Why Celestial is missing 5 Element Ninja

[Frank Lakatos]

Thought I'd share this with you. In the mid 90's I knew one collector who loved 5 Element Ninja so much he had all of the versions and he and his cousin had saved money planning to buy the original reels of the best Shaw movies and release them on their VHS label. That same year a friend who knew about the Shaws informed them that the original uncut Cantonese Mandarin prints for 5 Element Ninja in the Shaw Brothers vaults were badly damaged from cigarette ash, dents, and cuts, and there were few chances of a release of the uncut version of this movie in the future. Is this the possible reason to why 5 Element Ninja was excluded from Celestial's list?

Frank

[santejay]

i mean its 5 freaking element ninja's! i guess all we can do now is hope a miracle >D

[santejay]

:lol yeah thats right, hope a miracle!

[punt44]

I don't think Super Ninjas will ever see the light of day for quite sometime...unless someone unearths one in Europe, or in some other Asian country and releases it. Sad but true.

[lickinblood]

hmm,then i guess i can be glad my friend gave me his dutch tape

[bubbabgone]

________________________________________________
... That same year a friend who knew about the Shaws informed them that the original uncut Cantonese Mandarin prints for 5 Element Ninja in the Shaw Brothers vaults were badly damaged from cigarette ash, dents, and cuts, and there were few chances of a release of the uncut version of this movie in the future. ...
________________________________________________

The same kind of thing was said about House Of Traps and yet it's on this list.

I don't know, there's certainly a LOT of different Super Ninja boots around. And they look like they come from sources that could be dressed up nicely by Celestial.
They all may not be "original" and "uncut" but those words don't count for much anymore.

Color me skeptical about 5 Element Ninjas never being released by Celestial.

[Markgway]

It's probably too early to hit the red alert button.

Let's just wait and see what happens...

[BKarza]

Don't forget, there was also "the fire" that burned up most of the Brave Archer movies. Too bad we'll never get to see those. Looks like I'm going to have to keep my Brave Archer tapes.
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You know better.

[Liu chung liang]

How many versions are there of Super Ninja?

[magicpoe]

Vista Betamax/VHS version that has "Super Ninjas" on the title screen. This is the source of the Panmedia version. Most footage available, includes a bit of nudity and little more gore at the end.

NS Video/Ground Zero version that has "Chinese Super Ninjas" on the title screen. This version is what I've always considered the TV version as it doesn't include the nudity and gore that is included in the Vista Betamax/VHS version. It's also the version I remember watching on TV back in 85/86.

Falkor has a widescreen version in Chinese listed on his site. I can't comment on that version because I've never watched it.

I have also heard discussions of a version with Dutch subs and English dubbed.

I have owned both the Vista and Ground Zero versions.

[Sleepman]

It's probably too early to hit the red alert button

If this happens, i really think i will be very pissed off and i will do more than hit a red alert button, i will embody the spirit of chan wei man and pull out my old ninja clothing and find me stash of flying stars all of which i have buried and can only be located with a secret map i have to also unbury..

and raid ivl celestial headquarters , popping out and vanishing between coulds of blue and red smoke while being heavily pursued by security (people who couldnt make it as cops)

after the night had passed i will crawl out removable ceiling panels detonate the bombs destroy the evil castle and leave
with the ONLY reel of 5 element Ninjas in existance burned with ciggarettes and cut up (ya right) and what not and
contact linn so he can release it vie e-mail link to image entertainment..


Cya gotta go

[Markgway]

I have also heard discussions of a version with Dutch subs and English dubbed.

It definately exists. I have an English dubbed Killer Army tape from the same collection.

[lickinblood]

this is the dutch tape,i saw it pretty cheap at some video conventients

[lickinblood]

www.ofdb.de/images/fassun...4934_f.jpg (http://www.ofdb.de/images/fassung/44/44934_f.jpg)

[Markgway]

Yeah, that's it.

Kinda wish I had one.... you know, in case.............

[Lui Chai Linag]

Kinda wish I had one.... you know, in case.............

Well, thats easly arranged, just hit the PM button.

[Linn1]

but who said it's missing? :hat

[Markgway]

Someone posted a list of the remaining titles that Celestial are planning to release and Five Element Ninja wasn't on there. Have you heard different?

