Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

The Kung Fu Instructor Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 12, 2024

Note: The glut of Shaw Brothers films coming to Blu-ray seems to be continuing in full force, with huge sets like Arrow's Shawscope Volume Three due imminently as this review is being written, and other sets from the likes of Shout! Factory also in the offing. 88 Films has been joining this particular martial arts fray, and is now offering three probably lesser remembered Shaw Brothers offerings as standalone entries coming out on the same day/date, albeit somewhat "branded" and packaged similarly. The three are this film, Kid from Kwangtung and Facets of Love.

The Kung Fu Instructor tells a well worn tale which the back cover of this release mentions was "inspired" by Yojimbo and A Fistful of Dollars. In this formulation, a town with a literal line down the middle separating warring factions is beset with constant conflict. The titular character, Wang Yang (Ti Lung), is more or less forced into supposedly helping one of the groups establish dominance, but there is both internecine and intramural subterfuge at hand, and Wang Yang has to decide which "side" he really wants to be on. This is another film that explores codes of honor and moral compasses within a highly fraught context. The narrative may be more than familiar, but the film is often quite stylish and has the requisite number of well staged action sequences.

The Kung Fu Instructor Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Kung Fu Instructor is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.36:1. The back cover offers only a generic "HD transfer from the original negative" as its sole technical data point. This is by and large a fantastic looking presentation one way or the other, though, with a really nicely suffused palette that supports some of the bold reds and blues in particular, as well as generally consistent detail levels throughout. A few special effects moments late in the film see a slight downturn in clarity, perhaps due to old style compositing. There are some passing anamorphic oddities that can be spotted, as so often seems to be the case with the Shaw Brothers output. Grain resolves naturally throughout.

The Kung Fu Instructor Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Kung Fu Intructor features either Mandarin or English language versions delivered via LPCM 2.0 Mono audio. There's relatively little difference between the two, though I might argue the English language track is just a bit more full bodied in the midrange and probably just a tad louder overall as well. Otherwise, though, dialogue, effects and score are all presented without any issues. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Kung Fu Instructor Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer (SD; 1:23)


• Stills Gallery (HD; 1:50)

The keepcase features a reversible sleeve and encloses reproductions of lobby cards. Packaging features a slipcover.

The Kung Fu Instructor Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you're a fan of Asian cinema in general and Shaw Brothers outings in particular, you've probably seen this story before -- several times. That said, this is often engagingly brisk and well performed, and this disc sports generally great technical merits, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.