Furious Swords and Fantastic Warriors: The Heroic Cinema of Chang Cheh

Five-disc set includes: The Trail Of The Broken Blade (Duan Chang Jian) (1967)Forced to go into hiding after killing the corrupt official responsible for his father's murder, young nobleman LI Yueh makes friends with martial arts expert Fang. What LI doesn't know is that Fang is out to return him to his girlfriend... whom Fang has also fallen for. Explosive fight scenes and a tender love triangle highlight this Shaw Brothers action opus starring Jimmy Wang Yu, Chiao Chuang, and Chin Ping. 104 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR The Wandering Swordsman (You Xia Er) (1970)Taking a cue from Robin Hood, a skilled swordsman (David Chiang) pilfers the wealth of criminals in order to provide for the neediest in his land. Naturally, the miscreants take offense and mount a campaign to destroy the noble hero's exploits. This romantic, funny, and action-packed Shaw Brothers adventure also stars Lily LI, Pei-Shan Chang. 103 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR King Eagle (Ying Wang) (1971)A reclusive swordsman attempts to remain neutral in the conflict between two Chinese clans, fighting only as a champion to the innocent people who suffer as a result of the war. But his desire to stay out of the battle proves ultimately futile when he becomes caught between the beautiful twins who are leading the factions. Ti Lung, Lee Ching star in this martial arts saga. 80 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR Trilogy Of Swordsmanship (Qun Ying Hui) (1972)Yueh Feng, Cheng Kang and Chang Cheh split respective directing duties for the segments of this anthology, where a young woman (Shih Szu) finds a comic workaround from the unwanted attentions of a persistent suitor (Tin Ching); a prostitute (Lily Ho Li-LI) has a fateful liaison with a renowned general (Chung Wa); and a nomadic hero (David Chiang) faces beheading absent a timely rescue from the siblings (Ti Lung, LI Ching) he once saved. 108 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR The Iron Bodyguard (Da Dao Wang Wu) (1973)The owner of a respected security company takes aim at corruption in the government by recruiting a public official who champions reform. This won't be a mild campaign of speeches and pamphlets, though-the reformers plan to make their point with the tip of a bloody sword! Shaw Brothers classic stars Kuan Tai Chen, Hua Yueh. 93 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR Men From The Monastery (Shao Lin Zi Di) (1974)Fang Shih Yu (Alexander Fu Sheng), proud survivor of the Wooden Men gauntlet... Hu Huei Chien (Chi Kuan-Chun), desperate to attain the skill for revenge on his father's killers... Hong Xiguan (Chen Kuan-Tai), Shaolin student hunted by the Qing authority for his defiance. They'll pool their abilities for a stunning showdown iin Chang Cheh's battle saga; Chiang Tao, Lo Dik, Bruce Tong Yim-Chaan co-star. 101 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR Shaolin Martial Arts (Hong Quan Yu Yong Chun) (1974)Two generations after the Shaolin Temple's destruction, what had been a quiet coexistence between a town's two martial arts schools became a flashpoint for deadly vendettas and the mastery of new fighting styles to determine who'd come out on top. Chang Cheh's star-packed battle saga features Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan-Chun, Leung Kar-Yan, Johnny Wang Lung-Wei, Gordon Liu Chia-Hui, Bruce Tong Yim-Chaan, Chiang Tao. 106 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: R The Fantastic Magic Baby (Hong Hai Er) (1975)Chang Cheh's opulent "Journey to the West" costumer told with Peking Opera flair follows the Monkey King (Lau Chung-Chun), Pigsy (Chen I-Ho) and Sandy (Yeung Fui-Yuk) as they have to rescue their monk road companion Tripitaka (Teng Jue-Jen) from the clutches of "fantastic magic baby" Red Boy (Ting Wa-Chung). Red Boy's parents, you see, want to have Tripitaka for dinner-but not as a guest. 96 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR The New Shaolin Boxers (Cai LI Fa Xiao Zi) (1976)Carriage driver Zhong (Alexander Fu Sheng) was good with his fists, and had a righteous sense of justice-but his propensity for action before thinking wore thin on his neighbors and martial arts masters. Can he discover the necessary discipline to rid his village of it's human predators? Chang Cheh's unconventional "Shaolin cycle" opus co-stars Jenny Tseng, Johnny Wang Lung-Wei, Lo Dik, Leung Kar-Yan. 96 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: PG-13 The Weird Man (Shen Tong Shu Yu Xiao Ba Wang) (1983)The corrupt warlord General Sun Ce (Chao Kuo) wasn't keen about how the powerful Taoist master Yu Ji (Cheng Tien-Chi) was speaking out against him, and connived to have his detractor executed by beheading. Incredibly. That wasn't the end of it-as a bizarre resurrection ritual left Yu Ji's head back on his shoulders, and sent him on a quest for vengeance. Way-out-there mash-up from Chang Cheh also stars Liu Yu-Po, Huang Min-Yi, Wang LI, Jason Piao Pai. 87 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles. C/Rtg: PG-13 Widescreen; Soundtrack: Mandarin; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; featurettes. In Mandarin with English subtitles.