Prepare to be amazed! The cult classic The Crippled Masters, a martial arts film unlike any other, is coming to Blu-ray. This 1979 Chinese Kung Fu film, featuring Frankie Shum and Jackie Conn, showcases extraordinary skill and determination in the face of adversity. It's a story of overcoming limitations, and it's hitting retailers on Black Friday.
This isn't just any martial arts movie; it's a cinematic experience that has captivated audiences for decades. The film's description promises a truly unforgettable experience:
"More than four decades ago, 'one of the strangest and most shocking martial arts movies ever witnessed' (DVD Talk) drove 42nd Street audiences into a stunned frenzy. Today it remains an 'amazing' (Severed Cinema), 'genuinely jaw-dropping' (High Def Digest) 'undisputed masterpiece' (Grindhouse Database), and is officially licensed on disc in North America for the first time: When a cruel crime boss chops off the arms of a peasant (Sung-Chuan Shen aka Frankie Shum, who was born with Thalidomide Syndrome) and acid-dissolves the lower limbs of a henchman (Chao-Ming Kang aka Jackie Conn, born with small, deformed legs), the two disabled men train under a mysterious master to combine themselves into one unstoppable fighting machine and battle their way to vengeance. Chung Chien Li (THE GUY WITH THE SECRET KUNG FU) and Chen Mu-Chuan (THE IRON MONKEY) co-star in 'the FREAKS of martial arts cinema' (1000 Misspent Hours) directed by Chi Lo aka Joe Law (THE DRAGON LIVES AGAIN), newly scanned in 4K from the interpositive with 3 hours of revealing Special Features produced exclusively for this release."
But here's where it gets controversial... the film's premise challenges conventional notions of strength and ability. It's a powerful statement about resilience, but it also raises questions about representation and exploitation.
The Blu-ray release is packed with special features, including:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM AN INTERPOSITIVE
- MANDARIN AND ENGLISH AUDIO TRACKS
- Audio Commentary With Frank Djeng, Co-Producer Of ENTER THE CLONES OF BRUCE
- Audio Essay By Cult Cinema Critic Lovely Jon
- Unleashing The Legends: The Godfathers Of Kung Fu Distribution – Interview With Temple Of Schlock’s Chris Poggiali
- Original Trailer
- New Line Cinema U.S. Trailer
- Subtitles: English SDH, English
Technical Specs:
- Video: MPEG-4 AVC, 1080p, 2.35:1 aspect ratio
- Audio: TBA
- Subtitles: English SDH
- Discs: Single disc (1 BD-50)
- Playback: 2K Blu-ray: Region A(B, C untested)
And this is the part most people miss... the technical specifications reveal some conflicting information. While the Blu-ray is listed as "region-free," it also mentions "region A." This inconsistency might confuse some buyers.
What are your thoughts on this unique film? Do you think it's a celebration of the human spirit or does it cross a line? Share your opinions in the comments below!
