Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		2.5

To Kill a Mastermind Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 8, 2024

Well, ladies and germs, it seems to be another day ending in "y", and you know what that means: there's another Shaw Brothers film being released on Blu-ray that needs reviewing! Just the day before yesterday (both a word and day that coincidentally also end in "y"), I mentioned in our The Golden Lotus Blu-ray review how seemingly endless the releases of Shaw Brothers films in high definition seem to be (with more coming, as that linked to review mentions). If The Golden Lotus may strike some as a positively weird outing from the studio, it's probably a given that To Kill a Mastermind fits more snugly into the perceived "category" that Shaw Brothers productions typically tended to be pigeonholed in, namely an action heavy enterprise filled to the brim with scheming both inside and outside of "official" court channels, all in a(n) historical context that offers typical Shaw Brothers blandishments like elegant production design and appealing cinematography. Still, it's probably the kinetic proclivities of this particular film, which the back cover states has been "famously difficult to see", which may be of the most interest.

This is one release from 88 Films that might have benefited from more fulsome supplements, because evidently the film was not only a letdown at the box office, it then more or less disappeared for years. There's an allusive "long unavailable, and difficult to see" on the back cover of this release, but the why and wherefore of this situation might have been interesting for fans. The bottom line is, there's really no discernable reason why To Kill a Mastermind didn't resonate with audiences, other than that it revisits any number of tropes from countless other Shaw Brothers films, perhaps to the point that audiences at the time simply didn't think they would experience anything ostensibly "new". In terms of other Shaw Brothers films, perhaps just a little hilariously To Kill a Mastermind may attempt to one (or, in this case, two) up what would have at the time of this film's release been the relatively recent The Five Deadly Venoms by offering an aggregation which has been variously translated as "evil spirits" or "deadly kills", but which are seven in number. They have become targets of some unknown potential killer who is evidently in their very midst.

The subterfuge, court intrigue, and organized crime (albeit in a feudal setting) aspects of this film certainly put it squarely in prime Shaw Brothers territory, but the film's lack of renown may be due at least due in part to an absence of real A-list star power, and even director Chung Sun is relatively unremembered in the long and venerable annals of the studio. Adding that to the very familiarity of the story may help to explain why To Kill a Mastermind disappeared quickly and pretty much stayed that way for decades. Cult movie lovers salivate sometimes in the hope that some hard to see outing will prove to be a formative viewing experience, but I'd be surprised if even a diehard Shaw Brothers fan felt that way about To Kill a Mastermind. I kind of hilariously had a high school coach tell a room full of boys about potential impending sexual liaisons, "The anticipation can be greater than the realization." That may indeed be the same case here.

To Kill a Mastermind Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

To Kill a Mastermind is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. The back cover of this release states this was culled from an "HD transfer of the original negative". This is an often great looking presentation, but I have to say to my eyes it didn't quite make it to the levels seen in 88 Films' simultaneously released Blu-ray of The Golden Lotus. The color timing here can have a slightly yellowish undertone at times, and several scenes that are mired in mist and the like can show pretty splotchy yellow grain. That said, the palette is still decently healthy, and detail levels on the nicely appointed sets and costumes can be excellent.

To Kill a Mastermind Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

To Kill a Mastermind features LPCM 2.0 Mono audio in the original Mandarin. This is another kind of high, tinny sounding track, something that is especially noticeable in the Shaw Brothers masthead music and opening theme. As things progress, the brightness of the high end can be at least marginally better, but you can still hear it in, for example, the cue underscoring the entrance of the focal three to Supreme Leader fairly early in the film. Lower sound effects like gongs resonate better, as do some of the sound effects accompanying fight sequences. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly, though sync as they say can be loose. Optional English subtitles are available.

To Kill a Mastermind Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Stills Gallery (HD; 00:40)

Additionally the keepcase features a reversible sleeve and encloses art cards. Packaging features a slipcover.

To Kill a Mastermind Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

You've seen a lot of To Kill a Mastermind before, and arguably more viscerally, in any number of other Shaw Brothers films. There are nicely staged fight scenes in abundance here, which may be enough to attract interested eyes, along with the previous rarity of finding this title in anything approaching watchable shape. Video is generally solid, though I found this transfer to be a bit less consistent than The Golden Lotus. Audio is listenable, if awfully bright and thin. 88 Films provides only a stills gallery and some packaging/insert offerings in the supplements category, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.