Video & Audio
Final Take is presented in non-anamorphic widescreen, cropped to reflect its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The image is worn but okay, typical of the inferior masters provided to Hong Kong distributor Panorama by Shochiku. One big problem: both the Japanese Movie Database and the DVD itself list a 135-minute running time, but in fact this master, possibly an "international cut," runs 116 minutes, some 20 minutes shorter, so be warned. Not having seen the long version, this reviewer has no idea what scenes were cut, but even at 116 minutes the film plays overlong anyway, though it does end abruptly. The disc also claims to be stereo, but sure sounded like ordinary mono to me. Optional Chinese and English subtitles are included. The English subs are fairly good, and are positioned in such a way that those wanting to adjust the image for their 16:9 sets will still be able to read them.
Extra Features
Common with Panorama's Shochiku titles, extras are limited to a director's biography and filmography (in both Chinese and English), both repeated in the CD-shaped booklet included with the disc. |
Technical Notes:
