The Shape of Night: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1964
Director: Noboru Nakamura
Writers: Toshidi Gondo, Kyoko Ohta
Cast: Miyuki Kuwano, Mikijirô Hira, Keisuke Sonoi, Masuyo Iwamoto, Misako Tominaga, Bunta Sugawara, Isao Kimura

Release Date: April 29th, 2024 (UK), April 30th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running time: 106 Minutes 32 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"A young woman from the countryside (Miyuki Kuwano of Oshima’s Cruel Story of Youth) falls in love with a handsome hoodlum (Mikijiro Hira, Sword of the Beast), who pushes her into a life of prostitution. When his sleazy superiors catch sight of her, she finds herself trapped inside the gaudy maze of city nightlife." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “The Shape of Night was transferred in High-Definition by Shochiku Co. Ltd. and supplied to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file. Additional restoration was performed by Radiance Films in 2024."

The Shape of Night comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 34.5 GB

Feature: 29 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. Flesh tones look correct, colors are nicely saturated, mage clarity and compression are solid, contrast and black levels are strong throughout, and there does not appear to be any digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option: a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio is in great shape. Dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a video essay by Tom Mes titled Major Changes: Shochiku in the 1960s (13 minutes 15 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an Yoshio Nakamura, son of director Noboru Nakamura (15 minutes 45 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), a seconds interview with Yoshio Nakamura who discusses baseball, this extra is an Easter egg (5 minutes 27 seconds,LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 28-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled Beautiful Downer written by Chuck Stephens, an archival writing titled On Filming The Shape of Night written by Toichiro Narushima and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Directed by Noboru Nakamura, whose other notable films are Twin Sisters of Kyoto and Portrait of Chieko.

The narrative revolves around a woman who went from a factory worker to a bar hostess and ended up a prostitute.

The narrative does a phenomenal job building the protagonist's backstory via a series of flashbacks. When the narrative introduces the protagonist, she’s already broken emotionally and has accepted her life of sleeping with strangers for money to support her boyfriend's gambling debts. And the way in which the narrative builds toward the protagonist's moment of clarity makes this moment all the more potent.

At the heart of The Shape of Night is a story about decisions and how they shape outcomes. Though the protagonist's relationship starts off like any other love affair, when presented with a crossroads, the protagonist refuses to accept the reality in front of her. That said, it is clear that the protagonist loves the man she’s with, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make their relationship work.

As great as the cast are in their roles, no performance stands taller than Miyuki Kuwano (Cruel Story of Youth) in the role of Yoshie Nomoto, the protagonist who finds herself in a hopeless situation. An exceptional performance is delivered by her, leaving no room for doubt—a character who has been broken and has come to terms with their fate. Mikijirô Hira’s (Three Outlaw Samurai) portrayal of Eiji Kitami, a gambling addiction hoodlum, is another performance of note.

Though Miyuki Kuwano’s performance is the heart and soul of The Shape of Night, one must not overlook Noboru Nakamura’s direction. From the get-go, his strong visual eye is at work in the opening credits, which are different angles of Miyuki Kuwano’s character looking glamorous. The deception of the opening sequence does a superb job masking her characters' anguish. Throughout, Noboru Nakamura fills every frame of the visuals with interesting compositions that heighten the mood. And nowhere is this clearer than the scene where Eiji is forced to watch Yoshie’s gang rape at the hands of the yakuza. Needless to say, despite its bleak subject matter, The Shape of Night is a beautifully photographed film. Ultimately, The Shape of Night is an extraordinary melodrama about a woman trapped in a desperate situation.

The Shape of Night gets an exceptional release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Road to Fort Alamo: Limited Edition – Malombra Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/France, 1964
Director: Mario Bava
Writers: Lorenzo Gicca Palli, Francesco Prosperi, Livia Contardi
Cast: Ken Clark, Jany Clair, Michel Lemoine, Andreina Paul, Alberto Cevenini, Gustavo De Nardo, Antonio Gradoli, Gérard Herter, Claudio Ruffini, Pietro Tordi

Release Date: February 5th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 79 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English, Italian
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £25.00 (UK)

"Bud and Slim meet fortuitously at a saloon and escape the arrest by the hands of the corrupted town sheriff. They join a group of Slim’s associates engrossed in planning a robbery. The two friends decide to join in; they will dress up as Federal soldiers and will collect 150.000 dollars from the local bank.

