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

ADDITION: Eureka Blu-ray (July 2024): Eureka have transferred Chang-hwa Jeong's The Double Crossers ("Gui ji shuang xiong") to Blu-ray. The package has the original Hong Kong theatrical cut and the original English language export cut both cited as being the "worldwide debut from a brand new 2K restoration". These are separate transfers with the, slightly shorter, Export version, included as kind of a curiosity, being noticeably weaker. The Hong Kong theatrical cut looks great in 1080P - maybe slightly glossy and saturated but very bright, 70's colors, and support for the darker sequences. There is a bit of anamorphic lens distortion but I didn't find it bothersome. The image is clean - a few minor speckles - and looked surprising in its strong quality. No egregious warts. Thumbs up. 

NOTE: We have added 42 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Eureka use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original Mandarin and optional classic English dub (Hong Kong theatrical cut). The Export Cut only offers the English DUB. Both versions have less-than-normal fight sequences with modest fighting effects (cracks and whiplash-like etc.) It could be considered more of a drama. The audio is authentically hollow without much bass. The score was by Joseph Koo (The Skyhawk, Lady Whirlwind, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon, Slaughter in San Francisco) sounding clean and representative (marimba / flute etc.) in the uncompressed transfer. Eureka offer optional, newly translated, English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Eureka Blu-ray offers two new commentaries - both for the original Hong Kong theatrical cut. The first is by go-to Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) who did the commentaries on Eureka's Blu-rays of The Swordsman of All Swordsmen, Slaughter in San Francisco, Magic Cop, Angela Mao: Hapkido & Lady Whirlwind, Knockabout, The Shaolin Plot, Dreadnaught and many more. There is a lot of about the stars and Hong Kong, Singapore or Indonesian locations, why Mandarin was used although 90% of Hong Kong spoken Cantonese, the South Korean writer / director, choreography, Joseph Koo score, anamorphic lens distortions etc. - Frank is like an encyclopedia of data on the era and genre. Excellent. The second commentary is by action cinema experts Mike Leeder (editor of 100% Jackie Chan: The Essential Companion) and Arne Venema. We have heard Leeder and Venema via excellent commentaries on Eureka's Blu-rays of Odd Couple and The Shaolin Plot - plus 88 Films Blu-rays of The Fearless Hyena, Dragon's Forever plus Vinegar Syndrome's Righting Wrongs and many more. They have fun and cover everything from the humid weather, decor while referencing many other similar genre films tangential to the cast and crew. Plenty of amusement and extraneous details. Both commentaries repeat a few stories also told on the other. No problem. Lastly is a trailer, and the package has a reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork and a limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by James Oliver. 

Chang-hwa Jeong's The Double Crossers is a bit of standard drama with action-revenge-martial-arts fare (certainly not a ton of one-on-one) and buddy-cop leanings but it has pleasing nostalgia with the decor, clothing, score and film's style are quintessential for the 70's genre. Nice to see the exotic locations of Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali, Indonesia. I wouldn't say that The Double Crossers is top-shelf but it is quite appealing especially for those immersed in the milieu. There are ruthless villains, a moll, and nobility in the revenge. It is very obscure and hasn't been seen much since its limited theatrical run and is ripe for re-discovery. The South Korean director Chang-hwa Jeong also did King Boxer and I enjoyed the film's cool, unpretentious, styling. Eureka have produced another complete Blu-ray package - two versions, two commentaries, excellent artwork, limited edition O-Card slipcase, poster and a booklet. An excellent release.

Gary Tooze