This message has been edited by applause on May 20, 2004 6:00 PM This message has been edited by applause on Mar 22, 2004 10:51 PM This message has been edited by applause on Feb 7, 2004 5:17 PM This message has been edited by applause on Sep 4, 2003 9:59 AM This message has been edited by applause on Jul 24, 2003 8:04 PM This message has been edited by applause on Nov 8, 2002 9:25 AM This message has been edited by applause on Aug 7, 2002 1:27 PM
It has come to my attention there is a version out there with a deleted scene before the films finale in "Magnificent Ruffians". I am working hard to scramble and get my hands on a copy this week. This way I can add it to the DVD Volume before I burn the (limited copies).
My email is always on. And my service (including shipping) will be as frequent as my Fansite updates!
Thanks again and hear from you all soon. The plan is to have these in your posession within 2 weeks time.
Videotape, laserdisc, and CD-ROM can't be compared to DVD in a straightforward manner. There are basically three stages of costs: production, pre-mastering (authoring, encoding, and formatting), and mastering/replication.
DVD video production costs are not much higher than for VHS and similar video formats unless the extra features of such as multiple sound tracks, camera angles, seamless branching, etc. are employed.
Authoring and pre-mastering costs are proportionately the most expensive part of DVD. Video and audio must be encoded, menus and control information have to be authored and encoded, it all has to be multiplexed into a single data stream, and finally encoded in low level format. Typical charges for compression are $60/min for video, $20/min for audio, $6/min for subtitles, plus formatting and testing at about $30/min. A ballpark cost for producing a Hollywood-quality two-hour DVD movie with motion menus, multiple audio tracks, subtitles, trailers, and a few info screens is about $20,000. Alternatively, many facilities charge for time, at rates of around $400/hour. A simple two-hour DVD-Video title with menus and various video clips can cost as low as $3,000. If you want to do it yourself, authoring and encoding systems can be purchased at prices from $400 to over $2 million. Prices for software and hardware will drop very rapidly in the next few years to where DVDs can be produced on a desktop computer system that costs less than $20,000.
Videotapes don't really have a mastering cost, and they run about $2.40 for replication. CDs cost about $1,000 to master and $0.50 to replicate. Laserdiscs cost about $3,000 to master and about $8 to replicate. As of the beginning of 2000, DVDs cost about $1000 to master and about $1.60 to replicate. Since DVD production is based mostly on the same equipment used for CD production, mastering and replication costs will drop to CD levels. Double-sided or dual-layer discs cost about $1 more to replicate, since all that's required is stamping data on the second substrate (and using transparent glue for dual layers). Double-sided, dual-layer discs (DVD-18s) are more difficult and more expensive.
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This is not for profit. A couple of copies will be made to fans who have requested orders. This no way compares to the "get rich quick" methods of Ground Zero and Crash Cinema nor does it compare to the cost.
This is for a limited time only as the VHS I am using is not copywritten material as of yet. By the time it is copywritten (even though Celestial has no plans TO release Magnificent Ruffians) this DVD will no longer be offered.
hey i dont think its a bad deal at all, the trailers which would never be seen in any venoms movie that comes out here in america, the only extra with those is sometimes a bio of the stars of the movie, and sometimes not even that. this sounds cool and ill think ill be sending for it soon.
So I have acquired the missing scenes from the uncut version. There is nearly 30 minutes of footage! That's more than any of us had anticipated. They will be really exciting to see - especially for those who have only had access to the cut version since it's VHS release 2 years ago.
About the scenes, the dubbing is the same audio track used on the DVDs feature presentation. It is also full screen. Some really good fight scenes and story plots are revealed here for the first time.
As a compromise, I have had to remove the Theatrical Trailers (Chinatown Kid, Spearman, Five Venoms, Golden Arm, 10 Tigers) so that the deleted scenes could FIT ON THE DISC (4.7GB total).
This is how it works. You can put as much footage as you want on a DVD disc. But the more the features you want the lower the quality of your final result. I kept the feature presentation, Killer Army trailer, and Chiang Sheng tribute all at optimal quality. But when I tried to add them to the DVD, the disc was not big enough. After all weekend of trial and error, I found out by removing those theatrical trailers - the much anticipated DELETED SCENES could now be authored onto the disc.
4 of the delted scenes (KWAN'S THREAT, NO MORE MONEY, END OF AN ERA and RUNNING SCARED) - which are 2 minutes in total also had to be compromised but will be on the VenomsFansite. So will the Theatrical Trailers. Read more about the Deleted Scenes at the new DVD Deleted Scenes Synopsis Page
I hope this is not a loss to you. The deleted scenes look good and (in my opinion) obviously should replace the trailers - if any content had to be replaced. To make up for this change, I have ADDED A LASER PRINT INSERT OF A MAGNIFICENT RUFFIANS POSTER ART FROM LONG AGO. This will be inside the keep case package when you open it up. (See Image Above)
The Killer Army Trailer and Chiang Sheng Tribute are still on the disc in high quality format.
