88 Films once more offers a fantastic example of Chinese martial arts movie with the released of DISCIPLES OF SHAOLIN. Though the Shaolin temple is nowhere to be seen in the film two students are. It is there story that is the focus of the film.

Guan (Alexander Fu Sheng) arrives in town with nothing but an old pair of worn out shoes to his name. Unable to find work he reaches out to his old friend Wang Hon (Chi Kuan-Chun) who takes him in and gets him a job at the textile factory where he works. Guan is a bit naïve and clueless about how things run in the big city which will play into his story as the film move forward.

Getting into a fight with the group sent by a rival textile mill to disrupt their business, Guan comes out on top to the cheers of his co-workers. But Wang knows once his skills are seen he will be in danger. The head of the textile mill congratulates Guan and puts him in charge of teaching his workers, promoting him and rewarding him with a new pair of shoes.

Guan see this as a stepping stone to bigger things in spite of Wang's warnings. He continues to move up the ladder and at times plays off one mill against the other. He continues to have gifts heaped upon him but can he truly trust those who employ him? And will all of this lead to a greater life or simply one with more luxuries but no meaning?

Directed by famed director Chang Cheh this films is a joy to watch. The fighting sequences are some of the best put to film. This shouldn't come as a surprise since the Lau Kar Leung was the fight choreographer for the film. Leung would go on to become a director himself overseeing many of the classics in the genre.

In addition to that is the performance by Fu Sheng who rose quickly to stardom and was sadly taken away at age 28 in a car crash. His ability to combine an innocence and sense of humor with his martial arts skills always made him stand out. It shows often in his role here.

The final sequence of the film features an all-out bloodbath of a battle. So intense was it that at the time it was shot in black and white to appease the censors. Today it wouldn't be bothered with that. It does make for one of the most brutal fight sequences on film.

As they've shown already 88 Films has released this with a spectacular version beginning with a restored HD print of the film. Extras include a limited edition slipcase with brand new artwork from R. P. "Kung Fu Bob" O'Brien, a double-sided A3 foldout poster, extensive booklet notes "The Visceral Arts Cinema of Chang Chech" by Matthew Edwards, "International Bright Young Thing: A Look Back on THE DISCIPLES OF SHAOLIN and Its Charismatic Star Alexander Fu Sheng" by Andres Graves, an article by Kung Fu Bob, an audio commentary track with film journalist and author Samm Deighan, an audio commentary track with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, "Jamie Luk at Shaw Brothers" an interview with actor/director Jamie Luk by Frédéric Ambroisine, the original trailer and a reversible sleeve with brand new artwork by R. P. "Kung Fu Bob" O'Brien along with the original Hong Kong poster artwork.

Once more if you are a fan of martial arts films or action films this is one to add to your collection.