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The Prodigal Son

 

Starring :

Yuen Biao

Lam Ching Ying

Sammo Hung

Frankie Chan

 

Action :

Sammo Hung

 

Producer :

Raymond Chow

 

Director :

Sammo Hung

 

 

 

THE PRODIGAL SON  (1981)

A.K.A. - Pull No Punches

Reviewed by Tony Ryan

Yuen Biao plays the title role as spoilt rich kid Leung Chang whose parents pay any potential challenger to lose in order for him to remain unhurt. That is until Chinese Opera player Leung Yee Tai (Lam Ching Ying) refuses the money, beats him up and proceeds to explain how bad his Kung fu really is. The story follows Biao in his attempts to become an apprentice to Yee Tai and showcases some exquisitely choreographed fights and Wing Chun training sequences.

The character of Leung Chang sometimes known as Leung Jarn is a real Chinese historical figure, famous for being a Wing Chun master. He was also portrayed a couple of years earlier in the Sammo Hung directed 'Warriors Two'.

Lam Ching Ying is a revelation in this film. Having studied Chinese Opera under Madam Fan Fok Fa (a rival school to that of Sammo and Jackie's run by Sifu Yu Jim Yuen) and famous for portraying female characters in the real opera, while being a true Wing Chun practitioner, steals the show with the best acting and action throughout. If you enjoy his performance, then check out 'Mr. Vampire' and 'Magic Cop'.

This film is a true classic, outdoing other period pieces 'Drunken Master' and 'Once Upon a Time in China'. Go get it!

 

Rating: 

 

 

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HK Flix.com (R1)

Amazon.co.uk (R2)

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Amazon.com (NTSC)

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N/A

 

Region:  2

Distributor:  Hong Kong Legends

Chapters:  8

Picture:  2.35:1 anamorphic letterboxed print with good, strong colours and blacks with no signs of artefacting or grain.  The majority of damage has also been removed but some softness still remains.  Overall, an excellent presentation that manages to gain a couple of extra marks for cleanliness over an already well presented Universe disc.

Sound:  DD 2.0 Cantonese and English dubbed soundtracks with removable English and Dutch subtitles.

Trailers:  Original and UK promo trailers for 'Prodigal Son' along with previews of 'Ninja In The Dragon's Den', 'Avenging Fist', 'Tai Chi Boxer', 'Zu Warriors', 'Scorpion King' and 'Iron Fisted Monk'.

Extras:  Interviews with Sammo Hung, Frankie Chan and Yuen Biao; an interview with Guy Lai; a text tribute to Lam Ching Ying; details on the art of Wing Chun.  Not exactly overflowing but the interviews with three of the film's main stars are extremely worthwhile.

 

Main Menu

Special Features Menu

 

 

Region:  0

Distributor:  Universe

Chapters:  8

Picture:  Letterboxed at a 2.35:1 ratio with the best print I have ever seen of this film! Considering it's age, even HKL would be proud to release it with little extra effort.

Sound:  Remixed 5.1 Cantonese & Remixed Mandarin audio choices with removable Chinese (traditional & simplified), English, Japanese, Bahasa (Malaysia & Indonesia), Thai, Korean and Vietnamese subtitles.

Trailers:  Includes the trailer, plus trailers for 'Millionaires' Express' and 'Eastern Condors' (all 2.35 ratios).

Talent Files:  Info on cast members Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung.

Extras:  None.