is now available on HKL's site:

Heroes Shed no Tears HKL Trailer (http://www.hongkonglegends.co.uk/index.php?art_id=72&a=y&frm=m&pid=1863&trl_id=85)

[JinMode]

nice trailer, the action looks intense!

[Knetan]

hey,

I remember it being more of the shoot and bad guys fall down kind, without the style Woo would make his own. Some genius stuff in there sporadically though and some tough violence.

[killer meteor]

Good trailer, could do without the voiceover though.

[killer meteor]

Does anyone know if the longer version exists in Cantonese?

[RogueWarrior]

I just purchased the single disc of Heroes Shed No Tears. Love the dub. However the disc is not anamorphic. I have the Tin as well. Same issue on that disc.

However, the Delightful Forest is anamorphic. (also purchased it as a single disc)

Just waiting on the tshirt!!!





http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/cheese_dip/hrsntrs.jpg

[inframan]

I figured the single releases would be the same discs as the box sets. I already had Two Champions when I got the tin and that looks like the same disc too.

I wasn't reall impressed with Heroes Shed No Tears, kinda hard to follow and I wasn't really into it anyway.