Vengeance! Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Vengeance! Blu-ray Movie Review

Vengeance! is a masterpiece and one of the best Shaw Brothers films ever made. Executive produced by Runme Shaw (Human Lanterns, The Rebel Intruders), Vengeance! is an incredible showcase. Actors Ti Lung and David Chiang lead the production.

Kuan Hsiao Lou (David Chiang) is filled with unspeakable rage after losing his brother, Kuan Yu-Lou (Ti Lung). Determined to seek vengeance, Kuan Hsiao Lou sets out on a revenge-filled saga seeking out justice against those who played a role in the death of his beloved brother. Kuan Hsiao Lou has an ending thirst for revenge and he won’t stop until vengeance is his.

Ti Lung and David Chiang are fantastic actors. The two leading actors are incredible performers. There is so much depth and energy to the stars. David Chiang is especially fantastic in the production. Chiang is electrifying here and it is one of the actors greatest performances. David Chiang won Best Actor at the 1970 Asian Film Festival. Chiang holds his own with one of the most intense performances I have seen from a Shaw Brothers production delivered.

The supporting cast of actors does a fantastic job with Vengeance!, too. Vengeance! features a strong ensemble cast of characters including Hua Ching-fen (Ping Wang), Hua's sister (Yen-Ching Ou), Feng Kai-shan (Ku Feng), Jin Zhi Quan (Chih-Ching Yang), Adjutant Gao Hong Tu (Yuan Chuan), Generalissimo Hu Hu Cheng (Pin Ho), Sniper Li Qi (Sing Chen), Dagger Guang (Lei Cheng), and Xiao Hu Tou (Kuang Yu Wang). The cast delivers in spades.

The action direction for Vengeance! is by Tang Chia (Lightning Fists of Shaolin, The Kung Fu Instructor). The stunts are fantastic and unmissable. Chia delivers first-rate stunts. Yet the star of the show comes from co-stunt choreographer, Cheung-Yan Yuen (The Matrix Reloaded, The Grandmaster). Mastery of stunts was perfected before moving on to The Matrix films, Yuen is a top-talent and everything about the stunt work is brilliant. The energy, choreography, and style of the action unmissable. Some of the best sunt work in the entire history of Shaw Brothers.

Written by Cheh Chang (The Flag of Iron, House of Traps) and Kuang Ni (Dirty Ho, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin), Vengeance! is one of the best scripts in the Shaw Brothers studio history. The tale is simple. However, the script is highly effective. A simple tale of revenge but one told with great storytelling.

Directed by Cheh Chang (Shaolin Hellgate, The Brave Archer), Vengeance! won Chang a coveted Best Director award. The final act of the Vengeance! is an intense bloodbath of revenge that is one of the greatest sequences in motion- picture history. Vengeance! clearly inspired other filmmakers with its intense action scenes. The filmmaking is riveting and the blood flows from limb to limb. Vengeance! is an unmissable masterpiece by Chang and one of his greatest films.

Vengeance! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, Vengeance! is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The high-definition video looks excellent on the release. The scan showcases wonderful color reproduction. The print is free from problematic wear and tear.

There are no egregious issues with print damage on the whole – and certainly a crisp transfer with good depth. There is some DNR (digital noise reduction). This one is certainly a masterpiece so I hope someday another boutique label (perhaps 88 Films in the United Kingdom) could produce a native 4K restoration/scan of Vengeance!  as it deserves that type of presentation.

Vengeance! 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 audio is crisp and engaging. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The score is well highlighted. English subtitles are well-done and are free from problematic spelling or grammatical errors.

Vengeance! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by David West

Retribution Shaw-Style – Luke White looks back at Vengeance (HD, 42:08)

Original Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:21)

Celestial Trailer (HD, 1:08)

Still Gallery (HD, 1:04)

Vengeance! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Vengeance! is a terrific masterwork by director Cheh Chang. A bloody rampage of revenge, Vengeance! has one of the best final acts in any feature-film I have ever seen. The revenge saga is incredible and it should not be missed. The Blu-ray release features an audio commentary, a featurette about the film, photo gallery, and a selection of trailers. Highly recommended.