One Armed Boxer (1971) {Arrow Video Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

There has been quiet surge in classic Kung Fu films getting physical media Blu-ray releases. And the company at the forefront of this surge is Arrow Video.

They have recently released some amazing deluxe Blu-rays including Come Drink with Me, 8 Diagram Pole Fighter, and the epic collection Shawscope Volume One. But now it is time for another Kung Fu classic to shine. This time it is One Armed Boxer.

A Crime Syndicate is feuding with a martial arts school. In the the feud the master and a friend of a student is killed and Yu Tien Lung (Jimmy Wang Yu) loses an arm. Now he is on a quest for revenge as a one-armed boxer.

Jimmy Wang Yu not only starred in this film is also wrote and directed it. One thing Jimmy Wang Yu knew is that when you are watching a Kung Fu movie you want to see the action. So In One Armed Boxer is short on talk and long on action and that make this film so much fun. Just enough dialogue so that you know he story.

The Martial arts action is exciting and the story is great. It truly draws you into the story and you feel like your right there along for the amazing ride. Of course one person can't make a film alone. So Jimmy Wang Yu has a great supporting cast that elevates him in his leading role.

One Armed Boxer has been restored in 2K from the original elements by Fortune Star. The new transfer is in 1080p. The audio options include the original lossless Mandarin mono audio, alternate Mandarin soundtrack and original English dubbed audio. There is also optional English subtitles and hard-of-hearing subtitles for the English dub.

This new restoration is something else. The picture is crisp and clean with vibrant colors. The audio is clean and clear as a bell. It truly is a nice looking restoration and transfer. Now Arrow Video added some nice bonus features to this deluxe Blu-ray set. Take a look at what is included on this Blu-ray.

* Commentary by Frank Djeng from the NY Asian Film Festival

* Career retrospective interview with Wang Yu, filmed in Nantes in 2001 and never released before, courtesy of the Frédéric Ambroisine Video Archive

* Trailer gallery, featuring the original Hong Kong theatrical trailer, a US TV spot (as The Chinese Professionals) and over half an hour of trailers for other Wang Yu classics including One-Armed Swordsman and Master of the Flying Guillotine

* Image gallery

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady

* FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Simon Abrams

Watch The Trailer Below:

So if you love Kung Fu movies and enjoy the deluxe treatment Arrow Video gives their releases than One Armed Boxer is going to be one you will need for your collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.