Bruce Lee finally goes Blu-ray in the UK!
The wait is over! UK’s Mediumrare Entertainment has announced the release of Bruce Lee’s Hong Kong films on Blu-ray for the very first time. All titles will be released on October 26th in the UK.
Each movie – consisting of The Big Boss (1971), Fist of Fury (1972), The Way of the Dragon (1972) and Game of Death (1978) – feature reversible sleeves with newly commissioned artwork, a 24-page booklet for each film, commentaries, features and a whole lot more.
Some of us may (particularly in the United States) already own Shout Factory’s Premiere Collection or Legacy Collection, but if you’re a completist or just want to spice up your Bruce Lee collection, you’ll want to read about the supplemental material Mediumrare Entertainment has cooked up (just make sure you an all region Blu-ray player).
Please note: Enter the Dragon (1973) will not be released as part of this series, as it is owned exclusively by Warner Bros.
The Big Boss (1971) Blu-ray includes:
Audio Commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Mike Leeder
Audio Commentary with Bruce Lee expert Andrew Staton and Will Johnston
Breaking the West Interview with co-producer of Enter the Dragon Tom Kuhn
The History of The Big Boss: A photographic retrospective
Original 35mm Title sequence
Textless 35mm Title sequence
Rare uncut 8mm trailer
Promotional Gallery
Deleted Scenes Examined
Hong Kong promotional trailer
Original Theatrical Trailer
24-page collector’s booklet
Reversible sleeve within newly commissioned artwork
Fist of Fury (1972)
Audio commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Mike Leeder
Audio commentary from Asian film expert Bey Logan
The First Lady: an interview with Nora Miao
Blade of Fury: an interview with Riki Hashimoto
Master of Bushido: an interview with Jun Katsumura
The Fist of Fury location guide with Bey Logan
First Amongst Equals: an interview with Dan Inosanto
Legacy of a Master: an interview with acclaimed action-director, Jeff Imada
Tracking the Dragon: an interview with Bruce Lee’s photographer Linda Palmer
Friend to the Stars: an interview with Bruce Lee confidante, Joe Torreneuva
Trailer gallery
Rare photo archive
24- page collector’s booklet
Reversible sleeve within newly commissioned artwork
Way of the Dragon (1972) Blu-ray includes:
Introduction: Robert Lee
Introduction: Bey Logan
Audio Commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Mike Leeder
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan and co-star Jon Benn
A Dragon Remembered: Interview with Bruce Lee’s brother Robert Lee
Double Edged Sword: An exclusive interview with Bob Wall
Bruce Lee Trailer Archive including rare UK theatrical trailers and TV spots
Interviews with production managers Chaplin Chang and Louis Sit
Memories of the Master featurette: Interview with Pat Johnson
Dragon Rising: a re-mastered transfer of Bruce Lee’s only remaining screen test
Artist and Warrior: An exclusive interview with co-star Tony Lau Wing
Warrior Immortal featurette with co-star Wong In-sik
Reflections on the The Little Dragon Promo
Production Photo Gallery
Rare Photo Archive
24 page Collectors booklet
Reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork
Game of Death (1978) Blu-ray includes:
Audio commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Bey Logan
Audio Commentary With Hong Kong Film Expert Mike Leeder
Five deleted scenes, including alternate title sequence and extended ending
Production photo gallery
Rare archive photo gallery
Original UK and Cantonese Theatrical Trailers
Featurette: Dan Inosanto – Warrior And Teacher
Dan Inosanto Jeet Kune Do and other Asian methods of fighting seminar (40mins)
Featurette: Taky Kimura – Keeping The Flame Alive
Featurette: George Lazenby – Reflections of the Master
Game of Death outtake footage
Legacy of the Dragon documentary (46 mins)
Game of Death re-visited (40 minutes of footage edited as Lee’s original plan)
24 page collector’s booklet
Reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork
And yes, all nunchuck scenes are intact. ; )
Finally! Loving the new artwork. I’m tempted to get these but I already have the Hong Kong Legends Platinum additions. It looks like these releases have ported the same special features, but removed some stuff and added some new things. So going by the info here, I thought I would break down the differences.
I’m still trying to find all these movies uncut & complete on DVD. I’m so confused because so many sets are released. we fans deserve to see everything of Bruce Lee. don’t know why it was edited down especially in the US ? I’ve read that a 4K blu ray is released but I cannot find it on sale anywhere.
If you’re talking about the totally uncut versions, good luck. Fans have been looking for them for years! Back then, unused footage was thrown into a bin.
