Tag Archives: Hong Kong Cinema Classics

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

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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 Swordsman Trilogy“ will be released in a 4K UHD Blu-ray / Blu-ray set on March 3rd via Hong Kong Cinema Classics (Shout! Studios).

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

EDITORIAL NOTE: Only the first film in this trilogy will be presented in 4K UHD. It will also include its Blu-ray Disc counterpart in HD. The sequels will be presented in HD on Blu-ray Discs.

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 1988 film The Big Heat comes to 4K in February

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Cover art for 'The Big Heat' in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, featuring four men dressed in black suits with a city backdrop.
Commissions Earned

The 1988 film “The Big Heat” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 10th via Hong Kong Cinema Classics / Shout! Studios. The movie was co-directed by Yeung-Wah Kam, Johnnie To, and Hark Tsui [uncredited]. It starred Waise Lee, Matthew Wong, Kwok Tsui, and Lo King Wah. It co-starred Chu Kong, Stuart Ong, Mak Tsu Han, Peter Lai, and Joey Wong. This will be spine number 27 in the HKCC (Hong Kong Cinema Classics) line.

This comes from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative. 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), accompanied by lossless Cantonese and English (dubbed) DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound. The release will come as a 2-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon and GRUV. The bonus materials for the release are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary with Author and Critic David West

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary with Author and Critic David West
  • NEW Big Shot!: Interview with Actor Waise Lee Speaks
  • NEW The Heat Is On: Interview with Academic Gilbert Po
  • NEW Hot In Hong Kong: Interview with Critic James Mudge
  • Theatrical Trailer

The John Woo film Once A Thief on 4K in January

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Commissions Earned

The 1991 film “Once A Thief“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on January 27th, 2026, via Hong Kong Cinema Classics / Shout! Studios. John Woo directed and co-wrote the film. It starred Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Kong Chu, and Kenneth Tsang.

This movie received a 4K scan from the original camera negative. 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), accompanied by Cantonese and English (dubbed) lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound. It will also feature newly translated English subtitles.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and GRUV. For those of you who do not already know, GRUV is the new home for Shout! Factory [Shout! Studios] physical media release.

The 2-disc set will be a “combo pack” with a Blu-ray Disc counterpart included, featuring bonus materials listed below.

  • Audio Commentary with James Mudge (Hong Kong Film Critic at easternKicks)
  • Handling a Heist: Interview with Director John Woo
  • Thoughts About Thievery: Interview with Screenwriter Clifton Ko
  • Stealing Some Shots: Interview with Cinematographer Poon Hang-Sang
  • Interview with Producer Terence Chang
  • Interview with Editor David Wu
  • TBC Interview with One of Leslie Cheung’s Producers
  • Hong Kong Confidential: Inside Once A Thief with Author Grady Hendrix
  • Once a Star, Always an Icon: Film Critic Frank Djeng on Actor Leslie Cheung
  • Archival Interview with Actor Kenneth Tsang
  • Theatrical Trailer

John Woo film Bullet in the Head on 4K in January

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Commissions Earned

The 1990 film “Bullet in the Head“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on January 6th, 2026, via Hong Kong Cinema Classics / Shout! Studios. The movie was directed and co-written by John Woo. It starred Tony Leung, Jacky Cheung, Simon Yam, and Waise Lee.

The movie has received a new 4K scan from the original camera negative. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray release include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), accompanied by lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono in Cantonese and English. Newly translated English subtitles will optionally be available for the Cantonese language track.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray set is now available for preorder at Amazon and online retailer GRUV. Shout! Factory actually moved all of [their] online sales from the old website to GRUV, as of today. There’s no preorder listing yet at Amazon or Walmart, but stay tuned for an update later. You can also preorder the 4K UHD Blu-ray at Barnes & Noble.

The release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. Also, the bonus materials included with this 3-disc set are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Film Critic Frank Djeng

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Frank Djeng

Disc 3 (Blu-ray):

  • “Festival Cut” Of Bullet In The Head
  • Alternate Boardroom Ending
  • NEW “Brilliance With A Bullet” – Interview With Director/Writer John Woo
  • NEW “Head Case!” – Interview With Actor Waise Lee
  • NEW “Army Of One” – Interview With Producer Terence Chang
  • NEW “Apocalypse Woo” – Interview With Editor David Wu
  • NEW “Tumultuous Times” – Interview With Production Planner Catherine Lau
  • NEW “Hong Kong Confidential” – Inside Bullet In The Head With Author Grady Hendrix
  • NEW “Apocalypse How?” – Interview With Professor Lars Laamann
  • Trailers
  • Image Gallery

The 1989 John Woo film The Killer on 4K in December

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Commissions Earned

The 1989 film “The Killer“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in a “Deluxe Limited Edition” on December 2nd via Hong Kong Cinema Classics, distributed by Shout! Studios. The movie was written, produced, and directed by filmmaker John Woo. It starred Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee, Sally Yeh, Chu Kong, and Tsang Kong.

