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Snuff Bottle Connection
The Story: The Russians are consorting with the traitorous Manchu's, who plan to turn over a map of the strategic points the Russians could use to invade Chinese territories. So, with the hope that he can sniff out their pan and the traitors (and not get killed like their first spy), the government sends out Chow Tien (John Lui) to investigate and spy on the visiting Russian General, 'chuckle' Tolstoy (Roy Horan), and his lackeys. Since Tolstoy is a pistol expert, Tien gets his brother Ko (Yip Fei Yang), who is a dagger expert, and his tag along kid (Wong Yat Lung) to help aide him. Soon the plot reveals a traitorous magistrate and the key figure behind it all (Hwang Jang Lee), but the method by which the Manchu's identify themselves to the Russians, a rare snuff bottle, is stolen by Tien and his cohorts. But, Tein and crew are in the midst of enemies and must fight their way out alone in a desperate bid to save China and bring the traitors down.
The Film: In the realm of old school, classic kung fu films, there are many films whose reputation grows because people haven't seen it. Snuff Bottle Connection (1977) is one such film that, over many years, more people had trouble finding than those that actually got to see it , making it a somewhat rarity with faint bits of praise and earnest speculation by those who noted its impressive cast and action director.
That action director is Yuen Woo Ping, who quickly went from action director, to film director and HK action cinema guru, and today is an international figure and probably the most sought after action director in the world. I like to think I know my Yuen Woo Ping pretty well, and I would bet that he did not direct all of Snuff Bottle Connections action scenes, or at least not with any authority, because the fights are uneven. They range from pretty good to so-so, and based on the speed and movement of those so-so scenes, I'd say Yuen wasn't on set that day. There are some good moments where a sequence will have more Yuen-ish movements. The last twenty minutes are a quite good barrage of solid fighting, but it is really the story that carries the film along until that point. The Russians are pretty dumb caricatures and it is predictalbe, but unlike many kung fu tales, the plotting is actually involving and interesting, adding almost as much too the entertainment as the action. But anyone expecting Drunken Master or Legend of a fighter style Yuen choreagraphy will be disappointed.
The two key stars here are John Liu, Invincible Armor, Secret Rivals 1&2, Shaolin Ex-Monk and Hwang Jang Lee Drunken Master, Eagle Vs. Silver Fox, Eagles Killer, each respectively known for their big kicking prowess. Unfortunately Lui finds himself part of a duo, so his screen and fighting time is cut in half. While he is still good, it isn't the knockout solo performance of, say, Invincible Armor. Hwang Jang Lee doesn't really show off his legs too much, sticking to some iron fan fighting, but he was still one of the better villains in the kung fu world, just a shame he didnt get to dispense as many of his trademark kicking skills... The dagger throwing brother, Yip Fei Yang, also previously teamed with Lui, Jang Lee, The Yuen Clan, and director Dung Gam Woo in Instant Kung Fu Man, but his role in Snuff Bottle was the only prominent feature role he played. The kid, Wong Yat Lung, was one of the big kiddie kung fu stars, having starred in the popular duo of films Sleeping Fist and Thundering Mantis. Roy Horan is probably best known as the priest from Snake in the Eagles Shadow.
The DVD: Ground Zero. Part of their Blackbelt Theater line.
Picture: Cropped Full-Screen. Well, not surprisingly, we get another worn out, washed out, wavy, and aged tape transfer. But, considering it is a scarce film, we have to be forgiving. Still, you have been warned. I have old EP vhs that look better. Apparently Crash Cinema have a letterboxed, original negative release planned on the horizon.
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 mono. Like the picture, the audio is pretty worn out too. Dialogue is audible, right down to the horrible Russian accents the dubbers barely, feebly attempt, but everything has a bit of muffle and age distortion, like a very annoying buzz that frequently pops up.
Extras: 6 Chapters- "Lost" Trailers (15:35). Nice bunch of theatrical trailers for Raging Rivals, Enter the Invincible Hero, Dynamite Shaolin Heroes, Buddhist Fist and Tiger Claws and Dragon's Snake Fist
Conclusion: If you consider yourself a fan, and are well aware of the deteriorating state of most kung fu films, by all means go ahead and but this transfer. It is a good enough film that I could justify fans purchasing it despite the lackluster quality. However if you are rigid about quality control and want only the best out of your DVD experience, rarity be damned, then I suggest skipping it or waiting for a better release.
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