THE POSTMAN FIGHTS BACK (1982) (88 Films Blu-ray Review)

THE POSTMAN FIGHTS BACK (1982) 

aka The Postman Strikes Back

aka Messenger of Death 

Label:  88 Films

Region Code: A,B 

Rating: Unrated 

Duration: 90 Minutes 38 Seconds (Hong Kong Cut), 88 Minutes 38 Seconds (Export Cut).

Audio: Original Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono, English DTS-HD MA 5.1, English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono with Alternate Score with Optional English Subtitles

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.39:1) 

Director: Ronny Yu

Cast:  Bryan Leung, Chow Yun-fat, Fan Mei-sheng, Yuen Yat-cho, Eddy Ko, Cherie Chung, Kuk Ching-suk

Directed by Ronny Yo (Freddy vs Jason, Bride of Chucky) the Honk Kong western The Postman Fights Back (1982) aka Messenger of Death is set in the early 1900's China, where an unemployed mail courier Ma (Ka-Yan Leung, Knockabout) finds work alongside three other mismatched allies, tasked with delivering three trunks of secretive cargo, a gift from shady businessman Hsu (Eddy Ko, The Bride with White Hair) to a rebel warlord Yuan Shikai. Curiously they are advised that if they are beset by bandits to blow-up the cargo rather than let it fall into someone else's hands. Among the band of misfits are Ma's friend Yao Jie who is a thief (Yuen Yat-Choh), an explosives expert Bu (Mei Sheng Fan,  Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky) and a shady grifter-gambler named Fu Jun (Chow Yun-fat, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). While traversing the bandit-infested territory they encounter several groups of bandits, including spear-wielding ice skating pirates, and a ninja seemingly imbued with magical powers of magnetism that they must defend the cargo from. They also come upon a woman named Guifa (Cherie Chung, Banana Cop) who ends up tagging along, making her way to Shanghai to buy back her sister from a man who bought her from their father, as well as another woman they rescue from a gang of bandits. 

Chock full of solid character work, offbeat and inventive fight choreography and some visually stunning set pieces, especially during the final reel, this western influenced slice of kung fu action-adventure is truly delightful. Highlights include the battle on a frozen lake with ice skating pirates and Bu's grief-stricken nighttime solo-assault on an encampment with explosive kamikaze-rats. I really dug the strong old western vibe as the band of misfits make their way across the rural countryside through open territories, snow covered mountains and wooded areas, encountering a range of bandits, it just has the feel of a western. However, as expected instead of gunplay, though there is a nice reveal involving a weapon of mass carnage, we gets swordplay, hand to hand battle, and some cool exotic weaponry. There's not a ton of bloody gore, but there's plenty of blood, and a ton of ass-kicking and inventive action, plus some visceral carnage, including the death of children, which really punches you in the gut. 

The scenes with the mysterious ninja who has been following the group and eliminating them one by one are also highlights, the silent killer utilizing flash bang smoke bombs and the use of magnetism as well as a flame-thrower of sorts is cool stuff, as is Chow Yun-fat's characters dart-slinging weaponry that he hides up his sleeves, plus his snazzy scarf-fighting technique is pretty cool. This is a really awesome slice of HK action, the period setting is terrific, the locations are evocative of the era, and the fight choreography and set pieces do not disappoint. 

 

Audio/Video: The Postman Fight Back (1982) arrives on Blu-ray from 88 Films in 1080p HD framed in the original 2.39:1 widescreen suspect ratio sourced from a 2K scan of the original 35mm negative. We get both the longer Hong Kong Cut and the slightly shorter 'Messenger of Death' Export Cut of the film, both looking to be from the same source. The image looks solid if not overly dynamic, the source is in solid shape with very few imperfections, but is flat and some of the outdoor lensing is a bit soft looking, not from any issue with the scan or transfer bit from the original limitations of the cinematography,  but colors are generally pleasing and the image is filmic. 

Audio comes by way of original Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono on the Hong Kong Cut, and both English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono with Alternate Score with optional English subtitles on the Export Cut. The Cantonese audio on the HK Cut sounds terrific, plenty of kung fu action with gloriously exaggerated sound effects, dialogue sounds fine, and the score from Tang Siu-lam comes through strong. The Export Cut features two English dubbed audio options, both a DTS-HD MA 5.1 and a DTS-HD MA 2.0 dual-mono track with an alternate score. I found the 5.1 a bit anemic, dialogue mixed too low, while the 2.0 was more pleasing to my ears with more impactful dialogue and a robust score. 

There are three commentary tracks on this release, the Honk Kong cut gets an Archival Audio Commentary with Stephan Hammond, while the Export Cut gets both an Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng and director Ronny Yu, and a second solo Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng. There are also a selection of interviews, these come by way of a 7-min Interview with Chow Yun-Fat; a 9-min Interview with Leung Kar-Yan; a second 9-min Interview with Leung Kar-Yan, a 3-min Interview with Ronny Yu; and a 13-min Ronny Yu Phat Samurai Interview. Disc extras are finished up with the 3-min Original Hong Kong Trailer plus a 2-min Stills Gallery. 

The single-disc release arrives in a black keepcase with a Reversible Sleeve of Artwork featuring the  original Hong Kong artwork, plus striking new illustration by Sean Longmore, the first-pressing also includes a Slipcover featuring the Longmore artwork, the spine and front of the wrap featuring both the Chinese and English titles. Inside there's a Double-sided Fold-Out Poster featuring both artworks on thick cardstock paper.  

Special Features: 

- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation in 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio From a 2K Scan of the Original 35mm Negative
- Contains BOTH the Hong Kong AND Export Cuts
- Original Cantonese Mono with English Subtitles
- English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
- English Mono with Alternate Score
- Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng and Ronny Yu

- Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng 
- Archive Audio Commentary with Stephan Hammond
- Interview with Chow Yun-Fat (7:16)
- Interview with Leung Kar-Yan 1 (7:43) 
- Interview with Leung Kar-Yan 2 (9:19) 
- Interview with Ronny Yu (3:17) 

- Ronny Yu Phat Samurai Interview (12:38) 
- Original Hong Kong Trailer (3:17)

- Stills Gallery (2:07) 

- Reversible Sleeve of Artwork with Original Hong Kong and new illustration by Sean Longmore

- Slipcover (First-Pressing Only)

- Double-Sided Fold Out Poster

Screenshots from the 88 Films Blu-ray: 

Extras: