Dead Mountaineer's Hotel: Standard Edition – Deaf Crocodile (4K UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Soviet Union/Estonia, 1979
Director: Grigori Kromanov
Writers: Arkadiy Strugatskiy, Boris Strugatskiy
Cast: Uldis Pucitis, Jüri Järvet, Lembit Peterson, Mikk Mikiver, Karlis Sebris, Irena Kriauzaite, Sulev Luik, Tiit Härm, Nijole Ozelyte, Kaarin Raid 

Release Date: June 9th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 83 Minutes 34 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Estonian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region A (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $39.95

""I was on call to drive to a mountain hotel. The hotel's name was The Dead Mountaineer," says police inspector Peter Glebsky (Uldis Pūcītis) at the beginning of Estonian director Grigori Kromanov’s dazzling, paranoid mixture of locked-room mystery, 1970s Euro giallo, classic noir whodunit, and (unbelievably) alien sci-fi ala The Man Who Fell to Earth. Based on a novel by famed Soviet authors Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (Stalker, Hard to be God), the hall-of-mirrors plot follows Glebsky as he’s trapped by avalanche in the ski lodge with a rogues’ gallery of weird suspects: tubercular gangster Hinckus (Mikk Mikiver), creepy hotel owner Snewahr (Jüri Järvet, King Lear), a wall-climbing physicist (Lembit Peterson), a louche, wig-wearing beauty out of a Bryan Ferry song (Irena Kriauzaite) – oh, and the Dead Mountaineer’s faithful St. Bernard." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD), 4.5/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New 4K restoration from new 4K interpositive scan by Craig Rogers and Michael Coronado for Deaf Crocodile and color grade by Tyler Fagerstrom."

Dead Mountaineer's Hotel comes on a 66 GB triple dual 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 61.4 GB

Feature: 55.3 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, contrast, black levels, image clarity, and compression are solid, and the image always looks organic.

Dead Mountaineer's Hotel comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32.5 GB

Feature: 24 GB

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Estonian with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, balanced, and surprisingly robust.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include the original Estonian theatrical trailer (2 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Estonian with removable English subtitles), a 1979 Estonian newsreel about the film (1 minute 55 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Estonian with removable English subtitles), a featurette created by Estonian Public TV titled In Focus: Dead Mountaineer's Hotel, (19 minutes 56 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Estonian with removable English subtitles), an excerpt from the documentary Bonus Track on composer Sven Grünberg and his score for the film (13 minutes 24 seconds, DTS-HD 5.1 Estonian with removable English subtitles), a video essay by Ryan Verrill and Dr. Will Dodson titled Snow Job (8 minutes 12 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with film historian Michael Brooke.

Extras are the same on the Blu-ray disc.

Summary:

Grigori Kromanov directed only six films, and aside from Dead Mountaineer's Hotel, his other works remain largely unknown outside the former Soviet Union. The screenplay for Dead Mountaineer's Hotel was written by Arkadiy Strugatskiy and Boris Strugatskiy (Stalker), who also authored the novel on which the film is based.

An avalanche near a hotel in the mountains isolates a detective investigating a murder with his suspects.

From the very beginning, it becomes evident that Dead Mountaineer's Hotel transcends the typical mystery/thriller genre. Its opening shots of an aerial view of the landscapes surrounding the hotel accentuate the location's isolation. Sven Grünberg delivers an exemplary mood-reinforcing score that perfectly fuses with the striking imagery. From there, what unfolds is a supernatural horror film that's reminiscent of The Shining.

While most Soviet cinema aimed to promote communist ideals, many filmmakers discovered ways to address social issues and express ideas that likely should not have passed the censors. That said, although Dead Mountaineer's Hotel is a film that effectively exploits genre tropes, it is also a film rich with social commentary. Dead Mountaineer's Hotel takes aim at the rigidity of bureaucracy in a communist society, where everyone and everything are expected to fit neatly into a box.

