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Looks like a 4k restoration of PTU has been completed. I'll be keen to see it.

I never heard what happened to the restoration of The Mission. Somebody on Letterboxd who went to a screening of the film about 11 months ago said Johnnie To claimed the restoration wasn't happening after all, because the original negative was lost. Which seems weird. The viewer claims the screening was of a 35mm print, don't know why there aren't other elements that could make for an okay restoration. I'd certainly take that over nothing, jeez. After being extremely available on disc around the year 2000, This film is missing on two generations of home video at this point.

feihong wrote:Looks like a 4k restoration of PTU has been completed. I'll be keen to see it.

I never heard what happened to the restoration of The Mission. Somebody on Letterboxd who went to a screening of the film about 11 months ago said Johnnie To claimed the restoration wasn't happening after all, because the original negative was lost. Which seems weird. The viewer claims the screening was of a 35mm print, don't know why there aren't other elements that could make for an okay restoration. I'd certainly take that over nothing, jeez. After being extremely available on disc around the year 2000, This film is missing on two generations of home video at this point.

I saw it at this year’s HKIFF where the 4K restoration premiered. Quality is mediocre at best. But at least there’s no major fuck-up. I’d expect it to hit the physical media market sooner than later.

As for The Mission, that’s indeed the status quo. Searching for usable material won’t continue forever. I’d expect them to cave in and release a blu-ray based off a subbed-print scan soon.

I recently re-watched the French DVD. Despite format limitations I found it holding up rather well. The image is clean and grainy and, most important of all, without burnt-in subs. I wonder if the rights holder has made duly inquiries into overseas distributors. I mean, a clean release print is still better than nothing.