The Big Boss (1971) Blu-ray. I’ve put ‘(new)’ next to the features not included in the old Hong Kong Legends Platinum Edition DVD release and ‘(HKL)’ against the features included in both versions. Anything missing I’ve listed at the bottom:
Audio Commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Mike Leeder (new)
Audio Commentary with Bruce Lee expert Andrew Staton and Will Johnston (HKL)
Breaking the West Interview with co-producer of Enter the Dragon Tom Kuhn (HKL)
The History of The Big Boss: A photographic retrospective (HKL)
Original 35mm Title sequence (HKL)
Textless 35mm Title sequence (HKL)
Rare uncut 8mm trailer (HKL)
Promotional Gallery (HKL)
Deleted Scenes Examined (HKL)
Hong Kong promotional trailer (HKL)
Original Theatrical Trailer (HKL)
24-page collector’s booklet (new)
Reversible sleeve within newly commissioned artwork (new)
On the HKL version but missing from this:
Interview with Paul Heller
Interview with Fred Weintraub
Fist of Fury (1972)
Audio commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Mike Leeder (new)
Audio commentary from Asian film expert Bey Logan (HKL)
The First Lady: an interview with Nora Miao (HKL)
Blade of Fury: an interview with Riki Hashimoto (HKL)
Master of Bushido: an interview with Jun Katsumura (HKL)
The Fist of Fury location guide with Bey Logan (HKL)
First Amongst Equals: an interview with Dan Inosanto (HKL)
Legacy of a Master: an interview with acclaimed action-director, Jeff Imada (HKL)
Tracking the Dragon: an interview with Bruce Lee’s photographer Linda Palmer (HKL)
Friend to the Stars: an interview with Bruce Lee confidante, Joe Torreneuva (HKL)
Trailer gallery (HKL)
Rare photo archive (HKL)
24- page collector’s booklet (new)
Reversible sleeve within newly commissioned artwork (new)
Nothing missing from the HKL version
Way of the Dragon (1972):
Introduction: Robert Lee (new, I think)
Introduction: Bey Logan (new, I think)
Audio Commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Mike Leeder (new)
Audio Commentary by Bey Logan and co-star Jon Benn (HKL)
A Dragon Remembered: Interview with Bruce Lee’s brother Robert Lee (HKL)
Double Edged Sword: An exclusive interview with Bob Wall (HKL)
Bruce Lee Trailer Archive including rare UK theatrical trailers and TV spots (HKL)
Interviews with production managers Chaplin Chang and Louis Sit (HKL)
Memories of the Master featurette: Interview with Pat Johnson (HKL)
Dragon Rising: a re-mastered transfer of Bruce Lee’s only remaining screen test (HKL)
Artist and Warrior: An exclusive interview with co-star Tony Lau Wing (HKL)
Warrior Immortal featurette with co-star Wong In-sik (HKL)
Reflections on the The Little Dragon Promo (HKL)
Production Photo Gallery (HKL)
Rare Photo Archive (HKL)
24 page Collectors booklet (new)
Reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork (new)
Nothing missing from the HKL version
Game of Death (1978):
Audio commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Bey Logan (HKL)
Audio Commentary With Hong Kong Film Expert Mike Leeder (new)
Five deleted scenes, including alternate title sequence and extended ending (HKL)
Production photo gallery (HKL)
Rare archive photo gallery (HKL)
Original UK and Cantonese Theatrical Trailers (HKL)
Featurette: Dan Inosanto – Warrior And Teacher (HKL)
Dan Inosanto Jeet Kune Do and other Asian methods of fighting seminar (40mins) (HKL)
Featurette: Taky Kimura – Keeping The Flame Alive (HKL)
Featurette: George Lazenby – Reflections of the Master (HKL)
Game of Death outtake footage (HKL)
Legacy of the Dragon documentary (46 mins) (HKL)
Game of Death re-visited (40 minutes of footage edited as Lee’s original plan) (HKL)
24 page collector’s booklet (new)
Reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork (new)
Nothing missing from the HKL version
Good to know Doug! We appreciate your notes!!! 🙂 I’m thinking Leeder’s commentaries are the same ones used in Shout’s?
You’re probably right there MPM Mediumrare seem pretty good, but I don’t think they create their own original special features. I love the artwork on these new blu rays, but I feel strangely disloyal replacing my Hong Kong Legends dvds.
HKL are (IMO) the greatest martial arts dvd label ever. They were the first ones (as far as I can tell) that did everything, digitally remastering, recording new exclusive interviews and documentaries, new trailers, recording new English dubs if needed, new subtitles, restoring scenes previously deleted from international release, Excellent audio commentaries (mainly by the king of commentaries, Bey Logan).
