Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

The Terror of the Tongs Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 22, 2020

The Terror of the Tongs is currently only available in the twenty film Hammer Ultimate Collection.

Beneath the bustle of Hong Kong exists a vicious organization that “thrive(s) on vice, terror, and corruption:” The Red Dragon Tong. Through these malicious tools the organization only grows in power. Their latest target is Helena Sale (Barbara Brown), daughter of British officer Jackson Sale (Geoffrey Toone). It’s clear the Tongs are after something in Sale’s possession, but the enraged Captain sets out on a quest for vengeance. He does not care about the ramifications to life or property, and while he delves deeper into the Tongs’ world, he discovers that there is more to their strength than their own internal workings and external violence.

Like many of its Hammer brethren, the film’s bulk is spent in an investigative stage where the main character pieces together a mystery. But this time, it’s personal, as they say. The film is structurally similar to The Stranglers of Bombay, but here the violence literally hits home for the protagonist, Captain Sale. Sale’s grief is marked by rage and a singular focus to flush out the responsible parties. There’s a love interest side story, too. The film is a bit slow, but it’s short, resulting in a movie that’s jut tight enough to hold interest but not so sprawling as to lose focus, and its audience. Toone is fine as the protagonist. Emotions are stilted but the physicality fits. Christopher Lee plays the Tong leader, Chung King.

The Terror of the Tongs Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Mill Creek's 1080p Blu-ray presentation of The Terror of the Tongs delights. The picture holds to a natural grain structure, light and consistent and lending an attractive filmic veneer to the viewing experience. Details are naturally sharp; dense locations around the film, such as a shop where Sale meets with Maya in chapter two, are exquisite. The location is home to several trinkets that even in the background show natural wear, their inherent textural qualities, even accumulated dust. Faces are sharp and refined, revealing hair, pores, wrinkles, and even the rather crude makeup with impressive ease. Colors are handled well. Balance is excellent and there's no feel for bleeding, excess brightness, or paleness. Reds aren't too aggressive and earthy tones not too dull. There are very mild contrast fluctuations that appear once or twice. A handful of spots and speckles are visible, too, but these issues are minor complaints in the larger, and very attractive, image.

The Terror of the Tongs Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The supplied DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack largely hovers around the center imaged area. However, clarity is amongst the best of the Hammer Ultimate Collection films. Music is not particularly shrilly. It's clear through the range, certainly wanting for more commanding width rather than its cramped placement, but listeners should enjoy the raw essentials that don't break down even at high. The low end has some body to it, too (listen to the 52-minute mark when heavy percussion accompanies a fight scene). Some action effects and environmental fill don't stray from center but do offer good clarity and balance in support. Dialogue is clear and the one element where the center imaging proves favorable.

The Terror of the Tongs Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Unfortunately, no supplemental content is included.

The Terror of the Tongs Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Terror of the Tongs offers little of lasting value. The story is rote, the performances are flat, and the film smartly keeps its runtime in check to keep it moving as briskly as possible under the mostly vapid story and support network. Mill Creek's Blu-ray is featureless, but the video and audio qualities are amongst the best in the studio's Hammer Ultimate Collection set. Worth a look.