The Shaw Brothers are icons in the kung fu movie world. but many years before those film made them icons, audiences enjoyed their mythic tales of sword fighting heroes that would often defy the laws of gravity.
The final film for the studio (before they would star their own), was 1966 Come Drink With Me, director King Hu (A Touch of Zen). Now the good folks at Arrow Video knowing how much people love their Kung Fu films have given this classic a deluxe Blu-ray release it so richly deserves.
When the Governor’s son is taken hostage by bandits, a mysterious swordsman named Golden Swallow (Cheng Pei-pei) is hot on their trail to ensure the son’s release. What the bandits don’t realize, however, is that Golden Swallow is actually a woman, and that the hostage is her brother. Determined to set him free, no matter how many goons she has to fight her way through in doing so, she is aided in her quest by a drunken beggar (Yueh Hua) who may have a closer connection to the bandits’ leader than he initially lets on.
Long before America would be captivated by films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Kill Bill. The only way Americans could enjoy Kung Fu movies was in the English dubbed imports. And Come Drink With Me is one of the best of the Kung Fu movie imports, to say the least. From the choreography to the story to the acting, it hits all the right notes.
This film has been transferred in 1080p in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. There is two audio options the uncompressed Mandarin and English original mono audio. There is also optional English subtitles, plus English hard-of-hearing subtitles for the English dub. This transfer is simply amazing! The colors are vibrant and the picture is crisp and clean.
Arrow Video always impresses with their releases, bringing fans more than just a gorgeous transfers of classic films. They load the discs up with interesting commentaries, interviews retrospectives and more. Take a look at the bonus features Arrow Video added to this set.
* Brand new audio commentary by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
* Interview with star Cheng Pei-pei, filmed by Frédéric Ambroisine in 2003
* Interview with star Yueh Hua, filmed by Frédéric Ambroisine in 2007
* Interview with star Chen Hung-lieh, filmed by Frédéric Ambroisine in 2003
* Talk Story with Cheng Pei-pei, a 2016 Q&A at the University of Hawaii moderated by George Chun Han Wang
* Cinema Hong Kong: Swordfighting, a documentary on the history of the wuxia genre and Shaw Brothers’ contributions to it, produced by Celestial Pictures in 2003 and featuring interviews with Cheng Pei-pei, Gordon Liu, Lau Kar-leung, John Woo, Sammo Hung, Kara Hui, David Chiang and others
* Original theatrical trailer, plus trailer for the sequel Golden Swallow
* Image gallery
* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella
* FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anne Billson, and a 2010 essay by George Chun Han Wang about the relationship between director King Hu and producer Run Run Shaw
Watch The Arrow Video Trailer Below:
So as you can see Arrow Video came through yet again with another Blu-ray filled with bonus features that will keep you entertained for quite a while. So if you love Kung Fu movies Come Drink With Me is going to be one you are going to want to add to your collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.
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