View Full Version : Chinese Super Ninjas - WOW!
<CENTER>http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/csn.gif </CENTER>
Finally watched this DVD over the weekend...
...a little known, notoriously hard to get, gem from the Shaw Brothers cannon (1983)...
...and just thought I'd champion it on here (Yeah, yeah I know it's a bit too cult and I doubt more than 4 people have seen / heard of it! (...but if even one of you gets turned on to the Shaw Brothers movies following this post I'll die happy!) :p
The film has basically the standard revenge type plot but it has some quite simply ingenius uses of weapons, choreography and characters... It's alternate title is <I>Five Element Ninjas</i> so it has ninjas fighting with styles based on Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold & Water. (I wonder if this got remade post-<I>The Fifth Element</I> there be a Love Ninja!? :D :p
Anyway...
Sadly the DVD is P&S from it's original Shawscope ratio (2:35:1) tho' it surprisingly doesn't seem to suffer too badly, and dubbed (well it is a Shaw Brothers movie!) but if you even care about Kung Fu films or are a Shaw Brothers fan - particularly the Venoms flicks (<I>Five Venoms</I>, <I>Invincible Shaolin</I>, <I>Crippled Avengers</i>) then you really owe it to yourself to check it out...
One can only pray that this get an early release window when the Shaw Brother's catalogue gets a long over due restored/remastered release...
In the meantime here's what to do if you get attacked by a wood ninja... (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/ninjas.mov) :nuts:
charlie angel
11-02-2002, 12:32
Where'd you get yours from Garry?
HKFlix (http://www.hkflix.com/) not necessarily the cheapest (It'll work out about £13)...as you have to order in US$ and the shipping tends to cost a bit so it's best to buy in bulk...
I had firstly tried ********* (http://www.*********.com/) (£9.99) but they couldn't get hold of it! :(
BTW There's a handful of cool reviews of these movies here (http://www.dvdcult.com/KFDVDReviews.htm)
Shingster
11-02-2002, 12:55
I'd hold off buying any Shaw Bros film right now because a DVD production company are going to start releasing the Shaw range this year! There's a good chance they'll be OAR as well!
Don't know any more details than that, but there are other members of the forums who do know the details, so it'll only be a matter of time before they post here. :p
Yeah I know that Shingster...
Someone emailed the company (who now owns the whole catalogue) and their response was;<font color ="#000000" size = 1 face = "Century Gothic">
<HR><I>Thank you very much for your enquiry and your interest in the Shaw Brothers movies.
Celestial Pictures will be releasing the classic SB movies on DVD in Hong Kong, America and the UK some time in Spring. The exact release dates have not yet been decided.
For your infomation, we are in the process of remastering the negatives and will re-package them in a high quality standard DVD format. The soundtrack and sub-titling will be greatly improved and it will have a widescreen format.
The titles to be released will include martial arts, action, adventures, period drama, comedy and musical, and they will be in their original language with English subtitles.
Celestial Pictures produces and distributes feature films and television programs primarily in Asian local languages for audiences to enjoy in theaters, on home video, on television, and on-line. Celestial Pictures owns the world's largest collection of Chinese feature films, including the Shaw Brothers library.
Once again, thank you for your patience and we look forward to your continued support!
Best regards,
Alice Leung
___________________________
Executive Assistant to CEO </I><HR></font>
However I'm hearing that the DVD won't contain the now legendary english dubs so it ain't a waste to buy the bootlegs...
...and also do you realise the amount of films that are in this catalogue! If you think waiting for 2 years to get <I>A Bullet in the Head</i> from HKL is long then imagine how long you could be waiting for your favourite Shaw movie?! :eek: :(
Michael Brooke
11-02-2002, 16:54
I second the recommendation – I’ve adored <I>Five Element Ninjas</I> ever since I saw it three times at the late lamented Scala Cinema in 1986 (correct aspect ratio, subtitles <U>and</U> wildly enthusiastic audience!). I might well go for this, so thanks for the info.
Shingster
11-02-2002, 17:08
Originally posted by Garry Cowell
also do you realise the amount of films that are in this catalogue! If you think waiting for 2 years to get <I>A Bullet in the Head</i> from HKL is long then imagine how long you could be waiting for your favourite Shaw movie?! :eek: :(
:D I get your point m8!, they did release new films at an alarming rate, Chang Cheh alone made over 70 films in 15years didn't he? I just meant that you never know, this might be one of the early/launch titles, so maybe it'd be worth waiting a little bit to see if there's a possibility of a better release in the near future! The term "Needle in haystack" does spring to mind though! :D
I've only seen a small few Shaw Bros films! :(, read up on them a bit, but not watched enough, so i'm looking foward to this Celestial pics deal. :)
i remember reading somewhere that this film was cut to high heaven because the reviewer was not best pleased and complained about a lot of blood and gore being cut out.
It may not have been this dvd though i honestly can't think of another dvd version about.
I suppose if you want to see the film now then it's still the best version
saltysam
11-02-2002, 20:39
invincible shaolin & dirty ho from the same company are in their proper aspect ratio-not good quality though,i reckon ground zero use vhs as their masters.i also recommend the five deadly venoms & return of the five deadly venoms from crash cinema -also widescreen.
charlie angel
12-02-2002, 10:05
I've now ordered Chinese Super Ninjas - sounds great :)
Originally posted by mr_woo
i remember reading somewhere that this film was cut to high heaven because the reviewer was not best pleased and complained about a lot of blood and gore being cut out.
It may not have been this dvd though i honestly can't think of another dvd version about.
I suppose if you want to see the film now then it's still the best version Put it this way if <I>Chinese Super Ninjas</I> is cut then I'd love to see an uncut one! :eek: There's more gore in it than gawd!
Did you not see my Quicktime Mov above?! :rolleyes:
I agree with saltysam and also add <I>Master Killer</I> and <I>The Kid with the Golden Arm</I>
Note: There's two versions of 'Kid' DVD floating about; a really scabby bootleg of 4th generation VHS P&S copy; and a decent WS copy. Don't order it unless you're sure of the WS one!
I've also got <I>Flag of Iron</I> and <I>Five Fingers of Death</i> to watch later this week so I'll keep you posted on them...
ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE WS with the exception of <I>Chinese Super Ninjas</I>.
More info on the Venoms here (http://go.to/fivedeadlyvenoms)
saltysam
12-02-2002, 14:59
five fingers of death is vhs quality, fist of the white lotus i have heard is 1:85:1 and there is also return of the chinese boxer with jimmy wang yu which is 2:35:1
Originally posted by saltysam
five fingers of death is vhs quality...It pretty much goes without saying that ALL these DVD can only hope to amount to VHS/Broadcast quality at best. After all they are to all intents and purposes bootlegs. :(
I'll do some screen grabs for tomorrow...
Note these are all 720x480, around 150K and direct from the DVD...
I picked the DVDs which best illustrated what you get on average. Some are better (<I>Flag of Iron</I>) some are worse (<I>Master Killer</i>)...
Firstly, three shots from <I>Crippled Avengers</i> (aka Return of the Five Deadly Venoms) which represents the non-anamorphic widescreen DVDs...
...ca1.jpg (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/ca1.jpg)
...ca2.jpg (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/ca2.jpg)
...ca3.jpg (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/ca3.jpg)
Secondly, three shots from <I>Chinese Super Ninjas</i> which is sadly Pan & Scan...
...nin1.jpg (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/nin1.jpg)
...nin2.jpg (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/nin2.jpg)
...nin3.jpg (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/nin3.jpg)
...and finally an identical shot from the 'decent (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/kg1.jpg)' bootleg of <I>Kid with the Golden Arm</i> and the 'scabby (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/kg2.jpg)' bootleg.
<B>Note: If you look closely not ONLY is the scabby bootleg mastered from a 3rd/4th generation VHS tape but it's actually from a 1.33:1 P&S version that is then matted to around 1.66:1 to give the illusion of widescreen!</B>
I really hope the people responsibly for this die a slow and painful death (ala the wood ninja! (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/ninjas.mov)) :p
charlie angel
13-02-2002, 19:48
Garry, you have your wish - I am well & truly 'turned on' to Shaw Brothers stuff having read this thread a few times. Now, onto a question -
Any idea where I can pick up a copy of 5 Deadly Venoms? HKFlix hav the Return of, but not the first. Is it available, or long gone?
saltysam
13-02-2002, 21:55
cdnow.com have it in stock,but make sure you select the widescreen version-fantastic movie!
You Can Try www.dvdclub.ukf.net
they seem to have most of the shaw u.s. releases.
A little more expensive but free shipping.........
Super Ninja's is only cut in the last scene, where the villain gets his commupance......i wont spoil it and tell you what happens to him....:D
charlie angel
14-02-2002, 09:11
Originally posted by saltysam
cdnow.com have it in stock,but make sure you select the widescreen version-fantastic movie!
