This DVD release of Lo Wei’s urban actioner BACK ALLEY PRINCESS, starring Polly Shang-Kwan and Angela Mao, is from mainland Chinese distributor WA and has long been out of print. This brief disc review is presented for informational purposes, particularly as it’s one of the only DVD versions of the movie ever released. A more recent VCD version from Hong Kong distrib Joy Sales was released in 2007.

WA is a budget distrib and their disc is barebones with no extras. Although the film includes optional English subtitles (with minor errors), cover art and all menus are in Chinese only. The case is non-standard, clear plastic with sharp corners and a hinge, like a CD case.

The print is widescreen but not presented in the 16:9 format. Additionally, the print has been cropped and the actual picture is approximately only a 2:19 aspect ratio. The opening credits are full screen, suggesting a little cut and paste work between different source versions of the movie.

Image quality is poor even though the source print appears to be in good condition. Image resolution is low. There is ghosting, minor speckling and some vertical lines. Original Mandarin audio sounds crisp but an unnatural echo can be heard. This is a common problem with Mandarin dubs. They often sound clearer but also sound like the actors are sitting in a recording booth for the duration of the movie. A Cantonese track would be more appropriate given the film subject.

• Format: Region 0 NTSC DVD
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Widescreen (2.35:1)
• Audio: Mandarin 5.1
• Subtitles: English, Chinese
• Length: 122 minutes
• Release Date: na

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