As we watch the EuroCup and the Copa America this summer, the Fall promises an even more exciting brand of soccer on the screen. The Champions merged soccer and Kung Fu action back in 1983 and arrives on Blu-ray in September. The Golden Harvest production lets the Yuen clan take to the pitch with gravity defying kicks. The Champions was written and directed by Brandy Yuen (The Miracle Fighters) and has quite a few family members contributing including Yuen Biao (Wheels On Meals) in the lead. Double the kicks are promised. Here’s the press release from Eureka! Entertainment:
EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF
THE CHAMPIONS
A KUNG FU COMEDY CLASSIC STARRING YUEN BIAO
SPORTS, ACTION, AND COMEDY COLLIDE IN THIS KUNG FU SOCCER COMEDY
Eureka Entertainment announces the release of The Champions, the kung fu soccer comedy starring Yuen Biao, presented in its worldwide debut on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration. The first print run of 2000 copies only (in each territory) will exclusively feature a limited edition O-card slipcase, and a collector’s booklet.
Sports, action, and comedy collide in Golden Harvest’s The Champions, the precursor to Shaolin Soccer, from the first family of Hong Kong martial arts cinema: the inimitable Yuen Clan!
Lee Tong (Yuen Biao, Dreadnaught) is a young farmer who has grown up in an isolated rural community. When an indiscretion lands him in hot water, he leaves his home in the countryside and heads for the big city – where he meets Suen (Cheung Kwok-keung, Eastern Condors), an urban soccer player who recognises Tong’s talent for the beautiful game and encourages him to try out for a pro team. But Tong’s first chance at sporting glory is scuppered by a rivalry with the narcissistic King (Dick Wei, Project A), who relegates the newcomer to cleaning up after his teammates. Having discovered a love for soccer, Tong soon accepts an offer to join a rival team – and the stage is set for a final confrontation with King on the pitch.
Written and directed by Brandy Yuen (In the Line of Duty III) and featuring action choreography by Yuen Shun-yi (The Miracle Fighters) and Yuen Chun Yeung (Armour of God), The Champions is a sporting underdog story filtered through some of the greatest minds in the history of Hong Kong action cinema. Eureka Classics is proud to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time ever from a brand new 2K restoration!
SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY FEATURES:
- Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling (First print run of 2000 copies only)
- 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration
- Original Cantonese audio and optional English dub tracks (original mono presentations) Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
- Brand new audio commentary by East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
- Brand new audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema Brand new featurette by CFK looking at the 1987 Hong Kong celebrity football team that featured a number of Hong Kong legends including Jackie Chan and Andy Lau
- Andrew Heskins on The Champions – brand new interview with film critic Andrew Heskins (easternKicks)
- Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork
- Trailer
- PLUS: A limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic James Oliver (First print run of 2000 copies only)
- All extras subject to change
“Impeccably-choreographed action sequences.” – Variety
“An entertaining blend of light comedy and some of the best soccer sequences ever committed to film… an underrated gem that does not receive the attention it deserves.” – City on Fire