Unfortunately, the theft doesn’t go as planned and they find themselves captured by a group of Native-Americans; they are left to die in the scorching sun only to be saved by a handful of Federals. Recovering from the attack, Bud will meet Janet and the two of them will embark on an adventure across the valley of the Osage." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "digitally-remastered in 4K".

The Road to Fort Alamo comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 23.2 GB

Feature: 20.8 GB

The bulk of this transfer looks very good. That said, some instances of source damage remain. Screenshot #7 provides an example. Also, though there are some moments where image clarity is not as strong or colors fluctuate, the majority of the time, image clarity is strong and colors look very good. Black levels look good, and there are some compression-related artifacts.

Audio: 3.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. Both audio tracks sound clear and balanced, and ambient sounds are well represented. Range-wise, these two audio tracks are limited. Included are removable English and Italian subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (4 minutes 9 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with filmmaker Luigi Cozzi who discusses Mario Bava and the Spaghetti western genre (8 minutes 20 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles),  an interview with film critic Antonio Tentori who discusses the Spaghetti western genre (3 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Dr. Adrian Smith and Dr. Leon Hunt, and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing). 

Summary:

Directed by Mario Bava, whose other notable films include Black Sunday, Black Sabbath, Blood and Black Lace, Danger: Diabolik, and Rabid Dogs.

The narrative revolves around six men who pretend to be Union soldiers in order to collect a $150,000 payment document. Though they were successful in obtaining the money, things go awry when one of them kills a few people.

Despite working in just about every genre, Mario Bava’s work in the Spaghetti western genre is arguably his weakest. He would direct three of Spaghetti Western’s The Road to Fort Alamo: Ringo from Nebraska, Roy Colt, and Winchester Jack. Made at the beginning of the Spaghetti western cycle, The Road to Fort Alamo lacks the look and feel of this genre's most celebrated films.

Mario Bava was a filmmaker known to work magic despite limited resources. Unfortunately, The Road to Fort Alamo saddles him with a mediocre script. And nowhere is this clearer than when it comes to the narrative's inability to establish tension. It also does not help that there are no real surprises along the way.

Another shortcoming are the performances, which are adequate. Michel Lemoine (Seven Women for Satan) in the role of Kid Carson, a bandit with a short fuse, delivers the most memorable performance. This character's impulsive behavior constantly puts him and those around him in danger.

From a production standpoint, the only thing remarkable about The Road to Fort Alamo is Mario Bava’s visuals. Unfortunately, in every other area, The road to Fort Alamo comes up short. Ultimately, The Road to Fort Alamo is a by-the-numbers western that would have been forgotten if not for Mario Bava’s involvement.

The Road to Fort Alamo gets a serviceable audio/video presentation from Malombra Films.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Clan of the White Lotus – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1980
Director: Lo Lieh
Writer: Haung Tien
Cast: Chia-Hui Liu (Gordon Liu), Kara Wai, Lo Lieh, Johnny Wang, Hsiao Ho

Release Date: April 13th, 2020
Approximate Running Time: 93 Minutes 43 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Cantonese, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"Director/ star Lo Lieh (Five Fingers of Death, Miracles) plays the evil ex-monk Pai Mei, a man with white hair, near-supernatural fighting skills and a bitter hatred of Shaolin scholars. Facing him down is is the callow Hung Wen-ting (Gordon Liu, who would himself play the cruel Pai Mei in Kill Bill Volume 2). But will his kung fu ever be good enough to take out the mad killer?." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Restored HD Master."

Clan of the White Lotus comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 20 GB

Feature: 19.9 GB

This is yet another Shaw Brothers release that uses a pre-existing source, and the result leaves plenty of room for improvement. There are times when flesh tones look off, colors are inconsistent, image clarity ranges from serviceable to good, and black levels are adequate. Also, digital noise reduction strips the image of any film-like appearance.

Audio: 3.75/5 (DTS-HD Mono Cantonese, DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in Cantonese and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. Both audio tracks sound clear and balanced, and range-wise action sequences sound robust. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track and a second removable English subtitle track for Cantonese text when watching with the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include reversible cover art, a slipcover (limited to the first pressing) and a 12-page booklet (limited to the first pressing), with an essay titled Balls to the Wall Clan of the White Lotus: Action. Excitement. Eunuchs. written by James Oliver.

