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Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1991
Director: Lu Chun-Ku
Writer: Lee Ho-Kwan
Cast: Donnie Yen, Pauline Yeung, Ben Lam, Chui Hei-Man, Lo Wai-Kwong, Kathy Chow, Sibelle Hu, Sonny Chang, Mai Te-Lo (Robert Mak)

Release Date: July 1st, 2024
Approximate Running Times: 91 Minutes 14 Seconds (Cat II Version), 92 Minutes 43 Seconds (Cat III Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Versions)
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese (Both Versions)
Subtitles: English (Both Versions)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK)

"Martial arts action icon Donnie Yen (‘John Wick: Chapter Four’, ‘Ip Man’) plays Cheung, a kung fu fighting Chinese Indiana Jones forced to taken on the challenge of an ancient supernatural foe. Ken Lo (‘Drunken Master II’) is our hero’s nemesis as he tries to protect a magically empowered tribal princess (Pauline Yeung, ‘Dragons Forever’). Cheung must also contend with Sgt Hu, a Hong Kong lady cop determined to crack the same case (Sibelle Hu, ‘The Inspector Wear Skirts’)." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5 (Cat II Version), 3.5/5 (Cat III Version)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray(TM) Presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio. Two versions of the film including the uncut Cat III Version (Reconstructed From best available materials)."

Here’s a disclaimer that plays before the Cat III version, "The following is a reconstruction of the original uncensored category III version of Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead.

Despite the efforts of 88 Films, film elements for the footage exclusive to this cut could not be tracked down. Thus, a standard definition source with burned-in subtitles had to be used to fill in the approximately ten minutes of missing and alternate footage, while utilizing the HD master for the scenes shared between both cuts.

Despite the imperfections, we hope you enjoy the presentation."

Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.7 GB

Feature: 21.1 GB (Cat II Version), 22.2 GB (Cat III Version)

The source has some mild source debris, colors look correct, image clarity is generally strong, black levels fare well, and compression is very good. The bulk of the Cat III version shares footage that is comparable to the Cat II version. That said, the standard definition inserts look rough.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese with removable English subtitles. The audio is in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range is very good.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with screenwriter Lee Ho-Kwan titled The Man Behind the Genius (28 minutes 29 seconds, DTS-HD stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Robert Mak titled The King of Disco Vs The Evil Dead (15 minutes 32 seconds, DTS-HD stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, double-sided A3 Fold-out poster (limited to the first pressing), a double-walled gloss O-ring (limited to the first pressing), and a 24-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information, Moon Monsters, Holy Virgins, and Kung-Fu a Look Back on Donnie Yen’s Cat III Cult Classic written by Paul Bramhall, and archival images.

Summary:

Lu Chun-Ku directed Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead. His other notable films are The Master (1980), The Lady Assassin, Holy Flame of the Martial World, and Bastard Swordsman.

The narrative revolves around a professor who becomes the main suspect in the killings of a few of his female students.When the police refuse to believe him about what happened that night, he takes matters into his own hands.

Though most Hong Kong films have a dominant genre that they fit into, genre blending and Hong Kong cinema are two things that go hand in hand. Case in point: Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead is a film that is just as much a supernatural horror film as it is an action film. That said, supernatural horror is the focus in the opening and closing sections, while an action-dominated middle section shifts its focus to police procedural.

The 1990s saw a rise in exploitation cinema in Hong Kong, resulting in a truly wild time where anything could happen. Sex and violence are the two things that drive Cat III cinema, and Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead has both of these in an ample amount. There are two versions of Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead: a clothed version and an unclothed version. That said, sex takes a backseat when it comes to the clothed version (aka Cat II version).

Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead dives head first into a fury of carnage before any characters are fleshed out. What starts off as a mundane party quickly becomes a blood bath with a moon demon assaulting and killing several women. Unfortunately, after such a powerful opening sequence, things lose steam with a dramatic tonal shift towards police investigating what happened.

Donnie Yen (Iron Monkey) is cast in the role of the protagonist, a professor who is wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit. Even in this early role, Donnie Yen already has a strong screen presence. That said, the rest of the cast features several recognizable faces who are all great in their roles.

Though there is no denying that Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead is a crazy ride, it is not a film without shortcomings. Notably, its tonal shifts slow the momentum down. That said, the supernatural horror moments have a lot more energy than the police procedural moments. Ultimately, Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead's crazy premise and enthusiastic performances make for a highly entertaining thrill ride.

88 Films gives Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead its best home media release to date, recommended.