Kung Fu Hustle Region One Cuts (US - )
Gabe looks at some of the edits made to Stephen Chow's hit action-packed film
By now most fans know the unfortunate plight of Stephen Chow's facetious masterpiece Shaolin Soccer after US distributor Miramax got their hands on it. I can still remember sitting in a darkened theatre watching that dreadfully dubbed trailer, complete with its digital underwear and an impossible 'PG' rating. I leaned over to my friend sitting beside me and exclaimed quietly, "They f@%ked it all up, I can tell". Honestly, I never bothered seeing that cut, and apparently nobody else did either, as it seemed to take another year to find release only to deflate immediately at the American box office.
Of course this wasn't Miramax’s first offensive deconstructing of a brilliant Asian film, heck, they even managed to mangle some bad ones. Most of Jet Li's best films have been gutted in one form or another for their various video releases, and Mr. Quentin Tarantino himself had to save not one, but two Kung Fu epics from unfortunate edits and permanent public obscurity ( Iron Monkey and Hero). The fact of the matter is that most wide release foreign films are altered by their releasing studio, one exception being Sony Picture Classics uncut/undubbed release of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a decision that was well rewarded with both awards and cash. Even the recent US release of House of Flying Daggers was censored in favour of a 'PG-13' rating.
When Sony Picture Classics released Kung Fu Hustle in American theatres this year, most fans were relieved by the presence of an 'R' rating under the marquee. Though the film wasn't exactly ultra-violent, the original release was strong enough to garner the rating. Then the accusations of alterations and edits began to flood in.
Why would Sony edit an 'R' rated release? The most likely answer is that they were aiming for a PG-13 and didn't get it even after a few self induced cuts. Why would they leave the cuts in the final release even after receiving their 'R' rating? God only knows.
Here I have assembled the differences I found between the region three release (uncut) and the newer region one release (cut). This is by no means an exhaustive effort, and I’ve a feeling there are a couple snips I may have missed, but it still offers a glimpse of the inane effort put into altering the film for a more child-friendly rating.
Warning: Spoilers
Changes
After a heated fight, the landlady throws her husband out of their top story window. After he hits the ground she drops a potted plant on his head. There is a pause, then blood pools from his noggin. Note the brighter colours of the Hong Kong version. The region one release has a more even look, but the colours are muted.
During his initial confrontation with the people of Pig Sty Alley, Sing dares a middle-aged woman to punch him in the stomach. Her surprisingly powerful blow causes him to spit blood. The region one version digitally removes the blood that actually comes out of his mouth. It only lasts a split second, and was almost impossible to get a good cap of, but here's my best representation. Note the dribble on Chow's bottom lip. Also note the clarity of the Hong Kong image, the general blurriness of the region one release is unquestionable here.
After the punch Chow cuts to the woman's face, now slathered in Sings blood. The region one release cuts to a different shot of a bloodless face, obviously from an earlier shot judging from the background extra’s placements. The woman speaks back to Sing in the region one version, in the uncut version she looks at him, frowns, and walks away.
Later, before the malevolent musicians attack the three masters, there is an expansive crane shot that moves gracefully throughout the Alley set. One resident can be seen doing something in the bathroom area that one would normally do in a bathroom area: taking a dump. Apparently Sony thought human waste would be deemed offensive here in the states, so they removed it. Note the colour difference again.
Cuts
During his unfortunate run in with The Beast, Sing is beaten to a bloody pulp. After the first punch, which rips his shirt, he spits a fountain of blood.
Then the Beast tosses him into the air and kicks him into the floor. This shot remains, as do a few of the punches made directly to Sing's face. What is cut though is a lingering shot of the Beast's bloody knuckles.
These edits are the most obvious and make the biggest difference in the perspective rating, mostly due to their tone. I'd say a fist that bloody would probably constitute an R, especially when it stands as one of the only laugh-less scenes of violence in the entire film.
