The Brave Archer Collection [Blu-ray]

Adapted from The Legend of the Condor Heroes, the wuxia novel by Jin Yong, this phantasmagorical martial arts saga – The Brave Archer Trilogy—stars Alexander Fu Sheng. In addition to the celebrated original trio of beloved films, this set also includes the two unofficial sequels: The Brave Archer and His Mate which also stars Alexander Fu Sheng, and Little Dragon Maiden which stars Leslie Cheung (A Chinese Ghost Story, The Bride with White Hair). The first four films are directed by one of the greatest film directors of martial arts films ever, Chang Cheh.

The Brave Archer:
Chang Cheh is known for his revolutionary teen angst kung-fu films, his superheroic, Grand Guignol Venoms series, his sweeping martial arts epics, and the likes of this phantasmagorical saga featuring demi-deities of mythical kung-fu. The great international idol Alexander Fu Sheng stars as a wushu warrior who must learn the "18 Palms" and the "Nine Secrets," and be taught by the "Seven Evils" to take vengeance on the man who killed his father—the Prince of the invading Chin Kingdom. With dazzling costumes, sets, and martial arts, the director tests the mettle of future superstars Hui Ying-Hung (soon to be in My Young Auntie) and Kuo Chue, who was to become the star of the Venoms series as well as one of the most respected action choreographers in the world (with both Tomorrow Never Dies and Brotherhood of the Wolf to his credit).

The Brave Archer 2:
This magnificent martial arts saga takes up where the renowned original left off: with our hero Kuo Tsing winning the hand of fair maiden Huang Yung. Almost immediately, however, clan rivalries in the "Martial Arts World" lead to Kuo being wounded and Huang being named new leader of the Beggar Clan. It's all mounted with sparkling energy by three kung-fu choreographers and a star-packed cast. International favorite Alexander Fu Sheng is back as Kuo, and Niu Niu shines in her show-stopping role as his betrothed. In addition, the mystical martial arts mayhem serves as a showcase for My Young Auntie star Hui Ying-Hung, king of villains Johnny Wang Lung-Wei, and featuring a few of the Deadly Venoms—Kuo Chue, Lo Meng, and Sun Chien.

The Brave Archer 3:
It's rare in any film industry that Part 3 of a classic series has the same "umph!" as its predecessors, but when you get legendary director Chang Cheh to return for a third time to helm much of the original terrific cast that includes Alexander Fu Sheng, Ti Lung and several of the Five Venoms, it's just a masterpiece waiting to happen…again. And it does. Based on a classic kung-fu novel, The Brave Archer 3 delivers at all levels: mystery, magic, plot twists and of course brilliant martial arts action that has always been one of the Shaw Brothers' calling cards of success. Chang's heroes live for death while wrapping themselves in their own universe, and at the right time, will altruistically explode. That's what makes this film a blast.

The Brave Archer and His Mate:
When is The Brave Archer movie a Venoms film? When it is this, the fourth in a series originally starring international favorite Alexander Fu Sheng as master martial artist Kuo Tsing. But Fu only appears here in a cameo as the son of a character played by Lung Tien-Sheng (best known as a spear master in the Venoms film The Flag of Iron). Kuo Chue is the new hero (as he is in the Venoms films as well) who is out to defeat the mass murderer of his martial arts masters. In fact, this fast-moving, action-packed film is even choreographed by the three core Venoms, making it a unique combination of grand "Martial Arts World" mayhem and special Venom-style, high-flying kung-fu.

Little Dragon Maiden:
With Hong Kong cinema's new wave, high-flying, martial arts action of the 1980s came a new wave of actors: teeny-bopper, canto-pop singer/stars with little or no martial arts background. However, when a film like Little Dragon Maiden intelligently mixes the old with the new, the results are pure gold. This costume-filled action-drama-love story features relative newcomer Leslie Cheung, who falls in love with the Dragon Maiden while learning the art of swordplay. The recipe is complete when veteran kung-fu stars Chen Kuan-Tai and Lo Lieh add just enough weapon-wielding spice to make this film really cook. Cheung later garnered international recognition in John Woo's A Better Tomorrow and Ronny Yu's The Bride with White Hair.

Special Features:

Disc 1 - The Brave Archer:
- Interview with Hong Kong Film Historian David West
- Theatrical Trailer

Disc 2 - The Brave Archer 2:
- Fine Archery—Feature-Length Documentary on the Entire Brave Archer Franchise
- Highlighted by Conversations, Filmed In 2023, with Stars Ke Chu (The Brave Archer 3 / The Brave Archer and His Mate), Ku Feng (The Brave Archer 2/3 and The Brave Archer and His M
- Theatrical Trailer

Disc 3 - The Brave Archer 3:
- Director Godfrey Ho Remembers Chang Cheh
- Theatrical Trailer

Disc 4 - The Brave Archer and His Mate:
- Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng of the NY Asian Film Festival
- Theatrical Trailer

Disc 5 - Little Dragon Maiden:
- Audio Commentary with James Mudge, Veteran Hong Kong Film Critic at easternKicks
- Theatrical Trailer