The Spiritual Boxer Blu-ray

(aka 'Shen da" or "The Skilful Fighter" or "Naked Fists of Terror" or "The Spiritual Boxer")

Directed by Chia-Liang Liu

Hong Kong 1975

Wham, bam, thank you Lau Kar-leung!! The legendary director of such kung-fu mega hits as 36th CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN (1978), TIGER ON THE BEAT (1988) and DRUNKEN MASTER 2 (1994) got his career rolling with the martial arts masterpiece THE SPIRITUAL BOXER (1975) a standout chopsocky classic from the glory days of Hong Kong genre cinema. Adding comedy to the familiar fisticuffs formula, this beloved blockbuster tells the story of a travelling conman who claims to have supernatural powers. Robbing village after village, our antagonist quickly bees expected to use these fictional strengths against some sudden enemies... Resulting in several hilarious moments combined with breakneck examples of all out action and adventure! Fans of head-cracking carnage cannot possibly go wrong with THE SPIRITUAL BOXER... finally unleashed in HD by the Asian celluloid scholars at 88 Films!

Posters

Theatrical Release: November 28th, 1975

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

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

Box Cover

Distribution	88 Films Region 'B' Blu-ray

Runtime	1:43:25.115
Video	Disc Size: 24,203,346,396 bytes Feature Size: 24,062,349,312 bytes Average Bitrate: 24.98 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Bitrate: 88 Films Blu-ray
Audio	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1990 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1990 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio Chinese 1956 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1956 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: 88 Films Disc Size: 24,203,346,396 bytes Feature Size: 24,062,349,312 bytes Average Bitrate: 24.98 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio Commentary by Hong Kong Cinema Expert David West • Reverse Sleeve featuring Original Hong Kong Poster Art Calum Waddell liner notes Blu-ray Release Date: June 11th, 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	House of Traps

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.

The delightful Shaw Brothers martial arts gem The Spiritual Boxer gets an HD transfer to Blu-ray from 88 Films. It's single-layered disc with a supportive bitrate for the 103 minute feature. The image quality is crisper than we have seen in the past from this era of Hong Kong films. Detail is pleasing in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio and the visuals export depth with the majority of the film shot outdoors. There is some frailty with the image looking occasionally thin but overall have a very pleasant presentation in 1080P.

Both English DUB and Chinese (Mandarin?) tracks on the Blu-ray of The Spiritual Boxer offered via lossless DTS-HD Master transfers that carry the weaknesses inherent in the production but there are a few smile-inducing fighting effects. The score is by Yung-Yu Chen (The Ghost Lovers, Black Magic 2, The Mighty Peking Man, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Five Deadly Venoms) . It is a fitting score augmenting the action of the film and its lighter moments. There are optional English subtitles, and the Blu-ray is region 'B'-locked.

Extras include an informative commentary track by Hong Kong Cinema expert David West that supplies some detail on the production, cast and crew and Shaw Bros in general. There is a reverse sleeve featuring original Hong Kong cinema poster artwork. and some liner notes by Dr. Calum Waddell.

The Spiritual Boxer is one of the better of the genre - fun action and a decent story. Shaw brothers fans should nab this Blu-ray, - it gives a rewarding presentation and includes the commentary and notes. I'm loving these sweet, simple films! Recommended!

- Gary Tooze

Package

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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