Flaming Brothers – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1987
Director: Joe Cheung
Writer: Wong Kar-wai
Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Alan Tang, Pat Ha, Jenny Tseng, Patrick Tse, James Yi, Philip Chan, Norman Chui 

Release Date: September 15th, 2025 (UK), September 16th, 2025 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 102 Minutes 59 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £17.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Both orphaned at a young age, Cheung Ho-tin (Chow) and Chan Wai-lun (Tang) grew up together on the streets, forming a strong bond in their childhood that remains unbroken as they become triad brothers in adulthood. Having recently opened a nightclub together, they begin to feel that they have finally made it. That is, at least, until they become embroiled in a conflict with the ruthless gangster Ko Lo-sei (Patrick Tse) and his right-hand man (Norman Chui), who threaten to take away everything that Tin and Lun have worked for." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Flaming Brothers presented in 1080p HD from a new 2K restoration."

Flaming Brothers comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45 GB

Feature: 31.7 GB

The source looks excellent; colors look correct, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese), 4/5 (LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options: a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and a LPCM mono mix in English. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. That said, the Cantonese language track sounds more robust than the English language track. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track, as well as removable English subtitles for Cantonese text and songs when viewing the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 18 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), alternate English-language credits (3 minutes 12 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a locations featurette by CFK (31 minutes 36 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with director Joe Cheung titled The Ambassador (45 minutes 4 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with non-removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, an O-card slipcase (limited to 2,000 copies), and a 20-page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled Hong Kong Godfathers: A Brief History of Heroic Bloodshed written by Camille Zaurin (limited to 2,000 copies), and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

Joe Cheung directed Flaming Brothers. He’s known for The Incredible Kung Fu Master, Pom, Pom, Rosa, and The Banquet. The screenplay for Flaming Brothers was written by Wong Kar-wai, who would go on to be a notable filmmaker in 1990s and beyond Hong Kong cinema. Flaming Brothers was produced by In-Gear Film, the production company that would produce Wong Kar-wai’s As Tears Go By and Days of Being Wild.

Two orphans living on the streets of Macau grow up and fight their way to the top of the crime world, becoming triad leaders. Now in a position of power, they become targets when they refuse to allow drug sales at their nightclub.

Although Flaming Brothers has elements synonymous with Heroic Bloodshed films, notably unbreakable bonds between characters and a hellfire of bullets leaving behind a large body count, like so many Hong Kong films, it effectively blends multiple genres. When characters are not in shootouts fighting for their lives, there are more lighthearted romantic moments, and some humor is thrown in for good measure.

The opening setup does an excellent job setting the foundation for the events that follow. Chan Wai-lun and Cheung Ho-tin, the two orphan boys, forge an unbreakable bond in these opening moments. There is a third character, Ho Ka Hei, a young girl who is living at a convent with nuns. Her paths cross with Chan Wai-lun and Cheung Ho-tin when she catches them stealing rice. Wanting to put them on the right path and away from a life of crime, she brings them rice. They quickly fall back on their old ways when Ho Ka Hei is adopted and moves away.

Chow Yun-fat (City on Fire) was a significant presence in Hong Kong cinema in 1986 and 1987, appearing in 11 films during each of those years. In Flaming Brothers, he takes on one of the lead roles, Cheung Ho-tin, a character that aligns perfectly with his strengths as an actor. Cast opposite of Chow Yun-fat is Alan Tang in the role of Chan Wai-lun. Another performance of note is Patrick Tse’s (Shaolin Soccer) portrayal of Ko Lo Sei, a triad boss whose plans are derailed by Chan Wai-lun and Cheung Ho-tin. Rounding out the cast is Pat Ha (On the Run) in the role of Ho Ka Hei and Jenny Tseng (Immortal Story) in the role of Jenny; these two characters are the love interests of the two leads.

When it comes to the violent set pieces, Flaming Brothers is a film that does not hold back. Its two big set pieces are a scene where Chan Wai-lun is ambushed by Ko Lo Sei in a gun deal he set up and a high body count finale that takes place in a stable filled with horses. Although Heroic Bloodshed films are known for their violent set pieces, Flaming Brothers has one of the hardest to watch; it is a scene where a child is killed in front of his father.

The narrative does a superb job holding your attention and building momentum to its explosive finale that is 10 minutes of wall-to-wall action. Most of the action and the carnage take place in the opening and closing acts, while the middle section of the film is more character-driven. Another strength of the narrative is how much time it devotes to characters' relationships. Ultimately, Flaming Brothers is a very effective blend of melodrama and over-the-top mayhem.

Flaming Brothers 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