Cheers matey! :)
Originally posted by DaveR
Super Ninja's is only cut in the last scene, where the villain gets his commupance......i wont spoil it and tell you what happens to him....:D Really!? Use Spoiler tags or email me! I wanna know! :nuts:
BTW I since found out that the language has been censored as well! :(
Here's a clip (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/secret.mp3) - anyone familar with Shaw dubs should guess the missing word! :p
charlie angel
20-02-2002, 16:11
My copy of Chinese Super Ninjas turned up today :clap: Guess what I'll be watching tonight!
Garry, any updates on the other films you were going to watch- 5 Fingers of death etc?
<bgsound SRC="http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/ninja.mp3" loop="1">I watched <I>Five Fingers of Death</I> - quite a poor WS transfer :( but rather a good film! :D
I understand it was made about the same time (or <I>just</i> after) Bruce Lee's <I>Fist of Fury</i> but for some reason I thought it was made before when I watched it - which made me enjoy/appreciate it more!
It's still a cool flick for its age and surprisingly bloody!
<I>Flag of Iron</i> - This is a good WS transfer the red on this DVD is unreal! (Intentional? - I don't know! I'll do some grabs later!) it's a cool Venoms flick but sadly only 3 of the 6 Venoms are present.
Next batch I'm awaiting are two more Venoms flicks; <I>Killer Army</i> and <i>Masked Avengers</i> - I'll keep you posted!
...and remember loss of a fight means loss of a life for a samurai! :nuts:
charlie angel
20-02-2002, 20:13
Originally posted by Garry Cowell
[BNext batch I'm awaiting are two more Venoms flicks; <I>Killer Army</i> and <i>Masked Avengers</i> - I'll keep you posted!
[/B]
Excellent! I've got 5 Deadly Venoms on the way as well now :clap:
charlie angel
21-02-2002, 09:36
Fantastic film! The fight choreography was absolutely amazing & I'm now confident that if I'm attacked by any 4 element Ninja, I'll know what to do.
Hopefully this will get a release in the OAR at some point.
Cheers for the recommendation Garry - now bring on them 5 Deadly Venoms :clap:
Awesome! I'll die happy! :p
A quick word about <I>Five Venoms</i> don't expect wall-to-wall fighting like most of the other Venoms flicks it's more character/story driven...
Here's my list of Venoms flicks in order of preference (so far)...
<I>Crippled Avengers</i> aka Return of the Five Deadly Venoms
<I>Invincible Shaolin</i>
<i>Killer Army</i>, <I>Masked Avengers</i>, <i>Five Venoms</i>
<i>Kid with the Golden Arm</i>
<i>Flag of Iron</i>
I've had to order this now, after seeing the clip Garry posted!! :D
charlie angel
21-02-2002, 11:54
Originally posted by Richie
I've had to order this now, after seeing the clip Garry posted!! :D
Good man :)
I'm now making my workmates refer to me as 'The 6th Deadly Venom'
I'm sure they're impressed ;)
Originally posted by Richie
I've had to order this now, after seeing the clip Garry posted!! :D Cool! Nice to know it was working! It only took 10 days for 'someone' to acknowledge it! :rolleyes:
I was very disappointed by the R1 version of Invincible Pole fighters. It is pan and scan.
I have had a widescreen TV for 3 years now. But it is only in the past year (since I have developed an Appetite for MA films post CTHD) that I have begun to appreciate the value of w/s.
As a rule don't buy p and s kung-fu unless u are DESPERATE.
U simply end up frustrated.
I have The Buddhist Fist waiting to be watched which is in lovely 2.35:1 .
Always try www.secondspin.com for R1 martial arts. They are second hand but many films including most mentioned in this thread for £3 - £7. Postage is not too bad if memory serves.
I watched <I>Killer Army</i> the other day which is also a cool Venoms flick and unlike most of the other ones it seems to be set in more modern times (i.e. no Ming Dynasty type wigs/pony tails etc...) So it was fun seeing the Venoms with their natural, late 70's early 80's hair! :cool:
The film also contained some nice nods to other films (I think) in one particular scene while Lo Meng (Toad) is smacking his way through a posse of goons one of them uses Snake style and is promptly whacked into orbit... :clap:
Then Philip Kwok (Lizard) seems to step up to the challenge Samo set for chair-as-a-weapon fight (ala <I>Encounters of the Spooky Kind</i>) and out does him on every level.
(Note : They were actually shot the same year (1980) so I'm not sure who bit who, but as if follows the <I>Snake in the Eagle's Shadow</I> nod I assume it was a sly wink at the Golden Harvest boys!)