Summary:

Directed by Lo Lieh, a prolific actor whose career spanned four decades and more than 200 films. Notable films he appeared in are Golden Swallow, King Boxer, The Bamboo House of Dolls, The Stranger and the Gunfighter, Human Lanterns, On the Run, and Supercop.

The narrative revolves around an evil priest named White Lotus who avenges the death of his brother Pai Mei.

Clan of the White Lotus is part of a trilogy of films. The other two films are Executioners from Shaolin and Abbot of Shaolin. In the first two films, the villain is Pai Mei, while Pai Mei’s brother, White Lotus, is the villain of Clan of the White Lotus. Actor Lo Lieh appeared in all three of these films.

The narrative quickly jumps into the action, with Pai Mei’s death at the hands of two fighters in the opening credits. From there, the action sequences continue with White Lotus and his minions exacting revenge for this dead brother. And though this opening setup is action-heavy, things calm down action-wise by the middle act. With the last action being wall-to-wall action building towards an exceptional finale.

When it comes to the performances, the cast is all very good, especially Lo Lieh in the role of White Lotus. He delivers a phenomenal performance that is a text-book example of how to portray a martial arts villain. Chia-Hui Liu (Gordon Liu), in the role of Hung Wen-ting, one of the men who killed Pai Mei, delivers a memorable performance. That said, the scenes that these two actors share are extraordinary.

Training sequences are a staple of martial arts cinema, and Clan of the White Lotus features one of the more original ones. Hung Wen-ting’s sister teaches him a fighting skill that is rooted in chores assigned to women and improves his fighting skills. This fighting style is softer than his more forceful style, and combining them will give him the upper hand against White Lotus.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where the Clan of the White Lotus does not deliver, and then some. The briskly paced narrative has a good balance of action and exposition. And though White Lotus severely beats Hung Wen-ting multiple times, only to let him fight another day, that is one of the narrative's strengths. The exceptional action sequences were choreographed by Lau Kar-Leung. Ultimately, Clan of the White Lotus is an amazing conclusion to a trilogy of martial arts films that are excellent.

Clan of the White Lotus gets a lackluster audio/video presentation from 88 Films.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Bastard (I bastardi) – Oblivion (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/France/West Germany, 1968
Director: Duccio Tessari
Writers: Ennio De Concini, Duccio Tessari, Mario di Nardo
Cast: Rita Hayworth, Giuliano Gemma, Klaus Kinski, Margaret Lee, Claudine Auger, Serge Marquand, Umberto Raho, Luis Barboo

Release Date: March 15th, 2024
Approximate running time: 91 Minutes 46 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (Italy)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English, DTS-HD Mono German
Subtitles: English, Italian, French
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: 26,90€ (Italy)

"Two outlaw half-siblings vie for both a woman's love and the spoils of a robbery. It will end in a bloodbath." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 2/5

The Bastard (I bastardi) comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.7 GB

Feature: 21 GB

When compared to the Warner Archive DVD, this release's transfer has noticeably more source damage, scratches, lines, specs of dirt, and cigarette burns. Also, where the Warner Archive release presented the film in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, this release is in a 1.66:1 ratio. Colors are inconsistent, image clarity is mostly strong, and black levels are mediocre. Also, there is digital noise reduction throughout.

Audio: 2.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian), 2.75/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with three audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian, a DTS-HD mono mix in English, and a DTS-HD mono mix in German. The English-language tracks sound more robust than the Italian-language tracks. That said, dialog comes through clearly, and range-wise, these tracks tend to be limited. Also, the English-language track has a few pops, hiss', and audio dropouts. Included are removable Italian, English, and French subtitles. The English subtitles translate the Italian-language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an alternate ending (2 minutes 7 seconds,  Dolby Digital mono German, no subtitles), and a featurette with Davide Pulici and Roger A. Fratter titled Inside The Bastards (26 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian, no subtitles).

Summary:

Directed by Duccio Tessari, whose other notable films are The Bloodstained Butterfly, Death Occurred Last Night, Puzzle, and Tony Arzenta (Big Guns).

The narrative revolves around two brothers; one brother betrays and breaks the bond with the other.

