Korean version of Tower of Death... new findings?

OldPangYau · 11-05-2009, 03:51 AM

*Tower of Death spoilers ahead*

Hey, for a while I've seen and read things about the Korean cut of Tower of Death. For the longest time, I figured it just had the extended Hwang Jang Lee sword form plus the "nunchaku scene", and those were the only differences... at least, those were the two videos that FREQUENTLY appeared on YouTube. But, I found this little nugget on YouTube...

This obviously COMPLETELY changes the overall plot of the film. The Tower of Death/Game of Death II that we all know and *smirk* love deals with the "Bruce Lee" character, Billy Lo/Lee Chen-chiang trying to find out why Chin Ku died, only for himself to end up killed by falling from the getaway helicopter. Then Bobby Lo/Lee Chen-kuo steps in to avenge his brother. Of course, Kim Tai Jong plays both parts. However, judging by this version, he only plays one role, as a completely different character dies from the helicopter incident. Obviously the whole brother plot seems absent in this version altogether, drastically altering the events of the film.

All this being said, has anyone else seen this version in full?

The Dragon · 11-05-2009, 03:18 PM

The director Ng See Yuen felt that the US relese couldn't stand more of the cut-a-ways, and the fact Lee wasn't in as much footage as originally stated, so, he changed the plot, for the US release. It was written as the "Bruce Lee" character's story, beginning to end. That's where all the ETD outtakes would be used. The story is actually better here, however, all the Bruce cuts in the Tong Long sequences give the film a rough broken rhythm. They should have made the film, "starring Tong Long, in the part written for Lee."

David Rees · 11-05-2009, 04:00 PM

No matter what version, its one of those films where you fast forward to the impressive fight scenes.....apparently Ng See Yuen was originally promised loads of unseen Lee footage to use but Raymond Chow changed his mind....

www.dvdasia.co.uk..Free UK delivery

OldPangYau · 11-05-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dragon

The director Ng See Yuen felt that the US relese couldn't stand more of the cut-a-ways, and the fact Lee wasn't in as much footage as originally stated, so, he changed the plot, for the US release. It was written as the "Bruce Lee" character's story, beginning to end. That's where all the ETD outtakes would be used. The story is actually better here, however, all the Bruce cuts in the Tong Long sequences give the film a rough broken rhythm. They should have made the film, "starring Tong Long, in the part written for Lee."

Yeah, I read that it was indeed supposed to originally be Game of Death II, as more GOD footage was promised that never showed up. All they had was extra ETD footage.

So, from what I can gather, this Korean cut is basically a glorified workprint without Bruce Lee footage. I'm guessing that the revenge plot in this version now deals with the "denim guy" who fell from the helicopter. This also makes more sense as he pretty much has no real point in the current cuts of the film. It'd be amazing if a film print of this cut still existed. Would Golden Harvest (through Fortune Star) have a print of this cut, or just the Korean distributor?

Either way, I'd at least be happy with a DVD-R of the Korean full screen VHS

Markgway · 11-05-2009, 11:59 PM

Trashy, yet peculiarly interesting film. Not good, mind, just interesting.

I've always wondered who denim dude was? He must have more scenes in the Korean version (and the only reason he's visible at all in the HK and international prints is because they needed the shots of "Bruce" at the funeral).

Sounds like this might actually be a superior cut.

I don't think the changes were made exclusively for the Americans; the Cantonese print also has Kim Tae-Jong play two parts. How do they explain the differences in Kim's appearence and hair length in the Korean version, I wonder? Short hair, then long. Blue suit is worn in numerous scenes, then it's never seen again once Kim becomes Bruce's brother.

The film was released in Korea a year before it came out in HK so there was plenty of time for re-editing.

OldPangYau · 11-06-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markgway

The film was released in Korea a year before it came out in HK so there was plenty of time for re-editing.

Not to mention reshoots. After all, they needed to shoot footage of Kim Tai Jong running after the getaway helicopter taking the coffin to change the story (notice the majority of the outdoor funeral footage is shot on an overcast day, while the shots of Kim Tai Jong running after the coffin are on a sunny day).

Also, from what I've seen on YouTube, the opening credits, while different, are all in Chinese... no Korean text to be found. So I really do wonder if this was just a Korean dubbed workprint cut, and then Ng See Yuen and co went to work revamping it.

And yeah, a major cheese fest... but with damn good fight scenes. The only thing better than a cheesy martial arts film, is one that has great fight scenes on top of it. Praise Woo Ping!

Markgway · 11-06-2009, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPangYau

Not to mention reshoots. After all, they needed to shoot footage of Kim Tai Jong running after the getaway helicopter taking the coffin to change the story (notice the majority of the outdoor funeral footage is shot on an overcast day, while the shots of Kim Tai Jong running after the coffin are on a sunny day).

The additional Chinese footage was probably shot in Hong Kong with little care taken to match it to the Korean footage.

