Eureka Entertainment has announced its June batch of Blu-ray releases. They are: Beast Fighter (1975-1977), The Miracle Fighters (1982), and The Valiant Red Peony: Red Peony Gambler I-III (1968-1969).
Description: Originally released between 1968 and 1972, the Red Peony Gambler series is a cornerstone of the ninkyo eiga genre and a clear influence on such cult favourites such as Lady Snowblood and Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the first three Red Peony Gambler films, starring Sumiko Fuji (13 Assassins) and directed by three titans of Japanese genre cinema in Kōsaku Yamashita, Norifumi Suzuki and Tai Katō.
Set during the Meiji era, Red Peony Gambler stars Fuji as Ryuko Yano, the daughter of a gambler. When her father is murdered, Ryuko takes on a new name derived from the crimson flower tattooed on her shoulder – "Oryu, the Red Peony" – and sets out for revenge. Then, in Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler's Obligation, Oryu falls in with a group of yakuza attempting to monopolise the silk trade. When machinations within the gang lead to a betrayal, the Red Peony takes action. Finally, in Red Peony Gambler 3: The Flower Cards Game, Oryu meets a pair of star-crossed lovers as she becomes embroiled in a conflict between rival yakuza clans.
Fuji would go on to play the Red Peony five more times, cementing the character as the archetype for many of the vengeful women to follow in Japanese cinema and beyond. These early entries in the Red Peony Gambler series are presented here for the first time ever on Blu-ray from brand new restorations of the original film elements by Toei.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
High-definition presentation of all three films from restorations of the original film elements supplied by Toei
Original Japanese audio tracks (uncompressed LPCM mono)
Optional English Subtitles
Brand new audio commentary tracks on all three films
Tony Rayns on Red Peony Gambler – brand new interview with critic and Asian cinema expert Tony Rayns
Trailers
A collector's booklet featuring new writing by Jennifer Coates (Making Icons: Repetition and the Female Image in Japanese Cinema, 1945–1964) and Joe Hickinbottom
Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Grégory Sacré (Gokaiju) [2000 copies]
Description: The Miracle Fighters is a comedic tale of taoist magic directed by the martial arts maestro behind Drunken Master, The Magnificent Butcher and Iron Monkey – the legendary Yuen Woo-ping!
During the Quing dynasty, marriage between Manchu and Han people is outlawed. When it is discovered that high-ranking official Kao Hsiung (Eddy Ko) has taken a Han wife, the Emperor informs him that he will be forgiven – but only if he kills his beloved before the court. When he refuses, Kao Hsiung is marked for death by the powerful Sorcerer Bat (Yuen Shun-yee) and forced to watch as his wife is slain before his eyes. Kao Hsiung flees, kidnapping the Crown Prince during his escape – but soon the prince is dead, and Kao Hsiung is forced to silently replace him with another young boy. In adulthood, that innocent child – Shu Gut ( Yuen Yat-chor) – finds himself relentlessly pursued by Sorcerer Bat, and turns to two quarrelling taoist priests in the hope of protecting himself with their magic.
Made in the same mould as its contemporaries Encounter of the Spooky Kind and The Dead and the Deadly, this riotous kung fu fantasy was followed by two equally entertaining thematic sequels in Shaolin Drunkard and Taoism Drunkard. Eureka Classics is proud to present The Miracle Fighters on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 2K RESTORATION of the original Hong Kong theatrical cut
Original Cantonese mono audio and optional classic English dub
Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
Brand new audio commentary on the Hong Kong theatrical version by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
Brand new audio commentary on the export version by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
Action Master: An Interview with Yuen Woo-ping – archival interview by Frédéric Ambroisine
John Kreng on Yuen Woo-ping – brand new documentary featurette by Michael Worth
Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork
Trailer
A limited edition collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by James Oliver [2000 copies]
Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling [2000 copies]
U.S. AND CANADA STREET DATE: JUNE 25.
UK STREET DATE: JUNE 24.
Description: The mighty Sonny Chiba (Bodyguard Kiba) stars in two spectacular martial arts movies based upon the real life of Masutatsu "Mas" Ōyama - the fabled bull-slaying karate master who trained none other than Chiba himself.
In Karate Bullfighter (or Champion of Death), a karate tournament is crashed by an enigmatic martial artist calling himself Ōyama (Chiba), who arrives in tattered rags and beats all who dare challenge him. But Ōyama's entrance into the world of karate has unforeseen consequences, and soon he is fighting for far more than sporting victory. Then, in Karate Bearfighter, Ōyama is expelled from the karate community for refusing to pull his punches. With no where else to turn, he takes a job with the yakuza after running into Kimura (Hideo Murota), who Ōyama once knew as a fellow member of the Imperial Japanese Air Service before he turned to a life of crime. Ultimately, though, Ōyama has no more respect for his superiors on the streets than he did in the dojo...
Directed by Kazuhiko Yamaguchi (Sister Street Fighter), Karate Bullfighter and Karate Bearfighter were adapted from the popular manga series Karate Baka Ichidai by Ikki Kajiwara, which ran from 1971 to 1977 and chronicled the life and legend of Mas Ōyama. Eureka Classics is proud to present both films for the first time ever on Blu-ray from brand new restorations of the original film elements by Toei.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW RESTORATIONS OF BOTH FILMS from original film elements by Toei
Original Japanese mono audio
Brand new feature length audio commentaries on both films by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema
In Search of the Ultimate Truth – Brand new video essay by Jonathan Clements, author of A Brief History of the Martial Arts
Original theatrical trailers
Limited edition collector's booklet featuring new writing by Eddie Falvey
Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by JJ Harrison
U.S. AND CANADA STREET DATE: JUNE 25.
UK STREET DATE: JUNE 24.