One has to keep in mind that the 101 minute running time is for the theatrical print which runs at 24 frames per second while UK (PAL) video runs at 25 fps. 91m21s at 25fps translates to about 95m9s at 24fps so the difference is more like 4-5 minutes.
i asked the bbfc what was cut and it was a large amount everything from necks being broken to ninja stars and fights with wepons there was no mention of the cockfight unless it was a faked fight without real animal cruelty. MIA video didnt give the full version to the bbfc for its video/dvd release although an almost intact print gets shown on bravo tv every so often. the bbfc said in this more leaniant times the uncut version would proberly get passed.
As ludicrous and how it made me laugh out loud as this movie was just by watching it because nothing else was on : the dialogue, the fight sequences the actors themselves etc. on my cable system, it brought the art of ninjitsu to the masses. Makes me want to be a ninja myself!
the movie may get a uk dvd rerelease. i watched a perfect version of this 2 weeks ago on the uk freeview channel DAVE at 1 in the morning. it was uncut with the scenes of throwing stars, nunchuks and all the throat cuttings and stabbings intact. The film had a perfect picture, almost remastered in quality, someone must be putting this on dvd again if they have bothered to clean up the print so well???? maybe contender could do it, like the great job that was done on the hong kong legends dvd series of releases with bey logan commentary and lots of extras???. or in the states blue underground could do it , with some docs and cast interviews???
finally uncut wow even the version on bravo was trimmed back last year, i will keep an eye open for it on Dave. what noticed me to the film originally was that 1 of the lemon Popsicle boys were in it. i do hope they put it on dvd uncut sometimes they dont even bother looking for uncut prints and just use old vhs or cut cinema prints like some of the hammer horrors,
That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange eons even death may die H.P.LOVECRAFT
Just Bought the R2 DVd in my enthusiastic haste. bah. Curtailed Christopher George death scene, just not the same. Have to keep playing my Youtube clip over and over for full laugh factor.
I'm thankful to live in the US. Some of the edits in the UK are just ridiculous. Oddly enough, there was once a time when the US had what was by far the more prudish censorship.