The most surprising aspect of Dead Mountaineer's Hotel is the performances. While Dead Mountaineer's Hotel is a film that skirts conventional filmmaking, the performances do not feel out of place; they have a naturalness to them that perfectly suits the story that unfolds. The most notable example is Uldis Pucitis's portrayal of the detective investigating the murder. His character represents the status quo, while the rest of the characters have rejected it.

The well-crafted narrative does a superb job drawing you in and holding your attention as it builds to a twist that no one could see coming. That said, what begins as an investigation into a man’s death becomes gradually more surreal by the time it reaches the moment of truth. The visuals in Dead Mountaineer's Hotel are striking, featuring arresting moments that enhance the overall mood. Ultimately, Dead Mountaineer's Hotel serves as an extraordinary exploration of identity versus collectivism.

Deaf Crocodile gives Dead Mountaineer's Hotel a definitive release. Highly recommended.

Note: There is a deluxe release of Dead Mountaineer's Hotel that comes in a slipcase and a 60-page book with an essay by Soviet film scholar Peter Rollberg, an essay by film historian Michelle Kisner, and an essay by film critic Walter Chaw (Film Freak Central).

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Krakatit: Standard Edition – Deaf Crocodile (4K UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Czechoslovakia, 1948
Director: Otakar Vávra
Writers: Otakar Vávra, Jaroslav Vávra
Cast: Karel Höger, Florence Marly, Eduard Linkers, Jiří Plachý, Nataša Tanská, František Smolík, Miroslav Homola, Vlasta Fabianová 

Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 101 Minutes 2 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Czech
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region A (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $39.95

"“Long wandering,” a voice whispers in the brain of a man staggering along a misty riverbank, the night as fog-shrouded as his shattered mind.  Czech director Otakar Vávra’s astonishing KRAKATIT is a literal fever dream of a movie that mixes 1940s Film Noir, paranoid thriller and speculative atomic-bomb Sci-Fi in the story of a chemist named Prokop who hallucinates fragments of how he's invented a proto-nuclear weapon -- and the mystery of what's happened to the formula for it." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (4K UHD), 4.25/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Deaf Crocodile is thrilled to present the first-ever 4K UHD + Blu-ray release for this overlooked classic of Czech cinema and World Noir, beautifully restored in 4K by the Národní filmový archiv (NFA) in Prague and co-presented with the Comeback Company.

The goal of the digital restoration was to make the film available in a form similar to how it could have been seen and heard by an audience at the time when it was first released in 1948. As a result, various features that originate from the shooting of the film or its laboratory processing have been preserved and are evidence of the technologies and creative approaches of the time.

The source for the digitization was film materials preserved in the National Film Archive in Prague. The image was digitized from the original negative and the sound from the duplicate positive.

The restoration was done by the Hungarian Filmlab in Budapest, under supervision of the National Film Archive in Prague, in 2016."

Krakatit comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 77.6 GB

Feature: 68.1 GB

The restoration looks remarkable. That said, outside of a few very minor moments, the source looks excellent. Flesh tones look healthy; image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Krakatit comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 38.4 GB

Feature: 29.3 GB

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Czech with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a video essay by film historian Clayton Dillard titled Krakatit: Moral Vertigo in the Nuclear Age (18 minutes 46 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English with non-removable English subtitles for Czech film clips), an interview on Krakatit’s restoration with archivist Tereza Frodlová of the Národní filmový archiv, Prague, moderated by Dennis Bartok of Deaf Crocodile (48 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with film historian Peter Hames and Czech film expert Irena Kovarova of Comeback Company.

Extras are the same on the Blu-ray disc.

Summary:

Krakatit was directed by Otakar Vávra, a filmmaker who was part of the Czech New Wave. He’s most known for The Merry Wives, Romance for Bugle, Witchhammer, and Veronica.

An engineer who creates a deadly bomb that could wipe out humanity retraces where he went wrong as he slips in and out of consciousness after being gravely injured from an explosion.

