There’ve been a lot of movies about Beggar So. He was Wong Fei Hung’s master so he’s in many of those. But Stephen Chow brings a unique comic lens to a beggar redemption tale.
When he adapts napping into martial arts moves, it’s really clever like Jackie Chan’s drunken boxing. Looking at the sleeping pose on the front cover, you can see that’s actually a side plank, on his elbow. I have a hard enough time holding a regular plank.
But, this is an origin story so before that stylistic flourish, Chow plays not quite a buffoon but he’s injured so in recovery before he discovers his unique gift. It’s still funny as Chow pushes the extreme of helpless poverty.
And now Eureka gives King of Beggars a full color Blu-ray so you don’t have to watch it on blurry VHS. From the lavish town squares to the destitute hovels, the film looks great in HD.
In a new interview, director Gordon Chan explains how it evolved from a traditional Beggar So story and he knew Chow was going to direct.
Gary Bettinson’s 30 minute essay discusses Chow’s whole career and specifically what’s on display in Beggars.
Frank Djeng’s commentary gives production and Chinese history in equally thorough doses.