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Help: Twin Dragons 1992 - Jackie Chan - Uncut Original English Dub (a WIP)

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I’m posting on here in the hope that someone out there will be able to help me with this.

The 1992 Jackie Chan film Twin Dragons was released in the UK on VHS in the 90’s via the distributor: Imperial Entertainment UK/M.I.A Video which I own. The approx. runtime of this VHS which I own is 100 mins. From what I’ve managed to research online this is pretty much the uncut original English dub version (with some minor exceptions). This version has never been released on any other format to date and is considered a collectors item. I’m in the process of trying to rip this VHS copy onto a digital format which is proving harder than first expected due to USB VHS capture devices not being fully compatible with windows 10. The version released by Dimension/Miramax is an abomination and travesty for all true Jackie Chan fans who remember watching this film with the amazing original English dub with all its quirks and flaws intact. Dimension not only ruined the soundtrack with an alternative score and English dub they also cut the film down for whatever ignorant reason they thought was justified.

What’s the point?

Basically I’m looking for someone who has the original uncut English VHS version with the original early 90’s English dub track on a digital format or DVD etc.

As a side project I’d like the original English dub/soundtrack to be used with the new cleaned up uncut versions which are available with the French and German releases. I’m not an editing expert hence I would need help with the editing process etc but I’m pretty sure with a little tinkering here and there and someone with audio/video editing skills they will be able to sync the original English track with French or German video which are both uncut.

Side note:

I actually have an uncut Russian audio version of the film which you can just about here the old original English track with the new cleaned up picture from the French release. I have no idea how this Russian uncut version came about but it’s infuriating because you can here the old original English audio track in the background but with a Russian lector speaking over it.

Anyway I hope this post gets some responses. Please PM with any info or thoughts etc.
Lets try and make/unearth this gem with the old original English audio and uncut.

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If your VHS has a scart socket why not put a scart to composite and RCA phono converter in the back of the VHS then use a minijack to phono and record the audio on a mini jack line in on say your PC or Laptop.

Or if your VHS already has phono out use those again to minijack to your line in.

This can easily be done with Audacity free software.

Just select your line in as record device and push record.

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Ronster said:

If your VHS has a scart socket why not put a scart to composite and RCA phono converter in the back of the VHS then use a minijack to phono and record the audio on a mini jack line in on say your PC or Laptop.

Or if your VHS already has phono out use those again to minijack to your line in.

This can easily be done with Audacity free software.

Just select your line in as record device and push record.

Thanks for the suggestion the process of ripping the VHS is proving harder for me than I expected. I’m not the most tech savvy but I’m going to persevere. The VHS player I’m using is a basic one with just scart outputs.

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Update:

I’ve managed to get the audio from the VHS. Any suggestions on what’s the best and easiest to use software to sync the audio with video?

Also is there any software that cleans up the audio?

Any suggestions are welcome.

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I assume you have a PAL speedup vhs.

If the speed of the audio is different on the VHS audio to that of the new cleaned versions of the film you will have to conform the audio from the VHS to the new release.

Rip the audio from the new release and put both audio files in audacity.

You will have to change the speed most likely of the VHS to that of the new release. You must get them now to match up pretty much exactly.

Look in the how to sections here about conerting PAl speed to NTSC or what ever frame rate the new version is. You basically need to synch them up then you can put it on the video.

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Ronster said:

I assume you have a PAL speedup vhs.

If the speed of the audio is different on the VHS audio to that of the new cleaned versions of the film you will have to conform the audio from the VHS to the new release.

Rip the audio from the new release and put both audio files in audacity.

You will have to change the speed most likely of the VHS to that of the new release. You must get them now to match up pretty much exactly.

Look in the how to sections here about conerting PAl speed to NTSC or what ever frame rate the new version is. You basically need to synch them up then you can put it on the video.

Thanks @Ronster for all the advice/input. I’m going to have a look into some of the points you mentioned.

Here are some technical details that might help you/whoever is reading this:

Clean HD Video has an exact frame rate of 23.9 according to VLC player info (24fps I’m assuming this means). I have a feeling this is running at slower NTSC format rate??

The VHS video Rip has a exact frame rate of 29.9 (30fps I’m assuming this means). I’ve managed to rip the audio from this file and have it as an MP3.

If Ronster/anyone need more info please let me know what you need and I’ll try to get it.

Basically I’m at the point were I have all the basic ingredients and I just need to put them together.

Any suggestions on what tools/programs I can use for the syncing/converting processes for this project?

Any help here is greatly appreciated

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I thought you only ripped the audio…

So your VHS is NTSC 29.97fps

so now you can convert it to 24fps you can use perhaps the free program handbreak to do this convert it to an mp4 then you can try to synch them both up in a Non Linear Editor.

Hope that helps.

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Ronster said:

I thought you only ripped the audio…

So your VHS is NTSC 29.97fps

so now you can convert it to 24fps you can use perhaps the free program handbreak to do this convert it to an mp4 then you can try to synch them both up in a Non Linear Editor.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the response. I’m going to try the suggested program. Any suggestions for non linear editor for the video - audio syncing part?

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I would go with one that is easy to use… Or you could simply separate the audio from the video and synch the 2 sountracks in Audacity(free software) then add it to the video.

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Ronster said:

I would go with one that is easy to use… Or you could simply separate the audio from the video and synch the 2 sountracks in Audacity(free software) then add it to the video.

Thanks @Ronster for all the suggestions thus far. I’ve been tinkering around with different video editing softwares and they are all crap one way or another. I’ve managed to get the audio files at the speed and frame rate that would allow the video and audio to sync nicely but I don’t have the right video editing software to put it all together export it properly 😦

Slow and steady with this project.

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If you get audacity and install ffmpg plug in then you can import the audio into the software and move the audio to match exactly.

You might find you have to occasionally chop the audio a bit to match it up.

Once lined up export the dub.

Then you should be able to import the video and aud auio together in to a video editor

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Some boards can capture 30fps video from PAL sources… so don’t bother with that.
VHS has large timing variations anyway (speed variations, dropouts, etc).

You always need to manually match the audio between sources.

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yo what is the most uncut version anyway? is it the US, Hong kong, Taiwanese or Japanese version

I have no more links sorry.

Will do in future though

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Moiisty said:

yo what is the most uncut version anyway? is it the US, Hong kong, Taiwanese or Japanese version

The following reports explains everything:

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=438141

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=44945

I think the main issue is to do with distribution rights or something in the UK at least. The french and German releases both have the uncut versions. The Japanese Version basically has a 10 sec extended scene of very little importance and is negligible. It has different end credits also.

If Jackie Chan or his team or someone who has access to the film at a distribution level…can you please do this lost gem justice and release a proper uncut original English audio copy. It’s 100% already available just needs to be released properly!

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Does anyone know how to remove elements of audio from a soundtrack?
I’m thinking to try and tweak the audio on the french/Russian version I’ve got and try to remove as much of the Russian lector/voice over parts. As mentioned previously you can hear the original English audio clearly but it’s in the background. If I could somehow bring the background dialogue and sound effects to the foreground and reduce the Russian audio or remove it, we might have a solution.

There must be some software out there that can tweak the audio already present??
Anyone know if this type of software and process is possible?

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if i had a vhs copy i would give you the audio as i do have a vhs to usb thingy but im in pal

I have no more links sorry.

Will do in future though

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in unrelated news, i recently bought way of the dragon pal vhs cel vhs for 13$ lol

I have no more links sorry.

Will do in future though

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did you manage to get a hd version of twin dragons?

What other jackies do you have?

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Realmovielover said:

I’m posting on here in the hope that someone out there will be able to help me with this.

I too love this film and feel your pain. I have tried for years to find this and tried myself to make it. The biggest problem is not necessarily the audio. The French/German/Spanish Blu-ray you want to add the audio to are 104mins. The audio from your VHS will be 99m57sec. So not only do you need to sync the audio as others have advised, but there will be some scenes which need minor alterations and cuts which is the hard bit. You should check out a company called Hong Kong Rescue. They have released several Jackie Chan films and they are some of the best out there. I am UK based and have ordered from them and have every one of their releases. They even made me a bespoke version of Above the Law with original Eng Dub.

Back to Twin Dragons, I have been so frustrated with the lack of love for this film, that I have actually contacted HKR and commissioned them to make Twin Dragons with the original Eng Dub. It’s costing a small fortune, but is worth it to have it in full HD with the original Eng Dub.

Hopefully it should be ready in a month or so. Keep an eye out on the website as they will sell on the custom/commissioned projects after I have approved it.

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Jackie Fan said:

did you manage to get a hd version of twin dragons?

What other jackies do you have?

I’ve got the HD uncut version but its in Russian. You can hear the original old English Dub in the background which is infuriating to say the least. I’m not sure if there is software out there that can somehow remove the Russian lector sound and enhance the English audio? Probably some government level software could do it but that’s another story lol.
And to answer your question I pretty much have all of the good Jackie Chan movies from the HKL DVD releases, Blu Ray 88 Films releases and Eureka Blu Ray releases. 88 Films and Eureka have done a stellar job in remastering some of the classics. Still wish one of them would get the lost gem Twin Dragons and give it a proper remaster with the original English dub. Here’s hoping.

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@MasterWithOkFingers

Thank you for your amazing response to this topic! I will certainly keep an eye out on the website for it.

Its shocking how this particular film has been neglected despite being one of Jackie’s best in my opinion. It literally has everything that you would want in a good film!

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MasterWithOkFingers said:

Realmovielover said:

I’m posting on here in the hope that someone out there will be able to help me with this.

