Collector's Crypt - COME DRINK WITH ME (ARROW BLU RAY)
Here at Macabre Daily, we are first and foremost horror fans. As such, we tend to cover a lot of directly horror-related things even though our interests mingle outside of the more macabre side of cinema. If there were to be a Venn diagram of genres, I suspect quite a few folks would find themselves at the intersection of many genres including cult films. The broadness of the cult film genre is so vast that within it reside a series of genres within themselves, one of them is the kung-fu film. I think it’s a reasonable assumption that most horror fans have in one way or another intersected with the kung-fu film genre whether it be my more recent efforts like THE RAID or more classical efforts like FIVE DEADLY VENOMS. It seems that amongst the boutique labels, ARROW VIDEO is staking a bold claim by going all-in on Shaw Brothers films as of late with the release of their massive Shaw Brothers Volume 1 box set at the end of last year. One of the beauties of these boutique labels is that they are in essence re-packaging these older Shaw Brothers films to appease existing fans as well as cater to new ones leveraging their sterling reputation amongst genre fans and physical media collectors. One such release is 1966’s COME DRINK WITH ME directed by KING HU. For this reviewer, this film is a first-time watch, and while I would consider myself a fan of the kung-fu genre I am by no means a bonafide expert. Needless to say, I went into COME DRINK WITH ME with an open mind and ready to enjoy despite my lack of familiarity.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
When the Governor's son is taken hostage by bandits, a mysterious swordsman named Golden Swallow is hot on their trail to ensure the son's release. What the bandits don't realize, however, is that Golden Swallow is actually a woman and that the hostage is her brother. Determined to set him free, no matter how many goons she has to fight her way through in doing so, she is aided in her quest by a drunken beggar who may have a closer connection to the bandits' leader than he initially lets on.
HOW IS IT?
Maybe it’s the nostalgic part of me, but there is something about kung-fu films that feels timeless. Sure, it’s quite clear that visually these films are older and filmmaking technique has come a long way since. Yet, there is something absolutely endearing about these older Shaw Brothers films that keep the stories, choreography, and production design feeling fresh even today. Needless to say, COME DRINK WITH ME embodied all those qualities, and more for horror fans who are looking to explore the boundaries of cult cinema, particularly the kung-fu genre, should run not walk to get this release from ARROW VIDEO. To begin, the story is precisely what you would come to expect from the Shaw Brothers films of this era. Focusing on China’s rich history and being influenced by its even rich mythology COME DRINK WITH ME is a quintessential film down to the story of a lone warrior/mercenary being recruited by the local government to return a kidnapped son in exchange for the release of a local gang leader. The twist, in this case, is that our mercenary / hero Golden Swallow is a woman. Unbeknownst to even those who are familiar with her exploits and her swift delivery of justice. Kung-Fu cinema has certainly been at the forefront of having women in leading roles as much as men and considering the time in which this was made there still was a severe lack of gender representation in action cinema. It’s not until the next decade that you would begin to see the Western part of the world begin to adopt the same kind of gender parity in films like Coffy or China O’Brien.
The real draw for these films hinges on the fight choreography, and in this regard COME DRINK WITH ME is superb. Many consider COME DRINK WITH ME the first wuxia film to garner international attention, and if you aren’t familiar with the term wuxia you are probably mistaken as it was the same kind of film that would win the Academy Award over 30 years later. And if you’re still not connecting the dots, wuxia is the same genre of film as ANG LEE’s CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON. What this means for viewers is you are treated to a series of wire-rigged martial arts stunts that blend brutal action with some light comedy to create a truly mesmerizing viewing experience. It should also be noted that while this film is a bit older, it does not skimp on the signature spray that is so commonplace in Shaw Brothers films. Arterial sprays of red blood abound, although it is not near as excessive by today’s standards of violence. Nevertheless, the draw here is the stunt work and it’s handled beautifully and seamlessly despite being over 50 years old. This comes to bear with certain scenes involving the bandits where it is shown they absolutely do not fuck around unless you in fact want to find out. One example was a scene involving a poison dark, a monk, and impalement. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, “that escalated quickly”! All of this said, if kung-fu films have never really been your bag then COME DRINK WITH ME is not likely to be the one to convert you. While there is certainly plenty to enjoy here for those looking to expand their horizons, this is not the genre-bending kind of film that will pied piper naysayers over to the genre. Regardless, you’re probably not reading this review if you’re in that camp so let’s just settle this and say this is a high-recommend for anyone who loves, heck even likes kung-fu films.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
Like so many other ARROW VIDEO releases, this one features a wonderful HD remaster and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The colors pop off the screen and don’t feel artificial despite the remastering of older film stock. The production design is second to none, and it is perfectly captured in this transfer as scenes bounce around from earthy tones on some of the sets to more lush, green forests in others.
Some screen grabs of the film are below:
HOW DOES IT SOUND?
Like many older releases, this one does not come with an enhanced audio track or a new audio master. COME DRINK WITH ME is presented in two versions, the original Mandarin and English monoaural soundtracks. The sound is just fine, and while it would be nice to see an enhanced surround soundtrack for a film like this it is also understandable that might be overkill.
ANYTHING SPECIAL?
As is the case with so many ARROW releases, this one has quite a few special features to keep those who want more context and background enticed. Like other releases, ARROW also includes a collector’s booklet with two historical essays courtesy of Anne Billson and George Chun Han Wang. These essays are hidden gems in the ARROW release catalog and this is no expectation. Whereas the first essay focuses more on Hu and his use of feminine heroes in his films, the second is a juicy overview of the tension between Hu and Run Run Shaw. These kinds of historical deep dives highlight things that enhance the viewing experience by providing a view of the interpersonal dynamics at play in a studio that reigned supreme for decades. A full list of the special features included in this release are listed below:
Optional English subtitles, plus English hard-of-hearing subtitles for the English dub
Brand new audio commentary by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
Interview with star Cheng Pei-pei, filmed by Frédéric Ambroisine in 2003
Interview with star Yueh Hua, filmed by Frédéric Ambroisine in 2007
Interview with star Chen Hung-lieh, filmed by Frédéric Ambroisine in 2003
Talk Story with Cheng Pei-pei, a 2016 Q&A at the University of Hawaii moderated by George Chun Han Wang
Cinema Hong Kong: Swordfighting, a documentary on the history of the wuxia genre and Shaw Brothers’ contributions to it, produced by Celestial Pictures in 2003 and featuring interviews with Cheng Pei-pei, Gordon Liu, Lau Kar-leung, John Woo, Sammo Hung, Kara Hui, David Chiang and others
Original theatrical trailer, plus trailer for the sequel Golden Swallow
Image gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella
LAST RITES
COME DRINK WITH ME is an important and entertaining film for cult film fans, particularly those who fancy kung-fu. It created the template for the wuxia film, introduced the female protagonist Golden Swallow, and some go as far as to say that this set the bar for the modern martial arts film.
Thank you for MVD ENTERTAINMENT for providing a review copy for us to watch!
THE GORY DETAILS
You can buy COME DRINK WITH ME now via MVD ENTERTAINMENT or ARROW DIRECT!
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