Krakatit is an adaptation of Karel Čapek’s novel of the same name. His novel features a nuclear-like explosive two decades before work on such a device began, while the film came out three years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The film serves as a strong condemnation of nuclear weapons, presenting an unflattering portrayal of those in power who desire war.

There is a striking text that opens the film that perfectly captures the protagonist's state of mind. That text reads, "The story takes place in the midst of a feverish dream. After the initial setup reveals what happened to the engineer and how he reached his current state, the narrative unfolds mainly through hallucinatory flashbacks. While many moments are rooted in reality, there are instances that challenge those boundaries, creating a juxtaposition between the two.

While the premise and its message against world annihilation are core to the film's foundation, one must overlook the importance of Karel Höger’s portrayal of Prokop, the engineer who created something that could wipe out humanity. Throughout the narrative, there are many instances where someone who wields power tries to get Prokop to give them his formula. He’s a man of strong moral character who now regrets what he’s created; unfortunately for him, he unlocked a Pandora's box.

Krakatit is a film that effortlessly blends genres until they no longer have borders. It is a mystery film, a science fiction film, and, at times, a surreal cinematic experience. The visuals are striking; they often employ odd angles, are filled with symbolism, and have a film noir-like quality to them. The mood of Krakatit is greatly enhanced by Jiří Srnka’s soul-piercing score that does an extraordinary job underscoring the protagonist's fractured mind. Ultimately, Krakatit is a powerful piece of filmmaking that has not lost any of its potency.

Deaf Crocodile gives Krakatit a definitive release. Highly recommended.

Note: There is a deluxe release of Krakatit that comes in a slipcase and a 60-page book with an essay by film critic Jonathan Owen and an essay by film critic Walter Chaw (Film Freak Central).

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

G.I. Samurai: Limited Edition – Arrow Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1979
Director: Kôsei Saitô
Writer: Toshio Kamata
Cast: Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba, Noriko Honma, Haruki Kadokawa, Shin Kishida, Asao Koike, Shin'ichirô Mikami, Noboru Nakaya, Mikio Narita, Isao Natsuyagi, Raita Ryû, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kenpachirô Satsuma, Mizuho Suzuki, Katsumasa Uchida

Release Date: May 5th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 139 Minutes 14 seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese, DTS-HD Stereo Japanese. DTS-HD 5.1 Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $39.95

"During a routine military exercise, modern-day soldiers led by Second Lieutenant Iba (Chiba) find themselves transported back in time four hundred years to war-torn feudal Japan. Facing attack by samurai warriors from rival clans, frictions rapidly emerge among these modern-day soldiers, whisked from a time of peace, freed from the strictures of a higher authority and stranded in one of the bloodiest and most decisive periods in Japan's history." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "The film was restored in 4K by Kadokawa Pictures in 2022.

All materials were provided by Kadokawa."

G.I. Samurai comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.4 GB

Feature: 32.9 GB

There are two optional viewing modes via seamless branching: the original Japanese version or the uncut English-language version titled Time Slip. The source looks excellent; flesh tones and colors look correct; image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid; and the image looks organic.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Stereo Japanese. DTS-HD 5.1 Japanese), 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Japanese)

This release comes with three audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese, a DTS-HD stereo mix in Japanese and a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Japanese. All of the tracks sound clean, clear, balanced, and robust when they should. The stereo and 5.1 tracks do an excellent job expanding the soundtrack. The audio tracks and English subtitles can only be changed via the setup menu and not during playback. 

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (35 images—stills/posters), a teaser trailer (42 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with text in Japanese and removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 29 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actor Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba (20 minutes 12 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actor Isao Natsuyagi (23 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actors Hiromitsu Suzuki and Monsieur Kamayatsu (21 minutes 11 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actors Jun Eto and Isao Kuraishi (21 minutes 44 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actor Eiji Suzuki (3 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an appreciation by Mark Schilling titled The Good Fight (22 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an appreciation by Matt Alt titled Acting in Self-Defense (18 minutes 5 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a discussion between film critics Masaki Nomura and Tatsuya Masuto titled Back in Time (21 minutes 11 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Samm Deighan and Tom Mes, an English-language version of G.I. Samurai under the title Time Slip (139 minutes 14 seconds, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono English with non-removable English subtitles for text in Japanese), reversible cover art, a slipcover (limited to the first pressing), and a 24-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled Sanity Slip written by Josh Slater-Williams, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Kôsei Saitô directed G.I. Samurai. Although he mostly worked in television, his notable theatrical feature films are Devil’s Flute and Ninja Wars. The English language version of G.I. Samurai was released under the alternate title Time Slip.

A squadron of Japanese soldiers is transported into the past, where shoguns and samurai rule the land. Lt. Yoshiaki Iba tries to keep his men in line while he thinks of a way to get them back home. Kagatore is an ambitious samurai who aspires to be the next shogun, and when he sees Lt. Yoshiaki Iba's advanced weaponry, he forms an alliance. Does Kagatore have ulterior motives or will he help Iba and his men find their way back home?

Starting in the late 1970s, Kadokawa was producing the most inventive films coming out of Japan. Where their main competitors, Toho and Toei, were focusing on samurai and yakuza films, Kadokawa was making films that thought outside of the box; case in point: G.I. Samurai, a time travel film that pits modern soldiers against samurai.

Another thing that sets G.I. Samurai apart from other films from this era is its interesting take on time travel. The modern-day soldiers, while plotting their return home, seemed primarily focused on the prospect of meeting their ancestors. They showed little concern for the thousands of samurai they killed in the process, some of whom might have been related to them. That said, this logic of how the future can only be altered when you come in contact with your ancestors is a major flaw that is never really explained. 

Outside of Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba (The Street Fighter), the core cast is mostly made up of relative unknowns. Fortunately, this works in the film’s favor, since it is really an ensemble film that does not rely on star power carrying it. Speaking of Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba, he’s given plenty of chances to flex his muscles. His standout moments are a scene where he rides a horse during a battle and a scene where he hangs from a rope that dangles from a helicopter while he shoots an Uzi.

The opening setup does a superb job pulling you in, and the relationship that evolves between Iba and Kagatore is its heart and soul. The narrative employs flashbacks that cut between past and present memories that link characters with their ancestors. While most of these moments are very effective, some of them disrupt the narrative's flow. 

Although the special effects look incredibly dated, they still serve G.I. Samurai well. That said, it is the action sequences where G.I. Samurai excels the most. They are expertly executed and epic in size, and the final third of the film is all-out action that doesn’t let up until the final moments. Ultimately, G.I. Samurai is a highly entertaining take on time travel.

G.I. Samurai gets an exceptional release from Arrow Video that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of informative extras. Highly recommended.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Himalayan – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1976
Director: Huang Feng
Writer: Ni Kuang
Cast: Angela Mao, Chan Sing, Dorian Tan, Guan Shan, Ling Hon, Angela Wang En-Chi, Han Ying-Chieh, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo 

Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 116 Minutes 58 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Mandarin, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $29.95

"Set against the stunning mountain vistas of Nepal, Tseng Ching Lam (Mao), a noblewoman betrayed and falsely accused of adultery by her devious brother-in-law. Fleeing into exile, she vows vengeance and begins her transformation by mastering the secret Tibetan fighting art of Mi--a discipline of spiritual strength and deadly precision." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "2K restoration from the original negative."

The Himalayan comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 39 GB

Feature: 33.5 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, contrast, black levels, image clarity, and compression are solid, and the image looks organic.

Audio: 4.25/5 (Both Audio Tracks)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Mandarin and a LPCM mono mix in English. The differences between these two tracks are minuscule. Both tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced, and action sequences sound robust. Included are removable English subtitles for the Mandarin language track and removable English subtitles for Mandarin text when watching with the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery with music from the film playing in the background (stills/lobby cards/posters), a theatrical trailer (4 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Mandarin with removable English subtitles), English language opening and closing credits (3 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital mono), an interview with actor Dorian Tan titled Tales from the Monastery (9 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Asian cinema experts Frank Djeng and Michael Worth, reversible cover art, a double-sided fold-out poster (limited to the first pressing), and an O-ring slipcase (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Huang Feng directed The Himalayan. He’s known for The Shaolin Plot, Naked Comes the Huntress and his nine collaborations with Angela Mao.

A power-hungry man seizes his opportunity when his brother is chosen to marry the daughter of a noble and well-respected man.

While there are several action set pieces, The Himalayan is better described as a melodrama than a typical martial arts film. The Himalayan deals with familiar themes like deception and vengeance. In the case of deception, the power-hungry brother murders his sibling and enlists a look-alike who will obey his every command. Vengeance arises from the daughter, who has been falsely accused of adultery and narrowly escapes a certain death.

The main draw of 'The Himalayan' is its scenic Nepal locations; they give it a look that’s unlike any other martial arts film of this era. Where so many 1970s martial arts films were shot on a soundstage or in countries like South Korea and Taiwan, filming in Nepal really opens up 'The Himalayan' in a way that those other locations could not have. That said, some of the interior scenes were shot on a soundstage, according to Dorian Tan.

Although Angela Mao (Lady Whirlwand) is the star of 'The Himalayan.' The most memorable performance is Chan Sing (New Fist of Fury) in the role of the power-hungry brother named Kao Chu. His character is ruthless and impulsive in his quest for power, and he delivers a pitch-perfect performance. Other performances of note are Angela Mao in the role of Tseng Ching Lam and Dorian Tan (The Hand of Death) in the role of Hsu Chin Kang, an old childhood friend of Tseng Ching Lam. Another cast member of note is Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (The Magnificent Butcher), portraying an evil henchman.

The opening setup does a phenomenal job drawing you in and setting a solid foundation for what unfolds. Although there are many peaks and valleys over the course of 117 minutes, the narrative never lags; it always maintains and builds momentum. While the film emphasizes exposition over action set pieces, it is important to note that the action sequences are still exemplary. Ultimately, 'The Himalayan' is an enthralling film that finds a satisfying blend of exposition and action.

The Himalayan gets an excellent release from Eureka Video that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras. Highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Born a Ninja/Commando the Ninja Double Feature: Collector's Edition – Visual Vengeance (Blu-ray)

Release Dates: Taiwan/Hong Kong, 1988 (Commando the Ninja, Born a Ninja)
Director: Law Chi (Both Films)
Cast: Man Fei, Patrick Largent, Hung Kuan, Daniel Garfield, Howard Wang, Kelvin Wong, Laura Yang, Lo Kei, Yolanda Kuk, Wai Shum, Martin Chan, Wallace Man (Commando the Ninja), Man Fei, Patrick Largent, Martin Chan, Daniel Garfield, Lo Kei, Yolanda Kuk, Wallace Man, Willie Sun, Howard Wang, Laura Yang (Born a Ninja)

Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Approximate Running Times: 86 Minutes 26 Seconds (Commando the Ninja), 89 Minutes 19 Seconds (Born a Ninja)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Interlaced / MPEG-4 AVC (Commando the Ninja), 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Born a Ninja)
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English (Both Films)
Subtitles: English SDH (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"This shot-on-video martial-arts double feature from Joesph Lai and IFD Films unleashes pure 1980s ninja chaos as two unlikely heroes are dragged into a war over stolen germ-warfare secrets. Featuring disappearing ninja assassins, endless waves of thugs, criminal masterminds, insane effects and the mysterious 'Hocus Pocus' magic fighting style - It's full-tilt SOV insanity, delivering cult ninja action at maximum volume.

Born a Ninja is a wild SOV martial-arts action romp where espionage, absurdity, and vanishing ninjas collide. When unlikely heroes Larry and David stumble onto a long-lost WWII germ formula created by the mysterious scientist Tanaka, they're pulled into a deadly web of shadow warfare and secret assassins. On their trail is Simon, a merciless ninja enforcer working for the cold-blooded mastermind Martin, whose scheme threatens global catastrophe. Outnumbered and outmatched, Larry and David rely on nerve, instinct, and their own unconventional fighting discipline - Hocus Pocus, a martial art as unpredictable as it is lethal.

