Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Game of Death Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 23, 2020

Robert Clouse's "Game of Death" (1978) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage promotional materials for the film; vintage audio commentary by Hong Kong-film expert Mike Leeder; new program with biographer Matthew Polly; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

In the United States, Game of Death was initially released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory in 2013. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see Jeff Kauffman's review of the first release here.

Game of Death Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

The new 4K master that was used to source the release is quite good. However, I believe that there are a couple of areas that could have been handled better. First, I the entire film looks slightly darker than it should, which is why some delicate nuances are lost. It is possible that they are retained on the 4K master and in native 4K they will still be visible, but I don't know if this is the case. Second, the film's color scheme could have benefited from more prominent whites and reds. (The whites in particular could have made the difference I believe the new master needs to look great). The overall balance is, for the most part, fine, but I think that the end result could have been more convincing. The rest looks outstanding. Density and fluidity are top-notch, so if you view your films on a large screen you will see a pretty dramatic upgrade in quality. Image stability is terrific as well. So, overall this is a solid makeover of Game of Death, but I think that with a few minor tweaks in the color scheme it could have been quite the stunner. My score is 4.25/5.00. (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).

Game of Death Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0 (original) and English LPCM 1.0 (from the Japanese release of the film). Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I viewed the entire film with the original English LPCM 1.0 track. It is clean and stable, completely free of age-related imperfections. It is somewhat uneven in places, but I think that these are inherited and unavoidable limitations. I only tested the second track and to be honest I am unsure what its value is. Perhaps completists will appreciate it, but my impression is that it is rougher and overall even shakier.

Game of Death Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailers - vintage trailers for Game of Death. In English, not subtitled. (6 min, 1080p)

• Game of Death Redux - produced in 2020 by Alan Canvan, this presentation of Bruce Lee's original 1972 Game of Death footage features new vocal performances, edits, and mixing. Dolby Digital 2.0. (35 min, 1080p).

• On Game of Death - in this new program, biographer Matthew Polly (Bruce Lee: A Life) discusses the conception of Game of Death and Bruce Lee's involvement with the film. The program was created for Criterion. In English, not subtitled. (7 min, 1080p).

• Alternate Footage -
  
  1. Alternate Opening Credits (2 min, 1080i).
  2. Alternate Endings - three final sequences used for different releases of the film. (5 min, 1080i).
  3. Deleted Scenes - four deleted scenes.
  4. Outtakes (4 min, 1080i).
  5. Bloopers (3 min, 1080i).

• Game of Death - in this archival video interview, actor Robert Wall recalls his contribution to Game of Death and what it was like to work with Bruce Lee. In English, not subtitled. (29 min, 1080i).

• Commentary - Hong Kong-film expert Mike Leeder discusses in great detail the production of Game of Death, its placement in Bruce Lee's body of work, the era in which the film emerged, etc. The commentary was recorded in 2013.

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

Game of Death Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I have a few reservations about the color grading of the new 4K master that was created for Game of Death. I also think that the film looks slightly darker than it should, which is why I would have loved to see it in native 4K. I still think that the film looks much, much better than it has in the past, but my gut-feeling is that it could have had a more convincing forbearance after the 4K makeover. The release is included in Criterion's Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits box set, which will be available for purchase on July 14. RECOMMENDED.