Beginning in the middle of the burning of a Shaolin Temple, Heroes Two throws the audience right into a fight sequence in which a whole lot of burning things becomes obstacles for our heroes Alexander Fu Sheng and Chen Kuan Tai to duck and dodge as they take on the oppression of the Manchurian forces!
Let the gravity-defying fight sequences begin! Heroes Two is a rock and roll onslaught of punches as two heroic fighters for the rebellion overcome misunderstanding to become the nobles they are in the fight against a corrupt government.
Full of a masterful use of the camera’s zoom and some key moments of kinetic energy, Heroes Two, directed by the brilliant Chang Cheh, is a shining example of what the Shaw Brothers did so well during their heyday with Chinese martial arts fables. It’s raucous with wall-to-wall action beats and, in its quieter moments, respectful of the history at play in this swordplay melodrama of face mashing and machismo.
Heroes Two, shot by Mu-To Kung, takes its villains seriously and presents Manchurian General Che Kang (a very coy Zhu Mu) as an atypically clever foe, who pits two Shaolin fighters against each other . . . until they realize that they are on the same side!
The drama involves Fang Shi-yu (Alexander Fu Sheng) and Hung Si-kuan (Chen Kuan Tai) and, thanks to Fang’s defeat of Hung, it is up to Fang to correct his error in judgment . . . which means rescuing Hung from imprisonment inside Kang’s dungeon, but first he has to fess up to his mistake and tell all the haters to back off while he figures out just what exactly happened. 
Heroes Two is filled with lots of beatdowns for both heroes. The bloodletting is completely over-the-top and brilliantly red as blood spatter flies every which way in this 90-minute takedown of the Manchurian army.
The film, with a fine upgrade in 1080p, is now on blu-ray as part of Shout Factory’s second volume of Shaw Brothers films. This box set, which comprises 12 classic martial arts films from the famous Shaw Brothers' library, featuring some of their greatest stars Cheng Pei-pei (Come Drink With Me), Lo Lieh (King Boxer), Sammo Hung (Wheels On Meals), Ti Lung (A Better Tomorrow), and David Chiang (The Boxer From Shantung), is loaded with supplemental items as well. Many of these films, like Heroes Two, are debuting for the first time on Blu-ray.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Heroes Two has arrived!
Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - August 15, 2023
Screen Formats: 2.35:1
Subtitles: English
Audio: Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; 12-disc set
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
Of the dozens of great martial arts movies made by this prolific and respected director, this tale of legendary Shaolin avengers Fang Shih-yu and Hung Hsi-kuan is often considered one of his best. His collaboration with equally renowned kung fu choreographer Lar Kar-leung was apparent in all the performances, but especially with that of charismatic, capable, then 19-year-old Alexander Fu Sheng. This powerful production is a true landmark in kung fu film history.
Video
Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, Heroes Two, is, like a lot of Shaw Brothers productions, very bloody. Interiors are strong. Colors pop throughout, but it is the blood effects - burning bright in the transfer - which seal the deal on this one. It’s full of great atmosphere thanks to the quick-footed script and looks visually eye-popping due to the 1080- upgrade. Black levels are strong throughout, bringing out nice details in both the loud and quiet moments of this epic adventure. The tracking shots are glorious to behold in 1080p.
Audio
The audio is presented with your choice of a clean lossless Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With New English Subtitle Translations and an English dub.
Supplements:
Get ready for some exciting thrills and chills as heroes meet villains in a duel to the death, complete with awesome supplemental items, this release is legit.
Commentary:
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There is a new commentary from David West, who has written a number of books on the impact of the Martial Arts film.
Special Features:
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NEW Audio Commentary By David West, Critic And Author Of Chasing Dragons: An Introduction To The Martial Arts Film
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Original Theatrical Trailer
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German Trailer
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Celestial Trailer
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 93 mins
Director: Cheh Chang
Writer: Cheh Chang; Kuang Ni
Cast: Kuan Tai Chen; Sheng Fu; Hsin Fang
Genre: Action | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Shout Factory
Official Site:
Release Date:
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: 1973 (United States)
Synopsis: Hung escapes Shaolin after the temple is attacked by the Ching, only to be jailed with the help of Fang (also of Shoalin) who mistakes him for a bandit. Fang must now help Hung escape so they can challenge the Ching together.