The motion picture has received a new 4K Scan from the original camera negative. 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), accompanied by Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono and English (dubbed) DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono sound mixes. The English dub will feature optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release. This 3-disc set will be a “combo pack” including a Blu-ray with the HD counterpart as well as a second Blu-ray for bonus materials.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray Deluxe Limited Edition is now available for preorder at Amazon, GRUV, and Walmart. Also, you can preorder directly via the ShoutFactory website. Below you can find a glimpse at the physical packaging and extra in the form of a 52-page booklet (featuring four expert essays and extensive art), as well as a reversible artwork sleeve.

Commissions Earned

The bonus materials set to be included with the release are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary With Director John Woo And Film Journalist Drew Tayler
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Critic And Author David West
  • Audio Commentary With Director John Woo And Producer Terence Chang (Recorded By The Criterion Collection)

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary With Director John Woo And Film Journalist Drew Tayler
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Critic And Author David West
  • Audio Commentary With Director John Woo And Producer Terence Chang (Recorded By The Criterion Collection)

Disc 3 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW “The Hero Of Heroic Bloodshed: A John Woo Documentary” – A Feature Length Documentary On The Cinema Of Hong Kong’s Iconic Director, Featuring New Interviews With John Woo, Stuntman Bruce Law , Producer Michael Colleary, Writer Mike Werb, Producer Lori Tilkin de Felice, Director Roel Reiné, And Many More!
  • NEW “A Bullet Ballet” – An Interview With Director John Woo
  • NEW “My Kind Of Hero” – An Interview With Producer Terence Chang
  • NEW “Editing The Killer” – An Interview With Editor David Wu
  • NEW “Hong Kong Confidential” – An Inside The Killer With Author Grady Hendrix
  • Deleted And Extended Scenes
  • Trailers
  • Image Gallery

The 1992 film Hard Boiled comes to 4K in November

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Commissions Earned

The 1992 John Woo film “Hard Boiled“ is finally coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on November 4th via Hong Kong Cinema Classics / Shout! Studios. This will be spine number 17 in the HKCC line. John Woo directed and co-wrote the movie. It starred Chow Yun-Fat, Philip Chan, Teresa Sun-Kwan Mo, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, and Tony Leung Chiu-wai. It’s worth noting that this motion picture is “Certified Fresh” by critics’ reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie has received a NEW 4K scan from the original camera negative. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10, accompanied by Cantonese lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono sound with English subtitles. An English language dub in DTS-HD MA Mono will also be included. This “Deluxe Edition” release will come as a 3-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included, along with a bonus Blu-ray Disc for extras.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, you can preorder directly at Shout! Factory’s website, where you’ll get a free poster (while supplies last). The release will include a reversible sleeve and an exclusive 52-page booklet as physical extras. You can see these are pictured below.

The bonus materials set to be included on the 3-disc set are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Director John Woo And Film Journalist Drew Tayler
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Film Historian Frank Djeng
  • Audio Commentary With Director John Woo, Producer Terence Chang, Filmmaker Roger Avary, And Critic Dave Kehr (Recorded By The Criterion Collection)

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary With Director John Woo And Film Journalist Drew Tayler
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Film Historian Frank Djeng
  • Audio Commentary With Director John Woo, Producer Terence Chang, Filmmaker Roger Avary, And Critic Dave Kehr (Recorded By The Criterion Collection)

Disc 3 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW “Violent Night” – An Interview With Director John Woo
  • NEW “Boiling Over” – An Interview With Actor Anthony Wong
  • NEW “No Time For Failure” – An Interview With Producer Terence Chang
  • NEW “Hard To Resist” – An Interview With Screenwriter Gordon Chan
  • NEW “Boiled to Perfection” – An Interview With Screenwriter Chung Hang Ku
  • NEW “Body Count Blues” – An Interview With Composer Michael Gibbs
  • NEW “Hong Kong Confidential” – Inside Hard Boiled With Author Grady Hendrix
  • NEW “Gun-Fu Fever” – An Interview With Author Leon Hunt
  • NEW “Chewing The Fat” – An Interview Academic With Lin Feng
  • Deleted And Extended Scenes
  • Trailers
  • Image Gallery
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