Before he became known as the master of the bullet-riddled heroic tragedy, John Woo sharpened his trademark themes and kinetic action choreography with this whirlwind wuxia spectacle. Unaware they are caught in a deadly game of deception, a pair of rambunctious swordsmen (Wai Pak and Damian Lau) join forces to help a nobleman (Lau Kong) in his quest for vengeance. Paying thrilling homage to his mentor, martial-arts innovator Chang Cheh, Woo delivers both bravura swordplay set pieces and a bloodstained interrogation of the meaning of brotherhood and honor in a world in which loyalty is bought and sold.

FILM INFO

• Hong Kong
• 1979
• 106 minutes
• Color
• 2.39:1
• Cantonese
• Spine #1174

BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

REGION: A

• 2K digital restoration, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio and uncompressed monaural soundtracks
• Alternate English-dubbed tracks
• Audio interview with director John Woo
• New interview with Grady Hendrix, author of These Fists Break Bricks
• Trailer
• New English subtitle translation
• PLUS: An essay by scholar Aaron Han Joon Magnan-ParkNew cover designed and illustrated by Alphaville