Search

Release: July 19, 2016

$7.99

Description

'Visionary' barely begins to describe this masterpiece of Chinese cinema and martial arts moviemaking. A Touch of Zen by King Hu (Dragon Inn) depicts the journey of Yang (Hsu Feng), a fugitive noblewoman who seeks refuge in a remote, and allegedly haunted, village. The sanctuary she finds with a shy scholar and two aides in disguise is shattered when a nefarious swordsman uncovers her identity, pitting the four against legions of blade-wielding opponents. At once a wuxia film, the tale of a spiritual quest, and a study in human nature, A Touch of Zen is an unparalleled work in Hu s formidable career and an epic of the highest order, characterized by breathtaking action choreography, stunning widescreen landscapes, and innovative editing. BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES - New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack - Documentary from 2012 about director King Hu - New interviews with actors Hsu Feng and Shih Chun - New interview with filmmaker Ang Lee - New interview with film scholar Tony Rayns - Trailer - New English subtitle translation - PLUS: An essay by film scholar David Bordwell and notes by Hu from a 1975 Cannes Film Festival press kit

Release: July 10, 2018

$7.99

Description

The art of martial-arts filmmaking took a leap into bold new territory with this action-packed tale of Ming-dynasty intrigue. After having the emperor’s minister of defense executed, a power-grabbing eunuch sends assassins to trail the victim’s children to a remote point on the northern Chinese border. But that bloodthirsty mission is confounded by a mysterious group of fighters who arrive on the scene, intent on delivering justice and defending the innocent. The first film King Hu made after moving to Taiwan from Hong Kong in search of more creative freedom, Dragon Inn combines rhythmic editing, meticulous choreography, and gorgeous widescreen compositions with a refinement that was new to the wuxia genre. Its blockbuster success breathed new life into a classic formula and established Hu as one of Chinese cinema’s most audacious innovators.

Release: December 14, 2021

$7.99

Description

From Mei-Chun Chang, the director of Dynasty, comes this eye-popping martial-arts extravaganza set near the turn of the 18th century in China. Thirteen women train to become nuns after they are ravaged by bandits. A mastery of kung fu is required before the women finish their training, and after they leave the temple the nuns head out for vengeance. Starring Ying Bai, Shirley Han and Shisuen Leong, Revenge of the Shogun Women, also known as 13 Nuns, delivers chop-socky 3-D action in spades! Restored in 3-D by 3-D Film Archive! Special Features: • Includes Both BD3D Polarized AND Anaglyphic (Red/Cyan) 3-D Versions and the 2-D Version • One Pair of Anaglyphic 3-D Glasses • Three 3-D Shorts: College Capers (1953) / Persian Slave Market (1953) / Two Guys from Tick Ridge (1973)

Release: June 11, 2024

$7.99

Description

The Valiant Ones is perhaps the last true wuxia film directed by celebrated Taiwanese filmmaker King Hu, an undisputed master of the genre. Shot back-to-back with The Fate of Lee Khan (but not released until two years later), it stands as a worthy follow-up to his earlier works Come Drink with Me, Dragon Inn and A Touch of Zen. During the reign of the Jiajing Emperor (Chao Lei), China's coastal regions have come under attack by wokou - Japanese pirates under the leadership of the infamous Hakatatsu (Sammo Hung). To combat this threat, the Emperor tasks a trusted general, Zhu Wan (Tu Kuang-chi), with assembling a group of skilled warriors to find and eliminate the pirates. Under the command of General Yu Dayou (Roy Chiao), the band of soldiers - including husband-and-wife sword-fighters Wu Ji-yuan (Wing Bai) and Wu Ruo-shi (Feng Hsu) - set out to draw Hakatatsu, his ally Xu Dong (Han Ying-chieh) and their pirate clan into a series of spectacular showdowns. Inspired by historical events and featuring several storied figures drawn from Chinese history, The Valiant Ones is a standout wuxia film produced during the dying days of the genre, as audience tastes were shifting towards more grounded kung fu cinema. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the film on 4K Ultra HD for the first time. BONUS FEATURES: 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation, presented in Dolby Vision HDR from a 4K digital restoration of the original negatives gifted by director King Hu to the Hong Kong Film Archive Uncompressed original Mandarin mono restored from the original soundtrack negative Optional English subtitles newly translated for this release Brand new audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) Tony Rayns on The Valiant Ones – Brand new interview with critic and Asian film expert Tony Rayns Brand new video essay by David Cairns The Life of a Lucky Stuntman – Brand new interview with stuntman Billy Chan My Father and I – Brand new interview with actor Ng Ming-choi Archival 2003 interview with actress Hsu Feng by Frédéric Ambroisine Archival 2003 interview with Roger Garcia (Hong Kong International Film Festival Society) by Frédéric Ambroisine Archival 2016 interview with actor Ng Ming-choi by Frédéric Ambroisine