Eureka Video Blu-ray Synopsis: Another fast and furious kung fu comedy classic directed by Sammo Hung (The Millionaires Express), Knockabout features a cast of martial arts movie legends including Yuen Biao (The Prodigal Son), Bryan 'Beardy' Leung Kar Yan (Warriors Two), and Lau Kar Wing (Odd Couple) alongside Hung himself. Brothers Yi Pao (Yuen Biao) and Dai Pao (Leung Kar Yan) are a couple of down on their luck conmen. After getting soundly defeated by the kung fu master, Silver Fox (Lau Kar Wing), the brothers realise it would be in their own self-interest if they learn how to fight, and they ask him to train them. Unfortunately, their new master is actually a ruthless killer, and when the brothers realise this, one of them is murdered. To get revenge, the surviving brother must learn a unique form of kung fu from an unlikely source, a beggar who just happens to be a master fighter! Featuring one of the greatest action finales in the history of Hong Kong cinema, Knockabout is yet another classic of martial arts filmmaking from the legendary Sammo Hung, and Eureka Classics is proud to present the film from a brand new 2K restoration. (104 / 92 Mins)

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Hong Kong Legends DVD Synopsis: Martial arts movie legend Sammo Hung (Martial Law, Millionaires Express) sets a new standard in action with the fastest, funniest and most furious kung fu comedy ever. Knockabout provides a fantastic starring vehicle for Hung's protege, Yuen Biao (Prodigal Son, Iceman Cometh), the most acrobatic action star in Hong Kong cinema history. Two down-at-heel conmen, Yipao (Yuen Biao) and Taipao (Leung Kar Yan, Warriors Two) decide to learn kung fu from a martial arts master (Shaw Brothers legend Lau Kar Wing). When they discover that their teacher is really a ruthless killer, Taipao is murdered, and Yipao is forced to learn the skills of a kung fu fighting beggar (Sammo Hung) to take revenge. Discover one of the greatest action finales in the history of Hong Kong Cinema, and experience a career-high performance from physical genius Yuen Biao. Knockabout is not to be missed! (100 Mins)

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Views: The brilliant Yuen Biao and Leung Kar Yan play a couple of brothers who get through life scamming people and cheating in gambling dens. One day they try to scam a new guy in town, but he turns out to be a highly skilled martial arts master who opts to take them both on as students, but when they discover that their new master is a wanted criminal known as Silver Fox, they both find themselves on the receiving end of his attacks. After his brother is killed, Yuen barely escapes with his life and soon finds help from a portly beggar who is a master of monkey style kung-fu. Together, they join forces to bring down the Silver Fox and seek revenge for Leung's murder in a blistering finale that showcases some of the finest kung-fu action ever filmed!

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Having started in the film industry as a child-actor alongside his brothers Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung (along with a number of other stars from the Peking Opera School such as Yuen Wah, Yuen Kwai, and Yuen Tak), the hugely underrated Yuen Biao went on to appear in over 50 films as a stuntman, extra, and bit-player before getting his big break here in Sammo Hung's fantastic Knockabout. From Fist Of Fury and The Valiant Ones to The Magic Blade, The Man From Hong Kong and Hand Of Death to Enter The Fat Dragon, it was clear that the little dragon had something special to offer with his physicality and on-screen persona, and it was very quickly recognised by fans of Hong Kong cinema after his roles in this, The Magnificent Butcher, The Young Master, Dreadnaught, and an outstanding performance in the epic Prodigal Son which cemented his place in kung-fu cinema – going on to entertain fans in a host of amazing titles over the decades. As the star of Knockabout, Yuen Biao finally stepped out of the shadows and displayed an outstanding amount of intricate moves blended with great comic-timing, and a range of physicality that perfectly highlighted just what an incredible performer he could be. Here, he is joined once again by the wonderful Leung Kar Yan after the pair shared the screen in Sammo Hung's brilliant Warriors Two (albeit with Biao in a small bit-part) and Enter The Fat Dragon, before going on to join forces in Yuen Woo Ping's awesome Dreadnaught. As I've mentioned before in many reviews over the years, I'm always amazed how how incredible Kar Yan's forms and kung-fu skills are on-screen for someone who has never been formally trained as a a martial artist. Of course, in Knockabout Leung impresses once again and holds his own against the likes of Biao, Hung, and Lau Kar Wing when given the chance. The late 1970's were an incredible time for Hung as a director and star, from his directorial debut with Iron Fisted Monk in '77 through to Enter The Fat Dragon, Dirty Tiger Crazy Frog, Odd Couple, Warriors Two, Incredible Kung Fu Master, and The Magnificent Butcher (from Yuen Woo Ping) – it seemed that there was no stopping this, already well-established, star. With Knockabout, Hung delivers a film where the comedy is often hilarious and the fight scenes highlight the physicality of its stars via some amazing choreography – some of which even challenges that of their brothers offerings in Snake In The Eagles Shadow and Drunken Master, or any amount of Shaw Brothers hits that were coming out around this period. There was no denying that Sammo was a director and choreographer to watch out for (never mind an action star in his own right), and could easily challenge anything put out by Yuen Woo Ping and Lau Kar Leung respectively. Brother of the latter, the great Lau Kar Wing, stars as the villain of the piece and already had hundreds of titles under his belt by this stage of his career, both as an actor and a choreographer. A number of these titles were with Sammo Hung and included films like Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog and the self-directed Odd Couple, both of which were from the short-lived Gar Bo Films. They would also share the screen in Sammo's classic Warriors Two and continue to work together over the decades on a number of amazing titles, including the awesome Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon in 1990 of which Lau directed and starred in as the main villain once again. In Knockabout, Kar Wing does a fantastic job in the villainous role as Silver Fox where he gets to deliver yet another amazing display of kung-fu moves that highly impress, and is always a joy to see in action. The rest of the cast is filled out with a host of welcome faces including the brilliant Karl Maka (who shared the screen with Hung and Lau a number of times before this) as the bonkers police captain, Peter Chan as the bankers son, Yuen Tak, Chung Fat and Billy Chan as casino staff members with prolific actor Ho Pak Kwong as their boss, Yuen Miu as a boatman (and waiter), Lee Hoi Sang and Wang Kuang Yu who star as two old enemies of the Silver Fox, and the always enjoyable Mars as yet another man in search of the grey-haired fighter. Also keep an eye out for appearances from Lam Ching Ying, Johnny Cheung, Benz Kong, and many more...

