The Champions (Eureka Classics)

[cooey]

Pre-order: Eureka - HMV - Amazon
Release date: 23rd September, 2024

Sports, action and comedy collide in Golden Harvest’s The Champions, the precursor to Shaolin Soccer from the first family of Hong Kong martial arts cinema: the inimitable Yuen Clan!

Lee Tong (Yuen Biao, Dreadnaught) is a young farmer who has grown up in an isolated rural community. When an indiscretion lands him in hot water, he leaves his home in the countryside and heads for the big city – where he meets Suen (Cheung Kwok-keung, Eastern Condors), a street footballer who recognises Tong’s talent for the beautiful game and encourages him to try out for a pro team. But Tong’s first chance at footballing glory is scuppered by a rivalry with the narcissistic King (Dick Wei, Project A), who relegates the newcomer to cleaning up after his teammates. But having discovered a love for football, Tong soon accepts an offer to join a rival team – and the stage is set for a final confrontation with King on the pitch.

Written and directed by Brandy Yuen (In the Line of Duty III) and featuring action choreography by Yuen Shun-yi (The Miracle Fighters) and Yuen Chun Yeung (Armour of God), The Champions is a sporting underdog story filtered through some of the greatest minds in the history of Hong Kong action cinema. Eureka Classics is proud to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time ever from a brand new 2K restoration!

SPECIAL FEATURES
- Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling [2000 copies]
SPECIAL FEATURES
- 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration
- Original Cantonese audio and optional English dub tracks (original mono presentations)
- Alternate Cantonese audio track from the Japanese version of the film
- Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
- Brand new audio commentary by East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and F.J. DeSanto
- Brand new audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
- Brand new featurette by CFK looking at the 1987 Hong Kong celebrity football / soccer team that featured a number of Hong Kong legends including Jackie Chan and Andy Lau
- Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork
- Trailer
- Japanese release trailer
- A limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by James Oliver [2000 copies]

[apollo828]

Nice! I always enjoyed this film. Pretty standard underdog-wins-the-day stuff but it's a ton of fun all around.

It's not in the notes but hopefully Eureka will be able to include the alternate Cantonese soundtrack that was released in Japan. Somebody tried to push Yuen Biao as a heartthrob over there in the mid-80s when he released a couple of albums. So, the Japanese release has alternate musical cues taken from those albums.

[Telemachus]

Cooey you slipping breh I already had this preordered 2 days ago

[cooey]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

Cooey you slipping breh I already had this preordered 2 days ago

2 days ago when it was only announced yesterday Good work Broseppi!

[Telemachus]

Originally Posted by cooey

2 days ago when it was only announced yesterday Good work Broseppi!

Yesterday morning on Atomic, before it was announced they had links up, so feels like almost 2 days. The insiders here are slipping

[DooK]

Great news! Time to retire my custom-made DVD of the movie.

[Danespina]

Sounds fun. Does Yuen Biao get to show his skills in this?

[DooK]

Originally Posted by Danespina

Sounds fun. Does Yuen Biao get to show his skills in this?

100% skills showcased, whether it be soccer or fighting.

[Brown Jenkin]

I wonder if Yuen Biao is aware of all the love he has been getting with these films getting newer releases lately.

[Markgway]

He seems to be a rather humble fellow who appreciates that anyone is interested in him.

[almo89]

I hope they include the Japanese cut. I grew up watching that version. Yuen Biao singing the theme song in english is so damn catchy.

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by almo89

I hope they include the Japanese cut. I grew up watching that version. Yuen Biao singing the theme song in english is so damn catchy.

Not the cut, per se (there's a bit missing when Yuen Biao first arrives in town in the Japanese version), but if all goes well, the audio should be on there

[Danespina]

The new featurette on the 1987 Hong Kong celebrity football team sounds great.

[Drunksnake]

Originally Posted by Danespina

The new featurette on the 1987 Hong Kong celebrity football team sounds great.

Yeah I'm looking forward that, always welcome archive, vintage footage! Arne Venema has been doing some nice features so should be interesting.

[Telemachus]

So did Yuen Biao have a pop album in Japan? Anyway to actually get this on CD or vinyl?

[Pochacco]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

So did Yuen Biao have a pop album in Japan? Anyway to actually get this on CD or vinyl?

https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/3127460011

More images of the CD here:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%A6%E.../dp/B0BSXSC7R7

[Telemachus]

Lol damn I want, good old Pony Canyon

[Markgway]

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by OldPangYau

Not the cut, per se (there's a bit missing when Yuen Biao first arrives in town in the Japanese version), but if all goes well, the audio should be on there

Excellent news, sir! Thanks as always for your efforts!

[OldPangYau]

Btw, for those who haven't heard the Japanese theatrical cut's main theme sung by Yuen Biao, here you go... and it'll probably be stuck in your head, lol (warning, "final match" spoilers in the video portion):

Yuen Biao sings "The Champions" w/Lyrics Subtitled - YouTube