Shaw Bothers Classics: Volume 3 | Blu-ray (Shout!)
RELEASE DATE: October 24, 2023
In October 24, 2023, Shout! Factory will be releasing Shaw Bothers Classic: Volume 3, an 11-film Blu-ray (Region A) collection that will include: Killer Clans (1976), The Shaolin Avengers (1976), The Web of Death (1976), Death Duel (1977), Soul of the Sword (1977), The Vengeful Beauty (1978), Life Gamble (1979), The Deadly Breaking Sword (1979), Shaolin Abbot (1979), Shaolin Rescuers (1979) and Clan of the White Lotus (1980).
Official details:
This spectacular box set comprises 11 classic martial arts films from the famous Shaw Brothers’ library, featuring some of their greatest stars – Alexander Fu Sheng (The Brave Archer), Lo Lieh (King Boxer), Ti Lung (A Better Tomorrow), David Chiang (The Boxer Of Shantung) and the Deadly Venoms! Many of these films are debuting for the first time on Blu-ray. Get ready for some exciting thrills and chills as heroes meet villains in a duel to the death!
KILLER CLANS (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 100 min.)
Ask any martial arts movie aficionado for his or her list of all-time action greats, and there’s a good chance that Killer Clans ranks somewhere near the top. Based on a popular swordplay novel, Killer Clans (whose Chinese title literally translates into the poetic Meteor, Butterfly, Sword) has enough conspiracies, stratagems, and sword fights to make any fan happy. They are masterfully staged by Yuen Cheung-yan, brother of martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping. The cast includes some of Shaw Brothers’ leading swordsmen and swordswomen, and they bring to life the novel’s epic battles between underground clans, where the line between good and evil is not always so clear-cut or obvious.
THE SHAOLIN AVENGERS (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 99 min.)
The famous story of the Shaolin Temple’s betrayal by the White-Browed Hermit, and the subsequent revenge by Shaolin firebrand Fang Shih-yu, is the stuff of legend. It has been filmed many times by many directors, but few depictions are as fiery or remembered as fondly as this production. The potent combination of director Chang Cheh and international idol Alexander Fu Sheng caught lightning in a lens (thanks to action instructors Hsieh Hsing and Chen Hsin-yi … not to mention talented co-director Wu Ma).
THE WEB OF DEATH (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin & English Dub DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 87 min.)
The leader of the Snake Sect has an affair with the sexy ringleader of the Scorpion Sect to revive the “Five Poison Web” (which is also this film’s Chinese title). But they must also contend with the Centipede Sect. Under the fluid direction of Chu Yuan and action choreographers Tang Chia and Yuen Cheung-yan (member of the martial arts world’s esteemed Yuen Family and brother of master Yuen Woo-ping), the result is a first-class action film!
THE VENGEFUL BEAUTY (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 78 min.)
Of all the many kinds of films Ho Meng-hua directed for the Shaw Brothers, his most popular worldwide was quite possibly The Flying Guillotine. While he did not direct its like-titled sequel, he did helm this great spinning beheader follow-up, which critics considered among his very best. It stars the striking Chen Ping (The Miniskirt Gang, Lady Exterminator) as the fearless title character who takes on an entire flying guillotine gang.
DEATH DUEL (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 90 min.)
This martial arts spectacular showcases 20-year-old Derek Yee. Variety noted, “Yee’s charismatic screen presence should take him to superstardom like his older brother, David Chiang.” The prediction proved correct, and his performance as ace swordsman Third Master is just what any producer would want. He fights evil, saves damsels in distress (including a kindhearted prostitute portrayed by Yu An-an), and duels rival swordsmen Ling Yun.
LIFE GAMBLE (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 96 min.)
Legendary director Chang Cheh teamed his latest big star, Alexander Fu Sheng, with future Venoms Lo Meng and Kuo Chue to create another winner in his vaunted filmography. Joining them were top supporting actors Ku Feng and Wang Lung-wei and actresses Lin Chen-chi, Shirley Yu, and Hui Ying-hung. Together, they weave an entertaining, exciting tale of a kung fu blacksmith taking on four famous robbers while a villainous gambling boss plots to destroy them.
SOUL OF THE SWORD (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 85 min.)
“Be careful what you wish for”” sums up Soul Of The Sword, which stars acclaimed actor Ti Lung as a swordsman whose sole purpose is to defeat the “Number One Swordsman” no matter what. The warrior’s code dictates to be number one there must be no other pursuit in life, so he gives up his lover only to learn that wanting is better than having … and that the terrorism of tradition in the end can bring about your own downfall.
THE DEADLY BREAKING SWORD (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 101 min.)
This explosive film elevated director Sun Chung to the highest ranks of martial arts helmsmanship alongside such esteemed company as Chang Cheh. Starring the incomparable Ti Lung and Alexander Fu Sheng, and utilizing the acclaimed fight choreographer Tang Chia, The Deadly Breaking Sword is propelled by the stars’ venomous fighting appeal. Armed with the “Deadly Breaking Sword” technique, Tuen Cheng-tsin (Ti Lung) unites with thief Ko Mun (Alexander Fu Sheng) to defeat an assassin who is “acupuncturingly” controlled by the evil Dr. Kuo.
CLAN OF THE WHITE LOTUS (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 95 min.)
Lo Lieh was famous as Shaw Studio’s first international kung fu film star, but it was rare that he also directed, so this film is one of those special events. Following the huge success of Executioners From Shaolin, he returned to the villain’s role in this combination sequel and remake. The result is a lighter hearted entertainment, as heroic Gordon Liu Chia-hui must learn “Embroidery Fist” and acupuncture to counter the evil White Lotus leader’s deadly “Weightless Boxing” and “Nerve Centre Shutdown” techniques.
SHAOLIN ABBOT (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 84 min.)
While international favorite David Chiang was best known for his roles as a grinning streetwise fighter in many Chang Cheh-directed classics, he rarely played a noble warrior monk. But here he portrays the great Chih Shim, the monk who saved the Southern Shaolin Temple. Making this production all the more notable is Lo Lieh, the Shaw Brothers’ first international star, who returns to a role he also made famous – that of Shaolin renegade Pai Mei. This, and even more, makes for a true martial arts epic of the first order.
SHAOLIN RESCUERS (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 110 min.)
It’s Shaolin versus corrupt Ching soldiers — with the help of the Lama, Black Tiger, and Mantis clans — headquartered at a pugilism school, a dyeing mill, and a bean curd shop. Often under-used Korean master kicker Sun Chien is specially spotlighted in this production as he and his fellow Venoms — the stars of director Chang Cheh’s many other high-flying, blood-splattered adventures (starting with The Five Venoms) — create another wonderfully fun kung fu showcase, filled with show-stopping sequences of martial arts expertise.
Look out for the set on October 24, 2023. Until then, we leave you with some of the Trailer included with the set below:
Hell yes!!! Bring it on. I would love this
Shaolin Rescuers, WHOOP WHOOP!!!
Another great set for true shaw brothers fans that know more about the old hard to find shaw film and not just the easy to obtain one thanks again Shout for pulling off another awesome set.
EXCEPT FOR THIS SET ALL WERE EASY TO OBTAIN (ALREADY RELEASED on excellent quality US DVD etc), EXCEPT SHAOLIN ABBOT & AVENGERS.
So this isn’t for the true OLDER fans, more for newbies.
“Often under-used Korean master kicker Sun Chien is specially spotlighted in this production…”
From the ‘Shaolin Rescuers’ description – hope they correct that before it goes to print, as Sun Chien is Taiwanese. This is an unfortunate carry over from the pre-internet days wherein, since his martial arts of choice was taekwondo, many sources incorrectly assumed he was from Korea.
Just received Shaw Brothers Classics Vol III, and to my surprise most films are actually dubbed in english. The exceptions are Soul of the Sword, The Vengeful Beauty and Death Duel. Please order and enjoy these beautiful films.
Do these dvds have scene selections? That is what annoyed me most about the other bluray releases from other companies. I like being able to jump straight into the fight scenes of kung fu films which I do quite often when I don’t feel like watching the whole film.
Can’t believe that only one film on this entire set has an English dub?! What’s up with that?! I discovered all these films when El Rey network showed them with the classic English dubbing with the usual voices heard in over 100 kung fu films from the 70s and 80s.
What an utter disappointment. I hate watching a martial arts film without an English dub. Instead of being engaged in the acting and story I’m focused solely on reading subtitles for most of the film which is why I prefer English dubbing. Unless they fix this it’ll be a hard pass for me.
I am sorry but to me English dub is distracting because you can see it doesn’t match up with their mouths. Not only that English dub is not always accurate with translation. So Honestly it’s better to watch it in it’s original language. It still can be enjoyed
Depends. For most old school kung fu flicks, I was brought up with English dubs, so it’s perfectly normal to me. But for newer movies (90s and up), I 100% prefer their native language.
Which is my point. I prefer the native language. Once I was given the option for the native language I preferred it. Plus the dialogue is more accurate. English dub is very inaccurate and goofy
Fair enough. =) With that said, it’s always good to see an “option” in the shiny disc world!
tha’s your opinion,
Almost ALL old skool ENGLISH SPEAKING (non Asian speaking) Fu fans PREFER the Dubs, usually.
The Chinese is also actually dubbed.
With ShawBros there rarely was the original actors voices used,so the pro ‘original’ language snobs are usually just poseurs who pretend they have watched the film fully- when it would be impossible to study facial expressions, body language & the set/background details if you are reading subtitles.Multiple viewings of the film would be necessary.
Even though many HK films didn’t use sync sound or the original actor’s voices, the Chinese dub team knew how to do it better than the westerners.
Western dubbers seemed like treat the movies like a joke and give the worst performances on purpose. It’s rare to get that in foreign dubbing.
I agree to disagree, not enjoyable to me at all for reasons I already stated. Prefer to watch with English dub so I don’t have to obsess over the subtitled dialogue. It’s never bothered me when certain parts of dialogue don’t match up with their mouth.
Sorry about that then
yep-
most of us real old skool fans prefer & actually love most of the dubs.
The poseurs ALWAYS make an issue of ‘original langue’ etc.
They were always a joke to us who dealt in these films, as we knoew they couldn’t have actually watched the film FULLY, being too busy reading the subtitles …and probably moaning about trivial things.
Thank you for saying that! I knew that I couldn’t be the only one who thought this as well. I hate having to read subtitles and prefer to watch the actors actually acting and pay attention to the story. Besides, the dubs are great and Shaw Brothers dubs were always memorable. There’s a lot of great dialogue in the Gordon Liu and Venom mob films that I love in the English dub.
I cambiamenti. Sappi che nulla rimane uguale.