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While I am waiting for my Shawscope: Volume One (8-Disc Limited Edition) by Arrow Films (to be released on 28 Dec 2021), let us take a look at state of Shaw Brothers in 2022.
As you know there was a dry period of high definition (HD) of classic Shaw Brothers films on Bluray, in the USA, for many years. It’s led me to conclude that there is just no market for Kung Fu movies in America… and it’s easy to conclude, because all the companies that licensed and released Shaw Brothers movies on DVD (and some on Bluray), they are out of business (Dragon Dynasty) or just no longer interested in releasing Shaw Brothers (Wells Go USA).
The good news is that a few years ago, 88 Films got the license and started releasing these films in the UK-only. They must have gotten a lot of buyers from the USA (including myself), that they finally started releasing their titles in the USA simultaneously, starting with The Chinese Boxer. I gave 88’s first entry in the USA market a good, glowing review… it is mostly because I actually appreciate the fact that there were new extras, such as new artwork (even though I don’t like the artist), commentaries, booklet, poster, and slipcase. Such wonderful treatment and attention to these films.
As previously mentioned, I will continue to buy these Shaw Brothers films when they release them.
As you know there was a dry period of high definition (HD) of classic Shaw Brothers films on Bluray, in the USA, for many years. It’s led me to conclude that there is just no market for Kung Fu movies in America… and it’s easy to conclude, because all the companies that licensed and released Shaw Brothers movies on DVD (and some on Bluray), they are out of business (Dragon Dynasty) or just no longer interested in releasing Shaw Brothers (Wells Go USA).
The good news is that a few years ago, 88 Films got the license and started releasing these films in the UK-only. They must have gotten a lot of buyers from the USA (including myself), that they finally started releasing their titles in the USA simultaneously, starting with The Chinese Boxer. I gave 88’s first entry in the USA market a good, glowing review… it is mostly because I actually appreciate the fact that there were new extras, such as new artwork (even though I don’t like the artist), commentaries, booklet, poster, and slipcase. Such wonderful treatment and attention to these films.
As previously mentioned, I will continue to buy these Shaw Brothers films when they release them.
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DISCIPLES OF SHAOLIN (1975)
Release date: December 14, 2021
I got the Bluray in the mail last week, so I’m still working on the extra contents, which includes two audio commentaries, slipcase, reversible cover, poster, and booklet. So far, the American girl, Samm Deighan, who does the commentary is pretty knowledgeable. She also did the commentary for The Chinese Boxer, so I know to expect a well-prepared and entertaining commentary.
Again, I like the fact that 88 Films have commissioned new artwork for all these upcoming titles – but I’m just not a fan of the artist. Just a matter of taste and opinion. I’m sure there are many people that loves the artwork, just not me.
As for the movie, I loved (and own) many Chang Cheh movies, and Disciples of Shaolin is one of the earlier films and it’s not one of my favorites.
Perhaps it has to do with actor Alexander Sheng Fu, as he seems to be too silly, at times, for my taste. Still, it is sad that he died young, and these early films are what we have of his work. If he hadn’t died, I can see a world that he could take the role of Jackie Chan (as king of comedy Kung Fu).
The story is about the slow corruption of Sheng Fu, and you see him going from a naïve country boy to deadly enforcer/gangster. What’s interesting is that Sheng Fu never thought what he was doing was bad, so you never think he’s a villain.
Again, not one of my favorite films, but there are some gems. The two black and white sequences were really interesting. The fight choreography was handled by famed master Lau Kar-leung, but this was per-directorial debut, so it did not have many of his trademarks.
LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA (1982)
Release date: February 8, 2022
I own the DVD for Legendary Weapons of China from Image Entertainment. This American release only contain the English soundtrack… which is what I prefer, but I still want the Chinese language option.
This Lau Kar-Leung (also known as Chia-Liang Liu) film had a weird mix of supernatural magic, a little comedy, and seriousness. I remember this film had a ton of interesting Chinese weapons, which was handled amazingly well by Gordon Liu.
Description: When the former member of a failing magical kung fu order threatens to destroy the remaining group's reputation through his loud mouth insults and defamatory behaviour, an elite band of killers is dispatched to silence him forever. Though perhaps the golden age of martial cinema had been and gone, this late entry wuxia style film from The Shaw Brothers house of dreams was still able to pack a powerful punch. Written, directed and starring Chia-Liang Liu (The Spiritual Boxer, Spiritual Boxer II), this gloriously fast-paced drama which entertainingly mixes swordplay with hand to hand combat in a fabulously furious rollicking adventure weaves its own special kind of magic.
