Written by: Michael Den Boer on August 12th, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1974
Director: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi
Writers: Masahiro Kakefuda, Norifumi Suzuki
Cast: Etsuko Shihomi, Sonny Chiba, Hiroshi Miyauchi, Sanae Obori, Kenji Ohba, Masashi Ishibashi
| DVD released: | 2006 | 2007 |
| Approximate running time: | 85m50s | 85m52s |
| Aspect Ratio: | 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen | 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen |
| Rating: | NR | NR |
| Sound: | Dolby Digital 5.1 & Mono Japanese & English with English subtitles | Dolby Digital Mono English |
| DVD Release: | BCi Eclipse/Ronin Entertainment | BCi Eclipse/Deimos |
| Region Coding: | Region 1 NTSC | Region 1 NTSC |
| Retail Price: | $44.98 | $12.98 |
Sister Streetfighter Collection DVD
Koryu Lee’s (Etsuko Shihomi) brother is an undercover police agent in Hong Kong who is investigating the smuggling of heroine into Hong Kong. He went to Japan where he quickly infiltrated the drug ring before disappearing. He hasn’t been heard from since and their other contact a woman with a red rose tattoo has also gone missing. Frustrated with the police’s lack of progress Koryu goes to Japan to look for her brother.
Video:
Transfer wise both releases most likely used the same source since they look very similar framing wise and the lack of any print damage. The main difference between the two is that the Sister Streetfighter Collection release looks darker and in some scenes may be too dark while the Welcome to the Grindhouse release looks like the contrast has been boosted to brighten things up and the end result is a more pleasing visual experience.
Audio:
The mono English audio mix included on the Welcome to the Grindhouse release sounds identical to the one included in the Sister Streetfighter collection. The main difference between the two releases is that the Sister Streetfighter collection comes with two more audio options a Dolby Digital 5.1 and a Dolby Digital mono mix. Both mixes are in Japanese and English subtitles have been included.
Extras:
Extras for the Sister Streetfighter collection release include trailers for Sister Street Fighter, Sister Street Fighter: Hanging by a Thread, Return of the Sister Street Fighter and Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist. All four trailers are in Japanese and come with English subtitles. The remaining extras come in the form of text pieces collected in a twenty page booklet that also comes with stills photos of Etsuko Shihomi and the movies included in this set. The first four text pieces are for Sister Street Fighter, Sister Street Fighter: Hanging by a Thread, Return of the Sister Street Fighter and Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist. These four text pieces were written by Patrick Macias who also contributed a bio for Etsuko Shihomi which is included in the booklet. Extras for the Welcome to the Grindhouse release include Trailers for Ninja Wars, Burnout, Kill Point and The Kidnapping of the President. The remaining extras consist of ads and Grindhouse related buffers.
Overall:
Initially I was kind of disappointed that Sister Streetfighter was being released yet again since I already own BCI’s previous Sister Streetfighetr box set. Other advantages of this new release via their Welcome to Grindhouse series is not only selling at a ridiculously low price it also comes with the first ever widescreen release of Sonny Cbiba’s The Bodyguard on home video in America. Both release are essential purchases if you a fan of Sonny Chiba and Etsuko Shihomi.