The Fear – Mondo Macabro (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Greece, 1966
Director: Kostas Manoussakis
Writer: Kostas Manoussakis
Cast: Elli Fotiou, Anestis Vlahos, Spyros Fokas, Elena Nathanail, Mairi Hronopoulou, Alexis Damianos, Theodoros Katsadramis, Kostas Gennatas, Giorgos Sifis

Release Date: August 8th, 2023
Approximate running time: 106 Minutes 11 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Greek
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"Anna, a young female student living in Athens, returns to her family’s large farm in the remote Greek countryside. She starts to feel the tensions that lie, repressed, under the apparently tranquil rural setting. Her father and mother are trapped in a loveless marriage and her half-brother, Anestis, seems even more of a brooding and dangerous figure than ever before. Anna’s only real friend is the mute servant girl, Hrysa, who many of the local villagers see as some kind of saint due to her alleged sightings of the Virgin Mary in the lonely corn fields that surround the farm.

Hrysa disappears and is reported missing. Anna soon suspects her half-brother is responsible and has probably killed the girl. She starts to follow him, trying to trick him into a confession. Realizing that she might become his next victim, Anna starts to fear for her life. Confused and scared she accepts a marriage proposal from a local man. It’s at the wedding ceremony, with the whole village watching, that the truth finally emerges and the terrifying last act of this rural psycho drama is played out." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “Brand new 2k restoration from original negative.”

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

Disc Size: 35.1 GB

Feature: 28.7 GB

The source used for this transfer looks great; any source imperfections are minor and never intrusive. The image looks crisp; contrast and black levels are very good; compression is solid; and the image looks organic.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Greek with removable English subtitles. The audio is in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and surprisingly robust, especially the score.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a still and poster gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a video tribute for actress Elena Nathanail that is a collection of images of her and stills from The Fear with music from the film playing in the background, and an archival documentary about The Fear and director Kostas Manoussakis titled Kostas Manoussakis: The Exiled Filmmaker (50 minutes 14 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Greek with removable English subtitles.

Summary:

Directed by Kostas Manoussakis, a filmmaker who has only directed three films. The Fear was the last film he directed. The other two films he directed are Love in the Sand Dunes and Treason.

The narrative revolves around a mute servant girl named Hrysa, who one day goes missing. Though there are no leads to where she might have gone, it soon becomes apparent that foul play is involved in her disappearance.

The Fear is a film about a dysfunctional family: an alcoholic father, a deviant son with pent-up sexual frustration, a timid wife or stepmother who turns a blind eye to what she sees, and a well-executed stepsister or stepdaughter who’s about to be married. Then there is a mute servant girl who unwillingly becomes the object that the son desires when, one day, he becomes aroused watching her milk a cow. It is also this event that sets in motion the fear that overcomes all of the characters.

The Fear is best described as a psychological drama in which most of the ‘fear’ at the heart of the story comes from their insecurities and their fear of being exposed for what happened to the missing mute servant girl. That said, the initial setup does a great job laying out who everyone is, while tension picks up considerably in the latter half, building towards a finale where everything reaches its boiling point.

When it comes to the performances, the entire cast is excellent, especially Elli Fotiou in the role of Hrysa, the mute servant girl. Though her performance is entirely physical, her character has the least amount of screentime of the five main characters. Her character's presence looms large throughout. Another performance of note is that of Anestis Vlahos in the role of the son, who is consumed by pent-up sexual desire for Hrysa.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where The Fear does not excel. The premise is perfectly realized, and a well-executed narrative is overflowing with tension. Other strengths include the visuals, which are filled with striking imagery, and composer Giannis Markopoulos’ superlative score, which contains piercing percussive sounds that reinforce the mood. Ultimately, The Fear is an extraordinary film that more than lives up to its name.

