Eureka Video UK Blu-ray Synopsis: A standout Hong Kong crime thriller released amidst the wave of heroic bloodshed films that followed in the wake of John Woo's A Better Tomorrow and Ringo Lam's City on Fire, Flaming Brothers features Alan Tang and Chow Yun Fat (who was quickly rising to superstardom in the late 1980s) as triad brothers determined to protect their criminal operation – and each other – no matter what the cost. Both orphaned at a young age, Cheung Ho-tin (Chow) and Can Wai-lun (Tang) grew up together on the streets, forming a strong bond in their childhood that remains unbroken as they become triad brothers in adulthood. Having recently opened a nightclub together, they begin to feel that they have finally made it. That is,at least, until they become embroiled in a conflict with the ruthless gangster Kao (Patrick Tse) and his right-hand man (Norman Chui), who threaten to take away everything that Tin and Lun have worked for. In equal parts an action-packed thrill-ride and a rumination on the bonds of male friendship, Flaming Brothers boasts a screenplay written by Wong Kar Wai, the celebrated auteur who would go on to write and direct Chungking Express and In The Mood For Love. Eureka Classics is proud to present the film on Blu-ray from a new 2K restoration. (102 Mins)

 

Hong Kong Legends UK DVD Synopsis: A richly-textured, violent and deeply involving saga of two men who rise to the top of the Hong Kong Underworld despite their humble beginnings as street urchins in Macau. Stunning and visceral, this bold, blood-soaked spectacle resonates heavily on many levels, as it skilfully unravels the inescapable and inevitable fate of two blood brothers who struggle to evade the violent world they have created. Poignant performances from leading-men Chow Yun Fat and Alan Tang combine with Joe Cheung's skilful direction to deliver a powerful but tragic gangland thriller with the brutal realism of 'Scarface' and the emotional intensity of John Woo's magnum opus 'Bullet in the Head'. (98 Mins)

 

Views: Orphan brothers Alan and Cheung are known throughout their Macau neighbourhood as rascals, causing trouble here and there to survive – but no matter the struggle, their love and bond for each other is unbreakable. As the years pass, both brothers gain a name for themselves as successful triad leaders, running nightclubs and controlling turf while trying to keep a cap on drugs and trouble so as not to mess up. But a rival triad is out to get them and, after a violent shoot-out between gangs, the path of the brothers begins to take a whole new direction – eventually parting for their own reasons. Having to choose between lovers and brothers, the pair eventually come together in a climatic battle and that results in one hell of a bloody finale!

 

Shot between Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand, Flaming Brothers is a well-made but very underrated classic from the heroic bloodshed sub-genre of Hong Kong cinema. Directed by Joe Cheung – the man behind hits such as Incredible Kung Fu Master (1979) with Sammo Hung and Stephen Tung Wai, Richard Ng's Pom Pom (1984), Yuen Biao's Rosa (1986), Andy Lau's Return Engagement (1990), the fantastic Pom Pom & Hot Hot (1992) with Jacky Cheung and Stephen Tung Wai, and the highly entertaining Kung Fu Wing Chun (2010) that saw it's leading lady Bai Jing, brutally murdered by her husband. Incidentally, this would also be Cheung's last directorial effort to date. And in regards to Stephen Tung Wai, I guess now is probably the best time to talk about his connection with both Flaming Brothers and Joe Cheung. Clearly making an impression with his starring role in Joe Cheung's directional debut, The Incredible Kung Fu Master in 1979, Tung Wai became the action-choreographer of choice for Cheung in the most of his future action films – including The Killer In White (1980), Revenge In Hong Kong (1981), Bet On Fire (1988), 18 Times (1988), Return Engagement (1990), Pom Pom & Hot Hot (1992), The True Hero (1994), and Kung Fu Wing Chun (2010). Here, in Flaming Brothers, Tung is joined by Benz Kong – a regular directing partner who also worked on most of the aforementioned titles and some of Cheung's that Tung Wai couldn't – as well as their third team member, Poon Kin Kwan. Between them, the trio deliver a host of violent action, with many of their gunfights offering more of a realistic feel to them rather than the much loved balletic shoot-outs of John Woo, for example. But as the film comes to it's final chapter, and all involved are restricted to some horse stables, Tung, Kong and Poon deliver a highly impressive grand finale that makes viewers sit up and take notice.

 

Written by the acclaimed Wong Kar Wai and Jeff Lau, both of whom also serve as the Executive Producers, Flaming Brothers was released by Golden Harvest but made under the banner of In-Gear Film Production which was created by leading man Alan Tang and his brother, Rover Tang. Around this same time, the Tang brothers would produce Haunted Cop Shop 1 & 2 (1988/89) for Jeff Lau, As Tears Go By (1988) for Wong Kar Wai, and films such as (Ninja) Vampire Buster (1989), Return Engagement (1990), Gun n' Rose (1992), the absolutely insane Black Panther Warriors (1993) and Aaron Kwok's Kung Fu Scholar (1994). Of course, Alan Tang had been a big part of the Hong Kong industry long before he began producing. Making his film debut in 1964, the former heartthrob went onto become a huge star throughout the 70s as the lead of many romance movies and dramas. But when the 80s crept in, Tang slowed down his output and starring in films such as New York Chinatown (1982), Yellow Peril (1984), Gangland Odyssey (1990), Requital (1992) and many of his later aforementioned self-produced vehicles. Here, as the older of the two brothers, Alan does a fine job and makes for a great partner to his hugely popular co-star, the irresistible Chow Yun Fat!

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Of course, today, this global superstar really needs no introduction, but just in case. Chow had made his film debut in the The Reincarnation (1976), although was firmly cementing a name for himself as one of television's biggest stars. By the time Flaming Brothers had come about, Chow had been working his magic on over 30 other titles including The Bund 1 & 2 (1983), Postman Fights Back (1982), Hong Kong 1941 (1984), as well as 100 Ways To Murder Your Wife, The Seventh Curse, and John Woo's incredible hit A Better Tomorrow in 1986, which would crown him as the king of heroic bloodshed. Of course, just a year later, Flaming Brothers would come into play but this would be only 1 of the 11 films Chow starred in that year alongside the highly entertaining Spiritual Love, Ringo Lam's City On Fire and Prison On Fire, the fun Scared Stiff, Rich & Famous and it's sequel Tragic Hero, Code Of Honour, and A Better Tomorrow 2. Obviously, the star went on to fast become one of Hong Kong's biggest names with further films such as City War (1988), The Killer (1989), God Of Gamblers (1989), Once A Thief (1991), Hard Boiled (1992), and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000) proving his worth. Naturally, his role here as Cheung is just as entertaining as the rest, as no-one looks cooler than Chow Yun Fat when holding a gun.

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Both are joined by a few familiar faces such as the lovely Pat Ha, who stars as Chow's love interest, and Jenny Tseng – the Macau born singer/actress who was married to the late Alexander Fu Sheng – who stars as Alan Tang's better half. The prolific Patrick Tse, father to the much loved action star Nicolas Tse and star of almost 180 movies, stars as the wicked gang boss known as Kao. Cold and sly in his actions, Kao proves to be a big problem for the brothers, eventually coming to blows with them during the grand finale in the stables. He is joined by the great-late Norman Tsui Siu Keung who stars as his right-hand-man, Chiu. It's more of a guest role than anything, but he's always a pleasure to see on screen no matter what. Thai-born actor and director of films such as 10 Magnificent Killers (1977), Witchcraft vs Curse (1991) and Devil of Rape (1992), Fong Yau, also makes an appearance, while cop-turned-actor/writer/director Philip Chan helps flesh things out. All are joined by actors such as James Yi Lui, Lau Shung Fung, Wong Kim Fung, the prolific Gam Biu, Jackie Chan Stunt Team member Sam Wong and acclaimed director Stanley Tong – both of whom turn up as hitmen in Thailand during the scenes there...

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Although one of his earlier jobs, the film is beautifully captured by the one-and-only Jingle Ma – director of films such as Hot War (1998), Tokyo Raiders (2000), Seoul Raiders (2005) and Mulan (2009) among others – offering rich visuals that help it lean more towards the style of a Ringo Lam film as opposed to that of John Woo. And while far from perfect, I still believe that Flaming Brothers still has plenty to offer to make it worth checking out. I was very pleased to see that Eureka Video gave it such a gorgeous 2K restoration for it's Blu-ray release here in the UK and Ireland, complete with a number of extra features that helped me love the film even more such as a great audio commentary with Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, a lengthy location guide that revisits as many sites from the movie, and more!

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Overall: Neatly directed and well acted, Flaming Brothers may be overlooked as a classic of heroic bloodshed cinema, but Chow fans won't be disappointed with the end result!

 

Eureka Video Blu-ray Extras: 2K Restoration, Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema, CFK Location Guide, Archival Interview with Joe Cheung, Alternate English Credits, Trailer

 

Hong Kong Legends DVD Extras: Audio Commentary by Bey Logan, Interview with Joe Cheung, Trailers

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Watch my unboxing video for the Eureka Video release HERE

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