[Linn1]

Here's a sample of a few things we've heard from various "sources":

-After the first year of releases that Celestial was going to close down because they were bankrupt.
-They didn't make any money off the Shaws, so they were going to drop the films. (This is my fave, as they make millions off the rights throughout the world)
-They were going to make paper covers with no cover art.
-They were going to only put out musicals.
-They were going to put all the swordplay films on vcd.
-They were putting out everything on vcd because dvd wasn't doing well.

etc.

I'm sure you all have your favorite rumor about the Shaw Brothers films. One of my faves is that Sentimental Swordsman was split into pieces by Chor Yuen before he left the Shaws because he was pissed off about how he was treated in the final years of his contract and he didn't want anyone to ever see it. :)

This sort of stuff has followed Shaw Brothers films for years because Run Run was a marketing GENUS! They guy shutdown and refused to release his films, and then actually did just that! It's like saying you have a Warner Bros film by Orson Welles that was never released even in theaters. Then you refuse to do anything with it for thirty years. Over the years, obsessive fans would talk and talk about the film, building it up, spreading rumors of how it's only half a film, or it's missing sound, etc. Then they release it,and it turns out to be Welles brushing his teeth. A few would think it's a masterpiece, while others would think it's rightly crap. But EVERYONE would buy it to see, and that was the point all along. Run Run was a SMART man and I respect him more every day. Now just imagine if the Orson Welles story above was changed from one film to a few hundred and you had obsessive fans all over the world clamoring for every scrap of info on them. This is just what we have in Shaw Brothers fandom. I'm not saying the list is junk, just give it the grain of salt it deserves right now.

BTW, the Shaw Brothers films were NOT in a fire. There was a real fire, but it did little damage. The event was used by a guy who has made a life's work of lying to fans because he had to explain why Run Run Shaw never wanted to deal with him again when he treated Shaw like an idiot. The films are not somewhere with people randomly putting out cigars on them and laughing in an evil tone as they burn Tiger Boy frame by frame in a nearby fire. Super Ninjas was sold to Celestial as part of the Shaw Brothers deal. If you don't see a release from IVL (and this goes for all the releases thought to be not coming from IVL, horror fans I'm talking to you!) you'll see it somewhere else. Relax. Go eat lunch at a nice restaurant and enjoy life.

[teako170]

Lets not forget this one... when at the end of each year when a new list hasn't been released yet it can only mean no more IVLs.

The films are not somewhere with people randomly putting out cigars on them and laughing in an evil tone as they burn Tiger Boy frame by frame in a nearby fire. Nah, not all films. Just the English dubs to further incite some members here. :p

Relax. Go eat lunch at a nice restaurant and enjoy life. Sweet - Linn's buying!! :D

[Chinatown Kid]

How about the Red Lobster, yum yum! :p

[sevenhooks]

Ah, Linn...

The perpetual voice of reason!

[Markgway]

Just what we all needed to calm us down.... :p

[Shaolin Patriot]

Yeah, I hear the fire started on Meyers Street, set by a naughty little bunch of ninjas.

[Sleepman]

http://www.phosted.com/x10/Red_button.gif

Its NOT going to be released, this just in.

Red Alert Red Alert! this just in from official resources celestial and ivl have both confirmed that chinese super ninjas will not be released this year because of outstanding title rights to the film mr fong se yun from hong kong in 1983 the one who wrote the movie says that an alarmingly large amount of red tape is stretched across the movie because it went to court
over this issue. Everyone for a long time new this was going to
happen but since there are so many kung fu movies we are only finding this out now and it will never be released for other
reasons as well, it is true i was told there are two master prints/rolls of this film neither one of which are damaged and just kidding really hope it comes out next year i have no idea just like everyone else.

[lickinblood]

when i get my new pc in a 1000 years,i am going to rip some of my videos on soulseek,also 5 element the dutch tape and put it on soulseek

[tino]

sleepman if I was around you right now I would put you in the sleeperhold for that story u made up lol

[Iron Boat]

I am quite happy with my English dubbed Uncut but unfortunately not widescreen version of Super Ninja's....I dont think I would want to see it without the dubbing, its so funny dubbed.