The Fear gets a first-rate release from Mondo Macabro that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and an insightful documentary, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Night of the Executioner – Mondo Macabro (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Spain, 1992
Director: Paul Naschy
Writer: Paul Naschy
Cast: Paul Naschy, Manuel Zarzo, Paloma Cela, Sergio Molina, José Álvarez, Adriana Vega, Mara Laso

Release Date: August 8th, 2023
Approximate running time: 92 Minutes 39 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Spanish
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"Dr Hugo Arranz (Paul Naschy) is commemorating his 50th birthday with his wife and daughter. As the celebrations reach their height, the family is terrorized by a gang of violent street thugs who have broken into their home. Initially the gang is after jewels and cash. But once they have their helpless victims tied up and defenceless, their thoughts turn to violence. They rape Arranz's wife and daughter and then, annoyed by the doctor's protests, they cut out his tongue and leave him for dead. Arranz survives the attack and recovers after a stay in hospital. Abandoning his medical practice, he seeks vengeance on the men and women who destroyed his life. He embarks on a strenuous course of physical training, involving knives, guns and punishing bouts of weight lifting. Finally, he is ready to go in pursuit of his prey. But to track them down, he must enter the sleazy underworld which his potential victims inhabit. In the process, Dr Arranz begins to learn much, not only about his targets but also about himself." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “Brand new 4k transfer from film negative.”

The Night of the Executioner comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 35.7 GB

Feature: 25.2 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape; it is easily the best The Night of the Executioner has ever looked on home video. Colors and flesh tones look correct, the image looks crisp, black levels are strong, compression is very good, and the image looks organic.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Spanish with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, things sound very good, and ambent sounds are well represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with Sergio Molina, son of Paul Naschy (36 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Pepe Ruiz (20 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Manuel Zarzo (24 minutes 19 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with The Naschycast (Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn).

Summary:

No name stands taller than Paul Naschy when one discusses Spanish horror cinema. His career spanned five decades, and he appeared in over 100 films. His nickname, ‘the Spanish Lon Chaney, is appropriate since, like Lon Chaney, he was a man of many faces. Paul Naschy, throughout his career, would be a wolfman, Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a Mummy, and Fu Manchu. In The Night of the Executioner, he would become a vigilante, exacting his own brand of justice in a way that is similar to Charles Bronson’s Paul Kersey from Death Wish.

The narrative revolves around a doctor whose fiftieth birthday is interrupted by a gang of sadistic thieves who raped and murdered his wife and daughter. Left for dead with his tongue cut out, the doctor slowly recovers and plots his revenge against those who raped and murdered his wife and daughter.

Though Paul Naschy would continue to work steadily in the last sixteen years of his life, The Night of the Executioner would mark the end of an era for him. It would be the last theatrical film in which he was the screenwriter, the director, and the star. A trio of functions that he would perform on many of his films.

Content-wise, The Night of the Executioner is best described as Death Wish with a little bit of "A Clockwork Orange"-like violence thrown in for good measure. And though the premise retreads all too familiar ground, this is never an issue since Paul Naschy does a great job putting his own unique spin on things. Also, anyone familiar with Paul Naschy’s other films will be happy to know that The Night of the Executioner has an ample amount of carnage and sleaze.

The Night of the Executioner, like most Paul Naschy films, features performances that are best described as serviceable. Fortunately, this is not a problem since Paul Naschy’s character, who is in most of the film, steals every moment he’s in. Though his character is a man of no words, since his tongue was cut out, he expresses himself via the rage he delivers on his victims.

From a production standpoint, The Night of the Executioner fully exploits its resources. The well-executed narrative does a good job building momentum, and the finale perfectly brings the protagonist's journey to a conclusion. Another strength are the visuals and how Paul Naschy always makes sure that his character is given memorable moments, like a scene where he crashes through a window. Though The Night of the Executioner is not one of Paul Naschy’s better films, it still has many elements that fans of his films are sure to appreciate.

