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

ADDITION: 88 Films Blu-ray (April 2020): 88 Films have transferred the Jackie Chan / Sammo Hung actioner Heart of Dragon to Blu-ray. It offers a "New 2K Remaster of the Original Hong Kong Cut from The Original 35mm Negatives in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio with Cantonese mono with newly remastered English subtitles" known as the 'Hong Kong Cut' of the film, and a "New 2K Remaster of the Extended Cut [Japanese version] from The Original 35mm Negatives in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio with Cantonese and Japanese Soundtracks" known as "The Extended Cut". Further stated the latter has the audio from the original Shochiku Japanese theatrical cut of the film, in which ALL of the HK score/songs were replaced with a Japanese score and Jackie's songs "China Blue" and "Tokyo Saturday Night
Cantonese HK theatrical Soundtrack. This 'Extended Cut' track is essentially if you took the extended Japanese cut, but all of the music prior to the end credits is from the HK cut. Even the parking lot fight audio is taken from a rare source in which it doesn't have the music from the Japanese cut. Got it?

The two cuts have separate transfers (not seamlessly branched) with the 'Extended Cut' having more fight/action sequences. Despite the disparity in the technical transfers ('Hong Kong Cut' being less robust) - the image quality is pretty much the exact same as far as I can tell. I think it looks surprisingly strong with richer and deeper colors than I would have anticipated. There is some inconsistency (inherent softness) with a few more compromised scenes but generally very watchable for Jackie Chan fans to appreciate the charm of the story. 

NOTE: We have added 32 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, 88 Films use a DTS-HD Master tracks - all 1.0 channel mono and all 24-bit - in the above listed options. The audio is authentically flat and each track has it's own desirability or detractions. The film's music credited to Man Yee Lam and his Sui Hoh Seung Yi (Who Could Be Dependent) performed by Noi So. The Hong Kong cut offers an optional English DUB. 88 Films include optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The 88 Films Blu-ray offers a "Making of..." video entitled "The First Mission" running almost 49-minutes with input from cast and crew. There is also the 1/4 hour "The First Mission - Behind the Scenes" - a video for the pre-release event (screened at Shinjuku Shochiku and others in August 1985). There are almost an hour's worth of archival reviews with Jackie Chan, Stuntman Rocky Lai, Sammo Hung (2), cinematographer Arthur Wong as well as 6 different trailers. The package has a reversible sleeve with alternative Hong Kong poster artwork and for the first print run there is a limited edition Gloss O-Card slipcase and liner notes booklet notes by James Oliver also featuring rare stills and lobby cards from the film.

I wouldn't say that Heart of Dragon is premium Jackie Chan. But that is not such a big detraction, imo - 80's Jackie with Sammo has immense appeal for fans of their work - as we can't seem to get enough of this positive, thriller, acrobatic martial arts and humanist cinema. I'd say the biggest flaw may be how the tone seems to irrationally shift without narratively preparing the audience. The 88 Films Blu-ray gives many options for those who may wish to indulge and get their money's with on the film cut choice and audio options. Nice cover and package. If Jackie Chan fans keep their expectations in check - they will probably enjoy Heart of Dragon for its genre intent.

Gary Tooze