There's also a cool collection of weapons used, the over sized fist gloves brought a smile to my face, although the 'rubber' wooden staffs were a bit over used!
The transfer was a 2.35:1 WS but it was clearly a VHS transfer so it was the worst looking WS Venoms film I've seen. :(
Now on to <I>Masked Avengers</i> - I originally avoided buying this as it was a 1.33:1 transfer P&S job... but after buying <I>Chinese Super Ninja</i> in that format and loving it... I kind of felt guilty NOT buying <I>Masked Avengers</i> for the same reason.
Anyhow!
I ain't watched it yet - I'll give my opinon on it at a later date - but from what I have watched IT APPEARS NOT TO BE 1.33 P&S! :eek:
Basically after the opening credits, which are 2.35:1 stretched to **** at 1.33:1 (i.e everything is thinner than gawd with no black borders) I assumed it would jump to a 1.33 P&S transfer. However this wasn't the case; it appears that this was originally a 1.77:1 letter/scanned transfer, that has then been stretched up to 1.33:1 (i.e it's an anamorphic image that's been cropped!) Only time I've seen this - outside of balls-ed up Terrestrial TV broadcast, where they forgot to hit the 16:9 squash button - was the VHS release of <I>Shogun Assassin</i>.
Anyway I digress...
So basically people with WSTVs or TVs with a 16:9 option can watch this fine, else it's like all the actors have been starved for a month and have grown 12 inches!
Here's some grabs... (Note: the stretching seems less prononced on a PC Monitor)
...ma1.jpg (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/ma1.jpg)
...ma2.jpg (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/ma2.jpg)
...ma3.jpg (http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/ma3.jpg)
Anyone know how long do HKFlix take to deliver to the UK?
ta
Richie
I've ordered two lots of stuff from them and got 'em both in less that a week.
That was using the cheapest shipping method aswell (International Standard - Uninsured)
Shingster
27-02-2002, 17:06
Originally posted by Garry Cowell
Basically after the opening credits, which are 2.35:1 stretched to **** at 1.33:1 (i.e everything is thinner than gawd with no black borders) I assumed it would jump to a 1.33 P&S transfer. However this wasn't the case; it appears that this was originally a 1.77:1 letter/scanned transfer, that has then been stretched up to 1.33:1 (i.e it's an anamorphic image that's been cropped!)
Eastern Heroes' Hitman In the Hand of Buddha DVD also has this type of transfer.
charlie angel
27-02-2002, 20:33
Received my 5 Deadly Venoms today - I'm as excited as a ninja with a new sword :clap:
Awesome! Let me know what you think...or I'll sling you in an Iron Maiden! ;)
...hey and get <I>Crippled Avengers</i> aka Return of the Five Deadly Venoms ordered ASAP! :p :D
got my "Chinese super ninja" this morning!
Less than 7 days from ordering! Nice one HKFlix :clap:
me in ninja heaven! :D
charlie angel
28-02-2002, 11:30
Originally posted by Garry Cowell
...hey and get <I>Crippled Avengers</i> aka Return of the Five Deadly Venoms ordered ASAP! :p :D
Winging its way to me from Flix as we speak!
The venoms are the viewing for this weekend coming so I'll post when I've watched :) :clap:
Finally got around to watching this last week!
Three words - Hardcore! ********** hardcore!
No space for Jackie Chan / Golden Harvest in-jokes in this baby! :D
I wouldn't say it was way darker than the normal Chang Cheh film - but it was really oppressive.
We're talking all out gothic nastiness, in the same vein as the original <i>Five Venoms</i>.
Note : Like <I>Flag of Iron</i> only 'Lizard', 'Hybrid' and 'Centipede' were present, but this wasn't as noticeably as you can imagine from the title!
So what we got here is; people being trident'd to death, then having their blood drank, amidst a cult of nutcases, who laugh manically, start every sentence with "Well now..." and wear golden/bearded masks!
All shot grimly in a fortress thats internal decor includes a plethora of swastikas engravings! :nuts:
Make <B>no</B> mistake this is one creepy film!
Unsurprisingly! This movie didn't go down to well in '81, where the HK audience were hot for the new wave of kung fu/comedies...and sadly heralded the beginning of the end for the Venoms movies... :(
Needless to say I loved every minute! :clap:
Descriptions of the DVD can be found above...
Well this is FINALLY scheduled for a Celestial release. :clap:
18th Oct 2007 - I'm counting the days!!! :D
I'd also like to update the thread to say that many of the films discussed have since received Celestial (remastered/uncut/widescreen/subbed) versions which are awesome!
