U.S. Fox/Fortune Star DVDs - opinions?

[littlefuzzy]

I had a couple of these, and dropped them in favor of eventual other region purchases. I owned My Lucky Stars and Hong Kong 1941. My Lucky Stars had dubtitles (although it looks like it is the best version according to dvdcompare.net after all,) and HK1941 had less extras and a remixed 5.1 soundtrack compared to the Hong Kong Legends version...

Actually, looking at those two, I may keep them (if they are still in my sack o' stuff to sell..

These two are my only experiences with the Fox/Fortune Star discs, are most of these pretty good after all? I have The Postman Fights Back, but haven't watched it yet.

It DOES look like the Fox version of Naked Killer is hacked all to pieces...

My next purchases from them would probably be the Bruce Lee: Ultimate Collection, and then maybe City Hunter, Heart of Dragon, Magnificent Butcher, and the Young Dragon (also other Jackie Chan or Sammo Hung titles...)

[HAZ]

The Bruce Lee is a sure fire purchase, especially for the price. I see it here in shops for 12 bucks.

This might be helpful:

http://adg.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=1801

[littlefuzzy]

Thanks! That link was great!

Sadly, it looks like many of the titles I'd want from them have "whooshy" soundtracks, and dubtitles. I'll need to do a bit more research on some of those titles, and see if they are worth getting as imports.

If I get the Bruce Lee set, am I really missing that much by both Game of Death titles only being in English?

[Markgway]

I have The Postman Fights Back, but haven't watched it yet.

That has original mono and subs although the print has suffered some damage compared to the HKL.

It DOES look like the Fox version of Naked Killer is hacked all to pieces...

Yeah, they used a cut version to get an 'R' rating.

My next purchases from them would probably be the Bruce Lee: Ultimate Collection, and then maybe City Hunter, Heart of Dragon, Magnificent Butcher, and the Young Dragon (also other Jackie Chan or Sammo Hung titles...)

The Bruce Lee Ultimate set contains the best versions of these films. Worth buying. The other titles you mention contain only remixes and dubtitles. Be careful.

[niro]

Great link HAZ :D

[chen lung]

Yes, probably all of them have problems.

I wouldn't touch them and instead, head for customs or other versions.

[The Silver Fox]

I bought Fortune Star versions of Prodigal Son and Magnificent Butcher yesterday. Both of them are fine. Widescreen,digitally re-mastered,Cantonese/English language option.

Both films look really nice, not perfect but for the price I'd highly recommend picking up these two.

[chen lung]

Magnificent Butcher = No mono, remixes and dubtitles. Aside from the picture, the HKL DVD is better.

Prodigal Son = No mono, remixes and inferior subtitles. The German DVD is better.

;)

[Markgway]

I'd like to get that German DVD but imports are so forking expensive. :(

[chen lung]

I'd like to get that German DVD but imports are so forking expensive. :(
Maybe you could order a few and have combined shipping? Use OFDB (http://www.ofdb.de) to check titles.

Ebay might have it at a cheaper price sometimes.

[littlefuzzy]

After looking in my sack 'o stuff, I still have the Hong Kong 1941 disc, but not the My Lucky Stars...
I think I will hang on to HK1941... It's anamorphic.

[David Rees]

Some of the dvds from Fox have the terrible 5.1 sound remixes but they are good value products if its a title your after....



OUT OF PRINT KUNG FU DVDS CLICK HERE! (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=4&campid=5335817596&toolid=10001&customid=oop+dvd&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fstores.shop.ebay.com%2FOut-Of-Print-Dvds_Martial-Arts-Japanese_W0QQ_fsubZ12075411QQ_sidZ332916921QQ_trks idZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322)

[littlefuzzy]

I picked up a couple of used titles for $4.50 each, but unfortunately they are both the "whooshy" soundtracks (according to the link on page 1) and have dubtitles:
Heart of Dragon and Eastern Condors
I'll give 'em a spin, and see what DVDCompare has to say about other versions before I decide to get rid of 'em.

[kungpowmaster]

Eastern Condors is great. I have a few of the Fotune Star American DVDs, and I think they are top notch.

[WuxiaFan]

Joy Sales/Fortune Star has put out a lot of excellent fu films under their "Legendary Collection" label. All of these DVDs I have purchased have excellent transfers, good subs, and original audio tracks. They're also cheap--usually around $10 or lower depending on where you look. DDDHouse has a good selection of them as well as HKFlix. I have most of Angela Mao's movies from this label.:smile:

[chen lung]

The best version of 'Eastern Condors' is the German Eyecatcher DVD.

The JS/FS Non-Remastered range isn't brilliant. A good number have re-translated subtitles and mono is always there, but the video isn't great looking (not helped by bad conversions). Stuff such as 'Fast Sword' and 'The Challenger' is better from Germany.

Again, OFDB (http://www.ofdb.de) is a great database to check DVDs/VHS, etc for a film.