"Touch of Zen" Blu-ray Cover
RELEASE DATE: July 19, 2016
Film aficionados’ (i.e. film snobs) favorite video-distribution company, The Criterion Collection, have announced a July 19th Blu-ray and DVD release for King Hu’s seminal wu xia classic, A Touch of Zen (1971).
Here’s the official release information:
“Visionary” barely begins to describe this masterpiece of Chinese cinema and martial arts moviemaking. A Touch of Zen by King Hu depicts the journey of Yang (Hsu Feng), a fugitive noblewoman who seeks refuge in a remote, and allegedly haunted, village. The sanctuary she finds with a shy scholar and two aides in disguise is shattered when a nefarious swordsman uncovers her identity, pitting the four against legions of blade-wielding opponents.
At once a wuxia film, the tale of a spiritual quest, and a study in human nature, A Touch of Zen is an unparalleled work in Hu’s formidable career and an epic of the highest order, characterized by breathtaking action choreography, stunning widescreen landscapes, and innovative editing.
- New 4K digital restoration uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
- Documentary from 2012 about director King Hu
- New interviews with actors Hsu Feng and Shih Chun
- New interview with filmmaker Ang Lee
- New interview with film scholar Tony Rayns
- Trailer
- New English subtitle translation
- PLUS: An essay by film scholar David Bordwell and notes by Hu from a 1975 Cannes Film Festival press kit
Watch the trailer for the 2016 release of A Touch of Zen.
Pre-order A Touch of Zen from Amazon.com today!
It’s a day of celebration indeed when Criterion adds an Asian film to their library that isn’t Japanese.
I swear, they’ll eventually release every Japanese movie ever made, while maybe adding a Hong Kong or Korean movie once or twice a year.
Maybe they can rescue Grandmaster from Harvey while they’re at it?
Next on my wish list: King Hu’s RAINING IN THE MOUNTAIN.
Definitely a Blu-ray I’ll be picking up.
Yes, it’s a shame they don’t put out more Asian cinema films (in addition to the Japanese titles) on their label. But I’m thrilled with this one, and excited to see this film done up proper and check out all the extra features.