Knockabout Blu-ray

Firstly, a massive thank you to our Patreon supporters. Your generosity touches me deeply. These supporters have become the single biggest contributing factor to the survival of DVDBeaver. Your assistance has become essential.

What do Patrons receive, that you don't?

1) Our weekly Newsletter sent to your Inbox every Monday morning!
2) Patron-only Silent Auctions - so far over 30 Out-of-Print titles have moved to deserved, appreciative, hands!
3) Access to over 50,000 unpublished screen captures in lossless high-resolution format!

Please consider keeping us in existence with a couple of dollars or more each month (your pocket change!) so we can continue to do our best in giving you timely, thorough reviews, calendar updates and detailed comparisons. Thank you very much.

Search DVDBeaver

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

(aka "Za jia xiao zi" or "The Jade Warriors")

Directed by Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
Hong Kong 1979

Another fast and furious kung fu comedy classic directed by Sammo Hung (The Millionaires’ Express), Knockabout features a cast of martial arts movie legends including Yuen Biao (The Prodigal Son), Bryan “Beardy” Leung Kar-yan (Warriors Two), and Lau Kar-wing (Odd Couple) alongside Hung himself.

Brothers Yipao (Yuen Biao) and Taipao (Leung Kar-yan) are a couple of down on their luck conmen. After getting soundly defeated by the kung fu master, Silver Fox (Lau Kar-wing), the brothers realize it would be in their own self-interest if they learn how to fight, and they ask him to train them. Unfortunately, their new master is actually a ruthless killer, and when the brothers realize this, one of them is murdered. To get revenge, the surviving brother must learn a unique form of kung fu from an unlikely source, a beggar who just happens to be a master fighter!

Featuring one of the greatest action finales in the history of Hong Kong cinema, Knockabout is yet another classic of martial arts filmmaking from the legendary Sammo Hung, and Eureka Classics is proud to present the film in its UK debut on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration.

***

Having established himself as Hong Kong's premier action choreographer throughout the 1970s, Sammo Hung ended the decade by directing a non-stop assault of kung fu classics for Golden Harvest, starting with the brutal Iron-Fisted Monk. But it would be his 1979 directorial effort that would finally give his Peking Opera brother-in-arms, acrobatic ace Yuen Biao, his first chance at leading man status: Knockabout! Brothers and partners-in-crime, Yipao (Biao) and Taipao (Warriors Two's "Beardy" Leung Kar-Yan), have made an up-and-down career out of being hustlers, conning everyone from bank tellers to casino dealers. One day, they push their luck with the wrong man, martial arts master Chia Wu Dao (legendary Shaw Brothers fight choreographer Lau Kar-Wing), but convince him to reluctantly become their teacher in hand-to-hand combat. But upon learning Chia's dangerous true nature, Yipao turns to another master: a portly blinking beggar (Hung) trained in the ways of the monkey fist. Will this new skill defeat Chia's secret snake style? Combining Hung's hard-hitting choreography with the Mo Lei Tau style of humor that was increasing in popularity at the time, Knockabout is a thrill-a-minute action spectacular that would pave the way for later masterpieces such as Hung and Biao's subsequent collaboration, the Wing Chun tour-de-force The Prodigal Son.

Posters

Theatrical Release: April 12th, 1979

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

Comparison:

Eureka - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Arrow - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover
	Bonus Captures:
Distribution	Eureka - Region 'B' - Blu-ray	Arrow - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	Original HK Version: 1:44:44.909 Export Version: 1:33:04.375	Original HK Version: 1:44:46.905 Export Version: 1:33:06.372
Video	2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 49,180,235,799 bytes Original HK Version: 28,909,108,608 bytes Export Version: 16,845,100,608 bytes Video Bitrate: 26.91 Mbps / 17.97 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video	2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 49,202,344,615 bytes Original HK Version: 28,690,907,712 bytes Export Version: 16,515,978,624 bytes Video Bitrate: 27.90 Mbps / 20.98 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Eureka Original HK Version Blu-ray:
Bitrate Eureka Export Version Blu-ray:
Bitrate Arrow Original HK Version Blu-ray:
Bitrate Arrow Export Version Blu-ray:
Audio	Original HK Version: LPCM Audio Chinese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit DUB: LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Export Version: LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Commentaries: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps	Original HK Version: DTS-HD Master Audio Cantonese 1053 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1053 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio Mandarin 872 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 872 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 512 kbps / 24-bit) DUBs: DTS-HD Master Audio English 2969 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2969 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DVD DUB: DTS-HD Master Audio English 1056 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1056 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) Export Version: DTS-HD Master Audio English 1056 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1056 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) Commentaries: Dolby Digital Audio English 320 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 320 kbps / DN -31dB
Subtitles	English, None (no English on Export version)	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Eureka 2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 49,180,235,799 bytes Original HK Version: 28,909,108,608 bytes Export Version: 16,845,100,608 bytes Video Bitrate: 26.91 Mbps / 17.97 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Brand new feature length audio commentary on the Hong Kong Version by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and Michael Worth • Brand new feature length audio commentary on the Export Version by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema • Archival interview with Sammo Hung (7:18) • Archival interview with Bryan “Beardy” Leung Kar-yan (7:37) • Archival interview with Grandmaster Chan Sau Chang (aka The Monkey King), a master of Monkey Style kung fu (25:32) • Deleted Scene (3:50) • Trailer (4:02) A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling Reversible sleeve design featuring original poster artwork Blu-ray Release Date: April 25th, 2022 Transparent Blu-ray Case inside slipcase Chapters 10 / 9	Release Information: Studio: Arrow 2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 49,202,344,615 bytes Original HK Version: 28,690,907,712 bytes Export Version: 16,515,978,624 bytes Video Bitrate: 27.90 Mbps / 20.98 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Brand new feature length audio commentary on the Hong Kong Version by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and Michael Worth • Brand new feature length audio commentary on the Export Version by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema • Archival interview with Sammo Hung (7:11) • Archival interview with Bryan “Beardy” Leung Kar-yan (7:21) • Archival interview with Grandmaster Chan Sau Chang (aka The Monkey King), a master of Monkey Style kung fu (24:43) • Deleted Scene (3:52) • Trailer (4:08) • Image Gallery (1:31) Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectors' 30-page booklet featuring new writing by Simon Abrams and original press materials Folded poster Blu-ray Release Date: march 28th, 2023 Transparent Blu-ray Case inside slipcase Chapters 13 / 13

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Arrow Blu-ray (March 2023): Just like the Angela Mao double feature Blu-ray (compared HERE) with Lady Whirlwind (1972) and Hapkido (1972), this Arrow release appears to be a Region 'A' duplicate of the previously released Eureka package from April of last year. Arrow also cites their transfer is from "2K restorations from the original elements by Fortune Star of both the original HK Theatrical Cut and the shorter Export Cut". The image quality is duplicated as are the supplements and commentaries - different booklet, cover design and slipcase artworks. Other differences include that Arrow have added optional English subtitles on the export version, both Cantonese and Mandarin language options on the HK version, a superfluous gallery and DTS HD Master mono tracks as opposed to linear PCM. Plus the Arrow includes a folded poster.

So, same video image for both versions, additional audio and subtitle options on the Arrow, same commentaries and extras although different covers. Both great packages that I presume, like Angela Mao, they have collaborated on - releasing in different regions. Nothing wrong with repeating a stellar, complete, package for easier access across the pond. Still recommended!

NOTE: Arrow have changed the two heroes names (from the Eureka subtitles). The UK edition calls them 'Little' and 'Big' Boowhil, while the US calls them 'Little' and 'Big' Pao. The characters in Chinese were named Daipao and Tipao. (Thanks Eric!)

***

ADDITION: Eureka Blu-ray (April 2022): Eureka have transferred Sammo Kam-Bo Hung's Knockabout to Blu-ray. They offer both the original Hong Kong version and the 11.5-minute shorter 'Export' version. While both are 1080P, and sharing the same dual-layered disc, the HK version is more robust with a higher bitrate. That image is pristine with the source being in impressive condition - cited as being 'a brand new 2K restoration'. The 'Export' version looks only a small notch below and fans will be pleased with the color balance depth and layered contrast of this HD presentation. It is remarkably strong.

NOTE: We have added 58 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 Cantonese language while offering a similarly encoded English DUB option. I believe it is the same translation as on the Export version. Knockabout has many acrobatic fight sequences and plenty of aggression. It's all quite authentically flat and hollow that we nostalgically recall from the genre and era of Hong Kong classics. The score is by composer Frankie Chan (Dreadnaught, The Odd Couple, Fallen Angels, The Fearless Hyena, Chungking Express, The Prodigal Son) that adds further to the charm of the comedic moments yet sounding more intense for the physical conflicts.. Eureka offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Eureka Blu-ray offers a two new commentary tracks. The first is for the original 'Hong Kong version' and has Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and actor, martial artist Michael Worth - they also did the fine commentary together on Eureka's, simultaneously-released Dreadnaught Blu-ray. Frank's expertise offers so much in terms of the genre, specifics on the cast and production, and plenty to fill the film's running time with edifying material. Michael Worth also added important value as someone working in the industry. This was another enjoyable commentary. The second was for the 'Export Version' and has Mike Leeder (editor of 100% Jackie Chan: The Essential Companion) and Arne Venem who always have fun - working well together. They are true fans. There are older interviews with Sammo Hung, Bryan “Beardy” Leung Kar-yan and Grandmaster Chan Sau Chang (aka The Monkey King), a master of Monkey Style kung fu - the latter for over twenty-five, informative, minutes. These three interviews were part of last digital releases. There is a deleted scene, trailer and the package has a limited-edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver, a reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork and the LE O-Card slipcase (see below.)

Sammo Kam-Bo Hung's Knockabout is a wonderful example of the best of this genre. The impressive fight sequences are expertly choreographed and physically outstanding. There seems to be a preponderance of facial expression for the humor - which is abundant, and funny, in Knockabout. The build to the finale offers exciting anticipation with themes of revenge, justice, friendship and discipline. It's a great film experience - one I thoroughly appreciated via the stacked Eureka Blu-ray package. A very easy recommendation for fans of this genre - and beyond. Don't miss this one.