Nostalgia Kinky

OMFG, talk about being caught off-guard. When I sat down to watch Ching Siu-tung’s Duel to the Death (1983), I was expecting a fun and stylish action film. What I got in its place was one of the most beautiful and poetic art films I have seen in a bit. My goodness, what a stunning film Duel to the Death is. This breathtaking film is now available from the 88 Films USA division as a packed special edition Blu-ray. Featuring a beautiful new 2K scan, 88 Films’ edition of Duel to the Death is amongst the finest releases of this young year. It can be ordered from MVD.

A former stunt coordinator, Ching Siu-tung was just in his late twenties when he began prepping for his directorial debut. Working from a script he co-wrote with the support of Producer Raymond Chow, Siu-tung crafts a phenomenal Golden Harvest production. Duel to the Death is a dignified and exciting film, packed with amazing action, warm humor, and some of the greatest choreography I’ve seen. It is a triumph for Siu-tung and, honestly, everyone involved.

Featuring a memorable ensemble of film and television stars, plus the unforgettable Flora Cheong-Leen in her final performance, Duel to the Death is a beautifully acted film on top of everything else. Norman Tsui Siu-Keung is especially great here, as is Cheong-Leen. As she notes in her interview on the 88 Films Blu-ray, she got burned out after appearing in a whopping 10 films in one year. Pity, as she is such a memorable screen presence.

Set in the 16th century, Duel to the Death might have just been another fight film concerning a traditional battle between China and Japan’s greatest swordsman. Siu-Tung injects the film with so much style, so much passion that he transforms just another fight film into something transcendent.

I honestly don’t want to give much away about Duel to the Death as it is filled with so many surprises. Frank Djeng notes in his wonderful commentary that the film is filled with “movie magic” and he’s right-on. Thankfully pre-dating CGI, the film is filled with incredible practical effects and, again, some of the most spectacular fight scenes I’ve ever seen. At its best, such as in the haunting final scene, the action in Duel to the Death becomes downright poetic.

88 Films has added a lot of quality extras to go with their beautiful restoration. Djeng continues his string of giving some of the best commentaries around. Half a dozen new and vintage interviews with cast/crew also appear on the disc. A substantial vintage documentary on the film’s remarkable ‘flying’ effects is also here. A gorgeous and lengthy book is also included with the 88 Films Blu-ray, making this edition of Duel to the Death a really pleasing one. I was so blown away by this film. My only complaint is that I wanted more. While it is impressive just how EPIC Siu-Tung makes 85 minutes feel, Duel to the Death is weighty and substantial enough to warrant a longer running time. Small squabble for such a remarkable film.

-Jeremy Richey, March 2026-