The Night of the Executioner gets an excellent release from Mondo Macabro that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Swamp Thing: Collector's Edition – MVD Rewind Collection (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1982
Director: Wes Craven
Writer: Wes Craven
Cast: Louis Jourdan, Adrienne Barbeau, Ray Wise, David Hess, Nicholas Worth, Don Knight, Al Ruban, Dick Durock, Reggie Batts, Mimi Craven

Release Date: August 8th, 2023
Approximate Running Times: 93 Minutes 3 Seconds (Unrated International Version), 91 Minutes 20 Seconds (Theatrical PG Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10 (Both Versions)
Rating: PG (Theatrical PG Version), NR (Unrated International Version)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English, Dolby Digital Mono Spanish (Both Versions)
Subtitles: English (Both Versions)
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region A (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $49.95

"Deep in Florida's darkest everglades, a brilliant scientist, Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise, Robocop) and a sexy government agent, Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau, John Carpenter's The Fog) have developed a secret formula that could end world hunger and change civilization forever. Little do they know, however, that their arch nemesis, Arcane (Louis Jourdan, Octopussy) is plotting to steal the serum for his own selfish schemes. Looting the lab and kidnapping Cable, Arcane douses Holland with the chemicals and leaves him for dead in the swamp. Mutated by his own formula, Holland becomes "Swamp Thing" - a half human/half plant superhero who will stop at nothing to rescue the beautiful Cable and defeat the evil Arcane... even if it costs him his life." - synopsis provided by the distributor

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

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "2023 4K Restoration (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of both the US Theatrical PG Version and Unrated International Version of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio in Dolby Vision / HDR"

Swamp Thing comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 69.6 GB

Feature: 59.9 GB

The brand new 4K restoration used for this transfer looks excellent. Flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity is consistently strong, black and contrast levels look great, compression is solid, and the image always looks organic. When compared to the Scream Factory and 88 Films Blu-ray releases, the MVD Rewind Collections transfer is a marked improvement in every way. This release uses seamless branching for the two versions.

Swamp Thing comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.8 GB

Feature: 22.1 GB

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc. This release uses seamless branching for the two versions.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English and a Dolby Digital mono mix in Spanish. The English language track is in great shape. Dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well represented. Also, range-wise, this track sounds robust when it should. Included are removable English subtitles for the English-language track.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include an archival audio Commentary with director Wes Craven and moderated by Sean Clark for the theatrical PG version, and an archival audio commentary with makeup effects artist William Munn and moderated by Michael Felsher for the theatrical PG version.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include Behind the Scenes Photos by Geoffrey Rayle (39 images), William Munns' Behind the Scenes Pictures (15 images), Photos from the Film (99 images), and Posters & Lobby Cards (16 images), a theatrical trailer (1 minute 31 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with film historian Kim Newman titled From Krug to Comics: How the Mainstream Shaped a Radical Genre Voice (17 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with production designer Robb Wilson King titled Swamp Screen: Designing DC's Main Monster (20 minutes 34 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actor Reggie Batts titled Hey Jude (14 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actress Adrienne Barbeau titled Tales From the Swamp (16 minutes 9 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Len Wein, Creator of Swamp Thing titled That Swamp Thing (13 minutes 20 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio Commentary with Wes Craven and Sean Clark for the theatrical PG version, and an archival audio commentary with William Munn and Michael Felsher for the theatrical PG version.

Other extras include a "4K LaserVision" mini-poster (limited to first pressing), and a slipcover (limited to first pressing).

Summary:

Directed by Wes Craven, a filmmaker most remembered for his horror output. Notably, he directed iconic horror films in three different decades: The Last House on the Left in the 1970s, A Nightmare on Elm Street in the 1980s, and Scream in the 1990s.

Swamp Thing is a comic book series created by Len Wein (the writer) and Bernie Wrightson (the artist). Swamp Thing was made at a time when comic book adaptations were not as common as they are now.

The narrative revolves around a scientist working on a top-secret bioengineering project that goes awry and turns him into a monster.

Though there are horror elements in Swamp Thing, it is better described as a fantasy film with sci-fi elements. That said, Wes Craven, who also wrote the screenplay, does a great job bringing the Swamp Thing's character to life.