Though a jewel heist sets the narrative in motion, the narrative shifts towards the conflict that comes about due to that aforementioned heist. At the heart of this conflict are two half-brothers whose fathers died on the same day. And if it wasn’t for their mother, they would have drifted apart. Their personalities could not be further apart; Adam is the older of the two brothers, and greed is what ultimately drives him. While his younger brother Jason is loyal to a fault.

The role that women play in their lives is significant. The first of these women is their alcoholic mother, Martha, whose obsession with the past prevents her from seeing what is happening to her sons. The second of these women is a seductress named Karen, who easily gravitates toward whoever has the most to offer her. The third of these three women is a rancher named Barbara, who tries to heal Jason’s wounds, both physically and emotionally.

Performance-wise, the cast is all very good, especially Margaret Lee (Venus in Furs) in the role of Karen, a femme Fatale-like character. Rita Hayworth (The Lady from Shanghai), in the role of Martha, the alcoholic mother, delivers a memorable performance. Claudine Auger (A Bay of Blood) in the role of Barbara, Klaus Kinski (Nosferatu the Vampyre) in the role of Adam, and Giuliano Gemma (Tenebrae) in the role of Jason round out this cast of recognizable faces.

From a production standpoint, the positives outweigh the negatives. With this film excelling most during it’s violent moments. Another strength of this film is its visuals and nowhere is this clearer than how they take full advantage of the New Mexico locations featured in this film. Standout moments include, the film’s opening sequence which establishes Jason’s brutality, the scene where Karen betrays Jason and this film’s finale provides a satisfying conclusion to the events that have just unfolded.

From a production standpoint, The Bastard’s (I bastardi) positives outweigh the negatives. Notably, when it comes to the visuals, take full advantage of the New Mexico locations featured in The Bastard (I bastardi). The most memorable moments all involve acts of violence, like the opening sequence, which establishes Jason’s brutality, the scene where Karen betrays Jason, and a finale that serves as a perfect coda for the two brothers. Ultimately, The Bastard (I bastardi) is a well-made Italian crime film that feels like a western set in a modern setting.

The Bastard (I bastardi) gets a lackluster audio/video presentation from Oblivion.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Beauty of Beauties – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Taiwan, 1965
Director: Li Han-hsiang
Writer: Tang Shao-Hua
Cast: Chiang Ching, Zhao Lei, Chang Fang-Hsia, Chang Feng, Chu Mu

Release Date: March 11th, 2024 (UK), May 21st, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running time: 155 Minutes 11 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 12 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Told through the story of Xishi (Hsi Shih), one of the 'Four Great Beauties' of Chinese history, the film portrays the war between two Chinese Kingdoms during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C). After the kingdom of Yue is defeated by the kingdom of Wu, King Goujian of Yue takes pains to prepare for his revenge and rebuild his country. Knowing that King Fucha of Wu is lewd and lustful, he offers Xisi to the court of Wu to serve as Fucha’s concubine, with Fucha unaware that she is also a spy. She uses her charm to draw Fucha away from his office and governance, while King Goujian rallies his forces together to attempt to reclaim his lands." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Brand new 4K Remaster from the original negatives".

Here is additional information about the transfer, "This film was originally released in 1956, and its digital restoration was completed by Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute in 2021 as part of the 'Taiwan Film Classics Digital Restoration and Value-adding Project' commissioned by the Ministry of Culture.

The restoration was based on a 35mm low contrast negative with 4K resolution. The content of the story is the compilation version released at that time. The condition of the film contains instability, warp, flicker, dye fade, molds and dirt. Automatic restoration was used to reduce the instability and flicker and to remove dirt and stains. The frame-by-frame manual process was carried out to remove tears, residual defects and artefacts caused by automatic restoration."

Beauty of Beauties comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.9 GB

Feature: 36.7 GB

The source looks great, flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity is strong, black levels look good, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Mandarin with removable English subtitles. The audio is in good shape; there are no issues with background hiss or distortion. That said, this audio track is limited range-wise; fortunately, the dialog comes through clearly enough to follow.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 13 seconds, LPCM mono Mandarin with non-removable English subtitles), a restoration comparison (5 minutes 39 seconds, LPCM mono Mandarin, no subtitles), an interview with Oriental cinema expert Tony Rayns (22 minutes 3 seconds, LPCM stereo English with non-removable English subtitles for Mandarin film clips), reversible cover art, a double walled O-ring slipcover (limited to the first pressing), and a 20-page booklet with an essay titled Hsi Shih: The Beauty of Beauties: A Legendary Production written by Tom Cunliffe.

