Tag Archives: Hark Tsui

The Swordsman Trilogy on 4K and Blu-ray in March

Cover art for 'The Swordsman Trilogy' featuring a group of martial artists holding swords, set against a bold red and yellow background.
Commissions Earned

The trilogy, all directed (or co-directed by) Siu-Tung Ching, includes these films:

  • “Swordsman” (1990) in 4K UHD and HD
  • “Swordsman II” (1992) in HD
  • “Swordsman III: The East is Red” (1993) in HD

The first movie was co-directed by King Hu, Raymond Lee, and Hark Tsui. The cast for the first movie included Samuel Hui, Cecilia Yip, Jacky Cheung, Sharla Cheung, Siu-Ming Lau, and Fennie Yuen. The second film’s cast included Jet Li, Brigitte Lin, Michelle Reis, Waise Lee, Rosamund Kwan, Shi-Kwan Yen, and Fennie Yuen. The cast for the third movie included Brigitte Lin, Joey Wang, Rongguang Yu, and Jean Wang.

The first movie received a 4K scan from the original camera negative. The tech specs for the first film include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) form of high dynamic range and Cantonese [and English dubbed] lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, with English subtitles. Tech specs for the other two films on Blu-ray (as well as the first) include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, along with Cantonese & English DTS-HD MA Mono sound, with English subtitles.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray/Blu-ray set is now available for preorder at Amazon and GRUV. The full list of extras (supplemental materials) included with this 4-disc set is listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray) “Swordsman” in 4K

Disc 2 (Blu-ray) “Swordsman” in HD:

  • NEW A Time of Legends: Interview with Co-Director Raymond Lee
  • NEW Cult of Personality: Interview with Actor Fennie Yuen
  • NEW David Wu: Proud Wanderer—A Career Retrospective with Editor David Wu
  • NEW Hark’s Dynasty: The Early Years of Film Workshop—Interview with General Manager/Executive Producer Terence Chang
  • NEW Hong Kong Confidential: Inside Wuxia with Author Grady Hendrix

Disc 3 (Blu-ray) “Swordsman II” in HD:

  • NEW Phoenix Rising: Interview with Actor Fennie Yuen
  • Trailer

Disc 4 (Blu-ray) “Swordsman III: The East is Red” in HD:

  • NEW A Return to Wuxia: Interview with Co-Director Raymond Lee
  • Trailer

The 1995 film The Blade on Criterion 4K and Blu-ray

An illustrated movie cover for 'The Blade,' featuring a warrior with a sword, dramatic red streaks, and the title prominently displayed.
Commissions Earned

This has received a new 4K digital restoration. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and Uncompressed Linear PCM Mono sound. The tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and uncompressed Mono sound. The 4K release will come as a 2-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray counterpart included.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray are now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, you can preorder directly via the Criterion website. The bonus materials included with the release(s) are listed below.

  • New audio commentary featuring Hong Kong cinema expert and producer Frank Djeng
  • Action et vérité (2006), a documentary featuring director Tsui Hark, coscreenwriter Koan Hui, and actor Xiong Xin-xin
  • New video essay by filmmakers Taylor Ramos and Tony Zhou (Every Frame a Painting)
  • New York Asian Film Festival Q&A with Tsui from 2011
  • Alternate English-dubbed track
  • English-version opening and end credits
  • Trailer
  • New English subtitle translation
  • PLUS: An essay by author Lisa Morton
  • New cover by Oliver Barrett