I too love this film and feel your pain. I have tried for years to find this and tried myself to make it. The biggest problem is not necessarily the audio. The French/German/Spanish Blu-ray you want to add the audio to are 104mins. The audio from your VHS will be 99m57sec. So not only do you need to sync the audio as others have advised, but there will be some scenes which need minor alterations and cuts which is the hard bit. You should check out a company called Hong Kong Rescue. They have released several Jackie Chan films and they are some of the best out there. I am UK based and have ordered from them and have every one of their releases. They even made me a bespoke version of Above the Law with original Eng Dub.

Back to Twin Dragons, I have been so frustrated with the lack of love for this film, that I have actually contacted HKR and commissioned them to make Twin Dragons with the original Eng Dub. It’s costing a small fortune, but is worth it to have it in full HD with the original Eng Dub.

Hopefully it should be ready in a month or so. Keep an eye out on the website as they will sell on the custom/commissioned projects after I have approved it.

@MasterWithOkFingers

Thank you for your amazing response to this topic! I will certainly keep an eye out on the website for it.

Its shocking how this particular film has been neglected despite being one of Jackie’s best in my opinion. It literally has everything that you would want in a good film!

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Realmovielover said:

MasterWithOkFingers said:

Realmovielover said:

I’m posting on here in the hope that someone out there will be able to help me with this.

I too love this film and feel your pain. I have tried for years to find this and tried myself to make it. The biggest problem is not necessarily the audio. The French/German/Spanish Blu-ray you want to add the audio to are 104mins. The audio from your VHS will be 99m57sec. So not only do you need to sync the audio as others have advised, but there will be some scenes which need minor alterations and cuts which is the hard bit. You should check out a company called Hong Kong Rescue. They have released several Jackie Chan films and they are some of the best out there. I am UK based and have ordered from them and have every one of their releases. They even made me a bespoke version of Above the Law with original Eng Dub.

Back to Twin Dragons, I have been so frustrated with the lack of love for this film, that I have actually contacted HKR and commissioned them to make Twin Dragons with the original Eng Dub. It’s costing a small fortune, but is worth it to have it in full HD with the original Eng Dub.

Hopefully it should be ready in a month or so. Keep an eye out on the website as they will sell on the custom/commissioned projects after I have approved it.

@MasterWithOkFingers

Thank you for your amazing response to this topic! I will certainly keep an eye out on the website for it.

Its shocking how this particular film has been neglected despite being one of Jackie’s best in my opinion. It literally has everything that you would want in a good film!

I agree, it’s one of my favourites and the original dub is one of the reasons. Unfortunately there has been a delay in getting this project finished due to funds. They are currently working on several projects at the moment so this would not be one of their standard releases and would need to be done on a bespoke/side project. These cost quite a bit more so once I have some spare funds available I will ask HKR to proceed and get this project completed. Sorry for prematurely getting your hopes up for this. This is one I’ve wanted for a long time so I won’t be giving up on it.

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MasterWithOkFingers said:

Realmovielover said:

MasterWithOkFingers said:

Realmovielover said:

I’m posting on here in the hope that someone out there will be able to help me with this.

I too love this film and feel your pain. I have tried for years to find this and tried myself to make it. The biggest problem is not necessarily the audio. The French/German/Spanish Blu-ray you want to add the audio to are 104mins. The audio from your VHS will be 99m57sec. So not only do you need to sync the audio as others have advised, but there will be some scenes which need minor alterations and cuts which is the hard bit. You should check out a company called Hong Kong Rescue. They have released several Jackie Chan films and they are some of the best out there. I am UK based and have ordered from them and have every one of their releases. They even made me a bespoke version of Above the Law with original Eng Dub.

Back to Twin Dragons, I have been so frustrated with the lack of love for this film, that I have actually contacted HKR and commissioned them to make Twin Dragons with the original Eng Dub. It’s costing a small fortune, but is worth it to have it in full HD with the original Eng Dub.

Hopefully it should be ready in a month or so. Keep an eye out on the website as they will sell on the custom/commissioned projects after I have approved it.

@MasterWithOkFingers

Thank you for your amazing response to this topic! I will certainly keep an eye out on the website for it.

Its shocking how this particular film has been neglected despite being one of Jackie’s best in my opinion. It literally has everything that you would want in a good film!

I agree, it’s one of my favourites and the original dub is one of the reasons. Unfortunately there has been a delay in getting this project finished due to funds. They are currently working on several projects at the moment so this would not be one of their standard releases and would need to be done on a bespoke/side project. These cost quite a bit more so once I have some spare funds available I will ask HKR to proceed and get this project completed. Sorry for prematurely getting your hopes up for this. This is one I’ve wanted for a long time so I won’t be giving up on it.

Thanks for initiating this project and making it happen. I’m glad that someone besides myself actually cares enough to try and preserve and resurrect this hidden gem. I really hope you/HKR get to finish the project! I’ll be first in line to try and obtain a copy once it’s done. Please keep me posted on any updates on the completion etc.

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Is there any updates/eta on when this project might get finished yet? Eagerly awaiting it!