Encounters of the Spooky Kind – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1980
Director: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
Writers: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Huang Ying
Cast: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Wong Ha, Dick Wei, Lam Ching-ying, Wu Ma

Release Date: November 21st, 2022
Approximate running time: 103 Minutes 14 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese (Theatrical Mix), LPCM Mono Cantonese (Original Video Mix), LPCM Mono English (VHS Release), DTS-HD 5.1 English (Alternate Mix)
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"Sammo Hung plays Courageous Cheung, a man well known in his local village for his lack of fear. His reputation is soon put to the test after he is tricked into spending the night in a temple full of spirits, zombies, and vampires!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "a brand new 2K restoration (worldwide debut of this restoration on home video)".

Encounters of the Spooky Kind comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 39.4 GB

Feature: 32.9 GB

The source is in great shape; colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid, and there are no issues related to digital noise reduction. That said, image clarity is not as strong in some of the darker moments.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese - Original Video Mix, LPCM Mono English - VHS Release), 4/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese - Theatrical Mix), 3.75/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 English - Alternate Mix)

This release comes with four audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese-labeled theatrical mix, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese-labeled original video mix, a LPCM mono mix in English-labeled VHS release, and a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English-labeled alternate mix. Range-wise, the Cantonese mono track labeled original video mix and the English mono track are comparable; the other Cantonese mono track labeled theatrical mix is also very good, while the DTS-HD 5.1 English audio track sounds too spread out. Dialog comes through clearly, and action sequences sound appropriately robust. Included are removable English subtitles for Cantonese language tracks and a removable English subtitle track when watching the English language track that translates text in Cantonese.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery (24 images - posters/press book/stills), Hong Kong theatrical trailer (4 minutes 29 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), U.S. home video trailer (1 minute 26 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), alternate English opening and closing credits (4 minutes 28 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actor/director Sammo Kam-Bo Hung (12 minutes 57 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival), a reversible poster (limited to 2,000 copies), O-card slipcase (limited to 2,000 copies), and a   booklet (limited to 2,000 copies) with cast & crew information, an essay written by James Oliver, and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

Sammo Kam-Bo Hung directed Encounters of the Spooky Kind. He is also known for directing Knockabout, The Prodigal Son, Wheels on Meals, Eastern Condors, and Pedicab Driver.

A rickshaw driver is framed for a murder he did not commit by a rich client who was having an affair with her.

Encounters of the Spooky Kind is a significant film in Hong Kong cinema’s history; it was one of the first films to combine action and horror. Though the Jiangshi (Chinese hopping vampire) had appeared in films before Encounters of the Spooky Kind, they were only used sparingly up to that point in Hong Kong cinema. After Encounters of the Spooky Kind, there would be an influx of Jiangshi’s films, notably the Mr. Vampire film series.

Encounters of the Spooky Kind is a film that's tailor-made for Sammo Kam-Bo Hung’s psychical brand of humor. He’s an actor who perfectly fits the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover." Despite being one of the larger actors working in Hong Kong martial arts cinema, he’s one of the most athletic. He often does things that defy gravity. And though he can more than hold his own when it comes to physical humor, his comedic timing when it comes to delivering lines is second to none.

The opening moments do a phenomenal job establishing Sammo Kam-Bo Hung’s character, Courageous Cheung. Known for his bravery, he takes a bet to stay at an abandoned haunted house. Unfortunately for the men who made the bet with him, the house already has a ghost, and oblivious to what is going on, Courageous Cheung survives the night unscathed. Later on, Courageous Cheung will take a similar bet and unknowingly spend the night with Jiangshi.

Despite being an action/supernatural horror hybrid, things are not always balanced, with the latter being more dominant. The first half of the narrative is horror-heavy; it is not until around the 45-minute mark before the first action sequence. That said, all of the fight sequences are exceptional, especially a batshit crazy finale where Courageous Cheung fights like a monkey and his character's dialog is sped up.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Encounters of the Spooky Kind does not excel. The well-executed narrative moves at a brisk pace, and the humor always hits the mark. One of the funniest moments is a scene where a corpse mimics Courageous Cheung’s every move. And though Sammo Kam-Bo Hung steals the show, the rest of the cast are all great in their roles.

Encounters of the Spooky Kind gets a solid release from Eureka Video that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer