On March 3, 2026, Shout is releasing the 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray for The Swordsman Trilogy, which will include 1990’s Swordsman, 1992’s Swordsman II and 1993’s Swordsman III: The East Is Red.
Collectively, the films are directed by King Hu (Touch of Zen), Tony Ching Siu-Tung (The Raid), Tsui Hark (Double Team), Ann Hui On-Wah (Visible Secret), Andrew Kam Yeung-Wa (Asian Cop – High Voltage) and Raymond Lee Wai-Man (New Dragon Gate Inn).
Please note: Swordsman is the only title presented in 4K Ultra HD; all other films in the set are on Blu-ray.
Stylish swordplay action is the order of the day in the stunning Swordsman trilogy! Featuring an impressive ensemble of Hong Kong cinema legends – including Jet Li (My Father Is a Hero), Brigitte Lin (Police Story), Jacky Cheung (Bullet in the Head), Sam Hui (Aces Go Places V), and Joey Wang (City Hunter), this trio of wuxia adventures represent a high watermark in the storied genre of martial arts action.
Features:
Disc 1 (4K) – Swordsman:
- 4K Scan from the Original Camera Negative
- Presented in Dolby Vision
- Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for this Release
Disc 2 (Blu-ray) – Swordsman:
- 4K Scan from the Original Camera Negative
- Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for this Release
- A Time of Legends: Interview with Co-Director Raymond Lee
- Cult of Personality: Interview with Actor Fennie Yuen
- David Wu: Proud Wanderer—A Career Retrospective with Editor David Wu
- Hark’s Dynasty: The Early Years of Film Workshop—Interview with General Manager/Executive Producer Terence Chang
- Hong Kong Confidential: Inside Wuxia with Author Grady Hendrix
Disc 3 (Blu-ray) – Swordsman II:
- Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for this Release
- Phoenix Rising: Interview with Actor Fennie Yuen
- Trailer
Disc 4 (Blu-ray) – Swordsman III: The East Is Red:
- Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for this Release
- A Return to Wuxia: Interview with Co-Director Raymond Lee
- Trailer
Watch the Trailers below:
That’s interesting that only the first movie is 4K UHD when the sequel
is considered the best in the trilogy. Hope more people keep buying physical media!
I saw that too. =) At least it’s a 4K Scan from the Original Camera Negative.
Just like the Chinese Ghost story boxset this is disappointing. The old Blurays from HK and the ones from Korea already have decent 1080p presentations. I’m sure it will be an ok upgrade but very disappointing that they all aren’t in 4k. I guess they will try sell us the 4k boxset in 2 years time
And stupid artwork – where is Bridgit Lin’s Invincible Asia. Is America that far up its own arse they can’t put the main character in this trilogy on the boxart cos she is trans
Have to agree it’s criminal that Brigitte Lin’s Invincible Asia is missing from the artwork, it’s a bit like if the artwork for the ‘A Better Tomorrow’ trilogy was missing Chow Yun Fat. Clearly they thought Jean Wang is a more important character!
Pretty sure that’s Bridgitte Lin on Jet Li’s right side. It looks like the outfit from the trailer for part 3.
You’ve got Joey Wong and Jean Wang on one side (from ‘The East is Red’) and Samuel Hui (from ‘Swordsman’) on the other – there’s no Brigitte Lin.
Are we doing 2026’s version of the ‘all Asians are look the same ‘?
to be fair some of the artwork from Shout has been absolutely crap. sorry to the artists but you either need to do better or actually give a shit about the movies you are commissioned to make artwork for. like if you haven’t seen prison on fire you would absolutely have no idea from the artwork who is who.
the swordsman trilogy artwork however is a fine if bland representation of the main characters and who is playing them….
except for the bloody main character Bridgette Lins Invincible Asia. Like Paul Says it’s like if Shout didn’t include Chow Yun Fat on their boxset artwork for A Better Tomorrow Trilogy. It’s her character that elevates these movies to classic status and why they are remembered as being one of the high points of the 90s martial arts/wuxia new wave
No actually we aren’t. I thought the artwork wasn’t the best to be honest. I don’t understand why you would immediately go to that. I have actually only seen the first two movies as well, so am not as familiar with the 3rd. Of course you had to jump to that.
I concur with Mike. Looking at that picture on my phone I was unsure who so of the drawings were. Much better on my laptop. Old man eyes I guess, of course the release dates of the Swordsman films make me feel old too. Long time fan of Martial arts cinema and this site.
Its 2026, you know why i would jump to that conclusion.
Apologies if you aren’t that part of that demographic.
Yeah, we know your type. Hey, look over there! Something objectively innocent you can pretend to be offended by!
What type would that be?
Easy offended by something innocent…. Right wing American?
First one: Very average… Main character and actor: boring.
Second one: Excellent, main character played by Jet Li.
Third: Unwatchable, hysteric mess.
C’mon now, we gain nothing from the opinions of casuals.
Very excited to see this wuxia trilogy finally being released in bluray format for those of us in the UK! I say that as it says on several UK eBay presale seller pages these discs are Region Free but I do wonder.. does anyone know whether that’ll be the case for Shout! Factory discs in 2026???
Official clip. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVcgXHEDcRG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link