The Censorship of Cheng Cheh's Films

[gfanikf]

Hey,

I looking for info on the censorship of CC's films during their original HK release (no foreign distro, unless they were uncut). I figured this would make a nice article for Cheng Cheh month.

Now I know that
One Armed Swordsman
Golden Swallow (I think)
The Assassin
Vengence

All had parts that the color was removed from the scene.

Are there any others I'm missing.

Apparently The Water Margin or the Heoric Ones had a ton of violence that was in the German version but not in the HK one.

I know Boxer Rebellion was cut for political reasons.

I have a feeling I'm missing a ton of others andthe stories and cause and effect of it. So please if you can fill me in do so. I will give your proper credit in the article.

TIA

[teako170]

Disciples of Shaolin. B/W during Fu Sheng climax and some other parts throughout.

[gfanikf]

Was it restored by Celestial like One-Armed Swordsman and some of the others?

[teako170]

Not sure. Would have to check tape - if I still have.

[gfanikf]

Can't believe I forgot this but also the awfulness that is the HK (Malysian) edit of Chinatown Kid. :x

[Markgway]

All had parts that the color was removed from the scene.

I thought Chang started doing that with Heroes Two?

I don't think those earlier films were censored.

[gfanikf]

Yep check the un-remastered clips show in the IVL The Master Doc. Heroes Two had the flash of red like in Crippled Avengers, the early swordplay ones had the screen go black and white.

[Markgway]

Yeah, but was that for censorship reasons?

I thought the HK censors were laissez faire until around 1972?

[gfanikf]

I was under the impression that it was, but maybe Linn would know more about this.

[Linn1]

the real crackdown started in 72, but they were already in place on these films quite a while before that.

[Markgway]

I see.

I assumed that because the late 60s films were so bloody the HK censors stayed out of it -- unless extreme.

Did they single Chang out?

[gfanikf]

Maybe, they never like CC that much

[killer meteor]

I've seen a clip from a theatrical print of The Assassin where a gory moment is in black&white. On the DVD, it's in full colour

[morgoth]

I figured it was his choice to use the red screen filters in Heroes Two. I thought it was a nice touch. Some of his later movies didn't do as good of a job using the red filters.

[gfanikf]

I saw a clip of that today and I have to say man does it really grab you. Same in crippled avengers. Plus side is it also saved on sprecial makeup effects since the scene wouldn't be as detailed as without the filter.

[Wahlumkid]

a lot of Cheng Cheh's film had color taken out or added red tone.
I didn't understand his purpose until I saw some interviews about the people used to work with Cheng Cheh.

Its not censorship! It is his style. He wanted to look like that!
Its like the slow motion in a lot of his films. Its part of his style! Trademark!

A lot of HK movie directors called Cheng Cheh's style very romantic!

Some of his early works is indeed - romantic!