Commando the Ninja (a.k.a. American Commando Ninja, a/k/a Silent Killers) cranks the chaos up even higher, continuing the covert war over germ-warfare secrets more dangerous than ninja blades. Once again caught in a storm of espionage, double-crosses, and stolen science, Larry and David find themselves facing more ruthless power brokers and endless waves of attackers. As the battle escalates, two fearless allies - Becky and Brenda - join the fight, driving the action toward an outrageous finale of acrobatics, ambushes, and full-blown ninja madness." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 1.5/5 (Born a Ninja), 1/5 (Commando the Ninja)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "SD masters from original tape elements."

Born a Ninja and Commando the Ninja comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.6 GB

Feature: 18.2 GB (Born a Ninja), 16.4 GB (Commando the Ninja)

The sources look rough, especially Commando the Ninja, which is interlaced. That said, the included screenshots give you a clear idea of what to expect.

Audio: 2.5/5 (Both Films)

Each film comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital stereo mix in English with removable English SDH. Although dialogue comes through clearly and everything sounds balanced, things are limited range-wise.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a Visual Vengeance trailer for Born a Ninja (1 minute 52 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a original trailer for Born a Ninja (2 minutes 22 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a Visual Vengeance double feature trailer for Born a Ninja and Commando the Ninja (57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a original trailer for Commando the Ninja (1 minute 58 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Kwan Chung (8 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), a video essay by  Justin Decloux titled The Law Chi Touch (11 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a video essay by  Justin Decloux titled The Essential Godfrey Ho (11 minutes 11 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Justin Decloux and Will Sloane of The Important Cinema Club for Commando the Ninja, an audio commentary with Justin Decloux for Born A Ninja, reversible cover art featuring original VHS art, a 'Stick your own' video store sticker sheet (first pressing only), two folded mini-posters with original VHS art, a 6-page leaflet with an essay titled Looking Back at American Commando Ninja and Born a Ninja written by C.J. Lines, and an O-card slipcover (first pressing only).

Other extras are Visual Vengeance trailers for Furious, Ninja Operation Knight and Warrior, and Ninja the Protector.

Summary:

Despite a prolific filmography that stretches beyond 50 years, Law Chi is not a name that most Hong Kong cinema fans will recognize. His most notable films are The Crippled Masters and Amsterdam Connection.

A Chinese terrorist group, Japanese ninjas, and Russian mercenaries are in a race to capture a Japanese scientist and his formula for germ warfare.

Commando the Ninja is the film that establishes who all of the main players and their motivations are, while Born a Ninja picks right up where its predecessor left off. There is so much overlap between these two films that they will have you feeling déjà vu. Both films essentially revolve around a central conflict: the efforts to capture, and at times retain, the Japanese scientist. This conflict serves as a backdrop for numerous fight scenes throughout the movies.

With the home media market exploding in the 1980s, there was an increased demand for new products, most of which were cheaply made and thrown together. Case in point: films like Commando the Ninja and Born a Ninja, which were made by IFD Films & Arts Company, a company known for taking existing footage and merging it with newly shot footage to create an entirely new film. The films not only share a cast but also reuse several shots. However, the main distinction between the two is that Commando the Ninja focuses more on exposition, while Born a Ninja features continuous action.

Despite these two films' many shortcomings, they do have some charms, like atrocious dubbing that’s unintentionally funny and impressive stunt work. Unfortunately, their biggest drawback is how their narratives just drag, and it's clear that if they were condensed into one film, the end result would be better. Ultimately, Commando the Ninja and Born a Ninja are two ultralow-budget action films that even the most diehard ninja aficionados will find a chore to get through.

Visual Vengeance gives Born a Ninja and Commando the Ninja their best home media release to date.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer