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Description

A young rebel escapes Manchu oppression and trains in a legendary Shaolin temple to master kung fu and fight back.

Description

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

A gloriously typical entry from Shaw Brothers, Martial Club starring Kara Wei (THE BRAVE ARCHER 2 and MAD MONKEY KUNG FU) and Gordon Liu (THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN) and directed by Lau Kar-Leung (LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA), affords us a fast-paced, cleverly choreographed piece of martial arts fun combining many elements that lovers of this kind of cinema will be more than appreciative of. Rival fight schools, an old master and beautifully designed set pieces tumble together in a colourfully kinaesthetic unceasing parade of flying fists and action set pieces. Bonus features include: Limited Edition Collectors Booklet with Behind the Scene Photos and writing by Critic and AuthorBarry Forshaw, Limited Edition Slipcase with new Artwork by Kung Fu Bob O'Brien, Reversible Artwork, Interviews with Hung San Nam and Tony Tam, Interview with Johnny Wang, ‘Kung Fu and Dancing’ - An Interview with Robert Mak, Audio commentary with Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng, ‘Instructors of Death’ Trailer, Instructors of Death - Grindhouse Presentation, High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio, 2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles, 2.0 DTS-HD MA English Soundtrack