Quote:

Also, from what I've seen on YouTube, the opening credits, while different, are all in Chinese... no Korean text to be found. So I really do wonder if this was just a Korean dubbed workprint cut, and then Ng See Yuen and co went to work revamping it.

Could be... I haven't seen the Korean cut, only clips. Might be that the Korean version uses Chinese script though... sometimes you see that on their posters with the Korean script alongside or underneath.

Quote:

And yeah, a major cheese fest... but with damn good fight scenes. The only thing better than a cheesy martial arts film, is one that has great fight scenes on top of it. Praise Woo Ping!

Yeah, fine action from The Yuen Clan.

OldPangYau · 11-06-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markgway

Could be... I haven't seen the Korean cut, only clips. Might be that the Korean version uses Chinese script though... sometimes you see that on their posters with the Korean script alongside or underneath.

True, I've noticed this as well... but I would've at least expected Chinese and Korean text together in the credits, similar to seeing Chinese and English credits together in Hong Kong prints of films.

I think Falkor's Rare Kung Fu Movies site has this print, but checking the site again, the Tower of Death page seems missing... at least checking from the Hwang Jang Lee page.

sifu iron perm · 11-06-2009, 06:25 AM

I need this Korean version in my life!!

Killer Meteor · 11-07-2009, 12:11 PM

That's really cool to see! Notice how Denim Dude lets go whilst "Bruce" has to be shot down with a poison dart!

Interesting to see the music is the same as the HK version - ie. swiped from Les Baxter's score to The Dunwich Horror.

Kim Tae Chong looks a lot more like Bruce here then he does as "Bobby Lo", who looked more like a pre-surgery Jackie Chan...maybe that was deliberate too?

11-05-2009, 03:51 AM	#1
OldPangYau Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 504	Korean version of Tower of Death... new findings? Tower of Death spoilers ahead Hey, for a while I've seen and read things about the Korean cut of Tower of Death. For the longest time, I figured it just had the extended Hwang Jang Lee sword form plus the "nunchaku scene", and those were the only differences... at least, those were the two videos that FREQUENTLY appeared on YouTube. But, I found this little nugget on YouTube... This obviously COMPLETELY changes the overall plot of the film. The Tower of Death/Game of Death II that we all know and smirk love deals with the "Bruce Lee" character, Billy Lo/Lee Chen-chiang trying to find out why Chin Ku died, only for himself to end up killed by falling from the getaway helicopter. Then Bobby Lo/Lee Chen-kuo steps in to avenge his brother. Of course, Kim Tai Jong plays both parts. However, judging by this version, he only plays one role, as a completely different character dies from the helicopter incident. Obviously the whole brother plot seems absent in this version altogether, drastically altering the events of the film. All this being said, has anyone else seen this version in full?

11-05-2009, 03:18 PM	#2
The Dragon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago, Il. Posts: 1,979	The director Ng See Yuen felt that the US relese couldn't stand more of the cut-a-ways, and the fact Lee wasn't in as much footage as originally stated, so, he changed the plot, for the US release. It was written as the "Bruce Lee" character's story, beginning to end. That's where all the ETD outtakes would be used. The story is actually better here, however, all the Bruce cuts in the Tong Long sequences give the film a rough broken rhythm. They should have made the film, "starring Tong Long, in the part written for Lee." __________________ "Guns!... Now why doesn't somebody just pull out a .45, and, Bang! settle it?"

11-05-2009, 11:59 PM	#5
Markgway Master Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,833	Trashy, yet peculiarly interesting film. Not good, mind, just interesting. I've always wondered who denim dude was? He must have more scenes in the Korean version (and the only reason he's visible at all in the HK and international prints is because they needed the shots of "Bruce" at the funeral). Sounds like this might actually be a superior cut. I don't think the changes were made exclusively for the Americans; the Cantonese print also has Kim Tae-Jong play two parts. How do they explain the differences in Kim's appearence and hair length in the Korean version, I wonder? Short hair, then long. Blue suit is worn in numerous scenes, then it's never seen again once Kim becomes Bruce's brother. The film was released in Korea a year before it came out in HK so there was plenty of time for re-editing. __________________ Kowloon: Remember for the future: I can beat very good!!! I'm an action man.

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11-05-2009, 04:00 PM	#3
David Rees Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 490	No matter what version, its one of those films where you fast forward to the impressive fight scenes.....apparently Ng See Yuen was originally promised loads of unseen Lee footage to use but Raymond Chow changed his mind.... www.dvdasia.co.uk..Free UK delivery

11-06-2009, 06:25 AM	#9
sifu iron perm Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 78	I need this Korean version in my life!!

11-07-2009, 12:11 PM	#10
Killer Meteor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 842	That's really cool to see! Notice how Denim Dude lets go whilst "Bruce" has to be shot down with a poison dart! Interesting to see the music is the same as the HK version - ie. swiped from Les Baxter's score to The Dunwich Horror. Kim Tae Chong looks a lot more like Bruce here then he does as "Bobby Lo", who looked more like a pre-surgery Jackie Chan...maybe that was deliberate too?