Eureka Entertainment graces us with another Sammo Hung flick in the form of The Shaolin Plot. Is the film any good? Is the blu-ray worth picking up?
Release Date: April 7th, 1977 (theatrical) / June 20th, 2022 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 49 minutes 47 seconds
Region Code: B (locked)
Picture: 1080p (2.35:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: Mandarin LPCM 1.0 / English LPCM 1.0
Subtitles: English
Slipcover: English
Digital Copy: No
Starring: James Tien, Chan Sing, Sammo Hung, Casanova Wong, Mang Hoi, and Lam Ching Ying
Written by Huang Feng
Directed by Huang Feng
Rating: BBFC: 15 (strong violence, injury detail, threat)
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Poster
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What's It About?
Hong Kong movie veteran Chen Hsing (THE IRON FISTED MONK) plays a tyrannical ruler with the aim of collecting all existing Chinese martial arts manuals in order to obtain ultimate power. After obtaining the Wu Tang manual, he sets his sights on the Shaolin Temple and the secrets of their fighting style. Two Shaolin Monks (Casanova Wong and Yeong-moon Kwon) must team up with a Wu Tang fighter (James Tien) to defeat the villainous despot.
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Film Review
I thought that the first hour or so is pretty good, but then I stopped caring. I can't put my finger on why, but I have a feeling its because I didn't care about any of the characters outside of Sammo Hung's evil monk. He was great but he isn't in the film nearly enough to make it good. The fight scenes are really great, but they aren't enough of those either. I am probably going to go back and watch this again sometime in the future because it isn't a bad film. It just failed to keep my attention for its overly long run time.
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Video/Audio
Featuring a transfer taken from a brand new 2K restoration, and presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, THE SHAOLIN PLOT looks great. Film grain is present, but light while detail is impressive. Colors and skin tones look accurate. There is a nice depth to the picture as well.
There are two audio tracks, both LPCM 1.0. Both tracks are well done with no problems detected.
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Extras/Packaging
Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng and Michael Worth
Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
Original Hong Kong theatrical trailer (3m 54s, HD, 2.35:1)
Original export trailer (2m 54s, HD, 2.35:1)
The slip cover features brand new artwork from Darren Wheeling, who has done artwork for Eureka in the past. His work on Eureka blu-rays like THE PRODIGAL SON/WARRIORS TWO, MR. VAMPIRE, and ODD COUPLE is always impressive and welcome and this release is no different. The blu-ray case features reversible artwork, with one side featuring the Darren Wheeling artwork while the other side features the film's original poster art. There is a 28-page booklet included featuring an essay by James Oliver. Both the booklet and the slipcover are limited to the first 2,000 copies.
The disc is REGION B (locked)
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Overall
While I didn't like THE SHAOLIN PLOT, the blu-ray is the real winner here. The picture and sound quality are fantastic and the two commentary tracks help enhance the film. Buy this if you are a martial arts fan or looking to complete your Sammo Hung or Eureka blu-ray collections.
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Extras/Menus
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Film
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Packaging
 Blu-ray Review + Screenshots + Packaging Shots){kind=link}
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