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

ADDITION: Arrow Blu-ray (February 2024): Similar to the Angela Mao double feature Blu-ray (compared HERE) with Lady Whirlwind (1972) and Hapkido (1972), and Sammo Hung's Knockabout (Blu-rays compared HERE), - we also suspect The Prodigal Son and One Armed Boxer Blu-rays to be duplicates - this Arrow release appears to be a Region 'A' near duplicate of the previously released Eureka package from June of 2022. Arrow also cites their transfer is from a "2K restoration from the original film elements by Fortune Star". However, the Arrow image quality is different - slightly superior - more balanced - less intense colors. I'm surprised it is different as the feature file size and bitrate are almost exactly the same. Audio appears duplicated - linear PCM mono tracks (24-bit) in the original Mandarin and an English DUB choice. Both offer optional English subtitles.

Unlike, the Angela Mao double feature Blu-ray, where you get the Eureka menus, If you put the Arrow in a region B-locked player - here you will see:

The Arrow has the same two commentaries (Frank Djeng + Michael Worth and Leeder + Venema - see descriptions below) and original theatrical trailers. The Arrow offers the alternate English credits (2-minutes) and an image gallery. The Eureka has one static menu while the Arrow's are interactive. They have different artwork covers. So they may have only partially collaborated on this one - releasing in different regions. It's been a while so I suspect one, possibly the Eureka, digitized the image to a small degree. I prefer the Arrow's 1080P HD presentation and their package includes a double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady, a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sheady and an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Peter Glagowski. It's always nice to have options.

Feng Huang's The Shaolin Plot is remarkable for its inclusion of Sammo Hung in his first starring role (an unscrupulous baddie, here, hurdling golden cymbal boomerangs or multiple razor-sharp daggers!) and his early role as an action director. It really stands out as a superior Wushu classic with excellent cast and endless flying kicks and sharp, whiplash-filled conflicts that push the narrative to lesser-importance. It revolves around obtaining the Wu Tang, Shaolin manual of clandestine martial arts distinction. The secrets serving as a trigger for the unrelenting friction. I really enjoyed it.

***

ADDITION: Eureka Blu-ray (June 2022): Eureka have transferred Feng Huang's The Shaolin Plot to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "new 2K restoration". It looks very impressive - extremely bright with vibrant colors, rich deep black levels and frequent depth. This is san intensity in the 1080P image on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. There is gloss and not much texture and may have a smidgeon of low frequency edge enhancement digitization but it looked wonderfully zesty on my system without pulling out the magnifying glass. A friend had stopped by and couldn't stop marveling at the intensity of the visuals.

NOTE: We have added 52 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Eureka offer the option of linear PCM mono tracks (24-bit) in the original Mandarin and an English DUB choice. The Shaolin Plot has extensive fight sequences. It's all quite authentically rough (in spots), flat and hollow in the way we nostalgically recall from the genre and era of Hong Kong classics with snappy cracks of martial arts hand combat to thuds and hollow grunts of exertion. Delightful. Fans of action will remarks on the choreographed and acrobatic nature of these many action scenes. The DUB is obvious but also has awkward nostalgic appeal - both sounding highly pleasing, for the genre, in the uncompressed transfer. Eureka offer optional English subtitles (and a second translating text signs) on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Eureka Blu-ray offers two new feature-length commentaries. The first is by Asian film savants Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and actor, martial artist Michael Worth. We have heard their expertise recently on commentates for Eureka's Blu-rays of Knockabout and Dreadnaught. Frank is a welcome regular and offers a ton in terms of the genre, specifics on the cast and production, how this is not a Shaw effort (produced by Raymond Chow), influences of King Hu and plenty of detailed material relating to 1977's The Shaolin Plot's place in the cycle. Michael Worth always adds important value as someone working in the industry. They are a good pairing and the commentary is enjoyable and worth the indulgence for fans. The second commentary has action cinema experts Mike Leeder (editor of 100% Jackie Chan: The Essential Companion) and Arne Venema. They have done excellent commentaries for the above two films and Eureka's Blu-ray of Odd Couple, plus 88 Films Blu-rays of The Fearless Hyena and Dragon's Forever. It sounds off-the-cuff but they live-and-breathe their topic and show general enthusiasm having some fun in exporting facets of the production referencing similar work from the era. A bone-fide addition to the package. Also included are a lengthy original Hong Kong theatrical trailer and the original export trailer. The package has a limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling and a collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver (both limited to 2000 copies.) 

The Eureka Blu-ray offers a vibrant image, dual-audio options and two commentaries plus a booklet. Fans of the genre will rejolice with cruel villains, a blind monk and virtuous school of noble students all realized in a healthy production of a rarely seen gem. Certainly recommended!

Gary Tooze