After an undisputed reign at the peak of Hong Kong's film industry in the 1960s, Shaw Brothers (the studio founded by real-life brothers Run Run and Runme Shaw) found their dominance challenged by up-and-coming rivals in the early 1970s. They swiftly responded by producing hundreds of the most iconic action films ever made, revolutionising the genre through the backbreaking work of top-shelf talent on both sides of the camera as well as unbeatable widescreen production value, much of it shot at Movietown', their huge, privately-owned studio on the outskirts of Hong Kong. This inaugural collection by Arrow Video presents twelve jewels from the Shaw crown, all released within the 1970s, kicking off in 1972 with Korean director Jeong Chang-hwa's King Boxer, the film that established kung fu cinema as an international box office powerhouse when it hit Stateside cinemas under the title Five Fingers of Death. From there we see Chang Cheh (arguably Shaw's most prolific director) helm the blood-soaked brutality of The Boxer from Shantung and two self-produced films in his Shaolin Cycle' series, Five Shaolin Masters and its prequel Shaolin Temple, before taking a detour into Ho Meng Hua's King Kong-inspired Mighty Peking Man, one of the most unmissably insane giant monster films ever made. Chang's action choreographer Lau Kar-leung then becomes a director in his own right, propelling his adoptive brother Gordon Liu to stardom in Challenge of the Masters and Executioners from Shaolin. Not to be outdone, Chang introduces some of Shaw's most famous faces to the screen, including Alexander Fu Sheng fighting on the streets of San Francisco in Chinatown Kid and, of course, the mighty Venom Mob in The Five Venoms and Crippled Avengers. Finally, Lau and Liu successfully meld high kicks with humor in two of their masterworks, Heroes of the East and Dirty Ho, both co-starring fan favorite Hsiao Hou. From kickass kung fu killers to crazy kaiju knockoffs to culture clash comedies, this carefully curated and gorgeously presented selection of all-time Shaw Brothers classics merely represents the tip of the iceberg of the studio's rich output, making it both an ideal starting point for newcomers and a treat for hardcore fans alike. Limited Edition Contents: High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of King Boxer, The Boxer from Shantung, Five Shaolin Masters, Shaolin Temple, Mighty Peking Man, Challenge of the Masters, Executioners from Shaolin, Chinatown Kid, The Five Venoms, Crippled Avengers, Heroes of the East and Dirty Ho Brand new 2K restorations by Arrow Films from the original camera negatives of King Boxer, The Boxer from Shantung, Challenge of the Masters, The Five Venoms, Crippled Avengers and Dirty Ho Brand new 2K master of the longer international cut of Chinatown Kid from original film elements Original uncompressed Mandarin, Cantonese (where applicable) and English mono audio Newly translated English subtitles for each film Hours of bonus features including brand new commentaries and critic appreciations on selected films, new and archive interviews with cast and crew, alternate credit sequences, trailer and image galleries for each film and more to be announced! 60 page book featuring new writing by David Desser, Simon Abrams and Terrence J. Brady, with cast and crew info for each film plus trivia and soundtrack info New artwork for each film by artists including Matthew Griffin, Chris Malbon, Jacob Phillips, Ilan Sheady, Tony Stella, Darren Wheeling and Jolyon Yates Coming in 2022... Shawscope Volume Two, and More!
From Hong Kong's Shaw Brothers the founding fathers of kung fu film comes the groundbreaking cult movie King Boxer (Five Fingers Of Death). Required viewing for cinephiles and martial arts fans alike King Boxer took world audiences by storm with the tale of a young martial artist who battles his way into a national tournament in the name of love honor and revenge. His journey from young fighter in training to master of the Iron Fist delves deep into mythic kung fu lore and is laced with explosive action and dazzling fight sequences.
