Import Corner: One Armed Boxer (Eureka Entertainment) Blu-ray Review + Arrow Video Comparison

One Armed Boxer has long been a much requested title for a blu-ray release and thankfully Eureka has answered this request with a blu-ray that fans will be honored to have in their collections.

Studio: Eureka Entertainment
Release Date: August 2nd, 1972 (theatrical)

May 24th, 2021 (blu-ray) (Eureka release)

May 24th, 2022 (blu-ray) (Arrow Video release)
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes 15 seconds
Region Code: B (locked) (Eureka release)

A (locked) (Arrow Video release)
Picture: 1080p (2.35:1 aspect ratio) (both releases)
Sound: Mandarin LPCM 2.0 (both releases)

English LPCM 2.0 (both releases)
Subtitles: English (both releases)
Slipcover: Yes (limited) (both releases)
Digital Copy: No (both releases)
Starring: Jimmy Wang Yu, Yeh Tien, Chao Liu, Hsiao Yu, Fei Lung, Chung-Kuei Chang, Shao-Chun Chang, and Yi-Kuei Chang

Written by Jimmy Wang Yu
Directed by Jimmy Wang Yu
Rating: BBFC:18 (martial arts violence) (Eureka release)

Not Rated (martial arts violence) (Arrow Video release)

NOTE: I have updated this review with my thoughts on the brand new Arrow Video US blu-ray release. Every section, except for the film review, has been updated. I have also included screenshot comparisons between the two releases down in the screenshots section at the bottom of this review.

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Poster

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What's It About?

Yu Tien Lung, a top martial artist who after incurring the wrath of a local gang leader, is attacked by a team of deadly mercenaries and has his right arm violently severed. Yu Tien soon trains his remaining arm to be stronger than ever, and goes on a rip-roaring rampage of revenge!

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Film Review

This is my first time seeing ONE ARMED BOXER. I have seen the film's sequel, MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE, but for some reason, I have just now sat down to watch this. I liked it, but it is a bit lackluster. The fight scenes are really great here with the highlight being the fight between all the different fighters in the middle of the film. Not only is the fight choreography top-notch, but the camera work is too. I liked Jimmy Wang Yu as well, but his fight scenes are not the greatest. He is stiff and kind of clumsy. I really wish that he would have just let someone else be the lead in the film while he focused on directing. Still, the fight scenes are fun and the film moves at a pretty good pace. It's not as good as MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE, but it's still pretty good in its own right.

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Video/Audio

Featuring a "brand new HD restoration from original film elements", ONE ARMED BOXER looks amazing. Eureka has really been killing it the past few years with their martial arts releases and this is another one to add to the list. The picture is clean with no lines, scratches, or any of the other imperfections that us old-school martial arts fans have become accustomed to. Colors are vibrant and skin tones are accurate. Nothing looks washed out and everything seems balanced nicely.

There are three tracks included here, two Mandarin ones and an English one. All the tracks are nicely done with dialogue sounding great and the film's score, including the theme from SHAFT getting some nice play.

Arrow has used the same transfer that Eureka did for their UK release. This means that if you already have the UK release, you do not need to get the US release if picture quality is the reason. Arrow tracks Eureka used for their release, but Arrow went with DTS-HD authoring instead of the LPCM authoring Eureka used. They sound the same. Couldn’t tell the difference.

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Extras/Packaging

Audio Commentary with Asian Film Expert Frank Djeng

Alternate English Credits (1m 57s, HD, 2.35:1) From an International Print of the Film

Still Galleries:

Production Stills (22 images)

Artwork (10 images)

Lobby Cards (31 images)

Original Hong Kong Trailer (4m 11s, HD, 2.35:1) Not subtitled in English

The Chinese Professionals Promo (55s, HD, 1.33:1) Original advert for the US release

We have another winning commentary track from Frank Djeng. He covers a ton of topics like why the film was shot in Mandarin, placing the film in the context of when it was made, as well as pointing out the film's many problems. Mr. Djeng is a very personable person who clearly loves the films he does commentary tracks for and I always look forward to his commentary tracks.

The rest of the special features are interesting if only a one time watch for most. I liked the alternate opening credits and it was really nice to see the trailer for the film's American release.

Commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng
2001 interview with actor/director Wang Yu by Frédéric Ambroisine (41m 16s, SD, 1.78:1)
Alternate English Credits (1m 58s, HD, 2.35:1)

Trailer Gallery:

Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (4m 13s, HD, 2.35:1) Mandarin with English subtitles
U.S. TV Spot (1m 4s, SD, 1.33:1)

U.S. Radio Spot (1m, SD)

Wang Yu Trailer Gallery (34m 29s, HD):

The One-Armed Swordsman

Golden Swallow

Return of the One-Armed Swordsman

The Chinese Boxer

Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman

Screaming Tiger

Man from Hong Kong

Blood of the Dragon

Master of the Flying Guillotine

Point the Finger of Death

The special features is where the US and UK releases differ. Both releases feature the excellent Frank Djeng commentary track that was recorded for the UK release as well as the film’s original theatrical trailer and the Alternate English Credits. That’s it. The UK release does feature “Still Galleries”, which are not found on the US release (not the same ones anyways. y

The interview is from a French dvd while the video spot and trailer gallery are “new”. The trailer gallery is really cool as I am always up for a good trailer gallery.

The packaging is also different with the film’s theatrical poster being the only carryover. The US release contains a booklet with an essay from Simon Abrams while the UK booklet contains an essay from James Oliver.

ONE ARMED BOXER comes packaged in nice blu-ray packaging. The slipcover features some nice commissioned artwork. The blu-ray case is the type that Criterion and Powerhouse use which I like. It makes the artwork look better. The artwork on the blu-ray is reversible with the commissioned artwork on one side and the film's original theatrical poster on the other side. There is a 20-page booklet featuring a brand new essay from James Oliver, a review of the film from the book The Ultimate Guide to Martial Arts Movies of the 1970's by Dr. Craig D. Reid, and viewing notes. Finally, a folder poster featuring both the commissioned and theatrical artwork.

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Overall

ONE ARMED BOXER is a fun martial arts flick with some pretty cool fight scenes. The film is considered a classic, but I think that I will have to watch it a few more times before I jump on that bandwagon. The blu-ray from Eureka is just amazing. They have been doing a great job with their martial arts movies and this is no exception. The special features are a little light, but we have another outstanding commentary track from Frank Djeng, so all is right in the world. This is a must own release.

So, which release should you get? Unless you really want that James Oliver essay or you are a Eureka Entertainment enthusiast, I would go with the Arrow release. They have just about everything that the Eureka release has while adding in more. The Arrow (US) release is the best bang for your buck.

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Screenshot Comparisons