Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Fist of Fury Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 19, 2020

Wei Lo's "Fist of Fury" (1972) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include archival interviews actors Riki Hashimoto. Jun Katsumura, Yuen Wah, and Nora Miao; new program with biographer Matthew Polly; archival audio commentary by Hong Kong-film expert Mike Leeder; and more. Also included with the release is an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic Jeff Chang as well as technical credits. In Cantonese, English, and Mandarin, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The text below was initially used for our review of the Kam & Ronson Enterprises release of Fist of Fury.

It is easy to see why Bruce Lee immediately captured the minds of many with his second feature film, Fist of Fury. He moves like a gazelle yet strikes his opponents with ferocity that even today remains unsurpassed. Also, there are scenes in the film where his body looks so tense, it almost feels like something in it is about to snap.

Fist of Fury is a classic revenge story. It follows the deeds of a young man, Chen Zhen (Lee), who returns home to Shanghai to attend the funeral of his teacher, Ho Yuan Chia. After the ceremony, a group of Japanese men arrive at the school where Chen Zhen spent years learning the secrets of kung-fu and leave a large sign reading “Sick Man of Asia", an insulting reminder that Ho Yuan Chia’s school is no longer the respected institution it once was.

Chen Zhen follows the Japanese back to their school and things get rather complicated. He defeats every single one of their students in a spectacular fashion, and then walks away. Angered, the Japanese then gather a large crowd of fighters and head back to set the record straight with Ho Yuan Chia’s disciples. While Chen Zhen is away, they wreck havoc and produce one final warning -- deal with Chen Zhen on your own, or we will.

When Chen Zhen returns, he is told to leave Shanghai because it is the only way Ho Yuan Chia’s school would survive. Cheng Zhen is devastated. He promises to leave but instead hides in the local cemetery. Later on, he accidentally learns that the Japanese are responsible for the death of his teacher and all hell breaks loose.

Fist of Fury is not a film that would surprise you with a great story and rich characters. After the initial twenty or so minutes you would know exactly how the film ends. The dialog is also notably rough -- a mix of Cantonese, Mandarin and English -- but given the weak plot it is perhaps exactly what the film needed.

Still, Fist of Fury is a rather remarkable film, one that has inspired countless copycats. There is a unique atmosphere in it, which I am convinced would continue to fascinate viewers for years to come, as well as style that give it an edge over most other martial arts films that I have seen. Also, thye unbridled ferocity which which Lee attacks his opponents is simply breathtaking.

There are a couple of very curious cameos in Fist of Fury. Future martial arts superstar Jackie Chan (Twin Dragons) appears as one of Jing Wu’s students. Legendary fighter and long-time Chan friend Yuen Biao (The Sword Stained with Royal Blood) also has a small role. Even Lam Ching-Ying (Eastern Condors), a close friend and member of Sammo Hung Kam-Bo’s troupe, quickly steps in front of the camera.

Technically, Fist of Fury looks a lot more convincing than The Big Boss. Cinematographer Chen Ching-Chu’s lensing in particular is a lot more focused and fluid. The fights, choreographed by Lee, are also longer, better executed and effectively captured on film.

Fist of Fury was the second and last collaboration between director Lo Wei and Lee. The two parted ways after a series of much-publicized in the media disagreements (a few of which were directly related to the film’s anti-Chinese content).

In the U.S., Fist of Fury has appeared under a number of different titles, including “The Chinese Connection”, “Laugh Track: Chinese Connection”, and “The Iron Hand”. They were introduced to avoid confusion with Lee’s first film, The Big Boss, which was marketed domestically as “Fists of Fury” (and in Europe as “Fists of Glory”).

Fist of Fury Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Firsts of Fury arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The recent 4K master that was prepared for this film is quite the visual stunner. There are so many dramatic improvements on it and in so many different areas that direct comparisons with the old Kam & Ronson Enterprises release that we reviewed a little over a decade ago are absolutely pointless. Indeed, delineation, clarity, and depth are so much better now that there is just a lot, and I mean a lot, more to see, both during close-ups and wider panoramic shots. The 4K master also boasts an outstanding color scheme, with lush and very solid primaries and beautiful nuances. There are a few darker sequences where it seems like the blacks become a tad too prominent, but the 4K master actually makes it quite easy to tell that there are some minor inconsistencies in the original photography. (This makes me believe that in native 4K even with the fluctuations these visuals would be rock-solid. I specifically took screencapture #17 to illustrate the 'issue'). Image stability is excellent. The entire film is spotless as well. A very, very impressive 4K makeover. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Fist of Fury Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: Mandarin: LPCM Mono, English: LPCM Mono, and Cantonese: Dolby Digital Mono. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I started viewing the film with the Mandarin track but then switched to the English track and also tested the Cantonese track. So, because I was switching between the tracks quite a bit, I can tell you that they are quite entertaining. The English track in particular has a ton of hilarious exchanges, which coupled with the exaggerated sound effects makes it a real gem. The Mandarin track is the most conventionally dramatic one. The three tracks also have different technical identities. They are very healthy, but clarity and dynamic intensity -- especially when the music is on and there is fighting -- are not identical on them. I think that they have been cleaned up and optimized very well.

Fist of Fury Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• On First of Fury - in this new program, biographer Matthew Polly (Bruce Lee: A Life) discusses the conception of Fist of Fury, Bruce Lee's involvement with the film and the character he plays in it, the evolution of his fighting style, his action star image, and some of the political overtones in the film. The program was created for Criterion. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080p).

• Alternate Opening Credits - presented here are opening credits that were used for different releases of the film.
  
  1. The Chinese Connection (2 min, 1080p).
  2. First of Fury Japanese Version (6 min, 1080p).

• The First Lady - in this archival interview, actress Nora Miao discusses her contribution to Fist of Fury and specifically what it was like to work with Bruce Lee. There are some particularly interesting comments about her training by martial arts masters/choreographers. The interview was conducted in 1993. In Cantonese, with imposed English subtitles. (18 min, 1080p).

• Blade of Fury - in this archival interview, actor Riki Hashimoto recalls how he was cast to play his character in Fist of Fury and the type of improvisations he did during key action sequences. The actor also discusses some of the main differences -- that existed at the time -- between Hong Kong and Japanese films. The interview was conducted in 1993. In Japanese, with imposed English subtitles. (13 min, 1080p).

• Master of Bushido - in this archival interview, actor Jun Katsumura discusses his background. martial arts experience, and contribution to First of Fury. The interview was conducted in 1993. In Japanese, with imposed English subtitles. (13 min, 1080p).

• Yuen Wah - in this archival interview, actor Yuen Wah recalls his past work as a double, including his contribution to Fist of Fury. In Cantonese, with optional English subtitles. (11 min, 1080i).

• Trailers - a gallery of vintage trailers for Fist of Fury. (18 min, 1080p).

• Commentary - Hong Kong-film expert Mike Leeder discusses in great detail the production of Fist of Fury, Bruce Lee's career and the evolution of his style, the socio-political overtones in the film (the Chinese vs. the Japanese), some interesting cultural stereotypes, etc. The commentary was recorded in 2013.

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic Jeff Chang as well as technical credits.

Fist of Fury Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If the rest of the films in Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits look as good as Fist of Fury, I predict that this box set will become one of the most popular releases in Criterion's catalog. The 4K master that was created for Fist of Fury is incredible, and in native 4K this film probably looks even better. To be honest, I was a little surprised by the dramatic makeover, and I think that a lot of other people will be as well once they get a chance to see it at home. Criterion's release also offers a very nice selection of new and archival bonus features. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.