Paula Hammond - Features EditorA gloriously trashy slice of kung fu film-making, Slaughter in San Francisco, AKA Yellow-Faced Tiger, was producer Raymond Chow’s attempt to capitalise on Hong Kong cinema’s sudden explosion of popularity in the West.
Released in 1974, this classic piece of martial arts madness stars the incomparable Sylvia Chang and Chuck Norris. Indeed, the film is very much a vehicle for Norris who, while being a familiar face on the fight circuit, had only appeared in three films before Slaughter in San Francisco was released — most notably opposite Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon.
Unashamedly fast-paced, with bone-crunching action sequences, Slaughter in San Francisco is never going to win any awards for plotting or dialogue — although the moustaches are kind of hypnotic. Yet, like many Hong Kong beat-em-ups, it has an undeniable charm. This is a film that knows exactly what it is — and what its audience wants — and it delivers in spades.
San Francisco police officers Don Wong (Wong Tao) and John Summer (Robert Jones) save a young woman (Sylvia Chang) from being assaulted by a gang of criminals. Unfortunately, all the crime in San Francisco is run by Chuck Slaughter (Chuck Norris), who doesn’t take kindly to police interfering in his business. Wong is kicked off the force by his corrupt Captain, and Summer is murdered by Slaughter’s men. Using his powerhouse kung fu skills, Wong vows to clean up the streets and take down Slaughter once and for all!
Eureka’s new 2K restoration represents its first time on blu-ray, as part of ever growing Eureka Classics range.
Extras include:
- Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Sam Gilbey.
- 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of both the original Hong Kong theatrical and US export versions from brand new 2K restorations.
- Original Mandarin mono audio.
- “Classic” English dubbed mono audio.
- Optional English Subtitles, newly translated for this release.
- Brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng & Michael Worth (Hong Kong theatrical version).
- Brand new feature length audio commentary by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema (US export version).
- Trailer.
- A Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver.
