THE KUNG FU INSTRUCTOR (1979)
Label: 88 Films
Region Code: A,B
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 104 Minutes 18 Seconds
Audio: Cantonese 2.0 DTS-HD MA with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.35:1)
Director: Chung Sun
Cast: Lung Ti, Yue Wong, Feng Ku, Angie Chiu, Lung-Wei Wang, Dick Wei, Tao Chiang, Fei Ai, Jamie Luk, Ching Tien, Kuo Hua Chang, Chia-Chun Lu, Mo Yuen, Hang-Sheng Wu, Han Chiang, Kin-Ping Chow, Wah Yuen, Shen Chan
The Kung Fu Instructor (1979), is directed by Chung Sun (Human Lanterns) stars Ti Lung (Black Magic 2) as a Wang Yang, a renowned kung fu instructor is a small village that is bitterly divided between two clans, the Zhous and the Mengs, clans who have been at each others throats for decades, so much so that the village is divided into separates territories, and if one clan should cross the boundary and be caught they risk having their limbs cut-off! That's pretty serious stuff right there. While the Zhou seem to want a chance to broker peace between the clans the ruthless leader of the Mengs, Meng Er-da (Ku Feng, Five Deadly Venoms), wants to wipeout the Zhous, and to that end he attempts to recruit the services of Wang Yang to give his clan the edge combatively. Not wanting to be involved in a clan war he declines the invitation, but displeased by his refusal Meng Er-da secretly has the instructor framed for murder, forcing him to reluctantly become his clan's instructor, with the promise of using his political clout to exonerate him of the false charges.
The Kung Fu Instructor (1979), is directed by Chung Sun (Human Lanterns) stars Ti Lung (Black Magic 2) as a Wang Yang, a renowned kung fu instructor is a small village that is bitterly divided between two clans, the Zhous and the Mengs, clans who have been at each others throats for decades, so much so that the village is divided into separates territories, and if one clan should cross the boundary and be caught they risk having their limbs cut-off! That's pretty serious stuff right there. While the Zhou seem to want a chance to broker peace between the clans the ruthless leader of the Mengs, Meng Er-da (Ku Feng, Five Deadly Venoms), wants to wipeout the Zhous, and to that end he attempts to recruit the services of Wang Yang to give his clan the edge combatively. Not wanting to be involved in a clan war he declines the invitation, but displeased by his refusal Meng Er-da secretly has the instructor framed for murder, forcing him to reluctantly become his clan's instructor, with the promise of using his political clout to exonerate him of the false charges.
While Wang instructs the Meng's a young man named named Ping (Yue Wong, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) from from the Zhou side of town, who hungers to perfect his kung fu technique, at to that point he sneaks into Meng territory, risking his life, to observe Wang's teaching from afar. The kid ends up getting caught and is about to have his limbs cut-off when Wangs saves him they escape the Meng compound together.
It's somewhat formulaic in that it's a Yojimbo-esque battle of the clans with Wang forcibly inserted in the middle against his will, but it offers enough of a twist on it to keep things interesting. The real takeaway are the superior fight sequences, captured with a Steadicam, which was a kung fu first. It's a solid kung fu flick with Ti Lung as the honorable kung fu instructor forced to teach his style to a vicious clan, but who saves his greatest moves, the Shaolin Pole Style, for his new student Ping, and together they set out to right some wrongs and clear the instructor's name.
Audio/Video: The Kung Fu Instructor (1979) arrives on region A,B Blu-ray from 88 Films in 1080p HD widescreen (2.35:1), sourced from an HD scan of the original camera negative. It looks very solid, with good color reproduction, accurate skin tones, and deep blacks. Film grain is present throughout and looks unmolested by untoward digital noise reduction, it's quite sharp with impressive depth and clarity. Audio comes by way of Cantonese or English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono with optional English subtitles, both tracks are solid, and I did not notice a huge difference in fidelity between the pair.
Extras include and Still Gallery and a Theatrical Trailer for the film. The single-disc release is housed inside a clear full-height Scanavo keepcase with a Reversible Wrap featuring the Honk Kong artwork and a kickass by 17th & Oak with bold block lettering that looks awesome. We also get a Limited Edition (First Pressing Only) Slipcover with the 17th & Oak artwork with metallic highlights that really give it some zing. Inside we get 4 Collector's Art Cards featuring lobby card reproductions.
Special Features:
- High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
- High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
- Trailer (1:23)
- Gallery (1:53)
- Reversible Wrap featuring Original Hong Kong Artwork and new 17th & Oak Artwork
- Limited Edition Slipcover (First Pressing Only)
- 4 Collector’s Art Cards (First Pressing Only)
Screenshots from the 88 Films Blu-ray:
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