Search - Magnificent Butcher on DVD

The Word "Magnificent" Could Not Be Used Any Better

Adam C. Scarbrough | San Luis Obispo, CA USA | 09/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! You will find yourself thinking this quite often as you watch this great movie. I bought this without having seen it before based on some of these reviews and seeing it on some listmania lists as a great kung fu film. This was also the first Sammo Hung movie I had ever seen. I could not be more satisfied. I admit I was a bit skeptical, but after the first half hour I was thinking of how I had really scored with this one.



First off, Sammo Hung blew me away! I had no idea how quick, agile, and fast he was. His kung fu is flawless. Well, Yuen Woo-Ping doing the choreography certainly helps. Sammo does around six different styles himself and the other actors throw in about six more. Some unique ones are monkey pole and wild cat styles. There are plenty of fight scenes to keep the pace of the film high and always moving (probably one every ten minutes, sometimes even sooner). This movie also has good comedy for an old kung fu flick, not just silliness. The story of the movie is basic but still good. It is about how butcher Wing(Sammo Hung) gets into trouble when his master, Wong Fei Hung, is away and he must deal with it on his own. He is framed for a crime and must prove his innocence while trying to constantly defend himself from attempts on his life.



Well, the movie has no flaws so how about the DVD itself you ask. It's perfect. This is an extremely good digital transfer of the film. I am speaking of the Fox/Fortune Star version. I do not know about the HK version. The sound is excellent, Dolby 5.1 with no background noise at all(the english dubbed version that is). The voices for the dubbing are still the old original ones but they have a high sound quality. And contrary to another reviewer's statement, the picture IS in anamorphic widescreen(enhanced). Maybe they were referring to the original chinese DVD. Nearly all of Fox/Fortune Star DVDs are in anamorphic widescreen. Some other Fortune Star recommendations are Jackie Chan's The Young Master, The Prodigal Son or Knockabout both starring Yuen Biao, In The Line Of Duty 4 starring Donnie Yen and Cynthia Khan, and The Duel to the Death.



If you are still questioning yourself whether to buy this or not I will help you out, Buy Magnificent Butcher, It Is Awesome!"

Great movie, but buyers beware!

Freth | Delaware, OH United States | 12/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's not much more I can say that hasn't already been said about this movie. It's a great film and it's got Sammo Hung--enough said. The first copy I received (Tai Seng) had severe read problems from 3/4 to the end of the movie and it was unwatchable. Amazon replaced my DVD and I was able to watch the movie in its entirety. I placed it on a shelf for six months and one day I decided I'd watch it for the second time. The same problem cropped up! Either there is a problem with the process they use to make this particular DVD or the CD's they're using are flawed. I've not had any other problems with Tai Seng videos, so I am assuming it's a glitch in the copy process for this particular movie. Beware and check your DVD frequently, play it multiple times if you have to--to ensure yours won't go bad before the 30 day replacement/refund period. I'm resigned to the fact I'll have to order another copy. Don't let the fear of a bad DVD make you pass up this movie though. The picture and colors are wonderful--much better than any other Sammo Hung film I own. Buy it and enjoy. :o)"

One of the greatest

Jason | Mount Juliet Tennessee United States | 04/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If someone where to ask me to name my top ten martial arts films this would would for sure be in there.From Yuen Woo Ping this is one of his greatest with jaw dropping fight scenes with star Sammo Hung AND OTHERS including a great video transfer .Add that all up and you get one of the few greats!"

Excellent classic kung-fu film; Sammo Hung is in top form

k.e.fraser.md@prodigy.net | Verona, NJ USA | 10/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent 70s style kung fu classic (actually 1979). Fresh plot with meaningful plot twists. Don't be fooled by the slightly cheesy title. And don't be fooled by Sammo Hung being in the movie. This is not one of his many comedic fluff pieces. There are excellent original inventive fight sequences throughout. Snake style, monkey style, drunken style, and even "cat" style are featured, including several weapon sequences. Sammo Hung, while light-hearted, is rather serious in this one and in top form. I would not have really thought of the film as a "comedy." The rival school master is immediately recognizable as the "exhibition" opponent/teacher to Gordon Liu at the Shaolin Temple in "Shaolin Master Killer," and many other first-rate films. The film far surpassed my expectations. I recommend it highly!"