The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story Blu-ray Review

Unearthed Classics and MVD Visual present "The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1 aspect ratio. This presentation displays variable image quality, with moments of substantial detail and a well-resolved grain field, albeit occasionally marred by splotchy grain and fluctuating color temperatures. Color rendition is generally vivid, although there are instances of boosted brightness, resulting in a milky haze overlay (notably in screenshot 13). Despite some rough patches, the transfer often delivers a solid, organic appearance with impressive detail.

The cinematography by Yau is functional but unremarkable, captured through a mostly solid 35mm film transfer that avoids excessive filtering or sharpening. The film elements are nearly pristine, but issues such as uneven shadow delineation and color intensity persist. The 1.78:1 presentation excels in detail within the constraints of the film's budget, though it does not achieve razor-sharp definition throughout. Nonetheless, the main feature, rendered on a BD-50 with an average bitrate of 30 Mbps, ensures that the unfiltered grain structure is faithfully reproduced. While it may not reach the highest videophile standards, "The Untold Story" offers a visually presentable and authentic Blu-ray experience.

The audio presentation of "The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story" on Blu Ray offers either Cantonese or Mandarin tracks in LPCM 2.0 Mono. Both tracks are typical of Hong Kong productions from the era, with substantial dubbing and some noticeable sync issues. Nevertheless, the dialog, sound effects, and musical score are satisfactorily supported by the audio design. Optional English subtitles are provided, ensuring accessibility for non-native speakers.

Unearthed Films has retained the original monaural soundtracks in 2.0 PCM for both the Cantonese and Mandarin versions. The dialogue, often dubbed, reflects the budget constraints typical of the time but remains serviceable, if somewhat crude by modern standards. There are no major fidelity issues, although listeners may notice a basic audio quality typical of period-specific Hong Kong cinema. Optional English subtitles are offered in a yellow font for ease of reading.

Overall, while the audio tracks are not cutting-edge, they provide an authentic experience consistent with the original production quality and era, ensuring dialogue and sound effects are adequately presented without significant fidelity concerns.

Unearthed Films delivers a compelling and thorough set of extras in this special edition Blu-ray release of "The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story". This package is built for enthusiasts of Hong Kong's Category III cinema, featuring a robust and detailed documentary on the genre, multiple commentaries, and exclusive interviews. The highlight, "Category III: The Untold Story of Hong Kong Exploitation Cinema", provides an in-depth look at the rise and impact of Category III films, enriched with numerous clips and expert insights. The set also includes an interview with Rick Baker, enlightening commentaries, and a collection of trailers that offer additional context and appreciation for the film and its genre.

Extras included in this disc:

• Category III: The Untold Story of Hong Kong Exploitation Cinema: A feature-length documentary on Category III films.
• Cantonese Carnage: An interview with Rick Baker on early Hong Kong filmmaking.
• Q & A with Herman Yau.
• Commentary with Anthony Wong.
• Commentary with Herman Yau.
• Audio Commentary by Art Ettinger and Bruce Holecheck.
• Isolated Film Score.
• Trailers: Includes two trailers for "The Untold Story" and others from Unearthed Films and MVD Visual.

"The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story," directed by Herman Yau and starring Anthony Wong, represents a cornerstone in Hong Kong's Category III exploitation cinema. Known for its Category III rating—Hong Kong's equivalent of an NC-17 designation—the movie draws inspiration from a gruesome true crime story that blends stark, brutal violence with a touch of dark humor. The plot revolves around Wong Chi-hang (Anthony Wong), a bespectacled, seemingly unassuming restaurant owner who is revealed to be a merciless killer, using his victims to create the infamous pork buns his eatery is known for.

Anthony Wong delivers an award-winning performance, portraying Wong Chi-hang with disturbing intensity. Whether committing grisly murders or engaging in a horrifying sexual assault, Wong's portrayal adds layers of complexity to his character. The film is punctuated with moments of bleak humor, epitomized by Wong's early scene of bludgeoning a man with a frying pan before setting him on fire. However, this humor is secondary to the movie's primary focus: graphic and unsettling violence. Yau was mindful of pacing the gore, ensuring that while audiences were horrified, they weren’t completely desensitized.

The film takes significant creative liberties with its source material, the true story of a murder spree at the Eight Immortals Restaurant in Macau, infusing raw and gory filmmaking that pushes audience boundaries. The disjointed tone—oscillating between outrageous horror and grim comedy—renders "The Untold Story" unique and memorable. The film’s unrelenting gruesome imagery, combined with moments of black humor and stark bleakness, marks it as one of the most notorious Category III films from Hong Kong's cinematic history. This is not a film for the faint-hearted, but rather a visceral experience that showcases some of Hong Kong's most extreme ’90s exploitation film elements.

Review Summary

“The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story” Blu-ray release delivers a fascinatingly dark, grisly thriller emerging from Hong Kong's early exploitation scene. The film intermingles brutal gore with a macabre sense of humor that may not be for the faint-hearted. Wong's performance is commendable, bringing depth to a character unfolding in this intense narrative, although the movie's slightly cartoonish tone may detract for purists who prefer unadulterated horror without comedic undertones.

The video quality is a mixed bag, featuring some rough moments that reveal the film's age and original production limitations. Despite these imperfections, the audio quality holds steady, providing a solid sound experience that complements the chaotic visuals. Accompanying the primary content are well-conceived supplementary materials, particularly a standout documentary that offers valuable insights into the film's production and legacy.

Conclusion

Ultimately, "The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story" earns its reputation, though it may not live up to being the single most notorious Category III film ever made. It achieves a competent balance between horror and dark comedy, making it an engaging watch for enthusiasts. The supplementary package solidifies its value, ensuring that fans of the genre and film will find plenty to appreciate in this release.