88 Films unleashes The Flag of Iron and Legendary Weapons of China in Feb

Disc Announcements, News

Are you ready for more classic martial arts action? The British label 88 Films arrived in America at the end of last year with Chinese Boxer and Disciples of Shao Lin. Now they’re ready to give us more excitement from the legendary Shaw Brothers studio with two more titles for February. The Flag of Iron (1980) features the Iron Flag Clan being torn apart by a mysterious assassin. The film was directed by Cheh Chang and featured members of his Venom Mob acting crew. The film was a reference point for the Wu-Tang Clan’s Iron Flag album. Legendary Weapons of China (1982) features 18 weapons from Rope darts to the Three-section staff. You’ll be seeing more weapons on the screen than that shady store at the mall. I’m curious how the Double crutches work. The film stars Gordon Liu and Alexander Fu Sheng. The plot involves trying to find martial arts fighters that can’t be put down by bullets from outsiders. The Wu-Tang Clan sampled the English dub on their Legendary Weapons album. Both films come out on February 8th so clear your calendar for a double feature of Shaw Brothers wonderment. Here’s the press release from 88 Films:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MVD announces February lineup from 88 FILMS
The Flag of Iron[Blu-ray] (2/8)
Legendary Weapons of China[Blu-ray] (2/8)
88 Films bring more Choptastic Kung Fu to the US of A in February!

Coming from 88 Films USA Label in partnership with MVD on February 8th is 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 Chan Cheh (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.

Included in the package are a LIMITED EDITION Slipcase with brand-new artwork from R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien, Double-Sided A3 Foldout Poster, Extensive Booklet notes and an Audio Commentary by Asian Cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arnew Venema.

Also out of the same date, February 8th is the epic Legendary Weapons of China. 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 behavior, 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.

Included in this stacked package are a LIMITED EDITION Slipcase with brand-new artwork from R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien, Double-Sided A3 Foldout Poster, Extensive Booklet Notes, Audio Commentary with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, Audio commentary with Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng and Actor / Martial Artist Michael Worth, Audio commentary with Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng, Eighteen Weapons – David West on Legendary Weapons of China, Gordon At Shaw – Interview with Actor Gordon Lui by Frédéric Ambroisine, Titus At Shaw – Interview with Producer Titus Ho by Frédéric Ambroisine and an Original Trailer.
The Flag of Iron
Another cult classic from the Shaw Brothers Studio, The Flag of Iron is a quintessential Hong Kong tale of rivals, betrayal and family feuds.

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.
Bonus Materials
High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
2.0 DTS-HD MA English Soundtrack
2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles
Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
Includes First Run Slipcase, Booklet and Poster

Trailerhttps://vimeo.com/613780364
Legendary Weapons of China
When the former member of a failing magical kung fu order threatens to destroy the group’s reputation an elite band of killers is dispatched.

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 behavior, 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.

Bonus Materials
High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
2.0 DTS-HD MA English Soundtrack
2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles
Audio Commentary with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
Audio commentary with Asian cinema experts Frank Djeng
Eighteen Weapons – David West on Legendary Weapons of China
Gordon At Shaw – Interview with Actor Gordon Lui
Titus At Shaw – Interview with Producer Titus Ho
Original Theatrical Trailer
Trailerhttps://vimeo.com/616834481
Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.