Warriors Two and The Prodigal Son

It’s a double strike of martial arts action comedies from Eureka Classics, with Warriors Two (Zàn Xiān Sheng Yǔ Zhǎo Qián Huá, 贊先生與找錢華, more correctly Mister Tsan and Cashier Hua) of 1978 and The Prodigal Son (Bài Jiā Zăi, 敗家仔) of 1981 making their UK Blu-ray debut, both directed by and starring Sammo Hung and focusing on the life of Leung Tsan, the nineteenth century Wing Chun practitioner.

Written by Hung and starring Bryan Leung as Leung Tsan, Warriors Two is presented as both the original Hong Kong theatrical cut of ninety-five minutes and the slightly trimmed international version, with a choice of the original Cantonese accompanied by newly translated subtitles or the dubbed English language audio track in addition to two commentaries and other supporting features.

Set in Foshan, the city traditionally associated with Leung Tsan, Warriors Two concerns the plans of the ruthless and ambitious businessman Boss Mok to eliminate the Mayor and seize control, a plot overheard by the money changer Wah who flees and takes shelter with Master Jan, learning from him the Wing Chun fighting style.

Opening with a fight over the title sequence before moving to the Weeping Cyprus Tea House for a heavy-handed comedy scene and filled with pantomime villains and an easily led council of wise men, the frequent fight scenes are intricately choreographed and practiced, though with feet and fists of clanging steel courtesy of an overenthusiastic foley it sometimes feels they are more demonstrations expressing the form rather than combat from which only one will emerge.

Also presented with a choice of the original Cantonese accompanied by newly translated subtitles or the dubbed English language audio track in addition to two commentaries, in The Prodigal Son the younger Leung Tsan is played by Yuen Biao, set earlier in his life when his reputation as a master fighter is in fact a deception engineered by his wealthy family who employ attendants to pay any who challenge him to lose.

Written by Hung and Barry Wong and again set in Foshan and opening with a fight in a teahouse, a requisite of any martial arts comedy of this era, Tsan’s public humiliation continues with a night at the opera where he propositions the leading lady who first bests him in a fight then reveals she is in fact a man performing the part, Leung Yee Tai (Lam Ching-ying), whom Tsan then begs to teach him.

A more relaxed film which flows better in the early scenes, The Prodigal Son is no less contrived than Warriors Two but surprises in an unexpectedly bloody night backstage at the theatre when the troupe of performers are attacked by the retainers of the son of a warlord who sees the skills of Yee Tai as a challenge, the survivors fighting on the stage as the scenery burns down around them, a spectacular scene which stands out even among the near constant displays of physical ability and daring.

Hung appearing as another trainer, Wong Wah-bo, he demonstrates his customary skills and adds calligraphy to his repertoire, the film as much about his rivalry with Yee Tai and their friendly japes and jousts, accompanied by a whimsical soundtrack somewhat at odds with the earlier massacre, The Prodigal Son offering more plot than Warriors Two but still something of a prolonged training montage.

Warriors Two and The Prodigal Son are available on Blu-ray from Eureka now

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