Drugs are bad, mmkay?
The third film directed by Tong Kai, one of the greatest Kung-Fu choreographers to have worked with the Shaw Brothers, is a masterpiece. And you thought martial arts couldn’t be moving?! How wrong you are. The tragedies in this film are unyielding as the leader of the Ten Kwangtung Tigers falls victim to his own addiction and watches one of his own students die as a result of his failures.
This one is dramatically powerful but still full of solid kung-fu fighting to deliver both punches and tears as Master Tit-kiu Sam (Ti Lung) makes one mistake after another only to have opium store owner Wing Fung (Chen Kuan-tai) take full advantage of his weakening skills and make a power move that will change Master Tit’s landscape forever.
But can he stop smoking opium long enough to recognize what’s happening? His disciples, specifically Lo Kwa-sei (Robert Mak), are worried for his future. Choices will have to be made - choices which the disciples might not be mature enough to handle, especially with all the romance blossoming in the air.
So, here’s the thing with Opium and the Kung-Fu Master. It’s deceptively dark. There are plenty of light moments - especially when you see all the young love on display between the students and the maidens in the village - but, rather sneakily, the opium is put on display and you see the steady decline from the master at the center of the film and, quite suddenly, it becomes a moving wuxia tale: a cautionary one with real consequences.
And most of this film’s audience might not be expecting these things to play out as they do, but - yeah - the violence and the side effects of a drug addiction rain down hard. Alongside all the brilliant choreography, the drama is surprising and absolutely nails down the tone of this masterpiece.
But, honestly, watch it for yourself as the fallen leader has to claw his way out of the snake pit to reclaim what he once had in the town he had sworn to protect.
Opium And The Kung-Fu Master is now on blu-ray as a part of Shout Factory’s Shaw Brothers Classics, Vol 4.
Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - December 19, 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
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 1080p
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; 12-disc set
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
Tong Kai is considered one of the greatest kung fu choreographers ever, but he directed only three movies of his own. This, his last, is not only his greatest but one of the greatest ever, as it masterfully portrays the leader of the Ten Kwangtung Tigers as he falls victim to drug addiction. The tragedies and drama that ensue are as stunning as the kung fu, which was created by a superlative team of six martial artists. A legitimate masterpiece, this film is one of the finest, most affecting martial arts movies the Shaw Brothers ever produced.
Video
Shout Factory brings Opium And The Kung-Fu Master to Blu-ray with a restored AVC encoded 1080p with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Interiors are strong. Colors pop throughout, but it is the blood effects - burning bright in the transfer - which seal the deal. 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.
Audio
The film is supplied with the original Cantonese Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with new subtitle translation and an English Dubbed DTS-HD Master Audio with SDH subtitles.
Supplements:
Commentary:
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Film critic Ian Jane provides a solid commentary.
Special Features:
We are getting near the end of Shout Factory’s collection of Shaw Brothers films, but the hits keep coming in the supplemental items.
- NEW Audio Commentary With Film Critic Ian Jane
- NEW “The Addiction Of Empire” – An Interview With Asian History Academic, Prof. Lars Laamann
- Celestial Trailer
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Runtime: 86 mins
Director: Yuen Chor; Ying Wong
Writer: Yuen Chor
Cast: Tung-Shing Yee; Helen Poon; Kuan-Chung Ku
Genre: Action | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Shaw Brothers
Official Site:
Release Date: November 26, 1981 (Hong Kong)
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: December 19, 2023
Synopsis: Young swordsman Lung Fei encounters strange omens portending the death of his fiancee Ting Tzu-chu. His enquiries with the help of Chief Constable Tieh Hu reveal an astounding story.
