House of Traps Blu-ray

(aka 'The House of Traps" or "Chong xiao lou")

Directed by Cheh Chang

Hong Kong 1982

One of the most sought after Shaw Brothers films finally makes a return, courtesy of 88 Films! The beloved Chang Cheh classic House of Traps is a feast for classic Hong Kong Cinema fans, especially those who dig the famous "Venom Mob", the group of actors made famous by their appearance in the Shaw Brothers classic The Five Deadly Venoms, also directed by Chang Cheh. Many of the actors return for Chang's House of Traps, a rousing 1982 actioner about the quest to recover a valuable jade antique. The stolen antique has been hidden in the eponymous "House of Traps", a booby trap-laden pagoda from which no one has ever escaped alive. Expect plenty of exotic weaponry, powerful fisticuffs, and above all copious bloodletting as Chang Cheh guides the Venoms through undeniably one of their most popular Shaw Brothers outings!

Posters

Theatrical Release: January 9th, 1982

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

Review: 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

Distribution	88 Films Region 'B' Blu-ray

Runtime	1:35:01.445
Video	Disc Size: 23,906,079,018 bytes Feature Size: 23,505,973,248 bytes Average Bitrate: 27.86 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Bitrate: 88 Films Blu-ray
Audio	LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit LPCM Audio Chinese 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit Commentary: LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: 88 Films Disc Size: 21,978,210,945 bytes Feature Size: 21,838,467,072 bytes Average Bitrate: 27.86 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio Commentary by acclaimed Kung-Fu expert, Bey Logan • Trailer • Reversible Sleeve featuring Cinema Poster Artwork Blu-ray Release Date: March 12th, 2018 Transparent Blu-ray case inside slipcase Chapters: 8

More of the 88 Asia Collection on Blu-ray

Bewitched	Black Magic	Black Magic 2	The Bride From Hell	The Enchanting Ghost	The Ghost Lovers	HEX	The Oily Maniac	The Seeding of a Ghost

The Dragon Missile	Five Element Ninjas	The Flying Guillotine	Gifted	Killer Constable	The Mighty Peking Man	The One-Armed Swordsman	Sea Fog	The Spiritual Boxer	The Super Inframan

Comments

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

House of Traps gets an solid transfer to Blu-ray from 88 Films. This is a restored UNCUT version. It's single-layered disc with a supportive bitrate for the 95 minute feature. The image quality is smooth and consistent, showing a good amount of depth. The image is not overly detailed, most likely due to the intended look of the film and not any fault of the transfer. The 1080P supports realistic and tight colors (rich, deep reds and yellows) with a nice (Shaw)scope effect in the, original, 2.35:1 frame. It's quite clean with only a few speckles and there is a minor grain texture. This is a fine transfer of a quite enjoyable film. There is also a DVD of the film included here.

Both English DUB and Mandarin tracks on the Blu-ray of House of Traps offer uncompressed liner PCM transfers (24-bit). The English dubbing here can be pretty laughable, having a certain cheesy factor. I would recommend watching this in the original Mandarin language. The sound effects here sound decent, whether its the trap noises, or the swords clanking together. The score is by Eddie Wang (Hex, The Bride From Hell, Killer Constable, Return of the 36th Chamber). It is a great score that adds to the action of the film, utilizing many interesting musical instruments. There are optional English subtitles, and the Blu-ray is region 'B'-locked.

Extras include an in-depth commentary track with Kung-Fu expert, Bey Logan. The film's trailer is also included here. There is a reverse sleeve featuring original Hong Kong cinema poster artwork. Also included is "Chang Cheh - The Man Behind the Mayhem" Limited edition booklet notes by Calum Waddell. The back cover of the Blu-ray states that the film's runtime is approx 108 minutes, although it is actually about 95 min.

The mere premise of House of Traps is a hoot, and the film doesn't hold back from delivering over-the-top action set-pieces. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Martial Arts Cinema. Shaw brothers fans will love this Blu-ray, especially with an extensive commentary-track from Kung-fu expert, Bey Logan.

- Colin Zavitz

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

Box Cover

Distribution	88 Films Region 'B' Blu-ray

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