Red Cliff International Version - Part I & Part II [Blu-ray]

As the headline pretty much states, this is one of my first purchases of a Chinese Cinematic film. I ordered the 'original' full length International Version on Blu-Ray (Parts 1 and 2). The Blu-Ray Discs both played / read verified without any errors encountered on my end. The discs hold VC-1 encoded 1080p video at 33.5Mbps, and sport a DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track at 3.8Mbps, as well as a DTS 5.1 audio track at 1.5Mbps both in Mandarin, all of which deliver a great visual and audio experience.The audio is clear, has great dynamic range, and only during a few small moments of the entire set of movies would I criticize the mixing as needing some work due to some reverb or tonal issues, or some dubbing of the Mandarin track (presumably to make a correction). Battles are loud, punchy, and clear. Ambient scenes are quiet and portray soft sounds with clarity, although one could argue that further ambience during these scenes, especially in the temples, would be desirable. Dialog is clear and at no point did I feel it was hard to comprehend the cast or their spoken tones. The video transfer from film is overall good. Some scenes present more film grain / noise than others which reduces clarity, and I mostly noticed this during the night scenes in the Temples, where visual detail is harder to accomplish. The grain was never an issue during battles or where many characters are in frame, with a sharp, clean picture being maintained. The CGI is clear and well done, with the only minor flaw I noticed being at the opening credits for the movie, where the cloud background for the sword appeared to have a texture resolution/scaling issue resulting in some imperfections for a few brief moments. At no point did I experience issues with audio/video sync. Based on what I see here, a transfer to 4K Blu-Ray would be great but may not be possible without a lot of up-scaling work, but regardless, the 1080p you get on the Blu-Rays is great.The discs include English and Spanish subtitles, however no subtitles in Simplified or Traditional Chinese, which I find a bit odd given the origin of the movie. The discs somehow ended up with two different English subtitle options which appear identical to each other. Perhaps the extra English subtitle option should've been Chinese? The CGI introduction to the film, as well as the credits, appear to be re-renders from what was presented in the Asian market, in order to provide English translations and to add Copyright information pertaining to the United States. During the film, important elements portrayed by Chinese text where a camera composite is the primary source rather than CGI, subtitles are used to provide a translation in order to preserve the original look. Subtitles are also provided in the closing credits to the music being sung. Subtitles appear to be translated accurately and contextually.Be aware, there are multiple versions of this film. The CORRECT version to watch is the 5 hour two part International version with the Mandarin audio. There is a 2.5 hour condensed version available for the US market. It is often available for free (at yucky 360p) on ad supported streaming like YouTube, and that's about where I'm going to leave it. The condensed version has many problems including the removal of many establishing story elements, as well as some battle elements, and results in an incoherent movie with more cannon fodder and less plot armor. For the versions of this movie with English dubbed audio, the dialog while generally accurate, doesn't have the same charm as what was originally intended, so I'd recommend also skipping that and listening to the Mandarin track, whether or not you actually understand it. At 360p, so much detail in this movie is missing, from sword and building design, to costume, it is unwatchable, so just get the Blu-Ray and enjoy the movie in full quality. There's a lot to see.The film's story is based upon the novel 'Romances of the Three Kingdoms' and includes many elements of historical context, with the characters resembling actual figures in Chinese history - for example, the prominent villain Cao Cao. One can also argue this is a film resembling the video game series Dynasty Warriors, full of hack and slash battles. This film conceivably borrows concepts from all but establishes its own story/fantasies in such a way that I wouldn't personally, directly compare it to those works. This movie makes heavy use of concepts in Chinese Wuxia, yes, this contributes to some of the silly and unrealistic moments seen during battles. This is more or less a distinct charm of Chinese fantasy movies and drama.Some scenes and battles are drawn out for sure, and could be condensed in order to give the movie's runtime to further developments in the plot or characters. At the same time, when one considers the market this movie was originally conceived for, as well as the intent to express epic scales or deep emotions, the brilliance starts to emerge. The movie does require an "in between the lines" view of the plot which it provides time for, as well as a good understanding of Chinese culture, superstitions, and history to fully appreciate. For example, the meaning of the bird and its actions when Emperor Han is introduced; the meaning of life, care, birth, and nature in Chinese culture; the ancient systems of laws and lands; the art of war; the elements of drama and folklore; the rule of honor. The movie won't explain these concepts, and that seems to be where some of the criticism is also falling into place.At the end of the day, a great, well-produced movie that I recommend watching with an open mind. The characters and story are memorable. There needs to be more movies of this genre and quality out there.

Got this for my husband as a gift and he was SO pleased. He’s a huge lover of this film and not the Americanized version. If you’re looking for the legitimate international version, this is it!

Red Cliff may well be rated as among the all time best films! I say this knowing that some may see my words as over the top hyperbole. But, I feel that they are not. I am sincere. I have enjoyed film from the earliest memories of my youth harking back to the days of Burt Lancaster as the great crimson pirateand those spectacular actions sequences, after seeing them we would be pumped up for days on a visceral high. Ah, the magic of film! Later came an appetite for differing genres always looking to see who would bring something new to the screen and utilizing the elements at hand to combine so many art forms under one canopy. Acting, directing and so very very much more, editing, sound, set design, costume, score so many elements that combine to make this art form unique to all others. Once in every generation someone manages a masterpiece under the watchful eye of a skillful and gifted director all the elements combine in near perfect union to form a masterpiece!!In my humble opinion John Woo has managed to do this to a most awe inspiring and mind boggling degree with Red Cliff and well deserves to take a rightful place with Red Cliff alongside the likes of Sergei Eisenstein (Potemkin), Orson Wells (Citizen Kane), Akira Kurosawa and his many brilliant filmssuch as seven Samurai, Francis Coppola (Godfather part II and Part I). Each of these Masters has brought something new and vital to the medium. sometimes shocking and always transformative. I do believe that Red Cliff and John Woo fit well in such esteemed company. Once again someone has altered the terrain for serious lovers of the medium and expanded it far beyond what I and others ever dreamed it could or would be.As a child I grew up with film at the age of 12 I was allowed by the curator of The George Eastman Museum of Photography to make the weekly film selections to be shown at the Dryden Theater. This was an enormous privilege and each choice had to be defended (the Eastman House has one of the largest collections of early film in the world ). This film brought me back to the days of magic!!! I am speaking of the full length version which includes part I and par II running just under five hours (288 mins). I think that within an hour after this movie ended I had said everything that could be said about it. Yes, I was pumped: a man of 60 going on like a child on Christmas Eve. Thank you John Woo and thank you for the enormous talents behind this film, the actors, builders, stunts, edits, special effects, and writers who took me on a journey through the complexities of human nature finding ways to communicate what up until now seemed only possible through music and poetry. Complex: yes. I would hope that any reading this would have some familiarity with the subject matter of this film.What I would like to accomplish with this review of sorts is to convey to you how monumental this film is, not only in the crafted battle scenes but in getting those who might pass on a chance to view this amazing film. Some may pass seeing it as no more than a giant well choreographed martial arts film ( not that there is anything wrong with that ). But, this is every bit as much about the complexities of the human spirit and the capacity for love as it is about the horrors of war and yes sometimes the necessity of war. How transformative and noble we as humans can be when confronted with the often harsh realities of life. Yes, war is sometimes unavoidable and the cost beyond any single person's ability to fully grasp. And yet at such times as those the spirit of humanity often fully engages lifting us all to a new plateau built upon the courage and sacrifice of those who understand that the great wonders accomplished by mankind are seldom born of servitude but, rather of free peoples who aspire to peace. Understanding that it all comes at a price.If I may interject a note here as an aside ( I fear that we here in the US are far to removed from the horrors of war that the burden is not properly shared and so to many unknown. I do not think this to be a good thing. ) .I have glossed over the entertainment value of this film in an attempt to cast a bit of light on the depth of consciousness in this Masterpiece. Was it entertaining? More than anything I have seen in many years. The writing, edit, direction and superb acting from nuisance to full throttle adrenaline rush are all here. There are moments of humor, martial arts, glory, and effects second to none including intrigue. It is all here. Watch this on any level you choose and you will find the spirit of this movie will linger. It is a cheer to the hearts and minds free peoples and the best that we have to offer and it is gut wrenching in the catastrophe that is war. I somehow in my head have likened it to Lord of the Rings which is also very much a look at valor in many ways from differing vantage points punctuated by brilliant characters and story.Please, please watch this amazing film. I would love to continue but find that to do so might distract given that it is far from being as articulate as I would like this piece to be. It is however from my heart, a most amazing and wonderful film.