Paula Hammond - Features EditorFollowing the enormous international success of Dr No and From Russia with Love, Bondmania swept the globe. What followed was a cycle of Bondsploitation movies, with studios all over the world looking to capitalise on the concept of the super-spy.
Hong Kong’s venerable Shaw Brothers, got into the act in the mid-60s, producing a series of tales of intrigue, espionage, and grand theft.
This November, Eureka Classics presents three of their best in one, special-edition set: The Golden Buddha, Angel with the Iron Fists and The Singing Thief.
In The Golden Buddha, businessman Paul (Paul Chang Chung, Police Story) finds himself in the crosshairs of the Skeleton Gang after he picks up the wrong briefcase on a flight to Singapore – one containing a small golden Buddha that might just play a part in a vast criminal conspiracy.
In Angel with the Iron Fists, a mysterious woman (Lily Ho, Lady with a Sword) arrives in Hong Kong carrying a cache of stolen diamonds and quickly becomes embroiled with the infamous Devil Girl’s Gang.
Finally, in The Singing Thief, a master cat burglar (Jimmy Lin Chong, Tropicana Interlude) makes the decision to go straight and pursue a new career as a singer – that is, at least, until he becomes a suspect in a series of jewel heists.
Directed by studio regulars Lo Wei (The Big Boss) and Chang Cheh (The One-Armed Swordsman), The Golden Buddha, Angel with the Iron Fists and The Singing Thief filter a craze for films centred on super-spies and master criminals through the inimitable style of the Shaw Brothers Studio.
All three films are presented on Blu-ray for the first time from HD masters. Available as part of the Eureka Classics range from 18th November 2024 in the UK, and from 19th November 2024 in North America. The Limited edition release of 2000 copies (per territory) will exclusively feature an O-card slipcase, and a collector’s booklet.