Without a doubt, the greatest asset is a phenomenal cast that is made up of recognizable faces to anyone who's familiar with 1970s and 1980s horror cinema. The entire cast is great in their roles; they all deliver enthusiastic performances. Notably, cast members include Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog) in the role of Alice Cable, a government agent assigned to protect the scientist who becomes the Swamp Thing; Louis Jourdan (Gigi) in the villainess role of Anton Arcane; and David Hess (The Last House on the Left) in the role of one of Anton Arcane’s henchmen.

The most interesting aspect of The Swamp Thing is how it pairs Alice Cable with a young boy named Jude, who operates a rundown convenience store in the middle of nowhere. The dynamic between the two actors who portray these characters provides some of the best moments. Also, there is a beauty and beast angle going on between Alice Cable and The Swamp Thing.

When it comes to pacing, there is never an issue, as a well-constructed narrative does a great job maintaining the moment. The action set pieces and special effects are solid. Another strength is composer Harry Manfredini’s (Friday the 13th) score, which helps set and reinforce the mood. Also, the visuals at times employ a comic book-like style. Though not one of Wes Craven’s best films, The Swamp Thing is still a well-made thrill ride that's always entertaining.

Swamp Thing gets an exceptional release from the MVD Rewind Collection that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly recommended.

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 VLC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Murder Obsession - Raro Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1981
Director: Riccardo Freda
Writers: Antonio Cesare Corti, Riccardo Freda, Simon Mizrahi, Fabio Piccioni
Cast: Stefano Patrizi, Martine Brochard, Henri Garcin, Laura Gemser, John Richardson, Anita Strindberg, Silvia Dionisio, Fabrizio Moroni

Release Date: May 8th, 2012
Approximate running times: 97 Minutes 18 Seconds (Italian language version), 91 Minutes 35 Seconds (English language version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Versions)
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian (Italian language version), DTS-HD Mono English (English language version)
Subtitles: English (Italian language version)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.98

"While taking a break from shooting a horror film, actor Michael Stanford (Stephano Patrizi) visits his mother (Anita Strindberg) at their old mansion. Michael's girlfriend, Deborah (Silvia Dionisio), and some of their filmmaking friends join Michael at the mansion for a couple of days rest. Michael reveals that he murdered his father during a psychotic episode when he was a child making himself the primary suspect when his friends start getting killed." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5 (Italian language version), 3/5 (English language version)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Digitally Restored".

Murder Obsession comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 41.3 GB

Feature: 22 GB (Italian language version), 15.9 GB (English language version)

This release comes in two versions. The English-language version is not simply a shorter version; it also has some footage that is exclusive to it. The source used for the Italian-language version is in great shape. That said, there are some minor source imperfections. The sources used for the two versions are comparable in most areas except for the footage that is exclusive to the English language version, and this footage has a noticeable drop in quality (it looks like it comes from a standard definition source). Flesh tones look correct, colors are nicely saturated, details look crisp, black levels fare well, and any compression-related issues are minor, except for the English-language version footage that comes from a standard definition source (in these moments you can see macroblocking). That said, though this transfer exhibits some of the traits that have plagued other Raro Blu-ray releases, it is actually one of their better transfers.

Audio: 3.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian), 3/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

The Italian-language version comes with a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. The English-language version comes with a DTS-HD mono mix in English. The Italian language track is in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. The English language track has its own that varies in degree throughout. That said, the dialog comes across clearly enough to follow. Also, both tracks have some sibilance issues, and range-wise, neither of these tracks is optimal.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a deleted scene (24 seconds, DTS-HD mono), an interview with special effects artist Sergio Stivaletti (10 minutes 5 seconds, DTS-HD stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with composer Claudio Simonetti (22 minutes 4 seconds, DTS-HD stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with filmmaker Gabriele Albanesi (8 minutes 52 seconds, DTS-HD stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), and a 12-page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled Freda’s Final Freakout: Murder Obsession written by Chris Alexander, a biography and filmography for Riccardo Freda.

