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Having established himself as Hong Kong's premier action choreographer throughout the 1970s, Sammo Hung ended the decade by directing a non-stop assault of kung fu classics for Golden Harvest, starting with the brutal Iron-Fisted Monk. But it would be his 1979 directorial effort that would finally give his Peking Opera brother-in-arms, acrobatic ace Yuen Biao, his first chance at leading man status: Knockabout! Brothers and partners-in-crime, Yipao (Biao) and Taipao (Warriors Two's "Beardy" Leung Kar-Yan), have made an up-and-down career out of being hustlers, conning everyone from bank tellers to casino dealers. One day, they push their luck with the wrong man, martial arts master Chia Wu Dao (legendary Shaw Brothers fight choreographer Lau Kar-Wing), but convince him to reluctantly become their teacher in hand-to-hand combat. But upon learning Chia's dangerous true nature, Yipao turns to another master: a portly blinking beggar (Hung) trained in the ways of the monkey fist. Will this new skill defeat Chia's secret snake style? Combining Hung's hard-hitting choreography with the Mo Lei Tau style of humor that was increasing in popularity at the time, Knockabout is a thrill-a-minute action spectacular that would pave the way for later masterpieces such as Hung and Biao's subsequent collaboration, the Wing Chun tour-de-force The Prodigal Son.

Media

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Bonus Materials

• 2K restorations from the original elements by Fortune Star of both the original HK Theatrical Cut and the shorter Export Cut
• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
• Original lossless Cantonese and Mandarin mono audio for the HK Theatrical Cut, plus lossless English mono for both cuts
• Two choices of English dubbed audio for the HK Theatrical Cut: the original export dub mono and the newer 5.1 dub created for international DVD presentations
• Optional English subtitles for the HK Theatrical Cut and English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing on the Export Cut
• Commentary on the HK Theatrical Cut by martial arts cinema experts Frank Djeng & Michael Worth
• Commentary on the Export Cut by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema
• Archival interview with Sammo Hung
• Archival interview with Bryan “Beardy” Leung Kar-Yan
• Archival interview with Grandmaster Chan Sau Chang (aka The Monkey King), a master of Monkey Style kung fu
• Deleted “Red Room” scene, featuring stars Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung in a teaser promo for the film’s Japanese release
• Original theatrical trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing by Simon Abrams and original press materials

Sales Points

• Incredible 90% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes with over 1000+ reviews
• First starring role for Yuen Biao (Peking Opera classmate and frequent collaborator of Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung)
• For fans of Jackie Chan, the Shaw Brothers, and modern martial arts classics like Kung Fu Hustle
• Lau Kar Wing's choreography inspired Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's WWE Attitude era signature 'Rock Bottom' finishing move

Press Quotes

This is a terrific classical kung fu picture that has the distinction of starring Yuen Biao in his first leading role

     —Mark Pollard, Kung Fu Cinema

Yuen Biao's first full lead role was a crowning success for him, as Sammo Hung's choreographies took full advantage of his uncanny speed and agility, resulting in a number of more protagonist roles in the 1980's in particular

     —Panos Kotzathanasis, Asian Movie Pulse

Ultimately, Knockabout is one of the best martial arts comedies ever made

     —Michael Den Boer, 10K Bullets

Featuring one of the greatest action finales in the history of Hong Kong cinema, Knockabout is yet another classic of martial arts filmmaking from the legendary Sammo Hung

     —Gary Tooze, DVD Beaver

there’s an easy camaraderie between everyone in the cast that makes Knockabout feel a genuine good time.

     —GREG WALTON, Movieline Online

Exciting fighting scenes are balanced with some broad but effective humor

     —JEFFREY KAUFFMAN, Blu-ray.com

the fully choreographed slapstick sequences work beautifully.

     —GABE POWERS, Genre Grinder

Sammo Kam-Bo Hung's Knockabout is a wonderful example of the best of this genre. The impressive fight sequences are expertly choreographed and physically outstanding.

     —GARY TOOZE, DVD Beaver