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Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the real-life exploits of Butcher Wing, Magnificent Butcher is an action-packed kung fu comedy filled with lowbrow physical slapstick and breathtaking, if repetitive fight scenes. Sammo Hung is the well-intentioned 19th-century butcher whose unerring ability to misread a situation leads to trouble. When Wing's long-absent brother comes to town, Ko Tai-Hoi (Hark-On Fung) imprisons his wife, and our hero joins forces with an old drunken kung fu master played by Siu Tien Yuen (reprising his title role from Drunken Master which brought Jackie Chan to fame). This is Siu Tien Yuen's last film and it's obvious he's been replaced by a stunt double at times, although it remains a fine tribute to his remarkable martial arts talent. Taking an unexpected turn with a brutal attempted rape and murder, farce gives way to bloody retribution. The gradual return of comical elements may seem at odds with the later more realistic violence. While the uneven tone jars, the film is an impressive showcase for some of the greatest talents in Hong Kong cinema. Director Woo-ping Yuen has since found fame as the kung fu/action choreographer on The Matrix (1999) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).
On the DVD: Considering how poor most 1970s Hong Kong films looked on video, the anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 image here is superb; pin sharp with accurate colours and barely a hint of grain. Unfortunately there is still a little of the image missing at the sides, though it is a vast improvement over any panned and scanned cassette. The mono audio is generally good, though the music distorts occasionally. There are two soundtracks: the original Cantonese with optional subtitles, and a bad English dub. Additionally there is an outstanding audio commentary by Bey Logan packed with fascinating information about martial arts, Hong Kong cinema and the historical characters the film is based on. A 12-minute interview with Sammo Hung and 20-minute interview with Woo-ping Yuen are both interesting, though are not specific to Magnificent Butcher. Beyond these there are detailed biographies of star and director, an extensive stills gallery, stills from deleted scenes, two trailers and text information and photos of the real Butcher Wing. Finally, making stylised ultra-violence look extremely cool, there are ten anamorphically enhanced widescreen trailers for further releases. When "Hong Kong Legends" say they want to produce the best quality DVDs in the world they clearly mean it. This is a fine package assembled with the loving care of true fans. --Gary S Dalkin
Special Features
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
English
Cantonese
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 Cantonese English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Theatrical Trailer
UK Promo
Interview Gallery
Audio Commentary
English
English
Cantonese
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 Cantonese English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Theatrical Trailer
UK Promo
Interview Gallery
Audio Commentary
English
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If you know your 'kung fu' well you should know this classic! Samo Hung stars as Butcher Wing, student of Wong Fei Hung, played by 'Sky Hawk'. Watch out for a load of star name in this hot movie. Feng Ka-An, Lee Hoi, Tam Tam and the legendary director Yuen Woo Ping makes this a classic must see kung fu movie
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The Magnificent Butcher is a true masterpiece directed by Yuen Woo Ping and has to be one of the best Golden Harvest films of all time rivaled only by "Warriors Two" and "Young Master". Sammo plays butcher Wing a student of wong fei hung who runs into trouble with the Five Dragon sect. When wong fei hung leaves town for a few days all hell breaks lose, Wing is framed for murder, reunited with his brother who is then killed, then Wing takes revenge and vice versa. The story sets up one fight after another untill the big showdown at the end, typical kung fu story you may think but the great Woo Ping turns this into a classic. Loads of famous faces including (Yuen Biao) (Wei Pai) help make this movie what it is but Sammo gives a great performance. The fighting is fast and furious with some funky styles such as Mad Cat. This is a true classic make sure you get it...
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This has to be one of the greatest old skool kung fu movies, great cast sammo,yuen biao,lee hoi shan and a host of cameos from familiar faces from 70,s kung fu films.The plot is above average for an old skool movie,although fairly standard,not to much silly comedy like some of the sammo/yuen films,but most importantly brillant fight scenes directed by the daddy of kung fu Yuen woo-ping and loads of them.For me this was even better than the slighty more highly regarded sammo classic 'The Prodigal Son' it just dosnt pause for breath 4 the entire film.Although this is from the old skool period early 80's it could easily have been made recently looking at the quality of digitally re-mastered film production,and without all that wire-fu nonesense,ive seen a lot of the old and new skool kung fu's and this has to be in my top 5 all time,decent dvd extras inc the expert bey logans commentary,sammo and yuen woo ping interviews.An absolute bargain at 5-99.Fans of kung fu this is a must have.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of the best old-school kung-fu flicks ever
Samo Hung and Yuen Woo Ping collaborate for the first time and lead an all-star cast in this comical portrayal of Lam Sai-Wing's life, the most popular student of Wong... Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2007 by S. Yaqub
Takes ages to get going.
Ok, the kung fu is very skillfull but that doesn't make this an interesting film. Many of the fights go on for much too long particularly for the first half of the film. Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2007 by Karen
The Butcher, OH yes its Lam Sai-Wing!
I managed to achieve a HKL Copy of The Magnificent Butcher when I had accidentally injured my ankle. So I had enough time to get a good watch of the film. Read more
Published on 6 July 2003 by "adamas_hkc"
Pure genius
A much underrated classic of the kung fu world, Magnificent Butcher has it all, loads of amazingly choreographed fights scenes, plenty of dumb but fun humour, and even a reasonably... Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2002 by Mr. David C. Brook
Brilliant showcase for Sammo's talents
Although Sammo Hung is undoubtably the star of the show in this classic film, the movie is packed with an array of talented martial artists, and has some of the most spectacular... Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2001
BUY IT NOW!
What can I say? All fans of Sammo or action in general should buy this. Comedy, drama, brilliant fights, everything. Highlight is a fight between Yuen Biao and Lam Ching Ying
Published on 21 July 2000
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