TO KILL A MASTERMIND (1979)
Label: 88 Films
Region Code: A,B
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 99 Minutes
Audio: Mandarin PCM 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional Newly Translated English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.35:1)
Director: Chung Sun
Cast: Wei-Hao Teng, Sheng Lo, Kang Shih, Yuen Wah, Lung-Wei Wang, Bun Yuen, Ting-Gou Meng, Feng Ku, Hui-Ling Liu, Fei Ai, Tat-Wah Tso, Dick Wei, Chi-Ping Chang, Lien-Ping Chang, Shao-Chia Chen, Yi-Hsiung Chi, Chuen Chiang, Liang Chiang
The Shaw Bros. Studio rarity To Kill A Mastermind (1979) the Imperial Court orders General Yang Chen-yu to wipe out the Qi Sha crime-clan syndicate who have been terrorizing the territory. The crime clan has making a comeback thanks to leadership of their mysterious, as of yet unidentified, leader who keeps himself hidden, even from his own clan! The flick features a near non-stop series of elaborate and acrobatic fight sequences, including a baddie played by Yuen Wah, wearing a ridiculous looking bald-helmet which made him look like the wuxia version of the Hulk villain The Leader, but who at least has a cool signature weapon, a metal clawed-hand.
The main gist of the story is that the baddies start to crumble from the inside as they have been infiltrated in an attempt to unmask the mysterious leader who communicates with his clan by sending messages by way of a golden ball containing instructions, that is delivered though an elaborate tunnel-tube. The Imperial double-agent(s) that have infiltrated the syndicate sewing the seeds of discord from within, causing the eight leaders to turn on each other one by one. I thought the plotting of this was a bit tedious but the saving grace are the series of high-flying battle sequences chock full of wuxia wire-work with a cool array of weapons, including a decapitating circular saw blade.
This one is a fun watch, along the lines of The Five Deadly Venoms, The Avenging Angel, or Masked Avengers, there's plenty of action with a solid finale as the mysterious mastermind is revealed and fought. It's my understanding this has been quite a Shaw Bros. rarity, only available through shoddy looking bootlegs until now, so kudos to 88 Films for making this available.
Audio/Video: To Kill A Mastermind (1979) arrives on Region A,B Blu-ray from 88 Films, presented in 1080p HD framed in 2.35:1 widescreen, featuring an HD transfer sourced from the original camera negative. The image is thick and course looking, there's a bit of softness to it, black levels lean on the milky side, but colors are generally pleasing with a slight brown lean to it. Audio comes by way of Mandarin PCM 2.0 dual-mono with optional English subtitles, the track is limited range wise but delivers just the same.
The only disc extras for this release is a brief Stills Gallery. The single-disc Blu-ray arrives in an full-height clear keep case with a Reversible Wrap featuring both English and Mandarin language titles with original Honk Kong and new artworks - both of these look fantastic. We also get a Limited Edition First-Pressing Only Slipcover with the new artwork variant, and inside there are four post-card sized Lobby Card Reproductions.
Special Features:
- Stills Gallery (0:40)
- Limited Edition Slipcover (First Pressing Only)
- Reversible Wrap with New and Original Hong Kong Artwork
- Four 2-Sided Lobby Card Reproductions
Buy it!
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Screenshots from the 88 Films Blu-ray:
