Come Drink With Me became an international hit for Shaw Brothers in 1966. The movie redefined how to capture the athletic swordplay of the Wuxia genre. For the next few years, the Hong Kong studio focused on pushing the dynamics of clanging fights in Shawscope. Shaw Brothers Classics Vol. 1 boxes together 11 films produced from 1967 to 1969 including the sequel to Come Drink With Me. The titles include The Assassin, The Thundering Sword, The Golden Swallow, The Jade Raksha, The Bells of Death, The Sword of Swords, Killer Darts, The Invincible Fist, Dragon Swamp, The Flying Dagger and The Golden Sword. This is first time the films will be out on Blu-ray in America. The swords will shine in 1080p when wielded by Cheng Pei-pei and Jimmy Wang Yu. Shaw Brothers Classics Vol. 1 contains an important part of the studio’s history for those who have been enjoying their martial arts titles that have been released over the last two years. If you pre-order Shaw Brothers Classics Vol. 1 directly from Shout! Factory’s website, they’ll include a poster with the cover. Here’s the press release from Shout! Factory that includes the bonus features:
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| Shaw Brothers Classics Vol. 1 Epic Tales from the Legendary Studio Make Their Blu-ray Debuts June 13, 2023 from Shout! Factory |
Jam-packed with epic kung-fu tales from the legendary Hong Kong studio, Shout! Factory is proud to announce Shaw Brothers Classics, Vol. 1. Featuring eleven films from the influential filmmakers never before available on Blu-ray in North America, this deluxe box set will be available June 13, 2023. Fans can pre-order copies by visiting ShoutFactory.com Showcasing classic tales of battles between good and evil fought by fabled heroes and larger than life villains, the set contains eleven films released from 1967-1969 including: The Assassin, The Thundering Sword, The Golden Swallow, The Jade Raksha, The Bells of Death, The Sword of Swords, Killer Darts, The Invincible Fist, Dragon Swamp, The Flying Dagger and The Golden Sword. The box set also comes loaded with new bonus features, including new audio commentaries from critics, authors and experts including David West, Gilbert Po, Brian Bankston, Frank Djeng and James Mudge; new interviews with author Leon Hunt, author and critic Kim Newman, actress Cheng Pei-Pei, critic Tony Rayns, dubber Peter Boczar, and more! Shaw Brothers Classics Vol. 1 Titles and Bonus Features THE ASSASSIN (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 112 min.) In the same year that director/writer Chang Cheh and star Jimmy Wang Yu revolutionized Hong Kong kung fu cinema with One-Armed Swordsman, they also collaborated on this epic of the Six Kingdoms era. Here, Yu is a two-armed swordsman who is also a Wei Empire patriot. Inside the Han Empire, Han Kuei, who comes from the royal family, assumes full power and wants to eliminate loyal officer Yen Sui. Later, our main character is betrayed by a jealous rival and becomes a village butcher. But when he meets Yen Sui, he is sent back on the road of vengeance. Chiao Chiao, the lovely and talented costar of One-Armed Swordsman, here plays Hsia, the love of the hero’s life and the strong woman who survives to protect their child. NEW Audio Commentary by David West, critic and author of Chasing Dragons: An Introduction to the Martial Arts Film. Celestial Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation English Dub Mono DTS-HD Master Audio THE THUNDERING SWORD (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 90 min.) Superstar swordswoman Cheng Pei-pei, (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), stars as the daughter of the Poison Master in a Romeo And Juliet-style martial arts adventure concerning a search for the magical “Heaven and Earth” weapon in The Thundering Sword. NEW From a Western Perspective – an interview about the transnational appeal of the Shaw Brothers with academic Leon Hunt, author of “Kung Fu Cult Masters: From Bruce Lee to Crouching Tiger” NEW interview with author and critic Kim Newman about the Western “breakthrough” films of Sir Run Run Shaw, which took the producer from East to West. Celestial Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation THE GOLDEN SWALLOW (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 104 min.) The indomitable martial arts team of director Chang Cheh and stunt choreographer Liu Chia-liang continues the compelling saga of The Golden Swallow from King Hu’s Come Drink With Me in this sequel of heartbreaking romance, intrigue and stunning action. NEW Audio Commentary by Hong Kong-based academic and filmmaker Gilbert Po Interview with actress Cheng Pei-Pei by Frédéric Ambroisine Celestial Trailer Original Theatrical Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation English Dub Mono DTS-HD Master Audio THE JADE RAKSHA (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 91 min.) Thanks in great part to Cheng Pei-pei, women in martial arts movies played a more central role in the plots and the swordswomen of the genre became some of the most charismatic figures in Hong Kong cinema. In The Jade Raksha, Cheng Pei-pei becomes a human combine harvester as she hacks and whacks a path through life, avenging the death of her family under the moniker “The Jade Raksha.” NEW Slicing at the Stars – an interview with critic and Hong Kong film expert Tony Rayns, about the emergence, key players and success of the Shaw Brothers wuxia film NEW A Very Vocal Violence – Hong Kong based dubber Peter Boczar reflects on his time behind the microphone for a number of martial arts masterpieces. AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation THE BELLS OF DEATH (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 85 min.) The Bells Of Death is a whirlwind story about a man embarking on a life-long journey to master the sword, then find and eliminate the three men who killed his family and abducted his sister. NEW Audio Commentary with James Mudge, veteran