Summary:

Directed by Li Han-hsiang, whose other notable films are The Enchanting Shadow, The Magnificent Concubine, and Empress Wu Tse-Tien.

Beauty of Beauties is an epic melodrama that is based on Chinese history. The narrative revolves around the kingdom of Wu and the kingdom of Yue, two kingdoms at war. And in the case of the latter, who lost the war, their plot was to exact revenge against the other.

The look and scope of Beauty of Beauties have all the grandeur of the epic films Hollywood made during the 1950s and 1960s. Beauty of Beauties was originally released in two parts, each around two hours in length. A digest version with a two-and-a-half-hour length was released a few years after the original two-part version. Sadly, the longer, two-part version no longer exists.

The opening setup does a great job showing the vast difference between the Yue and their oppressors, the Wu. In the case of the latter, even in victory, their cruelty has no boundaries, as they needlessly kill. And though the ruler of Yue is determined to keep his people safe by remaining subservient to Wu oppressors, the people of Yue quickly became frustrated, forcing the king of Yue to come up with a plan to free his people.

When it comes to the performances, as good as everyone is in the roles, especially Chiang Ching in the role of Xisi, a Yue woman who goes undercover as a concubine who spies on the King of Wu.

Despite opening in the aftermath of a bloody battle, there is actually very little action in Beauty of Beauties. With its main action set piece not happening until the last 20 minutes. That said, Beauty of Beauties has a dialog-driven narrative that builds tension through characters actions related to overthrowing the Wu. Also, the production design is impressive, and the cinematography is breathtaking. Ultimately, Beauty of Beauties is a riveting melodrama that greatly benefits from Li Han-hsiang’s direction.

Beauty of Beauties gets a solid release from 88 Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a pair of insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Black Mask: Limited Edition Set – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1996
Director: Daniel Lee
Writers: Tsui Hark, Koan Hui, Teddy Chan, Joe Ma
Cast: Jet Li, Lau Ching-wan, Karen Mok, Françoise Yip, Patrick Lung, Anthony Wong Chau-sang 

Release Date: April 22nd, 2024 (UK), April 23rd, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running times: 99 Minutes 58 Seconds (Hong Kong Version), 87 Minutes 14 Seconds (U.S. Version), 100 Minutes 57 Seconds (Alternate Taiwanese Cut), 102 Minutes 18 Seconds (Extended Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (All Versions)
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese (Hong Kong Version), LPCM Stereo Cantonese (Hong Kong Version, Extended Version), LPCM Stereo Mandarin (Alternate Taiwanese Cut), LPCM Stereo English - Original Dub (U.S. Version), LPCM Stereo English - U.S. Release Dub And Soundtrack (U.S. Version)
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £19.99 (UK), $44.95 (USA)

"Tsui Chik (Li) is a librarian who leads a quiet, unassuming life – or, at least, that’s what he wants people to believe. In truth, he was once a member of the 701 Squad, a group of elite combatants produced by a failed super-soldier project. In kind with his former comrades, his central nervous system has been altered to render him impervious to pain. When several of his fellow test subjects resurface and embark on a crimewave under the leadership of their former commander Hung Kuk (Patrick Lung), Tsui is forced to use his extraordinary abilities once more. Donning a costume, he sets out to face his past – as the vigilante known as the Black Mask." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5 (Hong Kong Version), 4/5 (U.S. Version, Extended Version), 3.75/5 (Alternate Taiwanese Cut)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Fully uncut Hong Kong version presented in 1080p from a 2K restoration. Original U.S. version presented in 1080p from a 2K restoration."

