14 AMAZONS coming 3/23/10!

[WuxiaFan]

The prequel to the SB masterpiece EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER, the equally superb 14 AMAZONS will be released by Funimation Entertainment on 3/23/10. This version will have the English dub, but it doesn't look any special features. Is that too much to ask? :yociexp57:

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/14-Amazons-Shaw-Brothers/dp/B0030ZOYW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1264087971&sr=1-1

HKFlix:
http://www.hkflix.com/xq/asp/filmID.552287/qx/details.htm

[Killer Meteor]

The follow-up to the SB masterpiece EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER, the equally superb 14 AMAZONS will be released by Funimation Entertainment on 3/23/10. This version will have the English dub, but it doesn't look any special features. Is that too much to ask? :yociexp57:

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/14-Amazons-Shaw-Brothers/dp/B0030ZOYW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1264087971&sr=1-1

HKFlix:
http://www.hkflix.com/xq/asp/filmID.552287/qx/details.htm

By followup, does it mean 14 Amazons is based on the same story, because it predates 8 Diagram Pole Fighter by 12 years!

Looking forward to this!

[HAZ]

By followup, does it mean 14 Amazons is based on the same story, because it predates 8 Diagram Pole Fighter by 12 years!

Looking forward to this!

I was kinda befuddled by that "follow-up" comment. Strange.

[Markgway]

Never mind the English dub... let's hope this is the full uncut version.

[Winfred]

The running time of 118 mins is the same as the IVL.:sad:

[KUNG FU BOB]

I was kinda befuddled by that "follow-up" comment. Strange.

They mean in terms of the historical story. This film is about the female Yang clan's adventures after the men were decimated in the events told in EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER.

Never mind the English dub... let's hope this is the full uncut version.

The IVL version has a running time listed at 117 minutes, and the Funmation one (as listed on Amazon) lists a 118 running time. So let's cross our fingers and hope for the best.

[KUNG FU BOB]

The running time of 118 mins is the same as the IVL.:sad:

Whoops! You typed faster than me Winfred.:xd:

Wuxiafan told me that the running time on the IVL- as listed by HKFLIX- was 117. No?

[HAZ]

And there is an uncut print of this on 35mm. Its one of only a handful of prints that Celestial remastered & kept in their possession. I'm sure the print gets moved around the film festival circuit alot. Catch it in the theater when it passes through your towns. I hope the run time is a mistake.

[HAZ]

They mean in terms of the historical story. This film is about the female Yang clan's adventures after the men were decimated in the events told in EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER.


But if it came out first, shouldn't it be billed as a prequel? :bigsmile:

[chen lung]

IVL runs at PAL time, where as if Funimation is genuine NTSC, it'll be longer than that. However, it doesn't tell us much, so you're best contacting them.

I'm really not a fan of the design on the trailer and artwork - I hope it's changed.

[OldPangYau]

IVL runs at PAL time, where as if Funimation is genuine NTSC, it'll be longer than that. However, it doesn't tell us much, so you're best contacting them.

I'm really not a fan of the design on the trailer and artwork - I hope it's changed.

Well, we've yet to figure out if these will follow Media Blasters and Dragon Dynasty in regards to having proper NTSC progressive scan transfers. This is one area I'm a little concerned about, as this could just be another Well Go (using the same PAL to NTSC transfer as IVL)... but probably not nearly as bad as Image.

As for the trailer, it looks like they took the Celestial trailer and added Funimation wraparounds.

We'll see in two months...

[chen lung]

I've been in contact with Rojas a few times. Details are sparse at the minute, but I've recommended what they should do and he's passed it onto their team working on the Shaws. I'm hoping they get in touch really soon (been a fortnight since) as the date's getting closer.

[OldPangYau]

I've been in contact with Rojas a few times. Details are sparse at the minute, but I've recommended what they should do and he's passed it onto their team working on the Shaws. I'm hoping they get in touch really soon (been a fortnight since) as the date's getting closer.

If Media Blasters can make correct transfers, Funimation should be able to just as well. As long as they have the original PAL masters from Celestial to work with and properly convert to NTSC (hell, I've done this myself with some of the French Wild Side SB DVDs), it should be a breeze.

