Blu-ray Film Reviews | Arrow Video

‘Shawscope Volume Three’ (1967–1983) • Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set [Arrow Video] — a wonderful wuxia tasting menu for gluttons

Before Hong Kong’s mightiest film studio mastered the art of the kung fu film, Shaw Brothers hit box office gold with a very different kind of martial arts cinema.

Those in the market for this impressive 14-film box set probably already have it pre-ordered and won’t be swayed by a review. Most of the titles are presented on Blu-ray for the first time and have been beautifully restored by Arrow Video from the original negatives at 2K, with one exception — the new 4K restoration of One-Armed Swordsman (1967) overseen by Celestial Pictures. However, with the current resurgence of interest in wuxia, some may be ready to take the risk and jump feet first into a curated collection of titles from the Shaw Brothers — the prolific Hong Kong studio that fuelled the ‘New Wuxia’ revival of the mid-20th century. These films laid the foundation for the new wave of wuxia we’re enjoying…