I took a look at the subs, and yes they seem fine. I had considered transcribing the burnt in subs from the Mei Ah DVD, but these should do fine.

I'll take a closer look later.

Here are some screenshots. They're JPGs from VLC. Hope that's fine. Seems I can only upload 5 at a time.

                   

Some more:

                   

And another set.

               

I'll try to scan in the cover in a few hours when I'm done with work.

(2021-04-14, 06:03 PM)shiftyeyes Wrote: And another set.



I'll try to scan in the cover in a few hours when I'm done with work.

Thanks, I appreciate that. Those caps look really great considering it is from a SD source, then again anything would look great next to the Mei Ah and Zoke Culture discs. Also much better than the old compressed to hell and back avi rip, that is for sure. Sometimes you just have to appreciate what is available though. Especially when there are no other alternatives.

I will say that I believe the subs were original and not from any dvd release (all dvd releases in English of the theatrical cut have the normal occurring dual burnt in subs, as per the HK laws at the time). The subs were handed off to me for the project and were most likely done by someone that was a native Hong Kong citizen. It might be possible that they are transcribed from the above mentioned subs though (I never did check myself).

I do remember having to re-time them to sync up to the Pony Canyon print as well as fix spelling and grammar issues. Details are super fuzzy as it has been more than a few years and the makeshift group as well as the site we were working from is long defunct. Then again the point was to make these films available to a wider audience with their best elements at the time and not at all for personal recognition.

There is a french DVD from TF1 in Pal format on the russian site, their version has english subs replacing the french one.

It's the original cut as it was released in 2006. I think the original DVD was a DVD9 so this might be re-encoded.

(2021-04-14, 07:14 PM)Stamper Wrote: There is a french DVD from TF1 in Pal format on the russian site, their version has english subs replacing the french one.

It's the original cut as it was released in 2006. I think the original DVD was a DVD9 so this might be re-encoded.

Code:

https://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/f15436-cendres-du-temps.html?utm_source=dvdfr&utm_content=autocomplete

Sadly that version apparently is truncated. Thanks for the info just the same.

As per dvdcompare.net concerning the original French release and if it is cut:

R2 France- TF1 Vid - Yes, deatils unknown but at least on scene is cut. (88:40 - PAL)

That version might be the only anamorphic theatrical release on home video as all others are letterboxed, which is at the very least interesting. Have to wonder what was cut and why. Perhaps print damage or just missing elements?

I can rent it from the local library, so I'll give it a go and check if the data is bigger than on the russian version (probably).

If this is the only anamorphic version, it's worth using it as base, fill in the missing footage, adjust the subs. Maybe blend it with the others. Child's Play.

Thanks for the screencaps! Actually they don't look too different to @PipperPiper 's avi ones, which I guess is unfortunate haha! Won't be compressed at least.

(2021-04-14, 04:08 PM)PipperPiper Wrote: I do have to note this other difference between the HK and Japanese prints. I always forget that the opening Buddhist text upon the ocean wave backdrop (which is found directly after the opening credits) is missing from the Japanese print (only leaving the ocean waves). I kept those subs in due to posterity as it was the version that I fondly remember. Not sure if it is included with the Japanese text preceding the film, which adds the question of what that text actually is. I wouldn't be shocked if it was backstory tbh.

Yeah well the original text is there for a reason so good idea for including them even though its not visible on the JP print. And the subs I have are custom ones but not my own, something I found in the wild.

(2021-04-14, 07:43 PM)NeonBible Wrote: Thanks for the screencaps! Actually they don't look too different to @PipperPiper 's avi ones, which I guess is unfortunate haha! Won't be compressed at least.

(2021-04-14, 04:08 PM)PipperPiper Wrote: I do have to note this other difference between the HK and Japanese prints. I always forget that the opening Buddhist text upon the ocean wave backdrop (which is found directly after the opening credits) is missing from the Japanese print (only leaving the ocean waves). I kept those subs in due to posterity as it was the version that I fondly remember. Not sure if it is included with the Japanese text preceding the film, which adds the question of what that text actually is. I wouldn't be shocked if it was backstory tbh.

Yeah well the original text is there for a reason so good idea for including them even though its not visible on the JP print. And the subs I have are custom ones but not my own, something I found in the wild.

Hey! You knockin' 15 year old video compression?

It is possible that the subs I reworked came from the same source, I really do not know where they originally were from. I do however remember them being a mess beforehand though. Just be happy that somebody will be using them finally in all honesty.