In which the Shaw Brothers go gonzo for pulp fiction, combining a magical spider whose webs capture foes and then melt their faces right off their skulls! Alongside some limited martial arts mayhem, The Web of Death is an entertaining fantastical journey as choreographers Tang Chia and Yuen Cheung-yan take center stage!
Let the psychosis in The Web of Death begin! Warning, the craziness begins early and - while we have romance and betrayal - occurs often enough to keep audiences intrigued by all the mystical elements.
Directed by Chor Yuen (Killer Clans) and filled with bright colors and bold design (including a three platform stage which all overlook a large googly-eyed spider), The Web of Death is endlessly entertaining as the Venom Clan, after decades of dominance, gather to determine what to do next with their powerful reign. They don’t want to be feared anymore, but their secret weapon - a venom-emitting spider with other powers they don’t fully understand - must remain hidden. Nearby clans will want its power.
Unfortunately, the Venom Clan needs to focus more on itself than worry about other clans getting a hold of this mysterious weapon. Because deceit lies alongside them as the head of the Snake Sect, played by Lo Lie, makes moves on the head of the Scorpion sect (Angela Yu Chien) in the bedroom, all while plotting on how he can find the whereabouts of the Five Venom Spider and get its power for himself.
Thankfully, Fei Ying-hsiung (played by Yueh Hua) is also sent out by the Wu Tang Clan to find it before anyone else can. A mysterious young woman (Ching Li) appears and, as she has fighting skills of her own, joins him in the search for this powerful weapon. With plenty of treachery along the way, this slice of fantasy mixes a whole lot of swordplay with mysticism and manages to be one of the more interesting productions of the Shaw Brothers late 70s output. It’s both campy and crazy and, chock full of interesting set designs in which some cool fights occur upon, never misses the mark.
Saving the best for the last, the final spider attack is full of lasers, colorful lights, heavy smoke, and plenty of chuckles as it corners clan members with its slow approach. It’s a bizarre weapon, but - when you are dealing with a chop socky flick this crazy - it makes perfect sense.
The Web of Death is now on blu-ray as part of Shout Factory’s Shaw Brothers Classics, Vol 3, which also includes 10 other classic martial arts films from the famous Shaw Brothers' library, featuring some of their greatest stars – Alexander Fu Sheng (The Brave Archer), Lo Lieh (King Boxer), Ti Lung (A Better Tomorrow), David Chiang (The Boxer Of Shantung) and the Deadly Venoms! Many of these films are debuting for the first time on Blu-ray.
Time to get tangled!
Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - October 24, 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; 11-discset
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
The leader of the Snake Sect has an affair with the sexy ringleader of the Scorpion Sect to revive the "Five Poison Web" (which is also this film's Chinese title). But they must also contend with the Centipede Sect. Under the fluid direction of Chu Yuan and action choreographers Tang Chia and Yuen Cheung-yan (member of the martial arts world's esteemed Yuen Family and brother of master Yuen Woo-ping), the result is a first-class action film!
Video
Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, The Web of Death is beautifully presented on 1080p from Shout Factory. 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. Blacks are solid and shadows maintain their lines. Even the costumes are noted stitch by stitch.
Audio
Fans of the genre get to choose between the newly restored lossless Mandarin track or the English and Cantonese mono audio for all your chop socky needs.
Supplements:
Get ready to duel to the death with these supplemental items!
Commentary:
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See Special Features for the breakdown.
Special Features:
Once again, Shout Factory delivers solid supplemental items designed to further your interest in Martial Arts films.
- NEW Audio Commentary By Film Critic Ian Jane (Rock! Shock! Pop! Website)
- NEW Audio Commentary With Film Historian Brian Bankston (Cool Ass Cinema Blog)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Celestial Trailer
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MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 91 mins
Director: Yuen Chor
Writer: Kuang Ni
Cast: Hua Yueh; Lieh Lo; Li Ching
Genre: Action | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Shaw Brothers
Official Site:
Release Date: October 28, 1976 (Hong Kong)
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: October 24, 2023
Synopsis: Thanks to such filmmakers as choreographers Tang Chia and Yuen Cheung-yan (brother of Matrix master Yuen Woo-ping), this battle between Scorpion, Snake, and Centipede sects to create the "Five Poison Web" makes for a first class action film.
