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Product Description
This movie single-handedly invented the style and direction for the 'new-wave' classics which finally brought Asian Cinema to the attention of the international audiences. The classic 'The Prodigal Son' is based on a true story: a colourful and action-packed tribute to Wing Chun legend Leung Jaan, 'The Prodigal Son' chronicles the development of one of China's most enduring and colourful martial arts heroes. From his early days, through his training and heroic battles, these are the adventures of a true hero who loses his innocence and gains strength and empathy in his pursuit of honour and martial arts mastery. A true classic...
Special Features:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 & 2.0 Audio Tracks
- Original Language with English Subtitles
- Audio Commentary with HK expert Bey Logan
- An interview with leading man Yuen Biao, co-star Frankie Chan and director/star Sammo Hung
- Interview with Sifu Guy Lai with Wing Chun demonstrations by Sifu Austin Goh
- Biography Showcase for Lam Ching-ying
- Trailers
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Undoubtedly one of the very best martial arts films ever. Features several legendary martial arts performers at the top of their games, and some top-notch choreography which some would say has never been matched.
Consider also that most martial arts films don't have a story to speak of - this film defies this and in the famed "ninja" scene you genuinely fear for the lives of the leading characters.
This DVD is as high quality a version of the film as you're ever likely to get hold of - the film is from the early 80's - it's unlikely to have better picture or sound quality than you see here.
Also note that the last time this film went out of stock, copies were being sold for over £50 on ebay etc. -- not quite antique pricing, but it's a genuine example of the much overused phrase "cult classic".
Consider also that most martial arts films don't have a story to speak of - this film defies this and in the famed "ninja" scene you genuinely fear for the lives of the leading characters.
This DVD is as high quality a version of the film as you're ever likely to get hold of - the film is from the early 80's - it's unlikely to have better picture or sound quality than you see here.
Also note that the last time this film went out of stock, copies were being sold for over £50 on ebay etc. -- not quite antique pricing, but it's a genuine example of the much overused phrase "cult classic".
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having read so many good user reviews of this film I had high expectations for it and anticipated that it might be as good as my favourite martial arts films such as Ip Man, Enter The Dragon, Fearless and Five Fingers of Death. Sadly I was dissapointed. Although the film is very entertaining with some impressive fight scenes and choreography it is also badly paced and ruined by slapstick comedy that simply doesnt translate well for a film made in 1981. I thought the first 15 mins of the film were pretty terrible in the attempts at humour and terrible make up. However, the film got better as the story developed and the fight scenes became more intense. But then the middle section where Leung is trained drags badly and features too many attempts at comedy. The film picks up again towards the end and features an impressive final confrontation. The tone of the film changes from slapstick to very violent and this doesn't really work for me. Other Sammo Hung films are similar such as Iron Fisted Monk although I preferred that film to this one. There are some good performances and the film is very colourful. However to claim this is one of the great martial arts films is, in my opinion, to exaggerate the quality of the film. Three and a half stars.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Yuen Biao has always been one of the most under rated martial arts actor and always in the shadow of Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan. In Prodigal Son Yuen Biao is given the top billing as actor, choreographer and stunt men for his co stars. Before there was the "Ip Man" films that made Wing Chun popular to the masses. Sammo Hung has already successfully captured Wing Chun on film but due to world wide distribution being relatively small back then this feature was only witnessed by a select few.
Sammo Hung choreographs some fantastic fights that makes Wing Chun look beautiful on screen and it is helped by top performer Yuen Biao who excels in the role of the legendary Leung Jan. Yuen Biao really sells the Wing Chun and you believe that he has been practising it for years. The fights are fast and furious and compliment with some exellent editing. The late Lam Ching Ying gives a fantastic performance as Biao's master and he too delivers in the action departmemt. Fights feature frequently and maintain the high standards that it sets early on. The only problem may be the final show down between Frankie Chan and Yuen Biao, after so many fights of a high standard the last fight does not quite up the ante.
Sammo hung also lets loose in some Wing Chun but his character is introduced mid way through the film and seems to be at odds with the rest of the film but this was the usual style of HK film making in the 80's.
Comedy is the norm of any HK traditional kung fu film and this is no different. The is a mixed bag sometimes it is successful in gaining a chuckle but other times it is nonscensical. This can be tolerated because it does not linger long enough to grate.
Highly recommended for traditional kung fu fans.
Sammo Hung choreographs some fantastic fights that makes Wing Chun look beautiful on screen and it is helped by top performer Yuen Biao who excels in the role of the legendary Leung Jan. Yuen Biao really sells the Wing Chun and you believe that he has been practising it for years. The fights are fast and furious and compliment with some exellent editing. The late Lam Ching Ying gives a fantastic performance as Biao's master and he too delivers in the action departmemt. Fights feature frequently and maintain the high standards that it sets early on. The only problem may be the final show down between Frankie Chan and Yuen Biao, after so many fights of a high standard the last fight does not quite up the ante.
Sammo hung also lets loose in some Wing Chun but his character is introduced mid way through the film and seems to be at odds with the rest of the film but this was the usual style of HK film making in the 80's.
Comedy is the norm of any HK traditional kung fu film and this is no different. The is a mixed bag sometimes it is successful in gaining a chuckle but other times it is nonscensical. This can be tolerated because it does not linger long enough to grate.
Highly recommended for traditional kung fu fans.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best Wing Chun Film
I have seen them all and this is the best by far. Yes it's a little dated now but its still a great movie.
Published 2 months ago by ipman
Incredible Martial Arts Film
I have to admit I am not a martial arts film expert but I know good quality films when I see them, and this is one of them. Read more
Published 4 months ago by S. Srinivasan
a classic
Prodical Son .... Very good film. Full of humor and wit, a real gem of a film which shows Yuen Biao in top form. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Lichinbo
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