Hong Kong film critic at easternKicks Celestial Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation English Dub Mono DTS-HD Master Audio THE SWORD OF SWORDS (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 106 min.) Jimmy Wang Yu had just exploded into superstardom as One-Armed Swordsman when he teamed with respected writer/director Cheng Kang for this tale of master martial artists vying for the title blade – a “weapon of exceptional brilliance.” And with legendary martial arts choreographers Lau Kar-leung and Tang Chia directing the action, the result is a superb, flat-out adventure of intrigue, deception, and an abduction, delivering one battle after another until it culminates in an amazing all-out slaughter. NEW Audio Commentary with film historian Brian Bankston (Cool Ass Cinema blog) NEW Audio Commentary with James Mudge, veteran Hong Kong film critic at easternKicks Celestial Trailer Original Theatrical Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation English Dub Mono DTS-HD Master Audio KILLER DART (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 84 min.) Rampaging bandits are pillaging peaceful Chinese villages until the grieving dart master Liu Wen Lung sets out with his student, son, and servant to avenge his murdered wife and set things right. Renowned director Ho Meng-Hua – soon to be internationally famous for The Flying Guillotine – masterfully balances action with intrigue and romance, as the path of righteousness is littered with lies … and corpses. NEW Audio Commentary with James Mudge, veteran Hong Kong film critic at easternKicks Celestial Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation THE INVINCIBLE FIST (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 94 min.) The Invincible Fist is one of the few films where the godfather of the kung fu film Chang Cheh headlined Lo Lieh as the leading hero three years before Lo would become the Shaw Brothers’ first international star in King Boxer (aka Five Fingers Of Death). Here he plays a dedicated chief constable for Tsang Chou village who falls in love with the blind daughter of a bandit who is wreaking havoc. Joining him in all the action and emotion are award-winning actor Ku Feng and future superstar David Chiang. NEW Audio Commentary with film historian Brian Bankston (Cool Ass Cinema blog) NEW Audio commentary with James Mudge, veteran Hong Kong film critic at easternKicks. Celestial Trailer Original Theatrical Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation DRAGON SWAMP (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 105 min.) Cheng Pei-pei, the screen’s greatest swordswoman, teams with Lo Lieh for this amazing, fast-paced adventure of the “Martial Arts World” – where everyone is killing to gain the famous “Jade Dragon Sword.” Fascinating characters, like the Roaming Knight and the Master of Dragon Swamp, clash in this family feud, which takes place over twenty years. In addition to the spectacular fights, this special production holds an emotional wallop for the finale. NEW Audio Commentary with Hong Kong-based academic and filmmaker Gilbert Po. Celestial Trailer Original Theatrical Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation THE FLYING DAGGER (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 93 min.) Godfather of the kung fu film, director Chang Cheh is famous for introducing the revolutionary concept of “yanggang” (macho) martial arts movies. Until then, female stars (often in male swordsman roles) ruled the screens. This collaboration between him and swordswoman supreme Cheng Pei-pei is exceptional indeed. Cheng could hold her own with any man, freeing Chang to create the best of all possible martial arts worlds. NEW Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng of the New York Asian Film Festival Celestial Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation English Dub Mono DTS-HD Master Audio THE GOLDEN SWORD (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / 101 min.) Lo Wei remains internationally famous for directing Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan’s first major movies. Cheng Pei-pei is now internationally famous for her superlative villainous role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. But both were superstars in Hong Kong for decades prior, so any teaming of the superlative “swordswoman supreme” and the vaunted director/writer/actor is cause for celebration. Kao Yuen joins them as a noble swordsman, and award-winning actor Ku Feng stars as the Frontier Terror in the evocative and effective “Martial Arts World” adventure. NEW Audio Commentary with Hong Kong-based academic and filmmaker Gilbert Po Celestial Trailer AUDIO: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation ABOUT SHOUT! FACTORY Shout! Factory, LLC is a leading multi-platform media company devoted to film and TV distribution, development, and production. Founded by Richard Foos, Bob Emmer, and Garson Foos in 2003, Shout! owns and manages a large portfolio of films, contemporary and classic TV series, animation, and documentaries. The company’s creative acquisition mandate has established it as a leading independent distributor, with partners and properties including GKIDS, Sesame Street, LAIKA Studios, The Jim Henson Company, The Carol Burnett Show, The Johnny Carson Show, Stephen J. Cannell Productions, ALF, ITV Studios, Major League Baseball Productions, and many others. Shout! Factory Kids focuses on live-action and animated kids and family properties as well as anime, and the company releases films and television shows in other genres under the Scream Factory and Shout Select imprints. Shout! develops, acquires and distributes new films via Shout! Studios, owns and operates libraries including Mystery Science Theater 3000 (in partnership with creator Joel Hodgson) and the Roger Corman New Horizons Pictures Library and operates the acclaimed streaming service Shout! Factory TV. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com. |
