Written by: Michael Den Boer on April 22nd, 2007
Theatrical Release Dates: Hong Kong, 1967
Director: Ho Meng-Hua
Cast: Ho Fan, Peng Peng, Angela Yu Chien, Shen Yi
DVD released: December 12th, 2006
Approximate running time: 86 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 & Stereo
DVD Release: Image Entertainment
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.99
Synopsis: A monk named Tripitaka and his three loyal servants Monkey, Pig and Friar Sand cross paths with seven sister spiders who want to eat the monk’s flesh so that they may obtain immortality.
The Cave of Silken Web is the third installment in a series of tales known as Journey to the West. The films mixes child like fantasy with martial arts and sword fighting. The story is simple seven sisters need the flesh of a monk to gain immortality. The film is essentially a cat and mouse game while both sides try to gain the upper hand. One minor plot point I thought was dragged out was how the seven sisters kept delaying the eating of the monks flesh time and again even though they had him trapped.
The locations and sets are all well done making the tale all the more convincing. Ho Meng-Hua direction and pacing of the story are near pitch perfect. There is a handful of musical numbers that all a tad to cute for there own good and these scenes are the weakest in the film. The action scenes are all top notch especially the sword fighting. The film is film with doppelgangers as virtually very character in the film is able to imitate and become someone else. Make sure you pay close attention or you might just miss one of these switch ups. Ultimately The Cave of Silken Web is an enchanting tale that children and adult alike will thoroughly enjoy.
The DVD:
The Cave of Silken Web is presented in an anamorphic widescreen which retains the films original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The source material used is in fantastic shape at its boasts robust colors and razor sharp detail. There are no problems with compression or artifacts and the image remains stable through out.
This release comes with two audio options a Dolby Digital 5.1 and mono. Both audio mixes are in Chinese. There are no problems with hiss, distortion or any other sound defects. Overall both audio mixes are more then adequate with the 5.1 mix sounding fuller and more dynamic of the two mixes. Removable English subtitles that are easy to read and follow have been included.
Extras for this release consist of a collection of Shaw Brothers trailers including a trailer for The Cave of Silken Web and a collection of trailers for other Asian films also released by Image Entertainment.
Once again while the extras may be lacking the price is more then reasonable for another solid audio/video presentation from Image Entertainment.
For more information about The Cave of Silken Web and other Shaw Brothers titles visit Image Entertainment here.