Black Mask Hong Kong version and U.S. version come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.3 GB

Feature: 21.6 GB (Hong Kong Version), 17.9 GB (U.S. Version)

Black Mask alternate Taiwanese cut and extended version come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.9 GB

Feature: 21.1 GB (Alternate Taiwanese Cut), 22.6 GB (Extended Version)

Of these four versions, the Hong Kong version and the U.S. version have stronger sources than the alternate Taiwanese cut. The alternate Taiwanese cut incorporates footage that is exclusive to this version from a standard definition source, while the extended version is a compilation of sources. Another difference is that the U.S. version looks brighter than the Hong Kong version. Though there is some softness, the image generally looks crisp, flesh tones look healthy, and colors look very good. Black levels are strong, compression is solid, and there does not appear to be any digital filtering of the image.

Audio: 4.5/5 (All Audio Tracks)

The Hong Kong version comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese and a LPCM stereo mix in Cantonese. The U.S. version comes with two audio options, a LPCM stereo mix in English (original dub) and a LPCM stereo mix in English (U.S. Release Dub and Soundtrack). The alternate Taiwanese cut comes with one audio option, a LPCM stereo mix in Mandarin. The extended version comes with one audio option, a LPCM stereo mix in Cantonese. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese and Mandarin language tracks. Quality-wise, all audio tracks sound excellent, dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and action sequences sound robust.

Extras:

Extras on Blu-ray disc one include Hong Kong theatrical trailer (1 minute 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), U.S. theatrical trailer #1 (59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), U.S. theatrical trailer #2 (1 minute 54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), U.S. home video trailer (1 minute, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival Making of featurette (19 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with burnt-in English subtitles),  an interview with Leon Hunt, author of Kung Fu Cult Masters: From Bruce Lee to Crouching Tiger (17 minutes 56 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with film critic Andrew Heskins (8 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with stuntman Mike Lambert (29 minutes 53 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film festival) for the Hong Kong version, and an audio commentary with action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema for the U.S. export version.

Limited to this release is a second disc that comes with two alternate versions: an alternate Taiwanese cut and an extended version.

Other extras include reversible cover art, a limited-edition O-Card slipcase (2000 copies) and a 32-page booklet with cast & crew credits, an essay written by James Oliver and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

Directed by Daniel Lee, whose other notable films are Till Death Do Us Part and 14 Blades. Adapted from the Manhua (Chinese comic book) created by Pang Chi-ming and Li Chi-tak, Black Mask’s protagonist was influenced by Bruce Lee’s portrayal of Kato from The Green Hornet.

The narrative revolves around a survivor of an elite group of super soldiers who tries to assimilate into a regular life as a librarian.

Black Mask is a film whose far-fetched premise—super soldiers who have turned to a life of crime after narrowly escaping extermination at the hands of the government—often defies logic. And yet, the end result is a highly entertaining mix of action and mayhem.

The narrative quickly dives in with a spectacular pre-credits opening that does a great job setting the stage for what follows. That said, despite leaning more towards action than exposition. In the case of the latter, it does a good job when it comes to the characters backstories.

Though there are martial arts in Black Mask, when compared to his other films from this era, there is more gunplay than hand-to-hand fighting. Fortunately, when it comes to action set pieces, they do not disappoint. Yuen Woo-ping (Drunken Master) choreographed the action sequences.

Black Mask has a solid cast that is all great in their roles. There is enthusiasm in the performances, especially Anthony Wong Chau-sang (Untold Story) in the role of a drug lord who collects body parts. No one in Hong Kong cinema has portrayed psychopaths better than Anthony Wong Chau-sang.

Jet Li (Once Upon a Time in China) is very good in the role of the hero. That said, Jet Li more than holds his own when it comes to action sequences, while for more dramatic moments, he is adequate. Other notable performances are by Françoise Yip (Rumble in the Bronx) in the role of a female super soldier assassin, and Karen Mok (So Close), whose character provides most of the comic relief.

Besides being a superhero film, Black Mask also has futuristic elements. One area where Black Mask sets itself apart from most Jet Li films is its ridiculously high body count. Also, when it comes to moments of onscreen carnage, characters have body parts severed. That said, Black Mask is a textbook example of how effectively 1990s Hong Kong mixed genres. Ultimately, Black Mask more than any Jet Li film divides its audience; you either love or loathe it.

Black Mask gets a solid release from Eureka Video that comes with a strong audio/video presentation, four versions of the film, and informative extras, highly recommended.

Note: This limited edition two-disc set is limited to 2,000 copies.

                                                Hong Kong Version Screenshots.

Written by Michael Den Boer