The unparalleled era of Hong Kong action cinema in the 1980s and 90s produced some of the genre`s finest films. Enthusiasts can now look forward to the release of all three movies from the iconic A Better Tomorrow saga on 4K Blu-ray. This comprehensive box set, meticulously restored by Shout Factory, is available for preorder at $100, with its official release scheduled for November 18. Additionally, Shout Factory will be issuing a 4K Blu-ray Deluxe Edition of Hard Boiled on November 4. While this edition promises exciting features, a recent price adjustment from $40 to $65 at major retailers like Amazon and Walmart has been observed. It`s anticipated that the final launch price may be lower, and preorders typically aren`t charged until shipment.
The A Better Tomorrow Trilogy on 4K Blu-ray
Under the direction of cinematic luminaries John Woo and Tsui Hark, all three A Better Tomorrow films have received a stunning 4K remaster from their original camera negatives. Each presentation boasts Dolby Vision, ensuring HDR-10 compatibility. Audiences can choose between the original Cantonese soundtrack or an English dub, both delivered in DTS-HD Master Audio mono. For those opting for the Cantonese audio, newly translated English subtitles are included. The box set also features an exclusive poster, showcasing new commissioned artwork.
This collection is enriched with numerous new bonus features, primarily consisting of audio commentaries and interviews. These include insights from respected film critics, cast and crew members, and even acclaimed directors such as Gareth Evans (The Raid). A standout inclusion is the long-sought-after workprint of A Better Tomorrow 2, which was believed to be lost for many years. This particular cut of Woo`s sequel, re-edited by producer Tsui Hark, extends the film by an additional 30 minutes. Despite Woo`s view of it as the “black sheep” of the trilogy (with Hark directing the third installment), he has praised its climactic gunfight as a highlight of his cinematic career.
Furthermore, the set includes the Taiwanese cut of A Better Tomorrow 3, which offers approximately 10 minutes of additional content through various extended scenes. This comprehensive seven-disc collection provides both 4K UHD and 1080p Blu-ray versions for each film.
Detailed Features for A Better Tomorrow Trilogy:
Disc 1: A Better Tomorrow (4K)
- Audio commentary with James Mudge, Hong Kong film critic at EasternKicks (New)
Disc 2: A Better Tomorrow (Blu-ray)
- Optional English subtitles newly translated for this release (New)
- Audio commentary with James Mudge, Hong Kong film critic at EasternKicks (New)
- Better Than the Best – an interview with director John Woo (New)
- Between Friends – an interview with producer Terence Chang (New)
- When Tomorrow Comes – an interview with screenwriter Chan Hing-ka (New)
- Thoughts on the Future – an interview with filmmaker Gordon Chan (New)
- Better and Bombastic – an interview with filmmaker Gareth Evans (New)
- Trailers
- Image gallery
Disc 3: A Better Tomorrow 2 (4K)
- Optional English subtitles newly translated for this release (New)
- Audio commentary with James Mudge, Hong Kong film critic at EasternKicks (New)
Disc 4: A Better Tomorrow 2 (Blu-ray)
- Optional English subtitles newly translated for this release (New)
- Audio commentary with James Mudge, Hong Kong film critic at EasternKicks (New)
- A Tumultuous Tomorrow – an interview with director John Woo (New)
- Better Than Ever – an interview with film historian Frank Djeng (New)
- Trailers
- Image gallery
Disc 5: A Better Tomorrow 3 (4K)
- Optional English subtitles newly translated for this release (New)
- Audio commentary with critic and author David West (New)
Disc 6: A Better Tomorrow 3 (Blu-ray)
- Optional English subtitles newly translated for this release (New)
- Audio commentary with critic and author David West (New)
- Third Time Lucky – an interview with screenwriters Yiu-Ming Leung and Foo Ho Tai (New)
- All Our Tomorrows – an interview with Hong Kong filmmaker and academic Gilbert Po (New)
- Nam Flashbacks – an interview with Vietnam War researcher Dr. Aurélie Basha i Novosejt (New)
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
Disc 7: A Better Tomorrow 2 and 3 (Bonus Blu-ray)
- Long-lost A Better Tomorrow 2 workprint featuring over 30 minutes of never-before-seen footage
- A Better Tomorrow 3 – Taiwanese cut
Synopsis of the A Better Tomorrow Series:
The 1986 original, A Better Tomorrow, stars Chow Yun-fat as Mark Lee, a police officer torn between his professional duty and personal loyalty. He is drawn into a conflict when high-ranking Triad member Sung Tse-Ho, with whom Lee shares a strong bond, seeks vengeance for a family murder. This critically acclaimed film was a significant success and paved the way for director John Woo and star Chow Yun-fat`s later Hollywood careers.
