Dreadnaught – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1981
Director: Yuen Woo-Ping
Writer: Jing Wong
Cast: Yuen Biao, Ka-Yan Leung, Shun-Yee Yuen, Tak-Hing Kwan, Lily Li

Release Date: April 25th, 2022
Approximate running time: 95 Minutes 54 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono English original theatrical mix, LPCM Mono English alternate home video mix
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £17.99 (UK)

"A violent criminal known only as ‘White Tiger’ (Yuen Shun-yee; Iron Monkey) is hiding amongst a theatre troupe, murdering anyone who discovers his identity (as well as anyone who happens to annoy him). Mousy, a timid laundry man (Yuen Biao; Project A), crosses paths with White Tiger several times but always manages to escape. When the killer instead targets his friend (Bryan “Beardy” Leung; Warriors Two), Mousy must overcome his cowardly nature and acquire the skills necessary to defeat the White Tiger." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

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

Disc Size: 37.6 GB

Feature: 29.8 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. Colors and flesh tones look correct, the image looks crisp and though black levels fare well, they are not as strong during darker scenes.

Audio: 4/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono English alternate home video mix), 3.75/5 (LPCM Mono English original theatrical mix)

This release comes with three audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese, a LPCM mono mix in English, the original theatrical mix, and a LPCM mono mix in English, an alternate home video mix. The Cantonese language track and the English language alternate home video mix are comparable range-wise. Also, both of these audio tracks sound clear and balanced throughout. It should be noted that the English-language original theatrical mix has some minor instances of background hiss. Included with this release are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track and a second removable English subtitle track for Cantonese titles and text. 

Extras: 

Extras for this release include a U.S. home video trailer (1 minute 33 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), Hong Kong theatrical trailer (4 minutes 51 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actress Lily Li (21 minutes 44 seconds, LPCM stereo Chinese with non-removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival), and Michael Worth, an audio commentary with action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema, reversible cover art, a O-Card slipcase (First 2000 copies only) and a booklet (First 2000 copies only) with cast & crew credits, an essay written by James Oliver and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

Dreadnaught was directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, whose other notable films as a director include Drunken Master, The Magnificent Butcher, and Iron Monkey.

Dreadnaught is a tale about a violent criminal named White Tiger who has become unhinged after his wife was murdered. Now on the run from the police, White Tiger tries to conceal his identity. Will he be able to blend into the shadows, or will his need to avenge his murdered wife be his downfall?

The thing that immediately grabs you while watching Dreadnaught is how effectively it mixes a bleak narrative with bursts of well-placed humor. And though the narrative is fairly basic, even by martial arts cinema standards, This is easily overlooked since the well-executed action set pieces are the Dreadnaught’s heart and soul.

Dreadnaught features a solid cast who are very good in their respective roles, especially Yuen Biao (The Prodigal Son) in the role of Mousy, a cowardly man who runs a laundry service with his sister. This is an interesting performance by Yuen Biao where his excellent skills as a martial artist are not fully utilized. His character mostly serves the role of a comic foil.

Other performances of note include Lily Li (Executioners from Shaolin) in the role of Mousy’s sister, Tak-Hing Kwan Wong Fei-hung, a character he portrayed in seventy-seven films, and Shun-Yee Yuen’s menacing portrayal of White Tiger.

In its opening moments, Dreadnaught establishes a brisk moment that culminates with a very satisfying finale. That said, Dreadnaught is not a film without faults, most noticeably a disjointed narrative that at times lacks focus. Ultimately, Dreadnaught is a highly entertaining film that fans of classic martial arts cinema are sure to enjoy. 

Dreadnaught gets a first-rate release from Eureka Video that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a trio of insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer