Heroes Shed No Tears Blu-ray Review

"Heroes Shed No Tears" is presented on Blu-ray in North America for the first time, and the video quality is commendable. The release is in the original 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded transfer, derived from a new 2K scan. This transfer significantly enhances the visual experience, offering impressive color reproduction, particularly in the outdoor scenes which are vivid and a sight to behold. The film grain is left intact, lending an organic and satisfying image without any distracting DNR artifacts. The encode quality is highly satisfactory, ensuring a consistent and immersive viewing throughout the feature.

There are signs of the film's age, primarily from the hefty grain structure, but it is preserved cleanly, adding to the film's authenticity. Detail levels are generous and well-handled by the encoding, with no signs of artificial processing. Close-ups exhibit excellent textures, from sweat to bloody violence, all captured with remarkable sharpness. Color saturation has been skillfully adjusted to restore the film stock’s vibrancy, offering rich flesh tones and a lively greenery. Black levels and contrast are generally strong, although they fluctuate slightly, possibly due to the original filming conditions.

Overall, this Blu-ray presentation of "Heroes Shed No Tears" delivers a hearty and robust 1.85:1 1080p transfer, disproving expectations of a subpar release for a 70s/80s Chinese film. Despite occasional fluctuations in black levels and a few soft shots where details slightly suffer, the majority of the presentation remains strong and stable. The gore effects are rendered effectively, with vivid colors and primary pops that enhance the viewing experience. This transfer offers a quality image considering it was never properly finished or overseen by the director. This release will not disappoint fans looking for both nostalgia and high-quality presentation.

The Blu-Ray release of "Heroes Shed No Tears" offers an impressive auditory experience with its array of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround tracks in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. The audio presentation is laudable, with excellent surround sound utilization that significantly enhances the film’s action-laden narrative. Despite the film being largely dialogue-free, the clarity of speech is maintained throughout. Explosions and machine-gun fire are particularly striking, creating an immersive soundstage that elevates the intensity and drama of action scenes. The high resolution and strong dynamics of the audio contribute to an engaging viewing experience.

Across the multiple audio options provided, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 tracks stand out for their superior fidelity, dimensionality, and effective low-frequency effects (LFE). These elements bring substantial impact to the numerous gunfights and action sequences in the film. Conversely, the Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks fall short, sounding noticeably flatter with muddled dialogue and unimpressive action effects. The English dub DTS track is passable but somewhat lacking in authenticity compared to the Cantonese and Mandarin tracks, with character voices sometimes sounding out-of-place.

Overall, the creative and absorbing audio design of this Blu-Ray release significantly heightens the film's viewing experience, with particular commendation for the clarity and dynamic range of its DTS-HD MA 5.1 mixes. It’s advisable to opt for the original Cantonese or Mandarin tracks for a more genuine audio experience, as these mixes exhibit superior quality and coherence, particularly during action-heavy scenes.

The Blu-ray extras for "Heroes Shed No Tears" offer an engaging glimpse into the film's production, particularly through the 20-minute insightful interview with Eddy Ko. Ko delves into his career transition from a stuntman to an actor, and shares gripping anecdotes about the hazardous use of live ammunition during the shoot in Thailand, highlighting the film's intense production environment. Additionally, the disc includes a fascinating look at the original, unaltered trailer that showcases the substantial improvements in the new 2K digital restoration. While not extensive, these extras offer valuable context and depth to fans and cinephiles.

Extras included in this disc:

• Eddy Ko Interview: An engaging discussion with the star about his career and experiences on set.
• Heroes Shed No Tears Original Trailer: The original trailer, pre-restoration.
• Film Movement Trailers: Previews for "The Fate of Lee Khan," "The Great Silence," and "Violent Cop".

John Woo's "Heroes Shed No Tears" is an early yet fiery Hong Kong action film that sets the template for his explosive, flamboyant style seen in later films like "The Killer." Produced by Peter Ho-Sun Chan and Raymond Chow, the film stars Eddy Ko as Chan Chung, the stalwart leader of a Chinese militia tasked with capturing a ruthless drug lord amidst the chaotic backdrop of post-Vietnam conflict. Cinematically, the film is arresting, thanks to Kenichi Nakagawa's visually captivating cinematography and Siu-Lam Tang's pulse-pounding score, adding layers of grandeur to the relentless carnage and chaos.

The film is a veritable action spectacle, crammed with big guns, explosions, and relentless violence akin to Michael Bay's aesthetic. John Woo fills the screen with frenzied gun battles, muscle-bound heroes facing off against diabolical villains, and over-the-top action sequences involving flamethrowers, machetes, and copious blood squibs. The narrative structure may waver aimlessly—diving into surreal, almost satirical tones reminiscent of ‘80s American action films—but the film's relentless energy and visceral visual impact make it a thoroughly engaging experience. Characters and emotional arcs, such as Chan Chung’s dedication to both mission and family, are peripheral to the spectacular mayhem that unfolds scene after scene.

Notably, "Heroes Shed No Tears" juxtaposes its high-octane violence with a grim anti-war message. The film’s portrayal of brutal, nihilistic combat strips back any romanticism typically associated with heroism in warfare. The unflinching depiction of various grotesque acts serves to underline its critique. Ultimately, while the plot is almost negligible and the tone shifts bewilderingly, the mastery in executing extended action sequences propels this film into a remarkable piece of cinematic bravado that appeals directly to fans of unabashedly intense action cinema.

John Woo's early directorial effort, "Heroes Shed No Tears," is quintessential viewing for fans of action cinema. Though it lacks the finesse of Woo’s later masterpieces, this film vividly showcases his nascent style - a blend of relentless pacing, dramatic human relationships amid chaos, and elaborate set-piece staging. Filmed in Thailand with a diverse international cast and crew, the movie is a hallmark of explosive action sequences marked by authentic live ammunition. With its eclectic mix of Korean, French, and Chinese actors, a Japanese cinematographer, and a Thai crew, the film epitomizes the cross-cultural collaboration that would define much of Woo's work.

The Blu-ray release from Film Movement Classics delivers a solid film presentation with commendable video transfer quality. The three included DTS audio tracks provide robust sound, though viewers may need to adjust the volume periodically for optimal experience. While bonus features on this release are limited, the inclusion of an insightful interview with star Eddy Ko adds significant value to the package. Fans of schlocky, blood-soaked action will find this Blu-ray release a fitting addition to their collection.

What a blast of action entertainment. One can't help but get sucked into the fantastic imagery of action chaos from certified-badass Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo. There is something to be said about non-stop action movies featuring a parade of bullets, explosions, flamethrowers, and kick-ass fight scenes. For action enthusiasts who want to chill back to a wonderfully fun action extravaganza, "Heroes Shed No Tears" is a perfect ticket to experiencing action mayhem of the finest order. The Blu-ray release features a top-notch film presentation and includes a highly insightful interview with star Eddy Ko which is absolutely essential. Highly recommended.