Originally made in 1983, Shaolin vs Lama is an example of the kung fu movie at its most cultish. The story is largely unimportant but concerns Yu Ting and his search for a kung fu master, a search that leads him into conflict with the Flying Eagle gang and their leader, Golden Wheel Lama. This is as far as it goes plotwise, not that that really matters. The focus of the film is, of course, the fight sequences and breathtaking they are too, though the whole film is given unmistakable aura of campness by its comical English dubbing. Still, it would be churlish to argue with the glowing recommendation of the Wu Tang Clan's Rza (a man who knows his kung fu stuff) of Shaolin vs Lama as one of the giants of the genre. On the DVD: filmed in a rather basic manner, Shaolin vs Lama is a colourful visual experience but not one that particularly shines on DVD. The 2.0 Dolby Digital sound gives the fight sequences an added bite but, as is so often the case, the potential of the format is frustratingly underused. There is no attempt to provide any sort of background to the film or the kung fu genre in general, instead leaving us with scene selection and the original theatrical trailer. --Phil Udell
In the sub-label 'Films of Fury' the newest entry is The Way of the Dragon, directed by and starring Bruce Lee. This volume includes exclusive extra features, O-ring packaging, and a collector's postcard (limited to 3000), based on the original theatrical poster.A young martial arts stunt man, is invited to Rome to help his relatives with a restaurant they own. However, a powerful local business corporation foresees the profit potential of the restaurant site and tries everything to force the family to sell the place to them.Feature documentary: Iron Fists and Kung Fu KicksCelebrities interviews including Sammo Hung, Simon Yam, Paul Pui, Wong Jing, Flora Cheong, Clarence Fok, Rocky LaiAlternate OpeningStills GalleryRe-edited 4K TrailerEnglish TrailerMandarin TrailerTrailers from HellAustralian director Brian Trenchard-Smith on The Way of the Dragon
In the last Big Boss Cheng Chao-On was arrested after killing Hsiao Mi ""The Big Boss"". In this sequel his brother Cheng Chao-Chun visits his brother in Thailand. He then finds a job as an ice factory worker at the same ice factory that his brother worked at. While the previous film never explained why Chao An promised never to fight again it was actually due to the fact that their father was killed in a fight. However the villain in this film is the man who was responsible for th
Fists fly as fast as lightning in this revenge-fuelled martial arts flick.
Jackie Chan stars as Ting Chung the man entrusted because of his martial arts skills to act as bodyguard by the beautiful Nan Nan to escort her seriously-ill brother to the home of the only doctor who can save his life.
Kept in the film archives for over two decades My Life On The Line is finally released for the first time on DVD anywhere in the world. Minute Fong is a ruthless contract killer who dispatches his victims in precisely sixty seconds. Working exclusively for an organisation headed by the Master Chou Jau Tung Fong begins to take on his assignments with reluctance. Realising that Fong's days are numbered Chou hires two new experts to deal with him and his sixty second technique but to no avail. Finally the master takes on Minute Fong is one of the Jade Screen's greatest ever showdowns. See tracing Boxing versus the Rolling Style. This long overdue classic will leave you begging for more!
In search of a master, a kung fu obsessive named Ting rescues a young Shaolin monk from a group of local gangsters and decides to use the opportunity to his advantage, persuading the monk to sneak him into the Shaolin temple. Thrown out soon afterward, he engenders the hatred of the Golden Wheel Lama, leader of the notorious Flying Eagle Gang, by rescuing a girl from its thugs/members. Now that he's in the sights of the once peaceable monk gone bad, Ting's only chance for survival is to unloc...
This adventure reunited the director and the cast of the groundbreaking Tiger Boy and established both as pioneers of the coming golden age of martial arts cinema. Taking place in the closing years of the Ming Dynasty the title characters battle a power hungry official whilst at the same time getting involved with three gorgeous beauties. Two magnificent trios plus great fight scenes makes this one of the most memorable historical drama to come out of Shaw Brothers studio in the 196
A film featuring some of the most daring and action packed examples of kung-fu fighting with spectacular acting and locations... Two friends arrested for drug smuggling while on leave from their jobs as police officers are put through hell in this prison camp. See their efforts to stay alive and keep their sanity in this depraved arena. Can their cop training keep them going or will they break in this cruel jungle prison camp?
The Wandering Monk (Dir. Chang Hung Chi 1980):After a number of deathly mishaps Monk Lu bravely rescues the bewildered young orphan Cheng and teaches him the essence of martial arts. The two roam the countryside seeking the murderers of Cheng's father......in a series of spectacular martial arts displays they encounter the brutal killer and bring him to justice. Matching Escort (Dir. Ling Chang 1983):The unusual and exciting story that features a whole range of martial arts. This smashing box office hit unfolds right in front of your very eyes. Filmed in lavish studio settings with elaborate costumes and traditional weapons!! Of Cooks and Kung Fu (Dir. Ting Chun 1979):Ching Kai portrays a master chef who once served up culinary delights to the Empresses daughter. The banquet was sabotaged and the Master falsely accused of murder and treason. Now it is up to the youngster to avenge his family and take revenge on the Basket Hat Assassin!! The Guy with Secret Kung Fu (Dir. Joe Law 1981:A match of evil vs. good as the outlaw bandits attempt to destroy the only people able to protect a small village. Some astonishing fight sequences and major action in this Kung Fu classic. Miss this at your own peril!!
Wandering Monk: After a number of deathly mishaps Monk Lu bravely rescues the bewildered young orphan Cheng and teaches him the essence of martial arts. The two roam the countryside seeking the murderers of Chung's father... in a series of spectacular martial arts displays they encounter the brutal killer and bring him to justice! Matching Escort: A young orphaned girl is taken under wing by a ninjetsu expert who teaches her the magnificent ninja skills. When her true
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