Hong Kong 1941 (1984) Blu-ray (Eureka Entertainment)

[MifuneFan]

Eureka Entertainment will be releasing the HK film Hong Kong 1941 (1984) on Blu-ray in June. The film was produced by Sammo Hung, and co-stars Chow Yun-fat, Cecilia Yip, and Alex Man.

HONG KONG 1941 (1984)

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Limited Edition [2000 copies]
  
• Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Time Tomorrow
  
• Presented in 1080p HD from a brand new 4K restoration
  
• Original Cantonese mono audio track
  
• Optional English dub
  
• Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
  
• New audio commentary by East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
  
• Hong Kong 1984 – new video essay by Tony Rayns on the contemporary impact of Hong Kong 1941
  
• Archival interview with Chow Yun-fat
  
• Archival interview with Cecilia Yip
  
• Original theatrical trailer
  
• PLUS: Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on Hong Kong 1941 and Po-Chih Leong by Gary Bettinson, editor of Asian Cinema journal

SYNOPSIS: A versatile British-Chinese filmmaker whose career has spanned nearly fifty years, Po-Chih Leong has worked in a variety of genres, from action in Foxbat to horror in The Island, comedy in Ping Pong and the gangster movie in Shanghai 1920, which was nominated for Best Feature at the Chicago International Film Festival. His masterpiece, though, is Hong Kong 1941 – an affecting war drama starring Cecilia Yip (Nomad), Alex Man (Rich and Famous) and Chow Yun-fat (The Killer) in his breakout role.

Produced by Sammo Hung, Hong Kong 1941 follows three Hongkongers forced to negotiate life under occupation as their homeland falls to the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Ha Yuk-nam (Yip) is a young woman locked in a love triangle with her close friends Yip Kim-fei (Chow) and Wong Hak-keung (Man). As they dream of escape, their complicated personal relationships play out against the background of oppression and brutality that was brought to Hong Kong by Japanese rule between 1941 and 1945.

A story of loyalty and love, Leong’s film deals with one of the darkest periods in Hong Kong’s history and was nominated for no less than eight awards at the 1985 Hong Kong Film Awards – winning for its breathtaking cinematography by Brian Lai (The Postman Strikes Back). It also launched Chow Yun-fat to stardom two years before his first collaboration with John Woo in A Better Tomorrow. The Masters of Cinema series is honored to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time outside of Asia.

HONG KONG 1941 (Masters of Cinema) New & Exclusive Trailer - YouTube

[CrockettandTubbs]

Had it on dvd via Hong Kong Legends. Was ok - won't be buying it again though.

[Jackie Scanlon]

Yeah it is quite middling, but a Frank Djeng commentary and the essay by Tony Rayns (I don't think we westerners have ever appreciated quite how important the film was in both HK and mainland China) are probs worth a grab.

[Alexcap]

its a really good film but i wish it was 88films releasing the film and not Eureka at lest the art work would look soooo damn good because the art work for this release is awful and who the hell is time tomorrow never heard of them.

[HoldenCarver]

Originally Posted by Alexcap

who the hell is time tomorrow never heard of them.

Hadn't heard of them either, so did a Google. After a few false starts, found a website with a portfolio - https://timetomorrow.com/folio/

Appears they did the design for Radiance's Messiah of Evil. Now that was really good.

[MifuneFan]

Yes, Time Tomorrow has done several covers for Radiance. They've also done major studio work too.

The main thing I don't like about the art is the big 1941, which seems completely unnecessary.