A Martial Arts Time Capsule Done Right

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MOVIE REVIEW
Triple Threat: Three Films With Sammo Hung
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Genre: Action, Martial Arts, Comedy
Year Released: 1974 / 1988 / 1990
Runtime: 1h 32m / 1h 32m / 1h 33m
Director(s): Wu Ma / Alfred Cheung / Teddy Robin
Writer(s): Szeto On / Alfred Cheung, Keith Wong / Yuen Kai-chi (story), Raymond To, Calvin Poon
Cast: Sammo Hung, Chan Sing, Pai Ying / Sammo Hung, Maggie Cheung, Joyce Godenzi / Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Anita Mui
Where to Watch: available December 9, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.eurekavideo.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: TRIPLE THREAT delivers a unique and specific career portrait. What makes this set stand apart isn’t just that it brings together three distinct films from different periods of Sammo Hung’s rise; it’s that each film captures him at a crossroads. You’re not just watching Hung’s growth as a performer — you’re seeing him feel out new territory, sharpen his instincts, and redefine what Hong Kong action cinema could look like at the moment it needed reinvention. Packing THE MANCHU BOXER, PAPER MARRIAGE, and SHANGHAI, SHANGHAI into one release isn’t just a gesture in archiving a legend. It’s a reminder of why Hung became one of the most adaptable and influential artists in the industry.

The first film in the trio, THE MANCHU BOXER, is where Hung still played supporting roles, but his presence was already disruptive in the best way. He steps in as an antagonist, and even without top billing, you can feel the electricity he brings to the choreography. Hung’s imprint is unmistakable: the movement is tighter, the clashes carry more weight, and the film becomes more watchable the moment he enters the frame. The world of early 70s martial arts films was bursting with new talent, yet Hung manages to shape the action through both his physicality and his fight choreography. Even in a villainous role, he injects personality into every exchange. This isn’t just a warm-up for the later films; it’s an essential chapter in understanding where his style began.

Then you hit PAPER MARRIAGE, the moment where everything shifts. Suddenly, Hung is the face of the film, carrying a full lead role while navigating comedy, romance, and bursts of action. Rather than leaning entirely on his physical skill set, he leans into character work. His chemistry with Maggie Cheung gives the film a rare emotional foundation for a genre piece, especially one made in the late ’80s when many Hong Kong action comedies were more about rapid-fire gags than interaction. What stands out most is how Hung balances the absurd, the heartfelt, and the physical without one element canceling out the others. He lets the silliness play out when needed, but he also knows when to pull back and anchor scenes emotionally. This film might be the biggest surprise of the set, because it highlights a performer who knew he could do more than fight — and proved it.

The final film, SHANGHAI, SHANGHAI, shows Hung in full command of his image. He is no longer the up-and-coming actor or the underdog; he becomes part of a larger world involving cops, criminals, shifting loyalties, and a more dramatic tone than the other two films. The late 80s and early 90s brought a more stylized form of Hong Kong action cinema, and this entry leans into that blend of heroic-bloodshed energy and classic martial arts choreography. Hung’s performance, still full of the wit audiences expected, feels steadier and more mature. Yuen Biao’s involvement adds a specific element, and Anita Mui’s scenes provide an emotional counterpoint, giving the narrative more depth. This is the film where you can feel Hung owning his place in the genre.

Another strength of the collection is how different each film feels without losing the connective tissue of Hung’s identity. THE MANCHU BOXER leans on traditional martial arts storytelling. PAPER MARRIAGE folds in sincerity and character-driven humor. SHANGHAI, SHANGHAI blends atmosphere with bigger productions and sharper stakes. Watching them in sequence reveals how Hung grew from a character actor to a charismatic anchor capable of shaping a film’s emotional tone.

The restoration work is strong, giving each film new life without scrubbing away the period textures that make these eras so distinctive. The differences in cinematography across decades remain intact, serving as a reminder of how much Hong Kong filmmaking changed—and how consistently Hung adapted to it. The extras included in the release help contextualize this, especially the commentary tracks that dive into historical and technical details without feeling academic. They enrich the material instead of overwhelming it.

TRIPLE THREAT ultimately becomes a celebration not only of Hung’s career but also of the flexibility of Hong Kong cinema itself. Few actors could move between villainy, comedic leads, action-heavy drama, and complex choreography with this level of ease. Even fewer could do it while shaping the genre's direction behind the scenes. That natural versatility is what gives this set its longevity. You’re not just rewatching three films — you’re witnessing the blueprint of a star.

With a consistent sense of craft, personality, and creative drive, TRIPLE THREAT earns its place among the more essential archival releases for action fans. And even beyond genre appreciation, it functions as a portrait of an artist discovering his power and refining it across three wildly different stages of his career.

Bonus Materials:
Limited edition of 2,000 copies
Limited edition exclusive bonus disc
Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Sam Gilbey
Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on Sammo Hung by film critic and writer James Oliver
1080p HD presentations from brand new 2K restorations of the original Hong Kong theatrical cuts of all three films
Original mono audio tracks
Optional English dubs on Paper Marriage and the theatrical versions of The Manchu Boxer and Shanghai, Shanghai
Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
New audio commentary on The Manchu Boxer with East Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and martial artist & filmmaker Michael Worth
New audio commentary on Paper Marriage with genre cinema experts Arne Venema and Dominie Ting
New audio commentary on Shanghai, Shanghai with Frank Djeng and producer/writer F.J. DeSanto
Happily Ever After – new interview with Paper Marriage director Alfred Cheung
Trailers
LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE BONUS DISC – 1080p HD presentations from brand new 2K restorations of the extended international versions of The Manchu Boxer and Shanghai, Shanghai

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[photo courtesy of EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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