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Shaw Brothers
Associated Press is reporting that Run Run Shaw has passed away at the age of 106 (the report lists 107, but he was born on November 23rd, 1907).…
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While U.S. companies have long abandoned re-releasing classic Shaw Brothers films in America (nobody will buy these Chinese films here), other countries, such as Hong Kong or the United Kingdom, they are still being re-issued. One of those UK companies, 88 Films (based in Lutterworth), have dedicated a whole line 88 Asia to important Hong Kong films.
Looking over their film library, it would seem that 88 Films is a company interested in releasing very specific genres, particularly Martial Arts, Horror, and Slasher. While there may be a small audience for these trashy genres, it’s a passionate fanbase.
Personally speaking, I will be collecting most of these titles in the 88 Asia line, just because I love Shaw Brothers films. There is one non-Shaw Brothers film on this list below called Casino Tycoon (produced by Newport Entertainment Ltd.)… which I think may be a misstep for 88 Films. I’m probably not going to get it, however, for completist’s sake, I may probably end up buying the title just to complete my collection.
So far, I have imported about 10 titles. Some titles are harder to get (or not listed on Amazon), and I may have to try and get it from specialty stores.
If you’re interested in starting your UK collection, be aware that these titles were never meant to be sold in America (because of rights for distribution and legal contracts). These titles are restricted to Region 2, which mean that your Bluray player (set for Region 1) will not play these discs. There are non-region players out there, but for me, I just convert these movies to digital files using MakeMKV (free) and play them on my computer or local DLNA. To me, these Bluray discs, like my DVDs, are basically my “backup”. Plus, I love to display and represent my movie tastes on my shelves.
Anyway, so far, here are all the 88 Asia Collection listed below. The latest releases are The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984) (Alexander Fu Sheng’s last film) and Clan of the White Lotus (1980) (which inspired much of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill).
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01 Hex (1980)
Director: Kuei Chih-Hung
Restored HD Transfer in Original 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
The Studio that Conquered a Continent
Language: Chinese with English Subtitles
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02 Black Magic (1975)
Director: Ho Meng Hua
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)Restored HD master in original 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Language: English Dub / Mandarin with English Subtitles
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03 Five Element Ninjas (1982)
Director: Chang Cheh
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
Restored HD master in original 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan
Language: English Dub / Mandarin with English Subtitles
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04 House of Traps (1982)
Director: Chang Cheh
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
Restored HD master in original 2.35:1
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan
Language: English Dub / Mandarin with English Subtitles
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05 Seeding of a Ghost (1983)
Director: Chuan Yang
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
Restored UNCUT HD Transfer in Original 1.85:1
HONG KONG HORROR: A History of Taboo Breaking in the Far East
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan
Language: English Dub / Cantonese with English Subtitles
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06 Mighty Peking Man (1977)
Director: Ho Meng Hua
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
Restored Uncut HD Transfer In Original 2.35:1
Audio Commentary with Bey Logan
Language: English / Mandarin with English Subtitles
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07 Killer Constable (1980)
Director: Kuei Chih-Hung
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
Restored Uncut HD Transfer In Original 2.35:1
Audio Commentary with Bey Logan
Language: English / Mandarin
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08 Masked Avengers (1981)
Director: Chang Cheh
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
Restored HD Master In Original 2.35:1
English / Chinese Audio
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan
An interview with Godfrey Ho
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09 The Oily Maniac (1976)
Director: Ho Meng Hua
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
Restored HD Master In Original 2.35:1
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10 The Flying Guillotine (1974)
Director: Ho Meng Hua
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Film
Restored HD Master In Original 2.35:1
Language: English / Chinese with English Subtitles
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11 The Bride From Hell (1972)
Director: Chow Yuk Kong
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Film
Restored HD Master In Original 2.35:1
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12 Bewitched (1981)
Director: Kuei Chih-Hung
Restored HD Master In Original 2.35:1
Audio Commentary by Hong-Kong cinema expert Bey Logan
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13 The Brave Archer (1977)
Director: Chang Cheh
Restored HD Master In Original 2.35:1
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan
Interview with David West
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14 Casino Tycoon (1992)
Director: Wong Jing
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan
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15 One-Armed Swordsman (1967)
Director: Chang Cheh
English / Chinese Soundtracks
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan
interview with David West
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16 The Dragon Missile (1976)
Director: Ho Meng Hua
English / Chinese soundtrack
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan
Audio Commentary by David West
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17 The Enchanting Ghost (1970)
Director: Hsu Chiang Chou
8 Page Booklet featuring writings from Lingge Donge
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18 The Ghost Lovers (1974)
Director: Sang-ok Shin
Language: Chinese with English Subtitles
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19 The Super Inframan (1975)
Director: Hua Shan
Remastered on 2.35:1
English / Chinese Mono
Behind the Scenes Image Gallery
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20 Black Magic 2 (1976)
Director: Ho Meng Hua
Remastered in 2.35:1
English/ Mandarin Soundtrack
Audio Commentary by Ian Jane
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21 The Spiritual Boxer (1975)
Director: Chia-Liang Liu
Restored HD Master in 2.35:1
English/ Chinese Audio
Audio Commentary by David West
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22 The Human Goddess (1972)
Director: Meng Hua Ho
Restored HD Master in 2.35:1
Chinese Audio with English Subtitles
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23 The Vengeful Beauty (1987)
Director: Meng Hua Ho
Restored HD Master in 2.35:1
Chinese Audio with English Subtitles
Yueh Hua / Susan Shaw interview
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24 Come Drink With Me (1966)
Director: King Hu
Limited Edition Slipcase
Booklet Notes by James Oliver
Restored HD Master in 2.35:1
English / Mandarin Soundtrack
Audio Commentary by Samm Deighan
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| 25 The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
Director: Lau Kar-leung
Limited Edition Slipcase
Foldout Poster by Bob O-Brien
Restored HD Master in 2.35:1
English / Cantonese Soundtrack
Audio Commentary by Scott Harrison
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| 26 Clan of the White Lotus (1980)
Director: Lo Leih
Limited Edition Slipcase
Restored HD Master in 2.35:1
English / Cantonese Soundtrack
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