I've double dipped on Crippled Avengers, Rebel Intruders (aka Killer Army), Masked Avengers, Five Venoms, Flag Of Iron...
It's like 2002 all over again (albeit in OAR and subbed) :lol:
Also some of the other non 'Venoms' classics are getting an official release in the US via the Weinsteins company Dragon Dynasty.
These have an advantage of including the original ENGLISH dubs AS WELL as the Mandarin/Cantonese.
Specs (http://www.dragondynasty.com/films/show/89) for the classic 36th Chamber Of Shaolin.
SIMON ADEBISI
31-05-2007, 16:35
5 years and 2 month. This has to be a record thread resurrection!
Moving to World Cinema & DVD Forum
Peter UK
31-05-2007, 20:30
Stone me, blast from the past and all that.
October, huh?
charlie angel
31-05-2007, 21:05
Well this is FINALLY scheduled for a Celestial release. :clap:
18th Oct 2007 - I'm counting the days!!! :D
:) Fantastic news indeed. I remember this thread from days of yore.
Which Celestial releases are you guys getting, the HK releases or the Chinese ones?
ABOUT ZOKE SHAW TITLES: Celestial Shaw titles from Zoke China feature the exact same top-quality transfers as the IVL HK versions. Usually, the only difference other than the artwork is that Zoke DVDs have Simplified Chinese subtitles instead of Traditional, and that they are Region-Free instead of Region 3.
I've been getting them from CDWOW they generally have them for less than a tenner...they are the HK releases. I remember some inferior Thai releases back in the day that were only Single Layer. :gag: So not sure about the Chinese ones.
Peter UK
01-06-2007, 09:41
Hmmm, Zoke don't have the best reputation for snides. A fair few of their releases are boots iirc.
So not so sure about their Shaw releases.....
Cheers guys. I probably go the CD-Wow.com (£1 off DVDs, 50p off CDs!) (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.cd-wow.com/index.php?affid=15561) route then, providing they stay in business of course!
Oh man I can't wait!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63ubSsj3wF0
CLASSIC! :D
charlie angel
12-10-2007, 08:13
The new Five Element Ninjas DVD is up for preorder at CD-Wow (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.cd-wow.com/detail_results_2.php?product_code=2420233&subcat=region3&affid=15561) for £7.99 :thumbs:
Sweet! I've been watching 'Venoms' flicks all week in preparation! Masked Avengers & Flag Of Iron are must haves! Watched Kid With The Golden Arm too but that felt a bit weak this time. Will be checking out Rebel Intruders aka Killer Army and Magnificent Ruffians soon.
Mine's arrived! \o/ Will report back when I get chance to watch it.
The original trailer's up on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50P2mxW0-Tc). Oh yes!!! :thumbs:
Watched this yesterday. OMG! Was like seeing a different movie, can't believe how good this looks compared to the P&S version, also there's a lot more gore and violence in the Celestial as the older bootleg was sourced from a 'cut for TV' version. Here's some grabs of the previous Bootleg and the remastered Celestial version. If these don't make you want to upgrade nothing will! :)
http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/nin1.jpg
http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/fen1.jpg
http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/nin2.jpg
http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/fen2.jpg
http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/nin3.jpg
http://www.cityonfire.com/gZa/SB/fen3.jpg
charlie angel
02-11-2007, 12:52
Wow, that's astonishing - although I have a special gooey feeling for the P&S dubbed copy (as it was the first one I saw) the remaster looks aces. Now I just need mine to actually turn up :/
I got mine from Play-Asia (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-qy-49-en-15-five+element+ninjas-70-2c07.html) for about £8 including shipping. :thumbs:
charlie angel
20-11-2007, 14:53
My copy must've been on a slow boat, because it only arrived yesterday - put it on to check it out & fell in love with the pic quality; lush indeed - as 'charming' as the old P&S version is, this new one is peachy :)
The new subs are quite funny too! You got the usual typos and stuff but they're subtitles for all the weapons that get used. So you get stuff like "Weapon: arrows hidden in hat" :lol:
saltysam
20-11-2007, 19:28
watched this before,cracking movie :thumbs: i hear media blasters are releasing this in region 1 next year,it'll include an english dub option as well for those that like them :)
Yeah I heard about the Media Blasters version, will probably get that version too when it comes out. Hope they're as good as the Dragon Dynasty R1s especially 36th Chambers Of Shaolin (http://www.playusa.com/DVD/Region_1/CART/2-/3358495/-/Product.html?cur=513). Which everyone reading this thread SHOULD own. :notworthy
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