Released by Hong Kong Legends (UK)

Region 2, PAL

Picture: Widescreen (2.35:1, PAL) - Anamorphic

• DD2.0 English
• DD2.0 Cantonese

• Audio Commentary by Bey Logan and Mark King
• Removable subtitles in English and Dutch
• Original theatrical trailer (featuring deleted footage)
• HK and UK trailer
• Big Boss Photo gallery
• Animated Bruce Lee biography

HKL have done a splendid job with this dvd transfer. The picture is sharp and detailed with no clear evidence of artefacting or smearing. It is clear that HKL have also cleaned up the source print. Definitely the best I have ever seen this movie look.

Both soundtracks are very good and in synch. HKL have used the original English dub which featured on the Rank release of Big Boss. The English and Cantonese soundtracks feature different music. I prefer the English score. The absence of any 5.1 mixes is probably a blessing in disguise.

HKL have provided an excellent collection of extras. Subtitles are remastered and very easy to read. The original trailer features deleted footage (with written scene analysis) which cannot be seen anywhere else. Bey Logan delivers another top commentary - on par with his Fist of Fury effort. The photo gallery consists of many stills but I think the photos are too small. The animated biography (with voiceover) is unique but is something you'll probably only look at once. The only thing I can think of that's missing from the extras is an interview with any of Bruce's co-stars (such as James Tien).

Thanks to the BBFC's more leniant views, Big Boss is now uncut in the UK (the uncut version has been available in the US and elsewhere for several years). Bearing in mind the HKL dvd consists of the uncut version of the film and has a host of fantastic extras, this must surely be the definitive version of Big Boss to date.

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