Deaf-mute Heroine Special Edition DVD project

[Guest falkor]

At rarekungfumovies.com, we are currently working on subtitling DEAF AND MUTE HEROINE, a swordplay classic, directed by Wu Ma!

Allow me to explain a bit more about the project... It's based mainly on the excellent quality widescreen German version with four inserted scenes from the fullscreen subtitled version (released in the States) forming a virtually uncut hybrid.

We are adding optional/removeable English subtitles based on the afforementioned fullscreen print--aided greatly by a recent showing at Southbank, London--our third source print for this project. This particular print is not available on home video, but by taking notes on it, we've been able to fill in some missing gaps in the script, ie. the longer lines of subs cropped in the fullscreen presentation; for example:

Visible in fullscreen presentation

<!--EZCODE LIST START--><ul><li>te has been there for the past</li><li>r's waiting for me at home. Let</li><li>in'll provide for the debts and</li></ul><!--EZCODE LIST END-->

Actual lines noted from the theatre

<!--EZCODE LIST START--><ul><li>No mute has been there for the past few months</li><li>Dinner's waiting for me at home. Let me go?</li><li>The gain'll provide for the debts and wedding</li></ul><!--EZCODE LIST END-->

Bold = completed.

*Convert both Chinese and German sources to 16:9 PAL (the fullscreen Chinese print is already anamorphic for this ratio).

*Normalise sound on both prints.

*Synchronise the new transfer of the Chinese print with better quality audio from the old print (the new transfer has stereo issues).edit: all transfers of the Chinese print have identical sound problems unfortunately.

*Combine typed/translated subtitle texts into one compatible script (thanks to Felix and Toby for the translations).

*Process subtitles:

-Spelling

-Smart Line Adjust

-Maximise Durations

-Fix any remaining OCR errors.

*Synchronise subs onto German print.

*Insert additional scenes from the Chinese print into German print and re-adjust subtitles, adding extra lines for the extra scenes.

*Author DVD/menus.

DEAF AND MUTE HEROINE: Comparison Of Versions And Cuts

Widescreen German = 1:32

Fullscreen Chinese = 1:23

OMG, initial analysis of both prints reveals that the Chinese version jumps 15 minutes into the movie(!), skipping important introduction footage present in the German version--includes the "reeds and mud" fight mentioned in one of the reviews*. The fact that this footage is over 9 minutes long (difference in time between the 2 prints) means the longer German print itself must be missing atleast 6 minutes for a combined uncut running time of about a 100 minutes. Perhaps we can get one of the German fellas to help out with the first 15 minutes.

*The reviewer must have had access to a far superior print than any of us have seen.

Edit: there's another smaller scene deleted from the Chinese print when Tang Ching arrives late for work and speaks briefly with the foreman.

Edit: there's a tiny jump cut in the German print when Wei Ping Au and Miss Liu put their dominoes down onto the casino table with a couple of negative comments from Wei.

Edit: another small scene cut from German print:

I trust my many followers will,

I'm just sending extra searchers

Why aren't you off yet?

Let's go!

Now you've come, don't worry, Mr. Ma

I'll find the mute girl within 3 days

3 days are long enough

Hu Chi!

Let's celebrate Mr. Ma's arrival

Edit: 2 minutes cut from German print between penultimate and end fight, including the flashback fight scene with "Reflex Swordsman" Ma.

Edit: Final cut in German print: during the end fight on a beach, Heroine and Ma are back to back, Heroine backflips and the two grapple. Both swords get flung high into the air and both fighters perform kung fu jumps (Heroine travels over Ma!) before catching their swords. They continue to spar, and the heroine falls down into a puddle. Ma proceeds to flick sand into her eyes using his sword. Both fighters weapons become locked, so they each spin their swords in continuous counteracting circles until the heroine's gets flung away from her and she loses it.

Everything I just described is missing from the German print.

[Guest THESHAWMAN]

Sounds great...! .well done.....!

[Guest JustinB123]

I second that - this is one I've always heard good things about, but haven't been able to track down a decent version of it.

[Linn1]

I'm a huge fan of this film and have known it was cut seemingly forever. Can't wait to get a look at this one!

[Guest falkor]

The subs don't appear this stretched on a normal DVD player like they do in these WinDVD captures:

Getting ready to insert extra scenes next...

[Guest falkor]

Should I make the subtitles yellow for the sake of a few lines or stick with white?

[Guest falkor]

Download sample clip... (DivX)

Download sample clip... (MPEG 1)

[Linn1]

I'd stick with the white just for those couple of lines. Looks like this will be well worth checking out!

[Guest falkor]

What would be the politically correct choice--white with a black outline or yellow?

[Guest spannick]

transparent Black Bar would be most comfortable, or place the new subs above the burned ones (or on top of the screen)

[Guest Markgway]

I agree with the transparent bar - if not black maybe dark grey like Channel 4 used? Putting them at the top isn't a good idea IMO and white over white is distracting.

[Guest vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Great film. Nice falkor.

[Guest wizard12220]

G,

I replied to your email about 2 weeks ago. Did you received it?

[Guest vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Yellow subs might be easier to follow, judging by the sample you provided above, though white is less intrusive on what's happening in the picture. Tough call.

[Guest W Hong]

I saw the Deaf and Mute Heroine at San francisco's 4 Star theatre a few years ago. I think that it was the Mandarin language version. I can't remember if it had English subtitles, though. I think that the 4 Star has been known for showing TDaMH a few times. I do remember, though, that the print which the 4 Star was showing was kind of scratchy.

I thought that there was news that a HK import DVd of this movie was finally going to be released?

[Guest falkor]

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