Martial Arts Movie Marathon Vol. 1(Shout! Factory)
This set contains four Golden Harvest films from 1974/75.All have original language mono and an english dub option.
Manchu Boxer 2/5 Tony Liu,who appeared in all of Bruce Lee's completed films (his biggest part the Big Boss's son) takes up a lead role in this short but rather slow moving tale of an expert fighter who kills a man in the films opening sequence and is banished from home.Of course he takes up a vow to never fight again and he frustratingly sticks to it till near the film's conclusion.In between there's a few action sequences involving Liu's co-stars (Sammo's in there).Print like most of these Fortune Star prints is a bit battered but ok.
The Skyhawk 3/5 Probably the best movie in this set,Kwan Tak-hing reprises his Wong Fei Hung role and has Sammo & Carter Wong along for the ride.Add in Nora Mao and Hwang-in-Shik and you have an entertaining basher.As above the print used has seen better days but is passable.
The Association 1.5/5 As noted elsewhere this movie is as mad as a bag of spanners,mixing softcore nudity with bouts of kung fu.The star Byong Yu (his only film appearance) is a Dirty Harry style cop out to avenge his girlfriends unjust execution. Unfortunately Yu while clearly having fighting ability is a charisma free zone.Saving graces are Angela Mao & the ubiquitous Sammo.
not sure the lack of a climactic fight was the director daring to be different or he just couldn't be arsed! and Carter Wong's "appearance" wtf was that all about?
The Dragon Tamers 2.5/5 Decent cast (James Tien,Carter Wong,Yeung Wai) in an early John Woo effort.A little overlong but some decent action,interesting how GH seemed to be moving towards the softcore nudity market (gratituous nudity here) i mean
even in the climactic fight with the female boss the knockbout blow sees her fall to the ground,her boob pops out of her robe as it would do
All in all a mixed bag,personally i'm made up to see these movies getting a release in the USA at least,i hope they sell well so Shout! keep up with releasing them.i'll be supporting them by buying anyway.