I want you VenomsFans out there to get the best product possible. I am keeping you informed of my updates and changes as promised.
If any of you have and question/concerns don't hesitate to drop me an email.
Thanks,
VenomsFan
This message has been edited by applause on May 20, 2004 6:04 PM This message has been edited by applause on Feb 11, 2004 9:50 PM This message has been edited by applause on Sep 4, 2003 10:00 AM
I was one of the lucky ones that bought the "Magnificent Ruffians" DVD from Venomsfan and just wanted to give it 2 thumbs up! I have the movie on vhs but could never find it on DVD! Till now that is. The qaulity of the reproduction was decent, just as good as the video if not better. But there are 3 things that stood out about Vf's dvd:
1. The Deleted scenes, there's alot missing from the vhs version, unless your one of the lucky ones that has a good copy of Magnificent Ruffians! None the less, they're all on the dvd, especially the training scene right before Kuo Chi and Chinag Chieng face off against Lu Feng.
2. The Scene selection option, I've got a few of the shaw brothers movies on dvd and on alot of them the scene selection was minimal especially the 10 tigers of Kwantung dvd. Not the case on this dvd however.
3. The Collector's cover, A nice dvd case that looks great with the rest of my shaw dvd's!
And in my opinion I know I didnt get burned.The dvd was done in a very well manner.The tribute was awesome.I think the song he put into the tribute was perfect.The movie itself was better then anything GZ did.It was also in widescreen.So for those who seem to have a problem with Venomsfan doing this all I can say is...Don't buy the dvd and stop your complaining and crying it does tend to get old after the first hundred times.
Great job!!! I really enjoyed it! The disc worked great..no problems... Actually I was a little confused in the beginning of the movie with those freeze frames but figured that was part of the movie because the music was still going. I've never seen this movie so I was really into it! I thought the print was good. I think some of the ground zero ones are worse print. It sorta looked soft/minor blurry sometimes? Just figured it's the print. Didn't hurt the movie experience at all. I think the sound changed a little halfway through but again it didn't hurt the experience. As far as the Deleted Scenes Featurette - I like "Kwan's Eulogy" and "Food Fight". The tribute was great. All in all I think it was a job well done!
I can't believe how much footage was hacked out of the most widely circulated version -- and I'm just delighted to have the missing scenes in a reliable DVD format. I'm also pleased to have the Ruffians in the same state. Your chapter divisions are quite sensible, I might add. I tried out all the features and they all work brilliantly.
I am extremely happy with YOUR effort, and I wanted to let you know as much -- however belatedly. Many, many, many, many thanks!!
I damn I was amazed with this, the tranfer quailty was really quite good, I would rate it as good as or better then GZ anyday. PanMedia couldn't touch it. One thing that GZ lacks in that every damn DVD is so cut!
Though this DVD is also cut it does contain the deleted scenes which I only wish I could have seen not cut like back when I watched it on TV in the 80's.
The deleted scenes are really what separates you from the rest! The featurette really clued me in to what crap I've been buying for GZ. While I wached them I sat their and freckin thought "damn I rememeber that! damn!", "thats why Chiang Sheng said when I get my swords back". It fills in all the misssing pieces. Its a shame that the DVDs that come out from these major boot leggers aren't complete.
Oh well, Celestial has me as a customer as long as they can deliever.
Recently got four DVDs from VF (Legend of Fox, Magnificent Ruffians, Killer Army, and Daredevils)...watched Magnificent Ruffians first. One word describes this movie - AWESOME. Not the best Venoms movie necessarily but one of the most solid beginning to end. I own a PanMedia (BonZai) version of MR in widescreen but it's horrible in comparison to the one VF has compiled. The PanMedia version picture is washed out (and tinted too yellow) and the sound is really poor. The VF DVD isa much better picture - really quite impressive given it was made from a VHS dub. The sound is terrific too. Of course one is not getting a Celestial remaster but in the absence of such a DVD at present VF is providing us fans the best alternative in DVD format. I can't recommend this enough. Plus you get all the deleted scenes at bonus material and the Chiang Sheng tribute is a hoot too - quite well done. VF seemed to have found ALL of Sheng's best momments from fights to those boyish faces that he couldd cast that got him the nickname "CutiePie". Too cool. If I had three thumbs I'd give this DVD three thumbs but I geuss a hearty two thumbs will have to do.
