DVD Corner

Hand Of Death Blu-ray Review

“Hand Of Death” is a good old fashioned 70’s martial arts movie. 

Set during the Qing Dynasty, 1976’s “Hand Of Death” (AKA “Countdown In Kung Fu”) revolves around the villainous Shih Shao-Feng who has slaughtered monks and students from the Shaolin temple. A group of surviving Shaolin fighters send their most gifted fighter (Yun Fei) to infiltrate Shih’s group and take him out, but that’s easier said than done with his army and deadly officers like the Smiling Fox and Tu Ching. Luckily, Yun Fei gets some much needed help along from Master Sword and a blacksmith named Tan Feng. 

Written and directed by the legendary John Woo, “Hand Of Death” is a relatively obscure entry in Woo’s filmography, but it shouldn’t be. While it doesn’t reinvent the martial arts genre, it’s a no-nonsense kung fu film without any goofy comedic filler. In some ways, it plays more like a “The Dirty Dozen” with a men on a mission approach, but make no mistake, it’s also a martial arts film through and through complete with end boss fights with all of the characters going head to head with someone. 

Curiously, there’s not a lot of trademark Woo moments here (aside from some brief slow-motion), but one thing is certain is his eye for action. From start to finish, Woo really brings the high-stakes action to the viewer for a fast paced 95 minutes. 

Accompanying Woo in this film is a real who’s who from the martial arts world. In the lead role as Yun Fei you have Tan Tao-Liang (an underrated martial arts actor). In supporting roles you have none other than Jackie Chan as Tan Feng, Sammo Hung with fake teeth as Tu Ching, and James Tien as Shij. It doesn’t get much better than that, folks.

Note: I reviewed a screener disc copy of this film.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. How does it look? Expect a satisfactory transfer that maintains the original print grain while offering up richer colors (especially with the location shooting).

Audio Tracks: Mandarin 1.0, Mandarin 5.1, English 1.0 and 5.1, and Cantonese 2.0. How do they sound? The best options here are the Mandarin 1.0 and 5.1 tracks and the English 5.1 track if you decide to go the dub route. The Cantonese track is decent and the English 1.0 track is of the lowest quality of the lot. 

Extras:
* Commentary by Frank Djeng and Michael Worth.
* separate interviews with Sammo Hung and Tan Tao-Liang
* Alternate opening credits
* English and Mandarin theatrical trailers
* Image gallery
* “From Hong Kong To Hollywood With John Woo”- Archival 23 minute featurette involving John Woo (and others) talking about his career.

June 6, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Arrow Video, Hand Of Death Blu-ray Review, Jackie Chan, John Woo, Sammo Hung