Before he became known as the master of the bullet-riddled heroic tragedy, John Woo sharpened his trademark themes and kinetic action choreography with this whirlwind wuxia spectacle. Unaware they are caught in a deadly game of deception, a pair of rambunctious swordsmen (Wai Pak and Damian Lau) join forces to help a nobleman (Lau Kong) in his quest for vengeance. Paying thrilling homage to his mentor, martial-arts innovator Chang Cheh, Woo delivers both bravura swordplay set pieces and a bloodstained interrogation of the meaning of brotherhood and honor in a world in which loyalty is bought and sold.
FILM INFO
- Hong Kong
- 1979
- 106 minutes
- Color
- 2.39:1
- Cantonese
- Spine #1174
BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- 2K digital restoration, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio and uncompressed monaural soundtracks
- Alternate English-dubbed tracks
- Audio interview with director John Woo
- New interview with Grady Hendrix, author of These Fists Break Bricks
- Trailer
- New English subtitle translation
- PLUS: An essay by scholar Aaron Han Joon Magnan-ParkNew cover designed and illustrated by Alphaville
