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After one of its lead actors (cherub-faced action icon Alexander Fu Sheng) unexpectedly died midway through production, master director Lau Kar-leung (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) retooled his latest martial arts epic, The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter, as the ultimate action spectacular in tribute to the fallen star. Loosely based upon the legendary Yang dynasty chronicled in Chinese folklore, the film starts as the family patriarch and all but two of his sons are brutally wiped out in a bloody battle. One surviving son (Fu Sheng) returns to his mother and two sisters, deeply traumatized; the other (Gordon Liu) escapes and joins a nearby monastery while in hiding. Once he learns his sister (Kara Hui) has been captured by their enemies, however, the warrior-turned-monk realizes he must renounce his peaceful ideals in order to mount a rescue mission and avenge his family. Made during the legendary Shaw Brothers studio's twilight years as a filmmaking powerhouse, The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter is often regarded as director Lau’s masterpiece, as elegiac and suffused with anguish as it is thrillingly violent (not least in its bone-crunching, teeth-smashing climax). SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative by Arrow Films High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation Original lossless Cantonese, Mandarin and English mono audio Optional English subtitles, plus hard-of-hearing subtitles for the English dub Brand new commentary by Jonathan Clements, author of A Brief History of China Newly filmed appreciation by film critic and historian Tony Rayns Interviews with stars Gordon Liu, Lily Li and Yeung Ching-ching, filmed by Frédéric Ambroisine in 2004 A Tribute to Fu Sheng, a short film commemorating the late actor that played before early screenings of The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter, presented via a German-dubbed telecine (the best available copy) with English subtitles Alternate opening credits, as The Invincible Pole Fighters Theatrical trailer Image gallery Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Marc Aspinall FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing on the film by Terrence J. Brady

Description

This Shaw Brothers double feature pairs two hard-hitting tales of vengeance, betrayal and brutal martial-arts justice.

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

Description

Acclaimed director Liu Chia-liang directs his brothers Gordon Liu Chia-hui and Liu Chia-yung in a wild and crazy ghostly film in this heralded sequel to The Spiritual Boxer. Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews The Shadow Boxing a.k.a The Spiritual Boxer Part 2 [Blu-ray] [Region A & B]

Description

Rival warriors chase a legendary sword through a maze of traps, hidden loyalties, and deadly secrets.