Import Corner: Knockabout (Eureka Entertainment) Blu-ray Review

Knockabout is a genuinely fun flick starring Yuen Biao and directed by Sammo Hung.

Studio: Eureka
Release Date: April 12th, 1979 (theatrical) / April 25th, 2022 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 44 minutes 44 seconds (theatrical) / 1 hour 33 minutes 4 seconds (export)
Region Code: B (locked)
Picture: 1080p (2.35:1 aspect ratio) (both versions)
Sound: Cantonese LPCM 1.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (new dub), English LPCM 1.0 (classic dub) (Hong Kong version) / English LPCM 1.0 (Classic dub), English LPCM 1.0 (Home Video dub) (Export version)
Subtitles: English
Slipcover: Yes (first 2,000 copies)
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung, Liang Chia-jen, Lau Kar-wing, and Karl Maka
Written by Louis Lau and Huang Chik-chin
Directed by Sammo Hung
Rating: BBFC: 15 (frequent moderate violence)

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Poster

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What's It About?

Brothers Yipao (Yuen Biao) and Taipao (Leung Kar-yan) are a couple of down on their luck conmen. After getting soundly defeated by the kung fu master, Silver Fox (Lau Kar-wing), the brothers realise it would be in their own self-interest if they learn how to fight, and they ask him to train them. Unfortunately, their new master is actually a ruthless killer, and when the brothers realise this, one of them is murdered. To get revenge, the surviving brother must learn a unique form of kung fu from an unlikely source, a beggar who just happens to be a master fighter!

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Film Review

KNOCKABOUT is the kind of film you get when people, who are good at what they do, are having fun making the film you are watching. Yuen Biao is utterly charming as a conman and he shows off his impressive skills in many of the film's awesome fight scenes. It is very clear that everyone involved cares about the film they are making. The jokes are funny and the fight scenes are exciting. The only complaint I have is that the film runs a bit too long for the story they are telling. Outside of that, this is a seriously fun flick.

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Video/Audio

Featuring a brand new 2K scan, and presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, KNOCKABOUT looks great. While watching the film, I actually thought that this was from a 4K scan and was very surprised to find out it is a 2K scan. The transfer is very strong with colors and detail receiving the biggest boost. Film grain is also strong but not overpowering.

There are four audio tracks with 2 tracks per cut. The original Cantonese language is the way to go, but the classic English dub tracks are worth a listen as well. Stay away from the newer dub. It's not very good.

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Extras/Packaging

Audio Commentary Frank Djeng and Michael Worth (Hong Kong version)
Audio Commentary Mike Leeder and Arne Venema (Export version)
Archival interview with Bryan “Beardy” Leung Kar-yan (7m 37s, SD, 1.78:1, 4x3) in Cantonese with English subtitles
Archival interview with Sammo Hung (7m 18s, SD, 1.78:1) in Cantonese with English subtitles
Archival interview with Grandmaster Chan Sau Chang (aka The Monkey King), a master of Monkey Style kung fu (25m 32s, SD, 1.78:1) in Cantonese with English subtitles
Deleted Scene (3m 50s, SD, 2.35:1) in Cantonese with English subtitles
Trailer (4m 2s, HD, 2.35:1) in Cantonese with English subtitles

I have spoken at length about the commentaries that Frank Djeng, Mike Leeder, and Arne Venema do, so I won't go into all of the greatness here, but I can say that both tracks are must listens. The included interviews are all older, but still fun. The deleted scene feels like it should have been the film's opening credits. It's pretty good.

The packaging is very familiar to the other kung fu blu-rays that Eureka has released like ODD COUPLE and WARRIORS TWO/THE PRODIGAL SON. The slipcover features some very nice artwork from artist Darren Wheeling. The 14mm clear blu-ray case features reversible artwork with the Darren Wheeling artwork on one side and the film's original theatrical poster on the other side. A 32-page booklet is also included featuring an essay by James Oliver as well as behind-the-scenes photos, an excerpt from the original Golden Harvest KNOCKABOUT sales flyer, along with various posters and lobby cards.

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Overall

KNOCKABOUT is the very definition of the word "fun" with some very funny scenes and exciting fight scenes. Eureka did a great job with this blu-ray, giving us two versions of the film, two commentary tracks, and a slew of interviews. This is a must-own for fans.

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Extras/Menus