They lost some of the magic when Logan and Brian White left for Dragon Dynasty (which is also a great label, clearly modelled after HKL). I get the impression most of the interviews were arranged by Logan as he knows practically everyone in the HK action film industry. Without him, HKL struggled to generate new special features. When they went out of business they still had several films left to release.
They had a brief comeback with a new label called Cine Asia but unfortunately it didn’t last long. I think illegal downloading had a hand in killing them off (I hate that). I wish they were still in business.
I get the impression Mediumrare must have some of HKL’s back catalogue. They have already released and will be releasing some other titles that were previously owned by HKL, some they released, some they didn’t quite get to.
Also listed on the Amazon UK site from Mediumrare:
Already out:
Riki-Oh – The Story Of Ricky (Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Riki-Oh-Story-Ricky-Format-Blu-ray/dp/B00T3FUJ9A/ref=sr_1_3?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443299766&sr=1-3&keywords=mediumrare
I did buy this one. It’s like the Bruce Lee ones above, all the HKL special features with new, excellent artwork. Worth getting if you don’t already have it.
The Deadliest Art – The Best Of The Martial Arts Films [DVD]
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadliest-Art-Best-Martial-Films/dp/B00T9WQD7E/ref=sr_1_13?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443299766&sr=1-13&keywords=mediumrare
pre-ordered this as soon as it appeared. I wore out my VHS of this when I was a kid. Great to see it finally released on dvd.
When Taekwondo Strikes [DVD]
http://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Taekwondo-Strikes-DVD-Angela/dp/B00T9WQD6A/ref=sr_1_24?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443299766&sr=1-24&keywords=mediumrare
Hapkido was among HKL’s final batch of releases so I’m guessing HKL had this one too but didn’t get to it. I have the Shout Factory version of this one.
Operation Condor: Armour Of God II (Blu-ray)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Operation-Condor-Armour-God-Blu-ray/dp/B00DJ5N8H0/ref=sr_1_21?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443299766&sr=1-21&keywords=mediumrare
I have the dvd of this. This could be another one HKL had but didn’t get to. Great thing about this one is It’s the original edit, not the American Miramax version.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The Movie Collection: 3 Disc Set (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Secret Of The Ooze/Turtles In Time) (Blu-ray)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Collection/dp/B00DVNXVL8/ref=sr_1_56?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443302688&sr=1-56&keywords=mediumrare
Also on dvd. They are also available individually.
Bruce Lee Box Set – The Ultimate Collection [DVD]
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruce-Lee-Box-Set-Collection/dp/B0042OEXC6/ref=sr_1_90?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443302808&sr=1-90&keywords=mediumrare
This is actually a set of documentaries: The Intercepting Fist, Bruce Lee: Jeet Kune Do and Path of the Dragon.
Future releases:
The Cannonball Run (Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD): released on November 30, 2015
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Cannonball-Run-Format-Blu-ray/dp/B00WOB83U2/ref=pd_sim_74_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RFTB4X44HR2YS917F26&dpID=no-img-lg-uk&dpSrc=sims&preST=_V366109917_SL500_SR160%2C160_
HKL did release this one, but without the HKL logo on it (because it’s not a Hong Kong film)
The Cannonball Run II (Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD): released on November 30, 2015
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cannonball-Run-Dual-Format-Blu-ray/dp/B00WOB83XO/ref=sr_1_18?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443299766&sr=1-18&keywords=mediumrare
Armour of God (Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD): released on November 2, 2015
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Armour-God-Dual-Format-Blu-ray/dp/B00WOB84EW/ref=sr_1_36?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443302286&sr=1-36&keywords=mediumrare
This was previously a HKL release.
Slaughter In San Francisco [DVD]: released on November 2, 2015
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slaughter-San-Francisco-Chuck-Norris/dp/B00WOB845Q/ref=sr_1_96?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443302986&sr=1-96&keywords=mediumrare
No idea if HKL had this one. Never thought this would get a dvd release in the UK!
Legacy Of Rage (Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD): November 2, 2015
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Legacy-Rage-Dual-Format-Blu-ray/dp/B00WOB842E/ref=sr_1_105?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443303079&sr=1-105&keywords=mediumrare
Another possible unreleased HKL title. I have the Shout Factory release of this, it has a very interesting commentary track with Mike Leeder and the director Ronny Yu. Interesting to hear about Brandon Lee’s one and only Hong Kong film experience.