[Markgway]

Yeah, not sure it was meant to be funny. :\

[W Hong]

I was about to tell you guys about some news that has something to do w/ some possible film cans that could have film reels of "Five Element Ninjas", other Shaw movies, H.K. movies, etc. However, that was before I read Linn1's reply about "FEN" having been sold to Celestial, so his reply told you to not worry about a DVD of that incredible, classic Shaw movie.

But in case you're still interested, I thought I'd still tell about it. There were some reports that the Sing Lee Movie Theatre in L.A. Chinatown was going to be re-opened by Mr. Tarantino. I was able to ask him about it at the Hollywood premiere for "Hero", and he said that the Sing Lee Theatre is "coming soon". And in the Downtown News newspaper(from around 2003), it said that the Sing Lee had a very big collection of film cans of old HK movies and Chinese movies, with some of them possibly being rare movies.

The article also said that Tarantino, w/ his assistants' help, was interested in restoring these prints. So these prints may or may not include some old Shaw movies. But after what Linn1 said, that might not matter except maybe for people who are interested in seeing some of those possibly rare HK and Chinese movies. And when I last checked, the former Sing Lee(now King Hing Theatre) still hasn't re-opened. It is, however, possible to see through the doors and notice the stack of HK film cans against the wall. Also, when I called the Chinatown B.I.D.(about 2 or 3 months ago), the latest news was that this theatre was still renovating. So I don't know if any of you would still be interested in all of this because like I said, Linn1 already said that Celestial is going to take care of the restored Shaw DVD's(including FEN).

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

"The films are not somewhere with people randomly putting out cigars on them and laughing in an evil tone as they burn Tiger Boy frame by frame in a nearby fire. Super Ninjas was sold to Celestial as part of the Shaw Brothers deal. If you don't see a release from IVL (and this goes for all the releases thought to be not coming from IVL, horror fans I'm talking to you!) you'll see it somewhere else. Relax. Go eat lunch at a nice restaurant and enjoy life."

Well put Linn.

[VenomsFan]

There is an uncut 145minute widescreen version available. Which version is this? PM me!

[Chen Zhen]

wow, 5 Element Ninjas better be the best kf film of all time, based on all the fanboy hype ive been hearing...

[jmungus]

wow, 5 Element Ninjas better be the best kf film of all time, based on all the fanboy hype ive been hearing...

always reminded me of a less ambitioned, cheaper version of marco polo with some of the wickedest over the top cartoonish martial mayhem/marathon clearwater bay has ever seen.
hou gung fu

[Iron Boat]

Marco Polo? and 5 Element Ninja.....I dont think I can see a resemblance

[jmungus]

havent watched 5EN in some years, but its the basic structure of both movies im referring to.

starts off at point a to introduce everyone and everything, moves straight on to point b, the "center" of both movies (in MC they seek refuge to practise their fu there and do all the conspiring stuff; in 5EN, the location is also some sort of a refuge/fort they would move out to engage in the various fights; both these "center locations" become subject to a siege/attack*.
hmm, if i didnt disregard any significant structural elements, they re pretty much the same if u ask me :\



*spoiler:


i remember when i watched 5EN for the first time (ca. 1987/88 ), it was the birth of me totally hating the fact 'this wicked dude' (lo meng) had to die early and this irritating fact has been accompanying me ever since :b (even tho ive seen him suffer an early death before; first venoms movie i ever saw was killer army in ca 1985; despite him surviving the majority of the flick (yay!), hes not the last man standing either. rip lo meng characters meeting early deaths` ;) )

[dragon herb]

There is an uncut 145minute widescreen version available. Which version is this? PM me!

So the dutch tape is cut by 45 minutes?? :eek (100 minutes running, accordin to cover)

Edit: But you mean 1 hour and 45 minutes right? ;)

[HAZ74]

Greetings, y'all!

I just dl'ed Five Element Ninja. I'll post some screen caps cause I'm curious to know what version I have & how it compares to others out there. I watched the 1st 5 minutes & it was pretty good already. If I end up digging this, I'll want a better copy; any leads on where I should check? rarekungmovies.com looks good. Has anyone bought their subbed Five Element Ninja DVD?

peace

h

[Iron Boat]

Well you are not going to find a widescreen version so dont hurt yourself searching for one...the best you can do is try to get an uncut version.

[HAZ74]

Well you are not going to find a widescreen version so dont hurt yourself searching for one...the best you can do is try to get an uncut version.

