- Actors: Tony Leung Ka Fai, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Cheung-Yan Yuen, Donnie Yen
- Directors: Raymond Lee (II), Siu-Tung Ching, Hark Tsui
- Format: Anamorphic, PAL
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 18
- Studio: Hong Kong Legends
- DVD Release Date: 31 July 2000
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004TBTQ
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 60,631 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
New Dragon Gate Inn is the DVD title of the 1992 swordplay adventure Dragon Inn, producer Tsui Hark's follow-up to Once Upon a Time in China and Swordsman 2 (both 1991). In the wake of the huge success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon it is a film ripe for rediscovery. A pair of warriors (Brigitte Lin and Tony Leung), who only admit their love when it is too late, have to rescue two children from the clutches of a corrupt warlord. Fleeing through the vast, highly pictorial desert, they seek shelter in the isolated Dragon Inn run by the man-eating Maggie Cheung (traveller's tip, don't try the "mixed meat"). The scene is set for intrigue, romance and exhilarating wirework, as our heroes wait for the enemy to arrive in what is essentially the classic High Noon scenario. The build-up isn't always coherent, though that may have something to do with the subtitles, which are unnecessarily crude. Despite this the production values and high-flying fights are first-rate and the two actresses make the film, particularly the devilishly sexy Maggie Cheung. The final showdown in a desert storm is breathtaking.
On the DVD: In the cinemas this was an absolutely gorgeous 2.35:1 widescreen film, which here has been reformatted to 16:9 TV ratio, sacrificing important visual information at either side and significantly damaging the stunning cinematography. Enough survives to indicate just how beautiful the complete images are, and the anamorphically enhanced 1.77:1 transfer is sharp and clean on exterior shots, though some of the dimly lit interiors display considerable grain. Although only mono the sound is full and free from distortion, providing a good showcase for the atmospheric score. The film can be watched with the original Mandarin soundtrack and English subtitles, or dubbed. Included is an interview with Donnie Yen and detailed text biographies of the two female stars. The music promo is Hong Kong Legends' own trailer, included together with five further trailers for other releases. The original theatrical trailer is also present, and no matter what screen setting it is played at, everything looks vertically compressed. However, change the DVD player setting from widescreen to 4:3 letterbox and the trailer plays in the correct 2.35:1 proportions, confirming how the film was really shot. Though the DVD packaging bills this edition of Dragon Inn as the full-length original version though there is no explanation of what footage has been restored from previous releases. --Gary S. Dalkin
DVD Description
DVD Special Features:
Music Promo
Original Theatrical Trailer
Donnie Yen Interview
Biography Showcase
Mandarin Language presentation (With re-mastered English Subtitles)
Production Photo Gallery
16:9 Anamorphic Version (enhanced for widescreen TV's)
Full Length Original Version (containing footage not available in International Version)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This recent remake of the King Hu classic Dragon Inn (1969) features Maggie (Police Story) Cheung in an uncharacteristic "bad girl" role, Tony Leung as the hero, with strong support from Brigette Lin as the nominal heroine and Donnie Yen as the superbly evil villain. Pity he's not given more screen time.
The production and direction are from the same team that gave us Chinese Ghost Story, Tsui Hark and Li Hui Min.
First-rate sword-play and atmospheric direction make this a worthwhile addition to the library of any Hong Kong movie fan.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is available in the Hong Kong Legends series and epitomises the name. It is like a sparkling crown full of precious gems. We have Tony Leung as the heroic freedom fighter Zhou Huainan, hiding out with his his partner and true love (The legendary Brigitte Lin) in a Gobi desert Inn inhabited by scoundrels and vagabonds. He is waiting for a storm to pass and so is trapped alongside government officials who want his head. A game of cat and mouse ensues.
To complicate matters the Dragon Gate Inn is owned by immoral fiery vixen Maggie Cheung in what is one of her most enjoyably fun roles. She plays both sides off against each other in her attemp to make herself rich.
There are some lovely set pieces such as Maggie and Brigitte's odd duel which involves a kind of kung fu stripping. There is also a memorable final fight sequence with top kung fu choreographer and star Donnie Yen.
The film has an almost pantomime feel. There is cross dressing, jokes and action, with the line between good and bad clearly drawn. There is so much to love about the film, especially the showcase of Hong Kong Royalty at their best. Watch and enjoy.
To complicate matters the Dragon Gate Inn is owned by immoral fiery vixen Maggie Cheung in what is one of her most enjoyably fun roles. She plays both sides off against each other in her attemp to make herself rich.
There are some lovely set pieces such as Maggie and Brigitte's odd duel which involves a kind of kung fu stripping. There is also a memorable final fight sequence with top kung fu choreographer and star Donnie Yen.
The film has an almost pantomime feel. There is cross dressing, jokes and action, with the line between good and bad clearly drawn. There is so much to love about the film, especially the showcase of Hong Kong Royalty at their best. Watch and enjoy.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Compared with the lower grade Hong Kong kung fu films - with no characterisation, dull fight setups and implausible consequences, this film resembles the old TV series 'the Water margin', or even 'Floating Tiger'. There are colourful characters, there is a plot, and there are interesting events other than the fighting. The kung fu is extremely entertaining and well executed, with the semi-magical skills of traditional Chinese stories and everything larger than life. The direction is a very high standard, the quality of the filming is excellent, and the DVD I have is not dubbed. What more could I ask for? Absolutely nothing - I loved it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
It's the correct ratio
The original reviewer is wrong in stating that this film is 2.35:1. It's a 1.85:1 film and the HKL DVD therefore has the correct ratio - although the wrong language. Read more
Published on 11 July 2005
OK nothin to scream to the heavans about.
Having only recently started buying Kung FU films i bought the best, anything with Bruce Lee, Drunken master,BLack Sheep affair etc, then I bought this. Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2002 by matt boyle
Biggest load of tosh I've ever seen ....... period!
This is dire. It has one a star rating since Amazon doesn't provide a zero! Acting so wooden it has to be seen to be believed; the story line is so contrived it is laughable. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2001
a seriously cool film
New dragon gate inn is a film every kung fu film fan should watch. There is great scenery with even more spectacular swordplay, and Donnie Yen makes an awsome villian, although he... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2001
a very good example of the new wave martial arts film
the movie is a tour de force of choreography and style, the acting is adequate, and the last fight scene has to be seen to be believed! very cool movie.
Published on 17 Oct 2000
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