[bobo]

14 AMAZONS--english dub----ohhhh ya.:wink::tongue::bigsmile:

[chen lung]

If Media Blasters can make correct transfers, Funimation should be able to just as well. As long as they have the original PAL masters from Celestial to work with and properly convert to NTSC (hell, I've done this myself with some of the French Wild Side SB DVDs), it should be a breeze.
Yep. As long as they get everything directly from the original format and not converted by Celestial's clowns, then it should be fine. However, I still want to make sure as the promotional trailer looks a little iffy frame-wise (although it's possibly down to the file).

Like some other films, I wonder if Celestial maybe re-did the film with the footage restored, BUT with their frame-cut exercises. Chances are, it could be a wider frame and maybe better looking (although with 'The Heroic Ones (http://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4821)', it's hard to determine what colour scheme is right).

I haven't seen the film, so other people will be more suited to answer. I just wanted for them to make sure they make the best from what's available (re-translated subtitles, no bad conversions or interlacing where there shouldn't be, mono before anything else, seamless branching for a different version, English dub, ensure the correct language).

I do wonder about extras. The original trailer by default, maybe photo galleries, 'Elegant Trails'. Fan-donated materials would be brilliant as well if people were to post anything relevant to each film.

[OldPangYau]

However, I still want to make sure as the promotional trailer looks a little iffy frame-wise (although it's possibly down to the file).

I thought about that, but I think even some of Media Blasters uses of the Celestial trailers were PAL-to-NTSC. I think this also applied to BCI's Opium and the Kung Fu Master, at least the blu-ray.

I dunno, it all seems like a 50/50 coin toss right now.

[Markgway]

I can't remember off hand how much longer the uncut version of 14 Amazons is but it's a lot more than a single minute.

[WuxiaFan]

By followup, does it mean 14 Amazons is based on the same story, because it predates 8 Diagram Pole Fighter by 12 years!

I never noticed that, so thanks for pointing that out, KM! :ooh:

Never mind the English dub... let's hope this is the full uncut version.

It's always fun to watch these with the classic dub! :bigsmile: And yes, I hope its uncut.

They mean in terms of the historical story. This film is about the female Yang clan's adventures after the men were decimated in the events told in EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER.

Thanks KFB! YES, that's what I meant! :wink:

But if it came out first, shouldn't it be billed as a prequel? :bigsmile:

HAZ -- Agree! I've edited my original posting to properly reflect that! I haven't watched 14 AMAZONS right after EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER before, but it would be interesting to watch them in that order to see how the stories flow, especially with the number of years between the two films.

[Winfred]

Oops.....I just remembered that I was the one who submitted the cast list and other info including running time to Amazon when they first listed the DVD on their site. Ditto for Hong Kong Godfather. Please disregard the running time stated at Amazon's site. It may indeed be longer and uncut!

[Winfred]

Funimation's 14 Amazons is indeed longer as Amazon has revised the running time to 123 minutes.

[Killer Meteor]

Funimation's 14 Amazons is indeed longer as Amazon has revised the running time to 123 minutes.

From 118, that may just be NTSC speed but let's wait and see!

[Markgway]

The uncut version runs 122m at 25fps, 128m at 24fps.

[Killer Meteor]

The uncut version runs 122m at 25fps, 128m at 24fps.

Do we actually know what is missing in the present DVD edits?

[HAZ]

I saw it in the theater at 123 min.

http://www.fantasiafestival.com/2007/en/films/film_detail.php?id=217

[KUNG FU BOB]

Funimation's 14 Amazons is indeed longer as Amazon has revised the running time to 123 minutes.

Oh man... my fingers are crossed! Please let this be uncut. :nerd:

[Killer Meteor]

I saw it in the theater at 123 min.

http://www.fantasiafestival.com/2007/en/films/film_detail.php?id=217

That's the DVD version then.

