DREADNAUGHT (Eureka Classics) Blu-ray

Firstly, another great release by eureka. I have been waiting for this release, for a long time. Picture looks great, you get a booklet inside with some cool information and pictures.Wong Fei Hung movie starring the best ever to portray him, Kwan Tak Hing. Along with Yuen Biao, Leung Kar Yan, Fung Hak On, Yuen Shun Yee as the main villain is awesome.Yuen Biao showing everyone how to “rinse and hang your clothes” is a great moment. One movie where the lead doesn’t improve his kung fu skills, but doesn’t need too in the end. Great film, cast, story… looking forward to On The Run and Righting Wrongs coming soon also.

LOVE THIS MOVIE

Bought this product for a book that I am writing and ithis film has exactly what I have been looking for with regards to my research. Awesome!

On April the 25th, Eureka released two classic Yuen Biao films that show different sides to the star's personality and physical skills, so henceforth, I shall call it Yuen Biao day...maybe it'll catch on.'Dreadnaught' doesn't have as many extras as 'Knockabout' (reviewed elsewhere) so as a package, it isn't quite as impressive. The print, however, is gorgeous - see the above image for just how beautiful the contrast and black levels are when played on an OLED. The other point to remember is that 'Dreadnaught' is a superb film though a very different one from not only 'Knockabout' but also most of what Yuen Woo Ping had done before of since. If Yuen Woo Ping ever directed a horror film, this might be what it would look like - certain scenes, like the alleyway chase between the hero and villain, is dripping in atmosphere and tension. What is remarkable is that there are many moments that are dark, almost like a psychological thriller, while other moments are funny, then action-packed, then full of pathos. If you ever doubted the man behind the lens, this should dispel it; the balance is just about right and even fits in some strange, almost fantastical elements at the end. It's quite unlike anything else you'll ever see, a kung-fu comedy giallo. In 'Knockabout', Biao is cocky and cheeky, but here he is meek and diffident - in both roles, he's superb. He doesn't get to show off his acrobatic skill quite like he does in 'Knockabout', but he is still given some cracking scenes. And it's nice to see those extraordinary little scenes that make Yuen Woo Ping films stand out; the secret fight between Wong Fei Hong and the tailor is sublime and the scene with Yuen Biao doing laundry in a most unorthodox manner was so good that they stole it for 'Batman Forever' (though you can't really compare the two). Another necessary purchase, then, especially if you want something a little different.

Great movie