The Iron Fisted Monk (1977) (Arrow Films)

[MifuneFan]

Arrow will be releasing The Iron Fisted Monk (1977) on Blu-ray on October 24th!

https://www.arrowvideo.com/blu-ray/t.../14887484.html

Extras

• 2K restoration from original film elements by Fortune Star
• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation of the original uncensored version
• Original lossless Cantonese and Mandarin mono audio, plus lossless English dub mono option
• Two choices of English dubbed audio: the original export dub mono (first time ever in the US) and the newer 5.1 dub created for international DVD presentations
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio commentary by martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng
• Two archival interviews with Sammo Hung
• Archival interview with Casanova Wong
• Original theatrical trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Mills
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Mills
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Brandon Bentley

In the years following the passing of Bruce Lee, the flame of Hong Kong action cinema was being kept alive via the masterful choreography of Sammo Hung in a multitude of films, typically under the direction of Huang Feng (Hapkido, The Shaolin Plot). However, in 1977, Hung would finally get his chance to fully take the directing reins, with his former director by his side as co-writer, paving the way for The Iron-Fisted Monk! Rice Miller Luk (Hung) is just a simple man trying to live a quiet life, until one day the Manchu Bannermen bully their way through town, killing his uncle in the process. When a nearby Shaolin monk, San De (Chan Sing, The Shaolin Plot), easily defeats them and sees the fallen Luk, he offers him a chance to learn martial arts at the Shaolin Temple. However, Luk's impatience with his training sees him return to his town to witness an even more ruthless organization of Manchus, led by a depraved official (Fung Hak-An, Warriors Two) who has a nasty and violent habit of taking whatever (and whoever) he wants. Will Luk's incomplete Shaolin teachings, combined with the skill set of San De, be enough to put an end to the Manchu stronghold plaguing their people? Predating The 36th Chamber of Shaolin's variation of the story of San De and Miller Luk by a year, and notorious for its uncensored version receiving a retroactive Category III rating in Hong Kong (the equivalent of the American NC-17), The Iron-Fisted Monk pulls no punches, literally or figuratively, explosively marking the beginning for one of the greatest martial arts film directors of all time!

[MifuneFan]

This was released by Eureka in the UK, as part of a 3-film Sammo Hung Collection. It's possible that Arrow also has the other two as well.

[nadafinga]

This is one of my favorites! I have the Eureka but happy to double dip since this one will be the uncensored version. I think Eureka's had a bit of blurring applied to some nudity.

[dex14]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

This was released by Eureka in the UK, as part of a 3-film Sammo Hung Collection. It's possible that Arrow also has the other two as well.

Criterion has Eastern Condors.

[Alexcap]

eureka did indeed have a scene optically blurred but it was not them who did it it was like that when they got it from fortune star so it looks like arrow's version will be the same version.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by dex14

Criterion has Eastern Condors.

Thanks. Pretty sure Duke told me that at one point too, but I completely forgot

[MifuneFan]

Now live at Arrow with artwork

https://www.arrowvideo.com/blu-ray/t.../14887484.html

[Mushi Minion]

Originally Posted by dex14

Criterion has Eastern Condors.

Shame, because that’s the one of that set I’d really want.

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by Alexcap

eureka did indeed have a scene optically blurred but it was not them who did it it was like that when they got it from fortune star so it looks like arrow's version will be the same version.

This same censorship was on the Deltamac VCD (cropped "shot A", optically censored "shot B"), which was rated Category IIB. I believe the Fortune Star "Legendary Collection" VCD and DVD were both rated Cat III and uncensored.

The Arrow version is uncensored/reconstructed.

[nadafinga]

nvm OldPangYau already confirmed this version will be uncensored.

[fred25_Ca]

Strange choice for color design for the cover but at least it's miles better than their prodigal son and Warriors two artwork.
I love this movie, I used to have the old dvd but got rid of it hoping Arrow would release this on blu ray. I'm not a big fan of Eastern condors so i can't say I care that much it's stuck with Criterion but Magnificent butcher is on the other hand one of the greatest kung fu comedy of all time, I really hope we get that one soon. The first mr. Vampire, Spooky encounters, Magnificent butcher, Dreadnought, there's still a few good Biao and Hung movie that Eureka released in Region B that Arrow might release over here. Hopefully Arrow continues the good work!

[MifuneFan]

I'm a little surprised we don't have an original artwork store exclusive for this one. Arrow hasn't done one for one of their martial arts releases in a few months now. This, The Prodigal Son, and New Fist of Fury didn't have one.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by OldPangYau

This same censorship was on the Deltamac VCD (cropped "shot A", optically censored "shot B"), which was rated Category IIB. I believe the Fortune Star "Legendary Collection" VCD and DVD were both rated Cat III and uncensored.

The Arrow version is uncensored/reconstructed.

Just saw your tweet. Congrats on your first essay!

[Alexcap]

Eureka also said the same thing so if arrow's release is totally uncensored and not optically blurred like the uk release then why did Eureka bother releasing it.

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Just saw your tweet. Congrats on your first essay!

Thank you! It wasn't the original plan, but I had to swoop in as a replacement... so hopefully people enjoy it

Originally Posted by Alexcap

Eureka also said the same thing so if arrow's release is totally uncensored and not optically blurred like the uk release then why did Eureka bother releasing it.

So, here's the thing... Eureka's verbiage was technically correct in that it was the first time the film hadn't suffered BBFC cuts. The problem was, the master that they were given was based on a censored re-release version of the film that had appeared on some HK releases (I can confirm the Deltamac VCD was one of them) in order to have a retroactive Category IIB certificate/rating. This is why some later uncensored HK releases of the film have a retroactive Cat III rating:



While we were initially given the same master, I went back and fixed the two censored shots myself. So "shot A" is now uncropped, and "shot B" no longer has the optical censoring.

[Markgway]

Good to see a fully uncut version finally available, but not sure I want to give up my subs from the Eureka edition for it.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

This was released by Eureka in the UK, as part of a 3-film Sammo Hung Collection. It's possible that Arrow also has the other two as well.

James Flower confirmed on Twitter they don't have Magnificent Butcher.. Not sure if Criterion has that one as well, in addition to Eastern Condors.

[fred25_Ca]

Damn, that's too bad about the magnificent butcher!

[Talal86]

so the Eureka set is it.. huh?

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

James Flower confirmed on Twitter that The Magnificent Butcher is also with another label. Not sure if Criterion has that one as well, in addition to Eastern Condors.

Did he confirm someone has The Magnificent Butcher? I just see him saying they don’t have them and hopefully someone releases them.