A Better Tomorrow 2, released in 1987, continued the saga with a dramatic plot twist (which we won`t reveal to avoid spoilers for newcomers). Much like its predecessor, this sequel is renowned for its extravagant action, explosive sequences, and an exceptionally high body count as characters unleash a relentless barrage of gunfire.
Concluding the series in 1989, A Better Tomorrow 3: Love and Death in Saigon serves as a prequel to the first film. Set amidst the tumultuous final days of the Vietnam War, the narrative, while not considered the strongest, is consistently elevated by its spectacular action sequences. Notably, creative disagreements between Woo and Tsui Hark over Woo`s initial vision led to Woo departing the director`s role. His original script later evolved into the 1990 film Bullet in the Head.
Hard Boiled: Deluxe Edition on 4K Blu-ray
Another major addition to the upcoming Hong Kong Cinema Classics collection is the 1992 masterpiece, Hard Boiled. Widely regarded as one of the greatest action films ever made and a pinnacle of the John Woo-Chow Yun-fat partnership, Hard Boiled delivers outrageous fun with its direct plot: a dedicated cop`s relentless pursuit of vengeance against a criminal syndicate. What follows is pure chaos, extreme action, and Chow Yun-fat`s signature effortless cool, highlighted by the unforgettable hospital shootout sequence.
Shout Factory`s Deluxe Edition revitalizes this cult classic with a pristine 4K scan derived from the original camera negatives. It features Dolby Vision and HDR10 support, alongside both Cantonese and English dubs in DTS-HD Master Audio Mono. Similar to the A Better Tomorrow trilogy, this release also includes new English subtitles and an exclusive 52-page collectible booklet.
The three-disc set comprises a standard Blu-ray version of the film, complemented by an abundance of bonus materials. These include several newly recorded interviews with Woo and other pivotal crew members. The collection is further enhanced by new audio commentary tracks from film critics and historians, in addition to existing commentaries recorded by The Criterion Collection featuring John Woo, producer Terence Chang, filmmaker Roger Avary, and critic Dave Kehr. Deleted scenes, trailers, and an image gallery complete this extensive package.
Detailed Features for Hard Boiled:
Disc 1 (4K)
- Optional English subtitles newly translated for this release (new)
- Audio commentary with director John Woo and film journalist Drew Tayler (new)
- Audio commentary with film historian Frank Djeng (new)
- Audio commentary with director John Woo, producer Terence Chang, filmmaker Roger Avary, and critic Dave Kehr (recorded by The Criterion Collection)
Disc 2 (Blu-ray)
- Audio commentary with director John Woo and film journalist Drew Tayler (new)
- Audio commentary with film historian Frank Djeng (new)
- Audio commentary with director John Woo, producer Terence Chang, filmmaker Roger Avary, and critic Dave Kehr (recorded by The Criterion Collection)
Disc 3 (Bonus Blu-ray)
- Violent Night – an interview with director John Woo (new)
- Boiling Over – an interview with actor Anthony Wong (new)
- No Time for Failure – an interview with producer Terence Chang (new)
- Hard to Resist – an interview with screenwriter Gordon Chan (new)
- Boiled to Perfection – an interview with screenwriter Chung Hang Ku (new)
- Body Count Blues – an interview with composer Michael Gibbs (new)
- Hong Kong Confidential – inside Hard Boiled with author Grady Hendrix (new)
- Gun-Fu Fever – an interview with author Leon Hunt (new)
- Chewing the Fat – an interview with academic Lin Feng (new)
- Deleted and extended scenes
- Trailers
- Image gallery