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

ADDITION: Eureka Classics Blu-ray (January 2025): In their Super Spies and Secret Lies: Three Undercover Classics from Shaw Brothers Blu-ray package Eureka Classics three 1960's Hong Kong (Shaw Brothers) produced Bond-like action flics. They are Lo Wei's The Golden Buddha from 1966, and Angel with the Iron Fists from 1967 as well as Cheh Chang's The Singing Thief from 1969. They are cited as being from "1080p HD presentations on Blu-ray from HD masters supplied by Celestial Pictures" There is occasional inherent softness (maybe even waxy at times) and a few frames may be warped in The Singing Thief but colors are bright and most close-ups have decent detail. Production vales seem fairly modest with weak fight choreography in The Golden Buddha but there are plenty of extras, sets and musical numbers performed. There are a few flashes of nudity (see samples below) and plenty of gadgets. While not a top-shelf appearance, I though, for these 60s films, the 1080P image quality was acceptable if never stellar.  

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On their Blu-ray, Eureka Classics use linear PCM mono tracks (24-bit) in the original Mandarin language although The Golden Buddha also has parts with English, Filipino or Tagalog. There are a handful of less-aggressive conflicts including poison gas, martial arts and machine gunfire from the rear of a sport scar. Effects have some minor depth and the infusive score for The Golden Buddha was by Eddie Wang (Dirty Ho, Clan of the White Lotus, Hex, The Bride From Hell, Killer Constable, Return of the 36th Chamber) as well as Angel with the Iron Fists. The Singing Thief 's occasionally boisterous score is credited to Fu-Ling Wang (The Enchanting Ghost, The Flying Guillotine, The One-Armed Swordsman, The Dragon Missile,) providing a campy edge to the plots. Each film has a nightclub music performance with an exotic dancer in The Golden Buddha and lounge-y numbers, with dancing, in The Singing Thief. Eureka Classics offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Eureka Classics Blu-ray offers a new commentary for each of the three films by Mike Leeder (editor of 100% Jackie Chan: The Essential Companion) and Arne Venema. They discuss the divergence from Shaw studio's period "kung fu" classics, cite Bond references, directors Lo Wei and Cheh Chang with the former also acting in the first two films, the locations, the attractive cast, citing Angel with the Iron Fists as a kind-of remake of Dr No with plenty more discussions ensuing. This commentary pairing is always enthusiastic and fun to listen to. International Super Spies is a new, 22-minute, interview with James Bond expert Llewella Chapman (author of Fashioning James Bond: Costume, Gender and Identity in the World of 007) on global Bondmania in the 1960s. There is also a new 17-minute interview with Hong Kong cinema scholar Wayne Wong, editor of Martial Arts Studies and who teaches in the School of East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield. He discusses the film's conflict of communism (evil villains) vs. Capitalism and common these present in Bond films. The package has a reversible sleeve featuring individual sleeve artwork for each film plus a limited edition collector's booklet featuring new writing on all three films by Iain Robert Smith, author of The Hollywood Meme: Transnational Adaptations in World Cinema.

All three films, but mostly, The Golden Buddha and Angel with the Iron Fists, have strong Bond vibes. They are more campy with less intensity than, say, Golgo 13 or the delightful Black Tight Killers. Those similar baddies are still here but are more exaggerated in their secrecy and ruthlessness. Hong Kong had a Bond fascination phase of it's own along with Hollywood (Derek Flint, Matt Helm) and Euro film's produced (see the British-made Deadlier Than the Male or French OSS 117). These espionage actioners released in the early 60s gave obvious nods to 007. We have dapper spy-ish heroes (including a female in Angel with the Iron Fists!) - with formal attire, protecting less-worldly characters in distress and always ready for conflict utilizing hidden talents including proficiency in unarmed combat. There are plenty of sexy antagonist drones, techie spy gadgets and gizmos, and amusing super-evil villain clichés. It's hard not to enjoy these films as they evolve with a brisk pace and are both adventurous and fun. I really appreciated the Eureka Classics Blu-ray package of Super Spies and Secret Lies: Three Undercover Classics from Shaw Brothers. A keeper for me. Absolutely recommended.

Gary Tooze