Verdict
Summary
A fast and furious wuxia that begins with a sprint and never lets up until the jaw dropping, gravity defying climax, Duel to the Death is quite a spectacle with heroes who glide weightlessly on rooftops, characters who shape shift and have superhuman abilities, and a breakneck pace that runs less than 90 minutes. This one is a breathless and exhilarating martial arts film that stands apart with stylish directing by Tony Ching, a unique, almost fairy tale type approach to telling a simple story, and engaging characters. The final duel is truly insane with blood gushing, limbs being chopped off, and a definitive, if crippled winner. It’s a doozy!
Plot:
A champion from China and a champion from Japan prepare to duel to the death for the ultimate honor.
Review:
Each year, a tradition has been held: The best sword fighter from China competes – to the death – against the best sword fighter from Japan. Each year, the two champions clash their swords for honor, for bragging rights, and for the supremacy of their respective houses. This year, a monk-like Chinese fighter – a “Lord of the Sword” – is readied to be the chosen one to fight the Japanese swordsman.The Chinese guy is named Po Ching-wan (Damien Lau), and he dresses all in white so as not to mistake him for anyone else. He is promoted when a bunch of Japanese ninjas bust into Po’s school, hoping to make out with some secret scrolls that would give them an advantage over the Chinese, and Po helps fend them all off. The Japanese promote an even-tempered fighter named Hashimoto (Norman Tsui) to be their champion, and at every turn, Hashimoto sees and realizes that his superiors and lords are corrupt and treacherous to the point that they’re willing to throw assassins and more ninjas at the Chinese fighter to ensure victory before the duel is even set to take place. When Hashimoto teams up with Po, they both ensure that no cheating takes place, which proves to be an almost insurmountable task for the both of them, but they bond and realize that the duel itself is cruel and pointless, but both being honorable men, they proceed and … duel to the death!
A fast and furious wuxia that begins with a sprint and never lets up until the jaw dropping, gravity defying climax, Duel to the Death is quite a spectacle with heroes who glide weightlessly on rooftops, characters who shape shift and have superhuman abilities, and a breakneck pace that runs less than 90 minutes. This one is a breathless and exhilarating martial arts film that stands apart with stylish directing by Tony Ching, a unique, almost fairy tale type approach to telling a simple story, and engaging characters. The final duel is truly insane with blood gushing, limbs being chopped off, and a definitive, if crippled winner. It’s a doozy!
88 Films brings Duel to the Death to Blu-ray in a crystal clear 2K restoration that comes with a bunch of bonus material, including a booklet, a slipcover (limited edition only), and a reversible sleeve, plus much more.
Bonus Materials
- O-RING SLIP CASE WITH NEW ARTWORK BY KUNG FU BOB
- 2K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL NEGATIVE
- REMASTERED ORIGINAL CANTONESE MONOAURAL SOUNDTRACK
- 5.1 DTS-HD MA Cantonese Re-Mix
- NEWLY TRANSLATED ENGLISH SUBTITLES
- English Dub Option
- Audio Commentary with Asian Cinema Expert Frank Djeng
- Duel Identity – Archival interview with actor Norman Chui Siu-keung
- Flora Cheung on Duel to the Death – Archival interview with actress Flora Cheung
- Alternate English credits
- Image Gallery
- Original Hong Kong Trailer
- Reconstructed Tai Seng Trailer
- Reversible Sleeve