FLAG OF IRON (1980)
Release date: February 8, 2022
One of my favorite Venom movie, Chang Cheh’s The Flag of Iron will make its way to Bluray on February 8th. I own a bootleg DVD of this film, and am looking forward to seeing it in HD for the first time.
This film has plenty of action and interesting weapon design – a spear with a long flag. Although the flag is meant to distract the enemy, I felt like it the weapon is just impracticle!
Official description: Another cult classic from the Shaw Brothers Studio, The Flag of Iron is a quintessential Hong Kong tale of rivals, betrayal and family feuds. When the master of the Iron Flag clan is killed by a mysterious assassin known only as Spearman, it sets off an explosive chain of events which pits two brothers against each other in an action-packed adventure of fist flying fury. Directed by Cheh Chang (The One-Armed Swordsman, Five Venoms), this kinetic and highly influential Kung Fu picture, mixes traditional storytelling with more modern presentation techniques, layering acrobatics, the use exotic weaponry and quick as lightening fight sequences to produce a sure fire entertaining hit, which no serious collector of martial arts movies can be without.
MONKEY KUNG FU (1979)
Release date: March 22, 2022
I don’t own this film, Monkey Kung Fu (aka Stroke of Death), as I do not believe it was ever released in the USA. I have absolutely no idea what Monkey Kung Fu is all about, but if it’s as silly as Mad Monkey Kung Fu by Lau Kar-leung, I’m not sure if I will enjoy this. I’ll still buy it, because I want to support 88 Films and Shaw Brothers.
Description: From director Mar Lo (Shaolin Thief), and starring Siu-Tung Ching (The Shaolin Boxer) comes this fast-moving Wuxia classic from the legendary Shaw Brothers studio. When prisoner Ching is given half of a wooden keepsake by a one eyed-master about to be executed, he breaks out of prison to go in search of the other half to discover its purpose. However, on his quest he is pursued by a gang leader who will also stop at nothing find out its secrets. Embroiling mystical promise, an adventurous journey and a search for the truth into its winding storyline, Money Kung Fu AKA Stroke of Death is a uniquely satisfying late seventies delve into the magical world of martial arts Hong Kong cinema.
SHAOLIN MANTIS (1978)
Release date: March 22, 2022
I remember watching Shaolin Mantis in the 80s on Blackbelt Theater. When I finally got a DVD copy via Dragon Dynasty late release, it wasn’t as good as I remembered. For some reason, when I was a child, I thought the Mantis style looked so cool… but when seen with older eyes, it just looks silly.
Still, it’s a classic Lau Kar Leung film, and I’m looking forward to seeing it in HD.
Description: Direct from the golden age of Hong Kong martial arts cinema comes Shaolin Mantis another fast paced fight fest, from the mighty Shaw Brothers studio. When scholar Wei Fung (David Chiang) is hired by the Emperor to infiltrate a clan of rebellious Ming loyalists, his mission goes adrift when he falls in love the clan leader's granddaughter and his plans are discovered. From legendary director and star Lau Kar Leung (The Spiritual Boxer, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) Shaolin Mantis is another superlative entry from the never ending showcase of 70s martial arts productions. An absolute must for collectors of classic Shaw Brothers movies. Bonus features include: Interview with Actor John Cheung, US Trailer (The Deadly Mantis), Audio commentary with Asian cinema experts Frank Djeng, Complicated Families - David West on Shaolin Mantis, Audio commentary with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, 2.0 DTS-HD MA English Soundtrack, 2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles, High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio, Hong Kong Trailer
Release date: December 14, 2021
I got the Bluray in the mail last week, so I’m still working on the extra contents, which includes two audio commentaries, slipcase, reversible cover, poster, and booklet. So far, the American girl, Samm Deighan, who does the commentary is pretty knowledgeable. She also did the commentary for The Chinese Boxer, so I know to expect a well-prepared and entertaining commentary.
Again, I like the fact that 88 Films have commissioned new artwork for all these upcoming titles – but I’m just not a fan of the artist. Just a matter of taste and opinion. I’m sure there are many people that loves the artwork, just not me.
As for the movie, I loved (and own) many Chang Cheh movies, and Disciples of Shaolin is one of the earlier films and it’s not one of my favorites.
Perhaps it has to do with actor Alexander Sheng Fu, as he seems to be too silly, at times, for my taste. Still, it is sad that he died young, and these early films are what we have of his work. If he hadn’t died, I can see a world that he could take the role of Jackie Chan (as king of comedy Kung Fu).
The story is about the slow corruption of Sheng Fu, and you see him going from a naïve country boy to deadly enforcer/gangster. What’s interesting is that Sheng Fu never thought what he was doing was bad, so you never think he’s a villain.
