When you think Kung Fu movies you probably are thinking of Shaw Brothers movies. The Shaw Brothers brought some of the best kung fu films to America and they have become cult classics.
Arrow Vide have released a collection of Shaw Brothers films with ShawScope Volume 1. But now it's time for another kung fu cult classic from The Shaw Brothers, this time it is 1984's The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter.
The film is loosely based upon the Yang dynasty of Chinese folklore. During a bloody battle a family patriarch and all but two sons are exterminated. One son (Fu Sheng) returns to his mother and two sisters and the other (Gordon Liu) escapes and joins a monastery. When he learns his sister (Kara Hui) has been captured, the warrior-turned-monk renounces his peaceful orders and vows to avenge his family.
It is very interesting to not that only midway through the production one of its lead actors, Alexander Fu Sheng tragically died, director Lau Kar-leung decided not to scrap the film, but to rework it to be a tribute to the Alexander Fu Sheng.
The 8 diagram pole fighter was made as the Shaw Brother studios was coming to and end. It was one of the final films and defiantly one of the best. The story is well told and the action is top notch. It is a Kung Fu film fans dream come true to see this one on Blu-ray.
Arrow Video have transferred the film in 1080p from a brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative. There are three choices for audio soundtracks including; Original lossless mono audio in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. There is also the option for English subtitles for deaf and hard of hearing.
This brand new 2K scan is something special. It looks and sound amazing. The action looks great in HD. The picture is crisp and the colors are vibrant. A simply beautiful scan. Now as awesome as it is to have a 2K restored Kung Fu film on Blu-ray Arrow Vide didn't stop there. They added some amazing bonuses to this Blu-ray disc. Take a look at what is included.
* 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
Watch The Trailer Below:
If you are a fan of Shaw Brothers Kung Fu cinema The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter will be right up your alley. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.
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