Paula Hammond - Features EditorWhen a warring martial arts sect fights over a pair of mythical swords, the results are breathtakingly epic, in one of director Wong Jing’s most under-appreciated wuxia extravaganzas.
Based on Jin Yong’s The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, Kung Fu Cult Master, sees Jet Li on the ultimate quest to bring peace and end the conflict.
Wuxia fans will be aware that Wong Jing’s two-part, big-budget remake was released in 2022. This, original, 1993 version was also intended as a two-parter, but disappointing box-office returns meant that the the ‘second part’ never materialised. That doesn’t mean that Kung Fu Cult Master is incomplete, but it is bitty, and leaves you feeling like you’ve only seen the prologue to something much larger.
Never-the-less, Kung Fu Cult Master is guaranteed to leave you smiling. This is a film packed to the brim with breathtaking fights and lush, period visuals. Just listening to all those clashing swords and swooshing, layered silks is a joy in itself. Yes, at times, it’s wonderfully silly and over-the-top — as the action genre tends to be — but, boy, is it fun. And you won’t be surprised to learn that Sammo Hung was the film’s fight choreographer.
Presented from a new restoration of the original film elements, Eureka Classics presents Kung Fu Cult Master for the first time ever on Blu-ray from January.
Special features include:
- Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling (first 2000 copies).
- 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original Hong Kong theatrical cut from a new restoration of the original film elements.
- Original Cantonese mono audio.
- Optional English dubbed mono audio.
- Optional English Subtitles.
- Brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng.
- Archival Interview with Sammo Hung from 2004 by Frédéric Ambroisine.
- Trailer.