So there you have it. Though none of these cuts ruin the film, they still represent an upsetting trend of studios pre-sanitizing entertainment for theatrical releasing. This is a small case, and I don’t see Sony releasing an ‘unrated’ version of Kung Fu Hustle any time soon, but it still remains a symptom of a larger problem. I'd recommend the uncut version anyway, specifically the new Hong Kong Special Edition. If any readers happen to have noticed an edit I missed, I’d like hear about it. Either e-mail me or leave a comment below. Thank you.
Editorial by Gabriel Powers
Of course this wasn't Miramax’s first offensive deconstructing of a brilliant Asian film, heck, they even managed to mangle some bad ones. Most of Jet Li's best films have been gutted in one form or another for their various video releases, and Mr. Quentin Tarantino himself had to save not one, but two Kung Fu epics from unfortunate edits and permanent public obscurity ( Iron Monkey and Hero). The fact of the matter is that most wide release foreign films are altered by their releasing studio, one exception being Sony Picture Classics uncut/undubbed release of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a decision that was well rewarded with both awards and cash. Even the recent US release of House of Flying Daggers was censored in favour of a 'PG-13' rating.
When Sony Picture Classics released Kung Fu Hustle in American theatres this year, most fans were relieved by the presence of an 'R' rating under the marquee. Though the film wasn't exactly ultra-violent, the original release was strong enough to garner the rating. Then the accusations of alterations and edits began to flood in.
Why would Sony edit an 'R' rated release? The most likely answer is that they were aiming for a PG-13 and didn't get it even after a few self induced cuts. Why would they leave the cuts in the final release even after receiving their 'R' rating? God only knows.
Here I have assembled the differences I found between the region three release (uncut) and the newer region one release (cut). This is by no means an exhaustive effort, and I’ve a feeling there are a couple snips I may have missed, but it still offers a glimpse of the inane effort put into altering the film for a more child-friendly rating.
Warning: Spoilers
Changes
After a heated fight, the landlady throws her husband out of their top story window. After he hits the ground she drops a potted plant on his head. There is a pause, then blood pools from his noggin. Note the brighter colours of the Hong Kong version. The region one release has a more even look, but the colours are muted.
During his initial confrontation with the people of Pig Sty Alley, Sing dares a middle-aged woman to punch him in the stomach. Her surprisingly powerful blow causes him to spit blood. The region one version digitally removes the blood that actually comes out of his mouth. It only lasts a split second, and was almost impossible to get a good cap of, but here's my best representation. Note the dribble on Chow's bottom lip. Also note the clarity of the Hong Kong image, the general blurriness of the region one release is unquestionable here.
After the punch Chow cuts to the woman's face, now slathered in Sings blood. The region one release cuts to a different shot of a bloodless face, obviously from an earlier shot judging from the background extra’s placements. The woman speaks back to Sing in the region one version, in the uncut version she looks at him, frowns, and walks away.
Later, before the malevolent musicians attack the three masters, there is an expansive crane shot that moves gracefully throughout the Alley set. One resident can be seen doing something in the bathroom area that one would normally do in a bathroom area: taking a dump. Apparently Sony thought human waste would be deemed offensive here in the states, so they removed it. Note the colour difference again.
Cuts
During his unfortunate run in with The Beast, Sing is beaten to a bloody pulp. After the first punch, which rips his shirt, he spits a fountain of blood.
Then the Beast tosses him into the air and kicks him into the floor. This shot remains, as do a few of the punches made directly to Sing's face. What is cut though is a lingering shot of the Beast's bloody knuckles.
These edits are the most obvious and make the biggest difference in the perspective rating, mostly due to their tone. I'd say a fist that bloody would probably constitute an R, especially when it stands as one of the only laugh-less scenes of violence in the entire film.
Conclusions
So there you have it. Though none of these cuts ruin the film, they still represent an upsetting trend of studios pre-sanitizing entertainment for theatrical releasing. This is a small case, and I don’t see Sony releasing an ‘unrated’ version of Kung Fu Hustle any time soon, but it still remains a symptom of a larger problem. I'd recommend the uncut version anyway, specifically the new Hong Kong Special Edition. If any readers happen to have noticed an edit I missed, I’d like hear about it. Either e-mail me or leave a comment below. Thank you.
Editorial by Gabriel Powers
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Great stuff Gabe! As mentioned before, dvdcompare is a great site for this type of thing, also, for cuts down under (region 4 that is) try Michael DVD's references or Rod Williams site.
Quite simply, if you want a movie in it's entirity then do your research for the best version!
Quite simply, if you want a movie in it's entirity then do your research for the best version!
Yea I guess so, never really dabbled in different region DVDs. There's always a time to start eh?
Or buy the HK R3?
Just saw this film on dvd in aus, glad to say the film contained all the scenes mentioned. Can't remember the poo though.
Does any one know of any plans to release the directors cut of Hero, other than the R3 one, if not i'll have to bite the bullet and pick up the R4 version.
Does any one know of any plans to release the directors cut of Hero, other than the R3 one, if not i'll have to bite the bullet and pick up the R4 version.
Probably in our forum, as I posted about it when I saw it theatrically (as that version was cut from what I remember).
Maybe I should put a more obvious link to our reviews at the top of the article. Thanks for the QC Chris. The one cut I admit I missed was the poo one, I can't remeber where I read it though, or I'd have credited the site.
Yeah, I know, I was just trying to get him to read my review 
I hang out in the DVDCompare forums a fair bit (and submit quite a few comparisons). It's a good site.
I hang out in the DVDCompare forums a fair bit (and submit quite a few comparisons). It's a good site.
Editing and cutting of films in any way REALLY annoys me!! I detest how studios or organisations like the BBFC can decide what we the viewing public should and should not see! What gives them the right to make that decision? Studios are editing more and more films in stupid ways (such as kung fu hustle) in order for them to get a lower rating and therefore giving more peopple the chance to go to the cinema and buy the film when it's released just to increase revenue. As if they don't make enough money anyway.
Thankfully in this case i'm not bothered as I thought this film SUCKED big time!! The funniest parts were all in the trailer! But i've never been a fan of unrealistic martial arts films. Didn't like Hero, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon or House of Flying Daggers. However my point about editing still stands. I hate it and it shouldn't be used (even on films I don't like).
On a side note a brilliant website I use alot is:
http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/
type in a film and it brings up all the different regions with any cuts made. Also shows what sound, picture, special features etc are on each region. So in this case and in answer to James Tully's question, the UK version of Kung Fu Hustle is uncut.
Thankfully in this case i'm not bothered as I thought this film SUCKED big time!! The funniest parts were all in the trailer! But i've never been a fan of unrealistic martial arts films. Didn't like Hero, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon or House of Flying Daggers. However my point about editing still stands. I hate it and it shouldn't be used (even on films I don't like).
On a side note a brilliant website I use alot is:
http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/
type in a film and it brings up all the different regions with any cuts made. Also shows what sound, picture, special features etc are on each region. So in this case and in answer to James Tully's question, the UK version of Kung Fu Hustle is uncut.
If you read my review of the region two disc (linked at the bottom of the article) you can find out! One of the original hong Kong discs was cut, but the SE that I have isn't. I'm currently doing a similar article to this one about the recent Fantastic Four DVD.
As far as I know only the US release was cut/digitally altered. Hong Kong may have had a slightly cut version at one point but that was replaced by some nice special editions.
Thanks for pointing this out - I didnt know it was cut.
Do you know if the UK R2 version is cut as well. The film recieved a 15 cert in the UK.
Do you know if the UK R2 version is cut as well. The film recieved a 15 cert in the UK.
That's what I've always liked about DVD, if your own country messes up a release, you can simply order a proper version from elsewhere and for cheaper.
Good job Gabe. How did you like the film?
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