ADDITION: 88 Films 4K UHD (June 2024): 88 Films have released the Hong Kong theatrical release of Gordon Chan's Fist of Legend to 4K UHD. The package includes a second disc Blu-ray with the feature in 1080P and more supplements. We won't be able to obtain 4K 2160P captures, probably, till after the release date (today) - a function of the encode. This is presently true of many 4K UHD transfers - sometimes we get lucky - not here. We will try to add them here when they are accessible. The 1080P should give you an idea of the rendering as it will be from the same source - cited as being from a "Brand new 4K Remaster from the Original Negatives presented in Ultra High Definition". It has Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR10 Compatible.) We compared the Mei Ah (VCD), the Dragon Dynasty (Weinstein) two-disc Ultimate Edition DVD, a Dimension DVD and a Dragon Dynasty (Weinstein) Blu-ray of Fist of Legend back in 2010 HERE. We have compared them to the 88 Films 1080P below. It is an obvious improvement over the SDs and is also superior to the 14-year old Weinstein Blu-ray. There is better color balance, contrast (richer black levels) and it supports some pleasing texture. It is fairly evident that this 2024 transfer is the best. What you get with the 4K UHD is another bump in the contrast layering, depth of colors and visible grain support.   

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages recently: American Gigolo , The Long Wait (no HDR), Bound (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Valiant Ones (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mute Witness (software uniformly simulated HDR), Narc (software uniformly simulated HDR), Peeping Tom (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Terrors House of Horrors (software uniformly simulated HDR), High Noon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Criterion) (software uniformly simulated HDR), I Am Cuba (no HDR), The Demoniacs (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Nude Vampire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Nostalghia (no HDR), Werckmeister Harmonies (no HDR), Goin' South (software uniformly simulated HDR), La Haine (software uniformly simulated HDR,) All Ladies Do It (software uniformly simulated HDR), Old Henry  (software uniformly simulated HDR), To Die For (software uniformly simulated HDR), Snapshot (software uniformly simulated HDR), Phase IV (software uniformly simulated HDR), Burial Ground (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dark Water (software uniformly simulated HDR), Fear and Desire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf (no HDR), Paths of Glory (software uniformly simulated HDR), Southern Comfort (software uniformly simulated HDR).

On their 4K UHD, 88 Films offer linear PCM 2.0 channel tracks (24-bit) in the original Cantonese language with a choice with alternative music cues. "Fist of Legend" has Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and English and there are DUB'ing issues with some syncs being off or mismatched. It is something you get used to. Obviously this martial arts extravaganza is filled with various types of violence. They are whiplash sharp and have penetrating bass. Many punctuate scenes but remain authentically flat. The, often uplifting, score was by Joseph Koo (The Skyhawk, Slaughter in San Francisco, Lady Whirlwind, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon) and adds to the drama and close-ups before and during conflicts. 88 Films include optional English subtitles on both discs - and the 4K UHD, is region FREE, playable worldwide, while the 88 Films Blu-ray is Region 'B'-locked.

The Blu-ray includes the commentary as well other extras staring with a ten-minute "A Look at Fist of Legend" with critic and commentator Elvis Mitchell (Film Scholar and lecturer at the UNLV) and director Brett Ratner (Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2, Red Dragon) giving their separate input on Fist of Legend's impact and legacy. There are almost two hours of interviews with actor Chin Siu-Ho (Huo Ting'en in Fist of Legend), with director Gordon Chan, with actor Kurata Yasuaki plus a 'Karate Seminar' with Yasuaki who holds dan ranks in karate (7th degree), judo (3rd degree), and aikido (2nd degree). There are also 5-minutes of deleted scenes and a theatrical trailer. The package has a reversible sleeve featuring new artwork by Sam Green, double walled Silver-Board Slipcase with artwork by Green, an A3 fold-out poster plus a 28-page booklet notes with new writing on the film by German film maker Tom Cunliffe.    

88 Films 4K UHD release of Gordon Chan's Fist of Legend is quite a package. Jet Li took the screen by cool storm as the unflappable hero Chen Zhen - a Chinese martial artist from Shanghai, who attends Kyoto University as an engineering student. The actor is a multiple (Chinese National Wushu Team) world champion in many areas including changquan and fanziquan. It is hard to deny his strong screen presence. Although an early 'western exposed' film for him, in "Fist of Legend" it was obvious that he had honed the bridge of athletic prowess with cinematic charisma as good as we have seen in the genre since Bruce Lee. Jet Li is a Buddhist, who believes that being famous is not something within his control and does not care about it. His final conflict in Fist of Legend with Billy Chow as, Terminator-like, General Gō Fujita is one for the ages. I loved seeing this again in the best possible home theater quality. Commentary, interviews make this the package to own. Very strongly recommended to fans of the genre. 

Gary Tooze