Summary:

Directed by Riccardo Freda, who is most known for a pair of gothic horror films that he directed; both films starred Barbra Steele: The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock and The Ghost. He also holds a significant place in Italian horror film history, having co-directed the first Italian horror film with sound, I Vampiri. In a career that spanned almost forty years, he worked in just about every film genre. Though he is most known for his gothic horror films, he also directed a trio of well-regarded giallo films: Double Face, and The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire. It should also be noted that, like his aforementioned gothic horror films, the giallo films that he directed, including Murder Obsession, all contain elements rooted in the supernatural.

The narrative revolves around a childhood trauma that forces an actor to deal with unresolved issues from his past.

One of the key elements of the giallo genre is its use of misdirection to increase tension and further the story at hand. And in this regard, Murder Obsession succeeds, especially with its sleight-of-hand opening sequence. Unfortunately, the overall flow of the narrative is not without its fair share of shortfalls, most notably the rest of the opening act after such a strong opening sequence. First off, Murder Obsession spends way too much time trying to explain who everyone is and what their motivations are. Also, it quickly becomes clear that it is best not to believe the information that is forthcoming. Instead, just go with the flow and enjoy the ride, because when the curtain comes down, Along the way, there will be so many red herrings that trying to keep track of them becomes a chore.

The visuals have a tremendous amount of atmosphere, and at times they are reminiscent of the look that Riccardo Freda employed for his Gothic horror films. And being that this is a Giallo, one of the main draws will, of course, be the murder set pieces. And while there is a sufficient amount of carnage to behold, the crudeness of the special effects takes away from the overall impact of these kill scenes.

Without a doubt, the one area of this production that is the biggest letdown is the performances of the cast, who kind of sleepwalk through their respective roles. Also, there are several recognizable faces in the cast, like Laura Gemser (Emanuelle in America) portraying an actress, Silvia Dionisio (Terror Express) in the role of the protagonist's girlfriend, John Richardson (Torso) portraying a very creepy butler, and Anita Strindberg (A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin) in the role of the protagonist's oddly affectionate mother. Though Murder Obsession is not one of Riccardo Freda’s better films, it is still a good swan song for one of Italian horror’s key directors.

Murder Obsession gets a strong release from Raro Video that comes with a serviceable audio/video presentation, two versions of the film, and informative extras.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Rich and Famous and Tragic Hero – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Hong Kong, 1987 (Rich and Famous, Tragic Hero)
Director: Taylor Wong (Both Films)
Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Alex Man, Alan Tam, Pauline Wong, Carina Lau, Danny Lee, Ko Chun-hsiung, Shing Fui-On

Release Date: July 17th, 2023
Approximate running times: 104 Minutes 24 Seconds (Rich and Famous),  96 Minutes 57 Seconds (Rich and Famous)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese Restored Original, LPCM Mono Cantonese Original Theatrical Mix, LPCM Mono English (Both Films)
Subtitles: English (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £28.99 (UK)

"In Rich and Famous, in order to pay off a gambling debt two brothers Yung (Alex Man) and Kwok (Andy Lau) enter a dangerous world of violent criminals. Crossing paths with the charismatic gangster Li Ah Chai (Chow Yun Fat), the two brothers join his gang and quickly rise through the ranks. Then in the spectacularly action-packed Tragic Hero, the fortunes of all three characters has changed significantly, with one of the brothers now a violent Triad leader seeking revenge." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5 (Rich and Famous, Tragic Hero)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "1080p presentations on Blu-ray from new restorations of the original film elements."

Rich and Famous comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray. 

Disc Size: 39 GB

Feature: 32.2 GB

Tragic Hero comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray. 

