Beach Of The War Gods (1973) Eureka

[moviemaker]

I just recently got this in the mail but have never seen this before. It came highly recommended and when looking for more information I discovered there wasn't a thread dedicated to this film.

Full disclosure I'm located in the US but have an all-region player so I'm looking forward to viewing this (and Duel to the Death which also just arrived) over the holiday.

Interested in what others think.

Here are some pix of the packaging:

[Show spoiler]

[ShawDonkey]

Duel to the death is better movie in storyline and particularly action. But Beach has its merits too. Hopefully Eureka! releases more Jimmy Wang Yu movies.

Some crazy ninja&/monk action in Duel to the death, enjoy.

[moviemaker]

Originally Posted by ShawDonkey

Duel to the death is better movie in storyline and particularly action. But Beach has its merits too. Hopefully Eureka! releases more Jimmy Wang Yu movies.

Some crazy ninja&/monk action in Duel to the death, enjoy.

Thank you. Strange question: Is it better to do a first pass watching the movie with the original Mandarin Mono track and subtitles or dubbed?

I make it a point to watch films in their original language but my experience with Shaw films was primarily dubbed titles since that's how they were initially available. So I have a strange affinity for Shaw films as dubbed.

[Labor_Unit001]

Originally Posted by moviemaker

Thank you. Strange question: Is it better to do a first pass watching the movie with the original Mandarin Mono track and subtitles or dubbed?

I make it a point to watch films in their original language but my experience with Shaw films was primarily dubbed titles since that's how they were initially available. So I have a strange affinity for Shaw films as dubbed.

I always watch these movies in their original audio tracks, but it's really up to you as to whether you want to view them dubbed first. I don't believe there's a "better option."

I personally love Beach of the War Gods; it's the best film directed by Wang Yu himself and one of my favorites from him in general. The entire last half is this one long, impressive battle sequence where Wang Yu, the warriors he assembled, and a collection of soldiers fight against an entire Japanese army.

[Markgway]

Beach of the War Gods has loads of action and is competently made, but there's something missing for me... I also think Duel to the Death is the better film.

[ShawDonkey]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Beach of the War Gods has loads of action and is competently made, but there's something missing for me... I also think Duel to the Death is the better film.

As you have some connections to eureka! convince them to release blood of the dragon and invincible sword.

[moviemaker]

Appreciate all the feedback. I'm loving it so far. Great little camera moves, nice composition. Great performances and interesting characters. It's got that great men-on-a-mission vibe with shades of a Western. It moves at a clip.

Shots taken with an iPhone off my TV screen:

[Show spoiler]

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by ShawDonkey

As you have some connections to eureka! convince them to release blood of the dragon and invincible sword.

I wish they'd let me pick the titles!

Not that those two would be in my top two hundred.

[chen lung]

It's an okay film, but it's not the best Golden Harvest has to offer.

I remember seeing this years ago on the Joy Sales DVD, so the Blu-ray is a step up AV-wise! Plus, it has extras. Recommended overall, but some remarks:

• The video probably wasn't from the OCN, though I stand open to correction. It's certainly serviceable for the majority, but the quality drops slightly on occasion. There's a framing glitch at 1:20:34.
• The Mandarin audio appears to go out of sync during some of the final battle.
• The subtitle translation seems fine overall (though I'd let a native speaker comment properly), though there are some minor issues with the presentation (CPS, etc.) and QC oversights.
• About the original trailer, I wish it was a new transfer. I think the subtitles should have been optional; other observations include some broken linguistic units and that they sometimes venture outside the image area.
• I always like the Tony Rayns interviews, but it's funny how he doesn't mention 'Seaman No. 7' (set in Japan; released in 1973; stars Jimmy Wang Yu; Golden Harvest).

[chen lung]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Beach of the War Gods has loads of action and is competently made, but there's something missing for me... I also think Duel to the Death is the better film.

That talking parrot, though…

[chen lung]

Originally Posted by Labor_Unit001

I always watch these movies in their original audio tracks, but it's really up to you as to whether you want to view them dubbed first. I don't believe there's a "better option."

One time it might matter is when the film contains language barriers (dubbed versions tend to alter the script so these are less apparent).

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by chen lung

That talking parrot, though…

It has ceased to be...

[The Mole]

Originally Posted by chen lung

There's a framing glitch at 1:20:34.

Can you explain what kind of glitch? What is wrong with the framing at that point?

[chen lung]

Originally Posted by The Mole

Can you explain what kind of glitch? What is wrong with the framing at that point?

Going by memory (I rented it), I think the black bars changed size in one frame.

[moviemaker]

Does anyone have an opinion on "Beach of the War Gods" from Eureka's versus Shout's as part of the Golden Harvest Collection?

While we're at it, "When Taekwondo Strikes" is also a Eureka versus Shout Golden Harvest Collection release. Any thoughts on that one as well?

Thanks in advance.

[Doomhunter]

I also ended up picking the German release as well as that has The Lion’s Heart (1972) film on it, in SD I think someone said. Hopefully someone can release that in blu someday

[Doomhunter]

So I decided to rewatch The Beach of the War Gods. Quite a while back I had watched the Eureka and must have been tired or something as I wasn’t overly big on it, this rewatch though, excellent film! Also great directing, cinematography and action sequences, both one on one and melees. Could have used an extra ten minutes for more character development.

[JackyJacquard]

Originally Posted by Doomhunter

So I decided to rewatch The Beach of the War Gods. Quite a while back I had watched the Eureka and must have been tired or something as I wasn’t overly big on it, this rewatch though, excellent film! Also great directing, cinematography and action sequences, both one on one and melees. Could have used an extra ten minutes for more character development.

I think I need to revisit, your first experience sounds exactly like mine - I left it too late at night to start! Still enjoyed it though, and I think it was my first old wuxia too

Makes it really hard to know which of my unwieldy collection to sell though, the dozing off