The Brave Archer Collection (1977 - 1983) (Shout! Factory Store exclusive)

[MifuneFan]

Shout! Factory has just posted a new store exclusive. A new box set collection for the HK Brave Archer collection. This set is limited to 2,500 copies and the first 600 orders only also get a rolled 18” X 24” poster.

Updte (7/17/25): The original run of 2,500 copies has sold out, and Shout has just reissued it with 1,000 more,

https://shoutfactory.com/collections...ction-re-issue

Adapted from The Legend Of The Condor Heroes, the wuxia novel by Jin Yong, this phantasmagorical martial arts saga – The Brave Archer Trilogy – stars Alexander Fu Sheng. In addition to the celebrated original trio of beloved films, this set also includes the two unofficial sequels: The Brave Archer And His Mate which also stars Alexander Fu Sheng, and Little Dragon Maiden which stars Leslie Cheung (A Chinese Ghost Story, The Bride With White Hair). The first four films are directed by one of the greatest film directors of martial arts films ever, Chang Cheh.

THE BRAVE ARCHER (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin & English Dub DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 122 min.)
Chang Cheh is known for his revolutionary teen angst kung-fu films, his superheroic, Grand Guignol Venoms series, his sweeping martial arts epics, and the likes of this phantasmagorical saga featuring demi-deities of mythical kung-fu. The great international idol Alexander Fu Sheng stars as a wushu warrior who must learn the "18 Palms" and the "Nine Secrets," and be taught by the "Seven Evils" to take vengeance on the man who killed his father – the Prince of the invading Chin Kingdom. With dazzling costumes, sets, and martial arts, the director tests the mettle of future superstars Hui Ying-Hung (soon to be in My Young Auntie) and Kuo Chue, who was to become the star of the Venoms series as well as one of the most respected action choreographers in the world (with both Tomorrow Never Dies and Brotherhood Of The Wolf to his credit).

THE BRAVE ARCHER 2 (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin & English Dub DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 115 min.)
This magnificent martial arts saga takes up where the renowned original left off: with our hero Kuo Tsing winning the hand of fair maiden Huang Yung. Almost immediately, however, clan rivalries in the "Martial Arts World" lead to Kuo being wounded and Huang being named new leader of the Beggar Clan. It's all mounted with sparkling energy by three kung-fu choreographers and a star-packed cast. International favorite Alexander Fu Sheng is back as Kuo, and Niu Niu shines in her show-stopping role as his betrothed. In addition, the mystical martial arts mayhem serves as a showcase for My Young Auntie star Hui Ying-Hung, king of villains Johnny Wang Lung-Wei, and featuring a few of the Deadly Venoms – Kuo Chue, Lo Meng, and Sun Chien.

THE BRAVE ARCHER 3 (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin English Dub DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 96 min.)
It's rare in any film industry that Part 3 of a classic series has the same "umph!" as its predecessors, but when you get legendary director Chang Cheh to return for a third time to helm much of the original terrific cast that includes Alexander Fu Sheng, Ti Lung and several of the Five Venoms, it's just a masterpiece waiting to happen ... again. And it does. Based on a classic kung-fu novel, The Brave Archer 3 delivers at all levels: mystery, magic, plot twists and of course brilliant martial arts action that has always been one of the Shaw Brothers' calling cards of success. Chang's heroes live for death while wrapping themselves in their own universe, and at the right time, will altruistically explode. That's what makes this film a blast.

THE BRAVE ARCHER AND HIS MATE (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin & English Dub DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 105 min.)
When is The Brave Archer movie a Venoms film? When it is this, the fourth in a series originally starring international favorite Alexander Fu Sheng as master martial artist Kuo Tsing. But Fu only appears here in a cameo as the son of a character played by Lung Tien-Sheng (best known as a spear master in the Venoms film The Flag Of Iron). Kuo Chue is the new hero (as he is in the Venoms films as well) who is out to defeat the mass murderer of his martial arts masters. In fact, this fast-moving, action-packed film is even choreographed by the three core Venoms, making it a unique combination of grand "Martial Arts World" mayhem and special Venom-style, high-flying kung-fu.

LITTLE DRAGON MAIDEN (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 96 min.)
With Hong Kong cinema's new wave, high-flying, martial arts action of the 1980s came a new wave of actors: teeny-bopper, canto-pop singer/stars with little or no martial arts background. However, when a film like Little Dragon Maiden intelligently mixes the old with the new, the results are pure gold. This costume-filled action-drama-love story features relative newcomer Leslie Cheung, who falls in love with the Dragon Maiden while learning the art of swordplay. The recipe is complete when veteran kung-fu stars Chen Kuan-Tai and Lo Lieh add just enough weapon-wielding spice to make this film really cook. Cheung later garnered international recognition in John Woo's A Better Tomorrow and Ronny Yu's The Bride With White Hair.

Bonus Features for Blu-ray

DISC ONE: THE BRAVE ARCHER (1977)

• Audio: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With A New English Subtitle Translation, English Dub Mono DTS-HD Master Audio
• NEW Taking Aim: The Story of The Brave Archer – An Interview With David West, Critic And Author Of Chasing Dragons: An Introduction To The Martial Arts Film
• Celestial Trailer
• Still Gallery

DISC TWO: THE BRAVE ARCHER II (1978)

• Audio: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With A New English Subtitle Translation, English Mono DTS-HD Master Audio
• NEW Fine Archery: The Brave Archer Franchise – Featuring New Interviews With Actors Lu Feng, Chu Ke And Lung Tien-Hsiang Plus Frank Djeng Of The New York Film Festival, Film Critic/Author David West And Film Critic James Mudge
• Celestial Trailer
• Still Gallery

DISC THREE: THE BRAVE ARCHER III (1981)

• Audio: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With A New English Subtitle Translation, English Mono DTS-HD Master Audio
• NEW Memories Of Chang Cheh And The Golden Age Of Shaw Cinema – An Interview With Filmmaker Godfrey Ho, Assistant To Director Chang Cheh
• Celestial Trailer

DISC FOUR: THE BRAVE ARCHER AND HIS MATE (1982)

• Audio: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With A New English Subtitle Translation, English Mono DTS-HD Master Audio
• NEW Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng (New York Asian Film Festival)
• Celestial Trailer
• Still Gallery

DISC FIVE: LITTLE DRAGON MAIDEN (1983)

• Audio: Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With A New English Subtitle Translation
• NEW Audio Commentary By James Mudge, Film Critic/Historian At easternKicks.com
• Celestial Trailer
• Still Gallery

[DukeTogo84]

Man, the HK titles don't stop, but fantastic news. Just put in a pre-order.

[fred25_Ca]

Ugh, i've been hoping for those to be released. But a) this is much thicker than Shout's recent asian releases, which is disappointing but more importantly for Canadians this is a fortune! Dammit!

Edit: i'll still get it and look forward to it but I really wished this was not a store exclusive...

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by fred25_Ca

Ugh, i've been hoping for those to be released. But a) this is much thicker than Shout's recent asian releases, which is disappointing but more importantly for Canadians this is a fortune! Dammit!

I'm curious how this will be packed? I would have been happy with a box similar to the Sonny Chiba set, but looks like these will all have their own boxes? Either way, this is still good news overall.

[MifuneFan]

The stock pic gives the impression that it'll be 5 individual cases. It has the same sort of dimensions as the pics for The Omen and Fly Collection.

[DukeTogo84]

Well, it looks like we are getting some Shaw films from Shout now, and I'm assuming they picked up more than just these five. Will be interesting to see what else we get from them.

[MobFu72]

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!
More Shaws is a Beautiful thing !!!!!!
Bring em on!!!!

[themp3000]

Oh… They had me interested until I saw the Shout Store exclusive wording. No thanks.

I’ll wait and see if someone else elsewhere puts something similar to this out. If not, it’s not meant to be.

[filmlover22]

Originally Posted by themp3000

Oh… They had me interested until I saw the Shout Store exclusive wording. No thanks.

I’ll wait and see if someone else elsewhere puts something similar to this out. If not, it’s not meant to be.

Why do you say that?

[Dave_Zero1]

Shaws from Shout?! Whaaaaaaaat?! Well, like Fred25 said, its punch in the wallet to Canadians and also I'd like it to be more widely available if only for more people to get ahold of and discover.

Guess it is strange they are going the limited pressing/store exclucsve route since Shaws seems to have done well for Arrow & 88 Films, but...oh well... ordered.

Anyways, Pre-ordered. Back in the DVD days I wound up neglecting and missing out on the Funumation and latter Well Go releases and I swore I'd never miss a Shaw Bros Release again.

[Markgway]

IIRC, the films vary quite a bit in quality - with the 4th being especially poor.

I also wouldn't have put LDM in the set with the Chang Cheh/Fu Sheng pictures.

[hainesdogg]

Originally Posted by Markgway

IIRC, the films vary quite a bit in quality - with the 4th being especially poor.

I also wouldn't have put LDM in the set with the Chang Cheh/Fu Sheng pictures.

Agreed with both points.

I'm happy though because I missed out on Archer 2 and 3 from IVL and this is my favorite wuxia story "Legend of the Condor Heroes"

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by filmlover22

Why do you say that?

The fact that I can’t get it at discount or on sale.

It’s why I haven’t bought R’Xmas. Or any Shout store exclusive.

[MifuneFan]

Site exclusives are occasionally included in their sales, though it's usually theme based. Like if an exclusive is part of Shout Select, or simply a horror. I'm not sure what sale this would be in other than maybe a Martial Arts one.

[DukeTogo84]

Yeah, surprised it's a store exclusive, but I'll take it how I can get them. The more Shaw films the better.

[dex14]

There was a 20% off sale (for purchases of $100) that included site exclusives at the end of the year... but who knows if it will last until then.

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by dex14

There was a 20% off sale (for purchases of $100) that included site exclusives at the end of the year... but who knows if it will last until then.

Those “sales” are always hilarious because no matter what happens, it’s always a few cents to a dollar off from the threshold. It’s never, ever been really worth trying for.

I just hope there’s something comparable offered elsewhere eventually. I would like to own them but if it’s not meant to be, then what can ya do. I’m not tearing down my budget for these exclusives.

[xxnomad]

Enjoyed the 88 films disc of the first one, but it was one of the more confusing of Shaw titles I saw. One of the special features mentioned the first film being particularly jarring and how it set up a lot of stuff for rest in the series, so this will be great to finally watch the others.

[DukeTogo84]

So, FYI Little Dragon Maiden has a giant pigeon creature in the film and I really hope some of you buy this release to support him as he has fallen on tough times and will get a few cents per unit sold.

[mogwai_macabre]

Interesting Shout is getting in on the Shaw game. I've only ever seen the first one, years ago, but remember enjoying it.

I also would have preferred slimmer packaging on this one. I wonder why it's limited to 2500 copies? That's pretty unusual for Shout outside of Steelbooks, no?