Again, not one of my favorite films, but there are some gems. The two black and white sequences were really interesting. The fight choreography was handled by famed master Lau Kar-leung, but this was per-directorial debut, so it did not have many of his trademarks.
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Release date: February 8, 2022
I own the DVD for Legendary Weapons of China from Image Entertainment. This American release only contain the English soundtrack… which is what I prefer, but I still want the Chinese language option.
This Lau Kar-Leung (also known as Chia-Liang Liu) film had a weird mix of supernatural magic, a little comedy, and seriousness. I remember this film had a ton of interesting Chinese weapons, which was handled amazingly well by Gordon Liu.
Description: When the former member of a failing magical kung fu order threatens to destroy the remaining group's reputation through his loud mouth insults and defamatory behaviour, an elite band of killers is dispatched to silence him forever. Though perhaps the golden age of martial cinema had been and gone, this late entry wuxia style film from The Shaw Brothers house of dreams was still able to pack a powerful punch. Written, directed and starring Chia-Liang Liu (The Spiritual Boxer, Spiritual Boxer II), this gloriously fast-paced drama which entertainingly mixes swordplay with hand to hand combat in a fabulously furious rollicking adventure weaves its own special kind of magic.
| |
Release date: February 8, 2022
One of my favorite Venom movie, Chang Cheh’s The Flag of Iron will make its way to Bluray on February 8th. I own a bootleg DVD of this film, and am looking forward to seeing it in HD for the first time.
This film has plenty of action and interesting weapon design – a spear with a long flag. Although the flag is meant to distract the enemy, I felt like it the weapon is just impracticle!
Official description: Another cult classic from the Shaw Brothers Studio, The Flag of Iron is a quintessential Hong Kong tale of rivals, betrayal and family feuds. When the master of the Iron Flag clan is killed by a mysterious assassin known only as Spearman, it sets off an explosive chain of events which pits two brothers against each other in an action-packed adventure of fist flying fury. Directed by Cheh Chang (The One-Armed Swordsman, Five Venoms), this kinetic and highly influential Kung Fu picture, mixes traditional storytelling with more modern presentation techniques, layering acrobatics, the use exotic weaponry and quick as lightening fight sequences to produce a sure fire entertaining hit, which no serious collector of martial arts movies can be without.
| |
Release date: March 22, 2022
I don’t own this film, Monkey Kung Fu (aka Stroke of Death), as I do not believe it was ever released in the USA. I have absolutely no idea what Monkey Kung Fu is all about, but if it’s as silly as Mad Monkey Kung Fu by Lau Kar-leung, I’m not sure if I will enjoy this. I’ll still buy it, because I want to support 88 Films and Shaw Brothers.
Description: From director Mar Lo (Shaolin Thief), and starring Siu-Tung Ching (The Shaolin Boxer) comes this fast-moving Wuxia classic from the legendary Shaw Brothers studio. When prisoner Ching is given half of a wooden keepsake by a one eyed-master about to be executed, he breaks out of prison to go in search of the other half to discover its purpose. However, on his quest he is pursued by a gang leader who will also stop at nothing find out its secrets. Embroiling mystical promise, an adventurous journey and a search for the truth into its winding storyline, Money Kung Fu AKA Stroke of Death is a uniquely satisfying late seventies delve into the magical world of martial arts Hong Kong cinema.
| |
Release date: March 22, 2022
I remember watching Shaolin Mantis in the 80s on Blackbelt Theater. When I finally got a DVD copy via Dragon Dynasty late release, it wasn’t as good as I remembered. For some reason, when I was a child, I thought the Mantis style looked so cool… but when seen with older eyes, it just looks silly.
Still, it’s a classic Lau Kar Leung film, and I’m looking forward to seeing it in HD.
Description: Direct from the golden age of Hong Kong martial arts cinema comes Shaolin Mantis another fast paced fight fest, from the mighty Shaw Brothers studio. When scholar Wei Fung (David Chiang) is hired by the Emperor to infiltrate a clan of rebellious Ming loyalists, his mission goes adrift when he falls in love the clan leader's granddaughter and his plans are discovered. From legendary director and star Lau Kar Leung (The Spiritual Boxer, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) Shaolin Mantis is another superlative entry from the never ending showcase of 70s martial arts productions. An absolute must for collectors of classic Shaw Brothers movies. Bonus features include: Interview with Actor John Cheung, US Trailer (The Deadly Mantis), Audio commentary with Asian cinema experts Frank Djeng, Complicated Families - David West on Shaolin Mantis, Audio commentary with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, 2.0 DTS-HD MA English Soundtrack, 2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles, High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio, Hong Kong Trailer
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