Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Man of Iron Blu-ray Movie Review

Man of Iron is an action-drama with a hard edge. Produced by Run Run Shaw (Return of the Sentimental Swordsman, Legend of the Fox), Man of Iron feels reminiscent of crime saga films in some respects – providing a grittier storyline and some different themes than the usual Shaw Brothers feature film. Starring Kuan Tai Chen. Co-starring Li Ching, Mu Chu, Ching Tien, and Chih-Ching Yang.

Chou Lien Huan (Kuan Tai Chen) stars in this follow-up feature-film to The Boxer from Shantung. Chou Lien Huan wins a huge sum of money while out gambling and finds himself with more wealth than he ever expected. Gambling beside a ruthless gang leader’s son, the gang leader father and his playboy son decide to seek revenge against Chou Lien Huan for winning so much money – treating the win like theft of their riches.

As the tale unfolds, Chou Lien Huan finds himself spending the gambling money win left and right – from nights with alcohol to good times with prostitutes. The gang leader and his son catch up to Chou Lien Huan though and the finale builds to an epic fight and confrontation over the gambling wins. Can Chuan Chen emerge the victor?

The lead performance by Kuan Tai Chen is the highlight of the film. Man of Iron benefits a great deal by the strong central performance of Chen. Chen delivers a gritty performance that feels as though it is a role from an extended crime saga – something out of a Scorsese film. Chen is excellent here and the performance certainly benefits the filmmaking a great deal.

The production design is noteworthy and there are a lot of great elements within the filmmaking. The art direction by Johnson Tsao (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Curse of Evil) is certainly an impressive element of the production. The designs help create an almost Noir-like atmosphere. The costumes designed by Chi Li (The Boxer from Shantung, Five Shaolin Masters) are similarly first-rate and feel designed for the genre. The make-up provided by Hsu-Ching Wu (Love with the Perfect Stranger, Human Lanterns) also brings out the best in the actors and helps to create a specific artistic sensibility in the film.

The score composed by Yung-Yu Chen (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Five Fingers of Death) is one of the greatest strengths of Man of Iron. Man of Iron has wonderful music and the score aids the filmmaking significantly. The music creates an enticing energy for the production.

The cinematography by Ting-Bang Yuan (The Boxer from Shantung, The Delightful Forest) impresses and helps to make the film a visually interesting one. Yuan does a great job as cinematographer. The visual sensibilities of the cinematographer enhance the filmmaking in a compelling way.

The fight scenes choreographed by Chuan Chen (The Delightful Forest, Five Fingers of Death) and Chia-Liang Liu (Drunken Master II, The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter) are remarkable – especially in the finale. These fight scenes add a lot of energy to Man of Iron. It is worth noting that Man of Iron features less action and more drama compared to the typical Shaw Brothers film. This is something that is certainly notable. Action fans might be a bit disappointed by the infrequency of action beats but when the action kicks in the film does impress. It is worth noting that choreographer Chuan Chen was both an expert action choreographer and a martial artist star himself – having co-starred alongside Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury.

Written by Kuang Ni (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Dirty Ho) and Cheh Chang (The Delightful Forest, Five Elements Ninjas), Man of Iron is more of a drama than an action film. Man of Iron is a different type of Shaw Brothers production. The storyline feels darker and grittier than some Shaw Brothers film feel. I prefer the old-school adventure of most Shaw Brothers films, which tend to feel more fantastical compared to the grittier Man of Iron. The script is still a solid one with a compelling storyline.

Directed by Cheh Chang (The Shanghai Thirteen, Five Elements Ninjas) and Hsueh-Li Pao (Night of the Assassin, The Delightful Forest), Man of Iron isn’t one of the best Shaw Brothers films but it is a solid film worth seeing. Directors Chang and Pao are more interested in the drama sequences than in providing the same level of action or adventure as a typical Shaw Brothers film delivers to audiences. Audiences might appreciate that it does something a bit different from the norm for Shaw Brothers. Man of Iron is not one of the most entertaining Shaw Brothers films even though there is plenty to appreciate about the film still.  Worth a watch.

Man of Iron Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, Man of Iron is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The Blu-ray release provides a pleasing high-definition presentation of the feature-film. The transfer has crisp visuals and looks excellent with good clarity and detail overall. The color reproduction on the transfer impresses. Shout Factory provides a scan free from any significant issues with print damage, wear, scratches, or dirt. The encode quality is worthwhile, too.

Man of Iron Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (with English subtitles) and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. The Mandarin audio presentation is the preferred version for purists wanting the most authentic viewing experience. Dialogue sounds nice and clear on the release.

The score is well reproduced and well highlighted throughout the presentation. The sound dynamics are impressive for the Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono and the track has good detail. A well-encoded lossless audio presentation with good English subtitles free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Man of Iron Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Film Critic James Mudge

Audio Commentary with Author Chris Poggiali and Film Historian Brian Bankston

An Iron Will – Interview with Author Meredith Lewis (HD, 1:17:20)

Original Theatrical Trailer (SD, 4:12)

German Trailer (SD, 2:02)

Celestial Trailer (HD, 1:13)

Man of Iron Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Man of Iron is not one of the best Shaw Brothers films and it explores a darker terrain than most of these martial arts classics. The storyline emphasizes drama more than action. The action is spectacular at times but the filmmaking is a lot more focused on the main saga. The setting of the storyline is also significantly different than many of the Shaw Brothers films.

Man of Iron is a different but worthwhile Shaw Brothers film. The Blu-ray release provides a solid high-definition presentation and lossless audio. The release also comes jam-packed with multiple audio commentary tacks, an extended interview with Author Meredith Lewis, and a selection of trailers. Recommended.