The Valiant Ones is the first historical era Hong Kong film I’ve seen in 4K. The modern day Police Story, Dragons Forever and Heroic Trio look great, but imagine seeing Shaw Brothers even clearer than their recent Blu-rays. That’s what this edition of The Valiant Ones achieves.
Although King Hu filmed on location, not in the studio, so that adds to the reality. This film captures such beautiful coastal locations, especially the river in between cliffs. You do still see the grain of the film.
Eureka! loaded this 4K with bonus features just like their Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest titles. Most of them are over 20 minutes, covering the history of Hu’s career and film techniques like alternating doubles in the foreground and background, and the pioneering eight frame cut. Some read actual quotes from Hu.
There are some profiles of actors like Ng Ming Choi and stuntmen like Billy Chan telling stories about their fellow actors and stuntmen. Ng was very close to hu, considered him a father, so he goes into detail about some of the demanding aspects of Hu.
Archival interviews with the likes of Roger Garcia also know a lot about Hu’s planned but never filmed movies. Hsu Deng talks about her whole career and Ng appears again in a quickie.
Good old Frank Djeng gives his usual thorough commentary. He knows everything.
I got the full packaging with this one and the cover boasts a classy live-action shot of the valiant ones themselves. A short booklet also includes an essay about the historical aspects both portrayed in The Valiant Ones and of the era in which it was made.