Film distributor Well Go USA recently sent out a small press release regarding its upcoming newest slate of remastered Shaw Brothers kung fu classics, aimed at paying homage to the late great philanthropist and studio founder, Sir Run Run Shaw who passed away on January 7 at the age of 106. I have only ever seen a few Shaw films in my lifetime but there are a few titles I am looking forward to seeing circulate in this collection. And I certainly hope that with the extensive success, history that Shaw Brothers studios left behind for its followers over the years, that these films can continue for future generations of martial arts cinema fans and filmmakers around the world.
On January 7th, we lost a pioneer of Asian film whose influence has been felt for over 60 years. At age 106, Run Run Shaw passed away, but his influence will be felt forever. In the 556 film and television features brought to us from the Shaw Brothers studio – think on that number for a moment – a legacy was built, influencing more writers and filmmakers than can possibly be measured.
Well Go USA’s Sword Masters series, currently featuring over a dozen films from the Shaw Brothers, will be adding four new films in 2014, to include LEGEND OF THE BAT, DEATH DUEL, SHADOW BOXING, and TRAIL OF THE BROKEN BLADE on home media this year. Each film will be digitally remastered and optimized for the screen, as thank you to the studio that made martial arts films both a joy and an inspiration to viewers around the world. We are beyond proud to bring these films to the die-hard fans who ask us for these films each year. Be sure to get them when they’re available for sale – when they’re gone, they’re gone.
The news also comes in light of the latest film to be reintroduced back into cinemas with producer Derek Yee’s work on Third Master’s Sword which begins production this year.