Average
Summary
Eureka! brings this one to Blu-ray for the first time, and their presentation is fantastic even if the movie itself is merely adequate. If you love The Man From Hong Kong, this reunites the two stars from that film, so take note.
Plot: A team of assassins tasked with killing the Queen on a trip to Hong Kong goes sideways.
Review: An IRA terrorist (George Lazenby) hires a team of killers (one is played by Jimmy Wang Yu from The Man From Hong Kong, another is played by Bolo Yeung from Enter the Dragon) to assassinate Queen Elizabeth on her trip to Hong Kong. As the team prepares for their big day, some infighting occurs (i.e. some fights between Wang Yu and Yeung), and they have to deal with a band of refugees (one of whom is played by Angela Mao Ying, also from Enter the Dragon) who have stored a treasure in gold in a cabin where the terrorists are organizing their plan. As the big day closes in, the terrorists get tangled up with the refugees, and their plan becomes compromised.
A Golden Harvest production that reunites Wang Yu and Lazenby from The Man From Hong (which is leagues more entertaining than this film), A Queen’s Ransom is only going to be rewarding to the most patient viewers. A muddled story and all-over-the-place plotting keeps the film from being anything special, but if you really enjoyed The Man From Hong Kong, you may want to check it out anyway. Directed by Shan-Hsi Ting.
Eureka! has just released a top-notch Blu-ray edition of A Queen’s Ransom that far supersedes the previous DVD release from Shout Factory with a brand new 2K restoration. Packed with bonus features and a handsome slipcase with new artwork, this is easily the best way to become acquainted with this title if it has thus far escaped your notice.
Bonus Materials
- Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling (First Pressing only)
- 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original Hong Kong theatrical cut from a brand new 2K restoration
- 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original English language export cut from a brand new 2K restoration
- Original Mandarin and optional classic English dub (Hong Kong theatrical cut)
- Classic English dub (Export version)
- Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
- Brand new audio commentary on the Hong Kong theatrical version by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
- Brand new audio commentary on the export version by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
- Brand new documentary featurette by martial artist and actor Michael Worth
- Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork
- Trailers
- Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by James Oliver (First Pressing Only)