Jackie Chan's HK Version of The Protector.

[Ian Davies]

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between the USA and the HK Versions of the Jackie Chan film "The Protector". In short, is it worth getting the HK version? I understand Jackie shot more fight sequences and even changed some of the dranatic scenes. I have the US Version and it is a bit disappointing.

[chiangkamfan]

the fighting scenes are faster and more powerfull

[Brian Thibodeau]

It's DEFINITELY worth picking up, although BOTH versions of the film entertain on their own terms. The Hong Kong version is far more "Jackie Chan-ized" in that it softens his character from the U.S. version, cuts out some of the language, adds in the Sally Yeh character, beefs up Moon Lee's part, and adds at least one major fight sequence in a gym, and possibly more (it's been a while since I've seen it).

HOWEVER, James Glickenhaus' original version is darker and more realistic, with a less-polished feel to many of the fights (which can be a good or bad thing, depending on how you like to see Chan utilized). Some people seem grateful that Chan, in his sanitized version, trimmed out a sequence in which the villain's coke lab is seen manned by naked Asian women, but within the context of the U.S. version of the film, the scene does make sense, even if it may seem gratuitous.

Finally, one of the reviews in the database makes reference to this, but it's worth repeating: in an old interview (in Bey Logan's IMPACT magazine, of all places) Glickenhaus steadfastly maintains that Chan only reedited the film for Hong Kong consumption, but did not re-shoot or add anything to it. When the interviewer insists that Chan did, in fact, perform an extensive overhaul on the film, Glickenhaus replies that "he had no right to do that." To my knowledge, Glickenhaus has never said much more on the subject, but it WAS a bit ballsy of Chan to do that and not at least notify the actual director of the film about it. After all, Chan's "version" consist mostly of Glickenhaus' footage (although the latter retains director credit on both versions).

[cal42]

Is it worth getting? Well, if you really do want it, you should get the HK version. I don't think either version is all that hot personally, and there isn't that much added, but it's still better than the US version which I found a bit embarrassing at times. The HK version does at least attempt to turn it into more of a true Jackie Chan film as has been mentioned above. My guess is he had to do something with it - if the US version was released there I do think it would have been commercial suicide.

Finally, one of the reviews in the database makes reference to this, but it's worth repeating: in an old interview (in Bey Logan's IMPACT magazine, of all places)

Ah, that must have been where I read it then .

[Ian Davies]

All this pretty much confirms what I already knew. I have the US version and found it poor for Jackie Chan, but he did not have that much input into the film. I now have the chance to get a copy of the HK version. I remember from a Jackie Chan documentary that he was so unhappy with this film that he made changes for the HK release. I guess the only answer is to buy it and compare.