Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Death Duel Blu-ray Movie Review

Death Duel is an entertaining and action-packed Shaw Brothers classic. Based on the novel by Lung Ku, Death Duel is an impressive feature-film in the classic Shaw Brothers filmography. Produced by Runme Shaw (The Lady Professional, The Sword Stained with Royal Blood), Death Duel is an essential classic for fans of the Shaw Brothers and one that features a cast including Derek Yee, Yun Ling, On-On Yu, Ping Chen, David Da-Wei Chiang, Lung Ti, and Lieh Lo.

Hsieh Hsiao-feng, Ah Chi (Derek Tung-Sing Yee) is known as the Third Master. As the Third Master swordsman, there is a lot cut out for him. The stage is set for epic battles and confrontations.

A remarkable swordsman, the Third Master fights enemies, rescues damsels, and fights for the showmanship. The Third Master faces up against Yen Shih-san (Yun Ling). The battle of the swordsmen ensues. The Third Master also helps protect the prostitute performed by Yu An-an. Can The Third Master save the prostitute, defeat the villainous Yen, and earn victory as a legendary hero?

Derek Yee is the younger brother of the legendary David Chiang. Derek Yee does an excellent job in the feature and holds his own. Fans of David Chiang will be pleased that the younger brother has talent as well. Derek Yee is such an integral part of the film and he excels as the swordsman known as the Third Master.

The score composed by Yung-Yu Chen (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Five Fingers of Death) is a beautiful highlight of the feature-film. The score is engaging and fun. The music plays a vital role in the film. Such beautiful music and it certainly adds to the scope and scale of the film.

The cinematography by Chieh Huang (Clans of Intrigue, The Web of Death) is stunning. Death Duel has an incredible cinematographic style. Death Duel holds its own as one of the great Shaw Brothers films with absorbing visuals. The visual style is tremendous and there is so much to appreciate about the stylistic flourishes.

Edited by Hsing-Lung Chiang (The Avenging Eagle, Sons of the Good Earth), Death Duel is well-paced and the flow of the filmmaking is excellent. Chiang is a talented editor and the film has a nice sense of flow. The filmmaking excels as a result.

The art direction by Ching-Shen Chen (The Tiger and the Widow, The Adventures of Emperor Chien Lung) holds its own, too. The production values are terrific. The art direction helps the film have a fantastic artistic style.

The costumes by Chi-Yu Liu (Tiger Killer, An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty) add to the filmmaking. The costuming is well-done. Liu created costumes well-done for the entire cast.

The stunts coordinated by Pei-Chi Huang (Shaolin Intruders, Mercenaries from Hong Kong) and Chia Tang (Shaolin Intruders, To Kill a Mastermind) make a solid impression as well. The stunt work is a huge part of the film. The stunts are excellent and the action is part of the spectacle. The stunts are engaging – impossible to not enjoy.

Written and directed by Yuen Chor (Black Lizard, The Hidden Power of the Dragon Sabre), Death Duel is an essential gem. Fans of the Shaw Brothers films won’t want to miss Death Duel. Death Duel packs a mighty punch with all the right ingredients for a fun time. The filmmaking is beautiful and poetic. The action is outstanding.

Death Duel Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, Death Duel is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The release features a quality presentation with plenty to appreciate. The transfer has wonderful color reproduction, detail, and depth. The visuals soar on the release and the cinematography is well preserved. A solid encode, too.

Death Duel Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The lossless audio encoding adds to the presentation quality. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The score plays an important role in the presentation and the soundstage. Sound effects are well integrated into the sound mix as well. The English subtitles are well done and are free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Death Duel Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Film Critic James Mudge

Original Theatrical Trailer (SD, 3:58)

Celestial Trailer (HD, 00:57)

Acting Before Directing – Interview with Actor Derek Yee (HD, 13:09)

Interview with Actor Candice Yu (HD, 10:35)

Death Duel Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Death Duel is an exciting and action-packed Shaw Brothers gem. The filmmaking is top-notch. The stylistic flourishes are outstanding. The Blu-ray release provides an excellent presentation with quality visuals and nice lossless audio encoding. The release also comes jam-packed with enticing bonus features – including an audio commentary and interviews with the cast. Highly recommended.