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The cinematography was crisply captured by Ricky Lau, director of the Mr. Vampire Saga, Where's Officer Tuba?, Ghost Punting, and Yuen Biao's The Hunted Hunter, while the script was written by Lau Tin Chi and Huang Chik Chin, with the former also playing the role of Peter Chan's banker-father. Lau's first offering as a writer was with the Hui brothers hit, Games Gamblers Play, before going on to write a number of fun titles over the years including The Young Master, The Victim, Two Toothless Tigers, and this. Although the story is pretty basic and hardly groundbreaking for its time, Sammo makes sure not to lose his audience by providing some awe-inspiring choreography – of which there is plenty of. From the fun casino fight to the initial attack on Silver Fox, and the five-person battle with Lee Hoi Sang to the breathtaking showdown, fans certainly can't complain about the fight-action on offer. Of course, no traditional kung-fu flick would ever be complete without an abundance of highly entertaining training sequences, and Knockabout certainly delivers without ever getting boring. Interestingly enough, it was made the same year as the fantastic Odd Couple – a Lau Kar Wing directed film that saw Sammo Hung co-star, along with many of the names included here, and Leung Kar Yan taking on the role of the main villain. Thankfully though, each film differed enough on the master and student storyline which helped offer-up two exciting and fight-filled pieces from the team, making 1979 a very exciting year indeed for movie fans. Of course, there must have been some monkey magic in the air during this period, with Goldig Studios releasing the Jackie Chansplotation flick, Snake In The Monkey's Shadow starring John Cheung and Wilson Tong, with the Shaw Brothers studio releasing Lau Kar Leung's epic Mad Monkey Kung Fu (one of the few films Lau Kar Wing didn't star in for his brother) and John Law Ma's Monkey Kung Fu starring Tony Ching Siu Tung the very same year. While I'm sure there were many more, it's worth noting that a Taiwanese flick of the same name followed in 1980 starring Chen Mu Chuan, Chang Yi, Yueh Hua, and Eddy Ko.

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While I have enjoyed Knockabout since its VHS release in the mid-late 90s from Made in Hong Kong, and even more so on DVD courtesy of Hong Kong Legends, I have to admit that this Blu-ray release from Eureka Video is the best I've ever seen it. Released in a 2K restoration, the flawless quality of the print just takes Knockabout to a whole new level – even offering two different versions of the film for fans to enjoy, complete with dual commentaries. And while it may have some minor flaws here and there, there's no denying that Knockabout is a genuine kung-fu comedy classic from Golden Harvest studios that deserves a place in any true fans' collection!

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Overall: A genuine classic of kung-fu cinema, Knockabout offers some of the finest martial arts action ever filmed and is well worth the watch!

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Eureka Blu-ray Extras: Two Versions of Knockabout (Original Hong Kong Version & Shorter Export Version) with 2K Restoration, Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema, Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng & Michael Worth, Archival Interviews with Sammo Hung, Leung Kar Yan, and Grandmaster Chan Sau Chang, Deleted Scene (Japanese Promotional Footage), Trailers

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Hong Kong Legends DVD Extras: Audio Commentary by Bey Logan, Interviews with Sammo Hung, Leung Kar Yan, and Grandmaster Chan Sau Chang, Deleted Scene (Japanese Promotional Footage), Trailers

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Watch my unboxing video of this Arrow Video release HERE