[Buxbaum]

That is what I found on cuts :

http://www.ofdb.de/view.php?page=fassung&fid=22999&vid=157723



So basically frame cuts, a short scene where one of the Amazons falls down a cliff, 1x cut of a bleeding wound and all scenes that were done in slow motion.
All in all about 5 minutes.

[Winfred]

I hope the fighting exercise between Ivy Ling Po & Lily Ho is restored in full. The IVL is missing some frames showing Ivy twirling Lily round & round & round.

[HAZ]

Just curious - How do people rate 14 Amazons? I remember thinking it was cool. I don't think it will hold much appeal to people who aren't die-hard fans already, though.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Haz, I've just tried to watch this film for a third time last weekend. With the cast you'd think it couldn't miss. It's over dramatized and way to self glorifying and does not deliver in the action department, sorry. In short boring. I will keep my IVL copy and probably pick up the R1 release regardless, though. Not trying to disrespect anyone on the thread, just keep trying to check this flick out, and keep taking it out to put another in. I'm disappointed too.

[Winfred]

I keep postponing this reply as I don't want to say the wrong thing. I have sat thru the IVL once but cannot sit through it again. Having said that, I must confess I have favorite scenes that I can watch again and again. Most of these scenes involve Ivy Ling Po. I think she was terrific as Mu Kwei Ying.

[Markgway]

I thought it was a great film.

[sbfan2008]

I have not watched 14 amazons before, but it has one of my favorite actress in there, "Ivy Ling Po" and from reading the description, it sounds interesting enough. so I already pre-ordered from deepdiscount.com !!! I hope it is the unedited version.

[venom10463]

I wonder if Wal-Mart will carry both 14 Amazons and Shaolin Handlock this coming Tuesday. Wal-Mart does carry quite a few of their animation selection and I recall seeing the Death Note movies at Wal-Mart too.

[WaverBoy]

A pity that this will be missing footage because of Celestial's trims. I hate buying titles knowing that existing footage is missing.

[Wolcott]

They mean in terms of the historical story. This film is about the female Yang clan's adventures after the men were decimated in the events told in EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER.

Oh, I had no idea! I'm ashamed to say I've never seen this, but I'll have to now!
Thanks Bob!

[Wheat Thin Man]

Like Shaolin Hand Lock, Best Buy has this on sale for $7.50 right now.

Here's the link:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/The+14+Amazons+-+DVD/9782895.p?id=2076051&skuId=9782895&st=14%20amazons&lp=1&cp=1

[MetalMike666]

I picked this DVD up at Best Buy when it was released ... I'd never seen it but I really enjoyed it (nothing like a Shaw Bros. movie with lots of great females). I do have one problem with the video though. I've never considered myself sensitive to a lot of the video problems I read about (ghosting, DNR, EE, etc.) ... perhaps because I've got a 50" display viewed from 9 feet away. But I noticed throughout this movie many scenes where the focus would pulsate every few seconds ... in focus, out of focus, in focus, out of focus. It only occurred during camera pans/zooms (of which there were many) and I don't know the technical name for this problem, but it really bothered me.

I've picked up 34 Shaw brother DVD's over the past few years (all Celestial remasters) and though the video/audio quality varies, I've never had any issues that bothered me like this. Did I just get a bad copy or is this a known problem with this release. It's my first Shaw Bros. DVD from Funimation, so it's got me nervous about buying any of their other releases. :confused:

Oh, and I'm using an Oppo BDP-83 so I don't think it's related to my player.

[chen lung]

I've picked up 34 Shaw brother DVD's over the past few years (all Celestial remasters) and though the video/audio quality varies, I've never had any issues that bothered me like this. Did I just get a bad copy or is this a known problem with this release. It's my first Shaw Bros. DVD from Funimation, so it's got me nervous about buying any of their other releases. :confused:
It's most likely it was poorly compressed - not optimised for scenes where careful compression is needed for heavy movement.

Poorly converted transfer and made-up subtitles are the reason I've not purchased it.

[WuxiaFan]

Oh, and I'm using an Oppo BDP-83 so I don't think it's related to my player.

You have an awesome DVD player. Agree with chen lung, it's definitely the disc. Funimation does do an excellent job with anime, however. :squigglemouth: