Shaw Brothers The Bells Of Death Getting A Eureka Classics Release
A gritty tale of revenge and justice delivered by the Shaw Brothers studio
Eureka Entertainment are about to release a cherished Shaw Brothers gem, to release The Bells Of Death. Available on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK from 19th May as part of the Eureka Classics range.
A standout wuxia film heavily influenced by both the longstanding Japanese samurai tradition and the emergent Spaghetti Western, The Bells of Death is a fantastical tale of revenge produced by Shaw Brothers Studio, directed by the prolific Yueh Feng (Madam White Snake) and starring Chang Yi (Lady Whirlwind) in one of his earliest roles.
Wu Fei (Chang) is a simple woodcutter – that is, at least, until he gives directions to a group of bandits he encounters on a lonely road, sending them in the direction of his family home. He returns to find the criminals have murdered his parents and younger brother – while his sister has been kidnapped, claimed by chief bandit Tao Ching Lung (Lam Kau, Drunken Master) as his new bride. Desperate for vengeance, Wu Fei finds a way forward when he encounters a master swordsman (Yang Chi-ching, Come Drink with Me), who takes the woodcutter under his wing and prepares him to take his bloody revenge.
A markedly dark and gruesome wuxia film featuring a cadre of truly despicable villains, The Bells of Death boasts breathtaking cinematography by Pao Hsueh Li – who would go on to direct several wuxia films of his own – and features Hong Kong superstars Wu Ma and Sammo Hung in supporting roles.
“An impressive Shaw Brothers production of a dark and grisly tale of revenge with a real Spaghetti Western flavour…” – easternKicks
LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
Limited Edition of 2000 copies | Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Grégory Sacré (Gokaiju) | Optional English subtitles, newly revised for this release | Original Mandarin mono audio | Optional English dub | New audio commentary by East Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) | New audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema | For Whom the Bell Tolls – a new interview with Wayne Wong, editor of Martial Arts Studies | PLUS: A limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on The Bells of Death by East Asian cinema expert Camille Zaurin | All extras subject to change
HONG KONG | 1968| TBC | 110 MINS | 2.35:1 OAR | ACTION/WUXIA/MARTIAL ARTS | MANDARIN
The Bells Of Death will be released on Blu-ray as part of the Eureka Classics range from 19th May in the UK and Ireland.
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