Magnificent Ruffians viewing was truly magnicential
March 7 2004, 8:27 PM
Great movie. It started slow but ended very wonderfully. I loved Kui Choi's acrobatic skill in the last fight and Master Yeung's mastering of the sword staff?!! was truly incredible!!!! The Tribute portion was truly well done as well. Thank you for this gem VenomFan!!!!
I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the DVD. This was my first time seeing 'Magnificent Ruffians', and to have the deleted scenes available was truly a pleasure.
I really enjoyed the tribute to Chiang Sheng. Very well done.
The DVD was done in a very professional manner, I would highly recommend it to all Venoms fans.
Ok...so I bought the DVD right...and was TOTALLY blown away! I found myself squeeling at the deleted scenes! I had my hands on my face in awe the WHOLE time! It adds so much more sense to the story! Now that I know what's missing, I can't understand how they could cut so much out of the movie and still have it make sense! I give it 10 thumbs up and a million stars! And for all you skeptical critics out there...you have one of two options. Buy it and be amazed...or be a whinning loser who filters pond scum for a living...(well...maybe that's a bit harsh) SO GET ONE!!!
Laila
P.S. Please, no hate mail.
P.S.S. And "Yes" I do realize he is no longer selling the DVD
Thank you all for sharing your reviews of the DVD! I didn't realize how "limited" this DVD would be. New firmware on the DVD Burner has made it so this Disc cannot be duplicated anymore. You are all fortunate to have grabbed this offer while it was still available. The contents on this DVD, including the keep case cover, are offcially and extremely RARE.
If I had it my way friends. I would take the master prints and put out a new Venoms DVD every 2 weeks. uncut, widescreen et. all.
I got my DVD yesterday. Thanks!! It was a cool disk, but I did have one problem with it. Some of the background music changes abruptly at the beginning of some scenes, but otherwise it was great!
I was amazed that in one deleted scene they didn't bleep out Kuo Chui's cursing. That was awesome! The Kuo and Chiang training sequence even made it a better DVD! I also enjoyed the Chiang Sheng tribute. Excellent job on the menus by the way!
Anyway, Ruffians is one of my favorite Venom films, so I'm really glad to see it on DVD, and letterboxed no less! Thanks for putting in the time and effort to recreate this disk. It was a real treat to watch this great film again!
I got my DVD in the mail yesterday. That's only 4 business days, and I'm Canadian! That was a pleasant surprise, but the best came when my family plopped down to watch it. What a great story! The Venoms are infinitely watchable, and I'm so glad to have seen the film in widescreen, so I didn't miss any of the action. The sound was clear, and picture looked about as good as it could get without digital remastering.
The deleted scenes add a lot of depth and context to the characters - a real treat. The Chiang Sheng Tribute is the gem of this edition, however. I didn't mention this before, but I've had a crush on that guy ever since I saw him in Two Champions of Death, in the 80's. ^_^ After watching a few more Venoms flicks, I'm gaining an appreciation for all of them, but 'Cutie Pie' is still my favorite. You shoulda seen me writhing and gasping in anticipation during the final fight in Ruffians. It's cool watching a film for the first time, when you have no idea what's going to happen next.
As mentioned elsewhere, I did see/hear a few minor hiccups in the transfer, which I'm not sure were deliberate. Those amount to maybe 10-15 seconds out of what, 2 hours of great stuff? Pshaw!
Good job, VenomsFan - thank you for being so conscientious and considerate as to offer this rare film to deprived enthusiasts like myself.
WOOHOO!!! Thanks for getting them out so quickly! I checked out the extra's and stuff and it all looks great!
The tribute to Chiang was awesome! And the quality of the movie is as well. All DVD's should be made like this Magnificent Ruffians DVD you put together. Yours should be the standard for even the likes of crash cinema! Deleted scenes, tributes, WIDESCREEN now that's how DVD's are supposed to be made! Thanks Venomsfan!! If only all my Venoms DVD's were made by you!
hey were in canada are you located im in ontario,near toronto..im just wondering because its hard to find kung fu movie fans in my area.
dcleve3@aol.com
It's great! It feels good to be one of the few to own this on DVD and the deleted scenes and Chiang Sheng tribute are a definite plus! Great work Venoms fan and thank you!
Sounds like you did an amazing job with this DVD and I would LOVE to be able to purchase one myself, as my VHS copy is pushing 10 years old and has become increasingly hard to watch.
I have added this post to the Consumer Info page for Magnificent Ruffians.
Do you all know there were 2 versions of this Fansite DVD release? The quality,menus, and special features all different.
"Perhaps you didn't know!" - Lu Feng as Master Yuen in "Magnificent Ruffians"
Now that I think about it there is a 3rd version of this release! It was the first print. It has deleted scenes, Chiang Sheng Tribute, and the Venoms Theatrical Trailers (featured on this site), and 2 hidden features of "Sword Stained with Royal Blood" clips embedded throughout the DVD. Because the disc is so full, the DVD playback is too inconsistent - sometimes stopping/starting. I could not offer the DVD to you like that. But nonetheless - 3 versions are out there.
I had the benefit of buying Venomfans Special Edition "Magnificent Ruffians DVD". I have two previous versions of this flick, one from the old "drive thru" on the fox network years back (I know the 80's was way back but hey i was a collector of a sort) and vhs edited version. I have to say this dvd was great.
High Quality picture, audio was great.
- Great scene selection feature (if god only knew how tired i was of rewinding a videocassette to see my favorite parts, that why my vhs player does work as good. LOL)
The tribute was a nice touch.
The only thing about the dvd that was not shocking to me was the deleted scenes. I do not know why they edited those scenes out but they were played in full years ago on my "drive-thru" version from fox network.
Strange isn't it?
Re: Magnificent Ruffians DVD a big hit and big relief
April 22 2004, 12:14 PM
I love the dvds. The extra features were topic notch. The dvd came in a timely manner aswell. I have not watch it yet, but I skimmed thought it and the quaility looks great. Thanks Venomfan.
We got this yesterday and watched it over supper. It is awesome! There are a couple of little blips in the sound, but compared to the ancient vhs tapes we have, it is perfect. I also love the deleted scenes feature. They really make the film fuller and make the story complete.
VenomsFan, you have done us all a great service. My hat goes off to you!
Thanks Venomsfan. I received this dvd a few days ago and watched it for the first time. It was awesome! I especially loved the deleted scenes and the Chiang Sheng Tribute. Thanks again.
The Magnificent Ruffians DVD from this fan site is GREAT!! The picture quality and audio are excellent, the deleted scenes are great, fabulous Killer Army trailor and the sweetest of the package is the Tribute to Chiang Sheng, it's wonderful to watch, a little sad though, but a great farewell. If anyone is considering ordering a copy, I highly recommend it.
I like this movie. The bonus features was nice. The tribute to Chiang was realy nice, it made me cry. MAgnificent Ruffians had alot of funny sence. I'm mad Chiang had to die in the end. Why does he have to die at the end of every fight scene between Lu Feng and Philip Kwok?
Watching just the edited version of Magnificent Ruffians is a truly enjoyable experience. Everything, from the characters to the choreography to the soundtrack (I love the music in this flick)combine to make this movie, like most of the other Venoms movies, a perfect form of entertainment for me.
Lu Feng's character seems to have an air of ruthless invincibility as he casually moves through the movie plotting how he'll acheive his ends at the expense of the other characters. His menacing presence along with his absolutely sick weapons skills (tai dao?--Thanks Tidlongkuen) makes most any viewer anticipate that final clash between him and our heroes.
There is great interaction within the Ruffian trio of Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, and Wang Li. The joking around and spirited negotiations regarding where they're going to eat--and who gets to pay for the meals--is great fun and displays in these characters very likeable personalities.
Philip Kwok's character is somewhat more serious and seems to be a bit over-protective of his weapon, which I guess is actually a good thing.
Lo Meng is great as the hot tempered yet honorable Kwan. He is quite able to mix intensity with comedy through his facial expressions and exaggerated gestures.
The good guys are all quite likeable and sometimes very funny to watch. Didn't want any of them to die. This type of character development seems common in the Venom movies. These guys don't play 2-dimensional bad-asses with no-nonsense attitudes. Instead they play underdogs with a sense of loyalty and honor to friends; moreover, I think this movie is particularly funny due to the antics of the Ruffians.
This Fansite DVD that VenomsFan has put together greatly improves an already awesome movie. The Deleted Scenes answers several questions that I have always had such as why did Lu Feng's character (Yuen) say "Still, for what you said to me, I shall have to strike again". Deleted scenes entitled "Swords for Money" and "Foodfight" add another dimension of honor and sacrifice to the Ruffians. My favorite Deleted Scene has got to be "Wealthy and Gay" which shows the 4 Ruffians experiencing more of the good life--basically an extension of the bath scene and the dinner-table scene. I've never seen any of these scenes before. All of the deleted scenes adds to the story, and some have some very entertaining martial arts.
The tribute to Chiang Sheng was touching and difficult to watch--and I didn't even know the guy. All I know is that he was an important part of a team that put out the most entertaining movies I've ever seen. True talent, and free of wires!
Thank you very much VenomsFan for making a DVD available that will be played again and again in my DVD player. I'd watch it while driving if I could.