There's a webpage selling a widescreen chinese version right now.

[Iron Boat]

Really, it must be a stretched boot

[HAZ74]

Hi,

Here are some screen caps of the version I dl'ed. The Title screen looks different than others I've seen. I'd still be curious to see the subbed version.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/hizzy76/cap004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/hizzy76/cap005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/hizzy76/cap013.jpg


peace

h

[mr HKmovie]

The "widescreen" Chinese version is actually full screen, but the image was squeezed in order to be full screen. Sort of like the Ocean shores videos, but squeezed even more so, making the picture obviously distorted. I threw my video away years ago. But now I have a widescreen TV, so I wish I still had the video. You can stretch it back out on a widescreen TV and probably have a good widescreen image. The picture quality wasn't that good though. Maybe this new seller has managed to somehow stretch the picture back out into a widescreen image.

[HAZ74]

Hi Mr HKmovie,

Thanks for the knowledge. Would you happen to know what version the screen caps above are from? The title font looks different from those I've seen on-line.

Thanks

HAZ

[magicpoe]

That would be the Vista Betamax/VHS version.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Relax. Go eat lunch at a nice restaurant and enjoy life.

Linn, you always says this! :b

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

If this happens, i really think i will be very pissed off and i will do more than hit a red alert button, i will embody the spirit of chan wei man and pull out my old ninja clothing and find me stash of flying stars all of which i have buried and can only be located with a secret map i have to also unbury..

Sleepman, that's some funny @#%$. :D

[venomchamber]

IT IS NOT MISSING! IT IS INDEED LISTED IN THEIR CATALOG WITH THE SAME COLOR STILL OF CHAO KUO WITH HIS ENTRAILS HANGING DOWN FROM HIS GROIN AS THE OLD DRAGON VIDEO COVER!
IT IS TITLED FIVE ELEMENTS NINJAS IN THEIR MARTIAL-ARTS SECTION.
I SUSPECT THEY ARE PROBABLY SAVING IT AS THEIR FINAL RELEASE SOMETIME IN 08.

NO SIGN OF TO KILL A MASTERMIND ANYWHERE THOUGH.
THAT'S A PITIFUL SHAME.
DAMN.
oh well, ATLEAST WE GOT THIS MUCH FROM THEM!

[teako170]

VC - This is an old thread that was bumped.

[Iron Boat]

Why is every one so bent out of shape, I mean their are two dubbed versions that have been out for years that are pretty good. One of them is even uncut, (I have it of course) as in you will see the nude female ninja.

[Markgway]

Why is every one so bent out of shape

Because we want originals in widescreen with subtitles. Duh!

[bobo]

i know you original language fans are frustated but just think how us english dub fanatics feel when less then half of the shaws that are known to be dubbed are available. sometimes i actually have trouble sleeping knowing they exist out there somewhere and i will probably never see them. :( :(

[Iron Boat]

Because we want originals in widescreen with subtitles. Duh!

I understand that but not getting a release of 5EN vs TKAM is the lesser evil. At least the existing dub is clear and uncut. From what I know fans have been asking for Widescreen 5EN for over 20 years, maybe it doesn't exist? >D

[venomchamber]

Once again, a WS 5EM does exist and its coming...:rollin
Its TKAM that doesn't exist, apparently by Celestial's executive decision. The only print they have is reportedly unremasterable. :(
5EN should be out by '08.

[Markgway]

I understand that but not getting a release of 5EN vs TKAM is the lesser evil. At least the existing dub is clear and uncut.

True, it's better dub than nothing, it's just you made it sound like we were making a fuss for no good reason, and I disagree. Sure, it's most important that the films are available in some decent form, but that doesn't make the need for widescreen and subbed versions any less essential.

[kermit]

Five Element Ninjas is out this year.

[Shaolin Patriot]

Five Element Ninjas is out this year.
I hope we're still on track for October. ;)

[Fatty Dragon]

Not sure if it was mentioned but, on page 14 of the celestial catalouge it lists five element ninjas, so hopefully this means it will come out.

[Linn1]

this was yet another thread made up of guesswork.

[Donnie1974]

five elements ninjas will be released on october 18th by Celestial :D

see shaw.intercontinental.com.../shawe.jpg (http://shaw.intercontinental.com.hk/en/graphics/today/shawe.jpg)