Horrible History (Limited Edition) (Blu-ray) (UK Import)

Directed by Chang Cheh

Starring: Richard Harrison, Ti Lung, David Chiang, Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan-Chun, Leung Kar-yan, Wang Chung, Chen Kuan-Tai, Kurata Yasuaki, Lily Li, Ching Li, Gordon Liu, Tien Ching, Fan Mei-Sheng, Li Tung-Chun, Carter Wong
Contributors: Chang Cheh, Ni Kuang, Chen Yung-Yu, Kung Mu-To, Runme Shaw, Yuan Ting-Bang, Kuang Han-Lu
Studio: Eureka Classics
Genre: Action
Main Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Region: Region B
Release Date: 9 Dec 2024
Originally Issued: 1976
No of Discs: 2
BBFC Cert: (15) Suitable for 15 years and over.
Run Time: 459 minutes

Description

Collection of four historical action epics directed by Chang Cheh. In 'Marco Polo' (1975) the eponymous explorer (Richard Harrison) finds himself embroiled in a fight between the Mongol Empire and Chinese rebels in the 13th century. When an assassination attempt on the Khan (Li Tung-Chun) fails, one of the assassins, Zu Jianmin (Carter Wong), escapes.

The Khan sends his three personal bodyguards and Marco Polo after Zu Jianmin with orders to kill him, but the rebel has some powerful allies... 'The Pirate' (1973) follows 19th century pirate Cheung Po Tsai (Ti Lung) in his attempts to evade capture. Young general Hu Yi (David Chiang) is hunting pirates but when he finds Cheung Po Tsai, he realises that the pirate is aiding residents of a coastal village who are being exploited by the local authorities.

As he comes to respect the man and they test their skills against each other, he must decide whether to capture him or let him go free. In 'Boxer Rebellion' (1976) a group of Chinese patriots join forces to fight back against encroachment from Western nations into their country. Shuai Feng-yun (Chi Kuan-Chun), Chen Chang (Leung Kar-yan) and Tseng Hsien-han (Alexander Fu Sheng) are keen to join the uprising but the consequences of the rebellion will be brutal.

Finally in 'Four Riders' (1972) Feng Hsieh (Ti Lung) is framed for the murder of an American soldier. His friends Gao Yin-Han (Wang Chung) and Li Wei-Shi (Chen Kuan-Tai) know the truth and join forces with fellow soldier Jin Yi (David Chiang) to free him before he is executed. However, although they succeed in freeing Feng Hsieh, they then find themselves on the run.

Hunted by both the military police and members of the gang responsible for the murder of the American soldier, will they manage to escape?

Special Features

• Interactive Menus
• Interviews: Wayne Wong (Hong Kong cinema scholar)
• Commentary: Two new commentaries by Frank Djeng (East Asian film expert) and Michael Worth (martial artist/filmmaker); Two new commentaries by Mike Leeder and Arne Venema (action cinema experts)
• Other Documentary: 'Rewriting History'