Disc Size: 44.6 GB

Feature: 29.6 GB

The sources used for these two films are compatible, and both transfers are in excellent shape. Colors and flesh tones look correct, image clarity and compression are solid, and black levels are strong.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese Restored Original - Rich and Famous, LPCM Mono Cantonese Original Theatrical Mix - Rich and Famous, LPCM Mono Cantonese Restored Original - Tragic Hero, LPCM Mono Cantonese Original Theatrical Mix - Tragic Hero, LPCM Mono English - Tragic Hero), 4/5 (LPCM Mono English - Rich and Famous)

Each film comes with three audio options: a LPC mono mix in Cantonese (the restored original), a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese (the original theatrical mix), and a LPCM mono mix in English. The quality of all of these audio tracks is compatible, with the main difference being that the Cantonese-restored original tracks sound more robust than the other tracks. That said, dialog always comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced, and range-wise, things sound very good. It should be noted that around the ninety-six minute mark for the Rich and Famous English language track, there is a brief moment where quality drops. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track.

Extras:

Extras for Rich and Famous include Hong Kong theatrical trailer (3 minutes 56 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese text with removable English subtitles), English export theatrical trailer (3 minutes 59 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a documentary about the dubbing of Hong Kong films into English during the 80s, featuring an interview with Simon Broad who was the voice of Chow Yun Fat for the English language releases of many of his films titled Dub Masters (21 minutes 19 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival).

Extras for Tragic Hero include Hong Kong theatrical trailer (4 minutes 17 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), English export theatrical trailer (3 minutes 51 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with filmmaker Michael Mak titled A Race for the Heroes (32 minutes 46 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with screenwriter Manfred Wong titled Heroes & Villains Johnny Mak Style (22 minutes 3 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with Asian film expert Frank Djeng.

Other extras include reversible cover art, a slipcase (limited to 2,000 copies), and a 20-page booklet (limited to 2,000 copies) with cast & crew information, an essay titled To Live and Die in Hong Kong written by James Oliver, and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

The narratives revolve around two brothers, Yung and Kwok, whose gambling debts set in motion their descent into the world of crime. Along the way, a crime boss named Li Ah Chai shows them the ins and outs of Hong Kong’s criminal underworld. Rich and Famous is the rise of these two brothers, who, by the end of this film, have fallen out. In Tragic Hero, the focus shifts to Yung's hostile takeover of Hong Kong's crime world.

Though these two films share characters, Tragic Hero’s narrative picks right up where Rich and Famous left off. Tone-wise, these two films are different; Rich and Famous is a character-driven film, while Tragic Hero is a more intense ride that relies more on action set pieces. Also, Tragic Hero is the more violent of the two films.

Chow Yun-Fat (The Killer) is one of the most recognizable faces when discussing Hong Kong action and crime films. In 1987, the year that he appeared in Rich and Famous and Tragic Hero, he had just come off the success of A Better Tomorrow. And in 1987, he would appear in City on Fire, Prison on Fire, and A Better Tomorrow II. All of these films, like Rich and Famous and Tragic Hero, would fall into the sub-genre of Hong Kong cinema known as heroic Bloodshed.

Chow Yun-Fat is cast in the role of a charismatic crime boss named Li Ah Chai. This is the type of character that he would often portray, and once again, he delivers a captivating performance that often overshadows all other performances.

That said, the rest of the cast is very good in their roles, especially Alex Man (Casino Tycoon) in the role of Yung, the hotheaded brother who will do anything to rise to the top. This character is essentially the villain of these films, and he delivers a superb performance where he goes on to exploit his characters' short-fused moments of rage. Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs) in the role of Kwok is the most underused character in these two films.

From a production standpoint, there is not an area where these two films do not deliver the goods. Both narratives are well executed, and pacing is never an issue as key moments are given ample time to resonate. Also, both films have phenomenal finales. Other strengths are Taylor Wong’s sure-handed direction, and when it comes to the bullet ballet action set pieces, these moments deliver in spades. Ultimately, if you are a fan of heroic bloodshed films, then Rich and Famous and Tragic Hero are must-see films.

Rich and Famous and Tragic Hero is an excellent release from Eureka Video; both films come with solid, strong audio and video presentations, and there are a wealth of informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer