Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka "7 Grand Masters" or "7 Grandmasters")
directed by Joseph Kuo
Taiwan 1978
An aging Kung Fu master sets out on a journey to test his incredible fighting skills against other masters for one last time before retiring from the fight forever. Along the way, a young rascal persuades the old master to accept him as his final student. The young man excels, and quickly becomes proficient in Kung Fu. He then delivers a shocking challenge that reveals a dark, deadly secret. The final showdown between the masters threatens to shake they very pillars of heaven!
This
is a fun, simple film typical of the genre. It is packed with action sequences
and easy to watch one dimensional characters. A great initiation for anyone keen
on Kung Fu films.
|
Theatrical Release: 1978
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Media Blasters- Region 0 - NTSC
DVD Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from:
|
Distribution | Media Blasters. - Region 0 - NTSC | |
Runtime | 1:29:36 | |
Video |
2.25:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 8.11 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. | ||
Bitrate:
|
|
|
Audio | Mandarin (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby) , DUB: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby) | |
Subtitles | English, Spanish, None | |
Features |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Liner notes from Linn Hayes Original
trailer (4:56 , widescreen 4:3) |
Comments: |
On first viewing I was a little harsh on reviewing this title on DVD. I re-watched it a 2nd time and am able to clear up some of my previous points (with thanks to Linn Haynes). It is confirmed that the transfer was from a PAL source hence the "Ghosting" in the many of the images with movement (see first capture below). Although this becomes most apparent when doing screen captures for the review, it is far less noticeable on normal viewing. I originally stated that it was ported from a Mei Ah laserdisc - as I saw their logo open the film and this practice is quite common in many Asian DVDs. I was incorrect - Mei Ah, who owns the rights to the film, just got the rights a year ago to all of Joseph Kuo's films and licensed it to Media Blasters. This release was made from an original film negative in Mei Ah and remastered by them. The only releases of this film prior to this one was three full screen releases (one subbed and two dubbed) and a semi-widescreen release from German that was slightly cut. The colors
still seem a little washed out to me with a greenish
tinge, but I understand this was the original appearance of the film. I
again saw very minor damage (dust, speckles etc.) which did not detract
from the viewing experience. It is
anamorphic with decent contrast and unusually sharp for a release of
this genre and being this old. The subtitles
are clean, bright and I didn't notice any errors at all even on 2nd
viewing where I was scrutinizing. The subs are different than the
English DUB and my Chinese speaking wife verified their accuracy with
the audio. The Extras are not extensive with some trailers which are in very poor condition
and Linn Haynes informative liner notes.
|
Recommended Reading In Chinese Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
Memoirs from the Beijing Film Academy
by Zhen Ni, Chris Berry, Ni Zhen |
Zhang Yimou: Interviews (Conversations With
Filmmakers) by Frances Gateward |
Chinese Films in Focus: 25 New Takes by Chris Berry |
China into Film: Frames of Reference in Contemporary
Chinese Cinema (Envisioning Asia) by Jerome Silbergeld |
New Chinese Cinemas
by Nick Browne |
Once Upon a Time in China : A Guide to Hong Kong,
Taiwanese, and Mainland Chinese Cinema by Jeff Yang |
Chinese Film Theory by George S. Semsel |
Women Through the Lens: Gender and Nation in a
Century of Chinese Cinema by Shuqin Cui |
Tsai Ming-Liang by Tsai Ming-Liang |
Check out more in "The Library"
DVD Menus
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Subtitle Sample
![]() |
Screen Captures
Ghosting sample
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |