Imprint: The Cinema of King Hu

[Yakushima]

Very disappointing and a missed opportunity, but very on brand for Imprint. I am still buying the set for the more obscure films and the extras, but no more Imprint pre-orders for me going forward, no matter how sexy their announcements look!

Not negating your complaints, but what was hoped for in this case? I'm not sure if we can really expect Imprint to better relatively recent Criterion and Arrow releases in terms of transfers. It's interesting that Carlotta made a special effort to adjust their two titles, and I have to admit it looks more natural, but I have no expertise on the topic of the grading of these films, other than internet outrage and my eyeballs preferring the tamed magenta cast.

Their stellar The Last Seduction UHD and some interesting original extras in several other releases got my hopes up that Imprint is finally turning the corner and begins to distinguish itself as a serious label. I guess I am an incurable optimist!

[therewillbeblus]

That's great. It's just frustrating that The Last Seduction UHD set is over $100. I like the movie and want to own it, but I'm also not that rich!

[Zot!]

Their stellar The Last Seduction UHD and some interesting original extras in several other releases got my hopes up that Imprint is finally turning the corner and begins to distinguish itself as a serious label. I guess I am an incurable optimist!

Fair enough, still, like I said expecting them to one-up Eureka and Criterion is a tough ask. And even there this collection in scope is well beyond what either of those labels attempted. Let’s see how the extras shake out, but the book looks handsome at least.

[nicolas]

David M encoded the Imprint 4K discs of A Touch of Zen and Dragon Inn in the King Hu set.

[Yakushima]

David M encoded the Imprint 4K discs of A Touch of Zen and Dragon Inn in the King Hu set.

Good news indeed! Still waiting for my set to ship from OrbitDVD.

[domino harvey]

Volume two announced

The Valiant Ones (1975) - 4K UHD + Blu-ray
Raining in the Mountain (1979) - Blu-ray
Legend of the Mountain (1979) - 4K UHD + Blu-ray - worldwide first on 4K UHD!
The Wheel of Life (1983) - Blu-ray
All the King’s Men (1983) - Blu-ray

This Limited Edition 8-disc release is packed with brand NEW and archival Special Features, including an exclusive Bonus Disc, plus a 100-page Hardcover Booklet featuring essays from Ryan Swen, Peter Rist, Michael Berry, and Sean Gilman, all housed in a Lid Hardbox.

Strictly limited to 1500 copies only.

[swo17]

There's also a bundle for 12% less than getting the two separately

[Zot!]

Can anybody who has seen the films proffer an opinion of what is on Vol. 2? Glaring omissions? Looks to be a very solid companion and reasonably complete, but I am unfamiliar with the filmography.

[domino harvey]

There's also a bundle for 12% less than getting the two separately

Tempting! Has anyone had any issues ordering from Imprint direct with tariffs? The guy from OrbitDVD mentioned that he’s been getting stung on extra charges from Australia a few weeks ago

[Mr Sausage]

Can anybody who has seen the films proffer an opinion of what is on Vol. 2? Glaring omissions? Looks to be a very solid companion and reasonably complete, but I am unfamiliar with the filmography.

I’ve only seen the first three, but they are major Hu films. The Valiant Ones is maybe Hu’s most exciting film, just wall to wall fights courtesy of Sammo Hung and co. Raining in the Mountain is my favourite Hu, a beautiful story of empty striving that breaks free of the king fu film entirely and becomes something else. Legend of the Mountain is an epic folk tale that influenced a generation of Hong Kong filmmakers. You can see its legacy especially in the Chinese Ghost Story series. Just for these films the set is unmissable.

[swo17]

Has anyone had any issues ordering from Imprint direct with tariffs?

I was not hit with any extra charges when I placed an order in May. I also placed an order during their last sale but I have to wait for The Kingdom to come out before it ships

[Zot!]

Can anybody who has seen the films proffer an opinion of what is on Vol. 2? Glaring omissions? Looks to be a very solid companion and reasonably complete, but I am unfamiliar with the filmography.

I’ve only seen the first three, but they are major Hu films. The Valiant Ones is maybe Hu’s most exciting film, just wall to wall fights courtesy of Sammo Hung and co. Raining in the Mountain is my favourite Hu, a beautiful story of empty striving that breaks free of the king fu film entirely and becomes something else. Legend of the Mountain is an epic folk tale that influenced a generation of Hong Kong filmmakers. You can see its legacy especially in the Chinese Ghost Story series. Just for these films the set is unmissable.

Thanks for the roll up that sounds really promising. The packaging looks really nice to me. It is a big win for Australia that rights seem to be a lot easier to negotiate for these kind of career spanning things.

As far as the tariffs are concerned, I can't promise anything, but as mentioned upthread, my order for the first set from the importer (Orbit) somehow worked out to be cheaper than ordering direct from Via Vision in Oz. YMMV.

[domino harvey]

Thanks swo!

According to the LB reviews, All the King’s Men is a different kind of Hu film, more of a theatrical farce about court life. And Wheel of Life is another anthology film helmed by different directors, with the same trio of actors living out a love triangle across centuries (with Hu’s segment predictably being the oldest one). What’s left in his filmography after these doesn’t sound too essential, based on the reviews (which, being LB, doesn’t necessarily mean anything but these are pretty rare so anyone seeking them out is probably closer to the intended audience for them)

Glad to see at least a few Rayns contributions, wonder if he was anticipated to contribute as much as he did to the first set before his untimely death

[MovieBuff647]

Volume two announced

The Valiant Ones (1975) - 4K UHD + Blu-ray
Raining in the Mountain (1979) - Blu-ray
Legend of the Mountain (1979) - 4K UHD + Blu-ray - worldwide first on 4K UHD!
The Wheel of Life (1983) - Blu-ray
All the King’s Men (1983) - Blu-ray

This Limited Edition 8-disc release is packed with brand NEW and archival Special Features, including an exclusive Bonus Disc, plus a 100-page Hardcover Booklet featuring essays from Ryan Swen, Peter Rist, Michael Berry, and Sean Gilman, all housed in a Lid Hardbox.

Strictly limited to 1500 copies only.

FYI: David M casually mentioned to me over a Blu-Ray.com PM exchange recently when I asked about another Imprint release that he is working on this set in some capacity. I assume he's doing the two 4Ks (and their BD counterparts).