Question:
Brought Hard Boiled on DVD the Tartan Video release all though the transfer was anamorphic it was a little dark. Is there a better release out now or a better one going to be released in the future?
R1 Fox release seems to be the best.
Non-anamorphic but a better transfer than the Tartan release regardless.
It was released by Fox Lorber/Winstar actually and it used the same transfer as the criterion edition. It is a bit too bright but you can see a lot more detail than on the Tartan version and it doesn't have burnt it subtitles. Unfortunately this version is now out of print and a new version will be released by Buena Vista soon. The reports I've read about it say that this new DVD will be a cut version and dubbed so it seems you're out of luck.
There is no "decent" version of hard Boiled. As you say the Tartan is a bit dark and it has burned-in subtitles. The Fox Lorber and Criterion are better, but non-anamorphic.
Maybe oneday we will get a decent copy, until then I'll stick with my Fox Lorber version.
did anyone see the version on Ch4 earlier this year ?
how is that transfer compared to the DVDs ?
If you understand Cantonese or can read French then i'd say wait for the September HKVideo release in France as thats sure to contain the best transfer yet seen on DVD. Extras look pretty good too.
Details here - http://www.dvdrama.net/news.php?5128
If of course you watch DVDs via your PC then you should be able to remove the forced French Subtitles and use a timed script that will no doubt be available not long after this release (if they're not already available).
dave.
Answers:
R1 Fox release seems to be the best.
Non-anamorphic but a better transfer than the Tartan release regardless.
Answers:
It was released by Fox Lorber/Winstar actually and it used the same transfer as the criterion edition. It is a bit too bright but you can see a lot more detail than on the Tartan version and it doesn't have burnt it subtitles. Unfortunately this version is now out of print and a new version will be released by Buena Vista soon. The reports I've read about it say that this new DVD will be a cut version and dubbed so it seems you're out of luck.
Answers:
There is no "decent" version of hard Boiled. As you say the Tartan is a bit dark and it has burned-in subtitles. The Fox Lorber and Criterion are better, but non-anamorphic.
Maybe oneday we will get a decent copy, until then I'll stick with my Fox Lorber version.
Answers:
did anyone see the version on Ch4 earlier this year ?
how is that transfer compared to the DVDs ?
Answers:
If you understand Cantonese or can read French then i'd say wait for the September HKVideo release in France as thats sure to contain the best transfer yet seen on DVD. Extras look pretty good too.
Details here - http://www.dvdrama.net/news.php?5128
If of course you watch DVDs via your PC then you should be able to remove the forced French Subtitles and use a timed script that will no doubt be available not long after this release (if they're not already available).
dave.
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