Treasure of the Ninja Blu-ray

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

Directed by William Lee
USA 1987

Meet your new favorite action hero. Throughout the 1980s, Black filmmaker and martial artist William Lee wrote, produced, directed, and starred in dozens of D.I.Y. action epics -- all shot on Super 8 in Ohio and New York City. From TREASURE OF THE NINJA (1987, Lee's most ambitious and beloved movie) to THE NEW CHINESE CONNECTION (1980, an homage to Bruce Lee -- William Lee's idol), these inclusive and explosive works serve as an inspiration to anyone with a dream, pulse, or appreciation for spinning kicks. AGFA + Bleeding Skull! are elated to bring the best-of-the-best in William Lee's early filmography to a wider audience for the first time ever, complete with brand new transfers and a revelatory stack of previously unreleased films.

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William Lee wrote, produced, directed and starred in this film, which concerns a secret agent guiding an adventurous female professor on a search for the Treasure of the Ninja.

Posters

Theatrical Release: October 8th, 1987

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Review: American Genre Film Archive - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	American Genre Film Archive - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:45:52.145
Video	1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 44,833,578,665 bytes Feature: 24,050,073,600 bytes Video Bitrate: 27.96 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Blu-ray:
Audio	DTS-HD Master Audio English 591 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 591 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 384 kbps / 16-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: American Genre Film Archive 1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 44,833,578,665 bytes Feature: 24,050,073,600 bytes Video Bitrate: 27.96 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • TREASURE OF THE NINJA: Commentary track with William Lee and Bleeding Skull's Annie Choi and Joseph A. Ziemba • Bonus movie: DRAGON VS. NINJA (1984), previously unreleased and transferred in 2K from the original Super 8 elements (1:04:56) • Short: THE NEW CHINESE CONNECTION (1980), previously unreleased and transferred in 2K from the original Super 8 elements (22:35) • Shorts: the WILLIE JACK series, all previously unreleased and transferred in 2K from the original Super 8 elements (2:12) Return (2:57) Revenge (3:24) Willie Jack in the Jungle (2:53) • Reversible cover artwork Blu-ray Release Date: July 27th, 2021 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters 7

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: American Genre Film Archive Blu-ray (July 2021): AGFA have transferred William Lee's Treasure of the Ninja (and bonus films) to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New transfer from the original 3/4" master tape". Okay. So this is DIY filmmaking and shot on Super 8 so the quality is a direction function of the production limitations... which are readily apparent. In 1080P, 1.33:1, there are persistent weaknesses, damage, ghosting, flaring and noise. But that may be part of the appeal of the films included on this Blu-ray. After a brief period of getting used to it the film's kitsch humor really flourishes.

On their Blu-ray, American Genre Film Archive use a DTS-HD Master mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. Treasure of the Ninja is post DUB'ed and the quality is commiserate with the video. There are effects - a strange helicopter sound in spots and a theme song by 'Tully' (as mentioned in the commentary although I don't recall it.) American Genre Film Archive offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The American Genre Film Archive Blu-ray offers a commentary track with William Lee and Bleeding Skull's Annie Choi and Joseph A. Ziemba. Lee's drive and enthusiasm are infectious and his passion shines through sharing details of discouragement and overcoming obstacles. You have to appreciate his relentless heart and soul as he describes his personal philosophy of filmmaking and what it was like for him in 87'. He is opinionated and ingratiating excoriating the industry's lack of honesty and soul. I enjoyed it very much. AGFA include the bonus film Dragon vs. Ninja from 1984 cited as being previously unreleased and transferred in 2K from the original Super 8 elements. It runs an hour and the quality is a notch ahead of the main feature. There is also a short entitled the The New Chinese Connection from 1980 and Willie Jack with similar citing as being previously unreleased and transferred in 2K from the original Super 8 elements. The New Chinese Connection runs shy of 23-minutes. There is also, the shorts; The Return of the Treasure of the Ninja, The Revenge of.., and Willie Jack in the Jungle. The package has a reversible cover artwork.

It's pretty easy to be cynical about William Lee's Treasure of the Ninja and why it has reached Blu-ray status. The films, on a certain level, are joyful - hilarious dialogue with ambitious plots involving less-professional martial arts, secret treasures, government agents, archeologists and the entire concept of not taking life, and art, too seriously. In other words these films are not about the a/v quality. They are about pursuing dreams, confidence and pursuing things you may have little support. I loved the quote in the commentary that "it's better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission". Bravo to American Genre Film Archive for bringing Treasure of the Ninja and the shorts to Blu-ray. Yes, you too can do anything you want... just beware there are Ninjas everywhere. Recommended!