Two Tales of Vengeance, One Brutal Double Feature

MOVIE REVIEW
Exact Revenge (The Eunuch + The Deadly Knives Double Feature) [Limited Edition]
The Eunuch -     
The Deadly Knives (Fists of Vengeance) -     

Genre: Action, Martial Arts, Wuxia / Action, Martial Arts
Year Released: 1971 / 1972, Eureka Entertainment Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 38m / 1h 26m
Director(s): Teddy Yip / Jang Il-ho
Writer(s): Lo Wei / Kuo‑Heng Chung
Cast: Pai Ying, Lisa Chiao Chiao, Chung Wa, Yeung Chi‑hing, Yung Yuk‑yi / Ching Li, Ling Yun, Lily Li, Ching Miao, Chan Shen
Where to Watch: available June 17, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.eurekavideo.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Shaw Brothers fans know revenge has never been a subtle concept in their filmography. With EXACT REVENGE, Eureka Classics uncovers two underappreciated entries from the studio’s vault that explore a burning drive for justice from different stylistic angles. THE EUNUCH and THE DEADLY KNIVES may not sit at the same level as some of the studio’s most iconic releases. Still, together they offer a snapshot of a transitional moment in martial arts cinema—and provide enough grit, bloodshed, and drama to justify a slot on your shelf.

Let’s start with THE EUNUCH, a film that feels like it’s hanging onto the wuxia tradition with both hands while the industry around it begins shifting toward Bruce Lee-style realism. Directed by Teddy Yip and written by genre giant Lo Wei, the film opens in high melodrama and never dials it down. Betrayals, intrigue, and ruthless vengeance drive the story, centered on a eunuch turned assassin whose thirst for revenge makes him one of Shaw’s more ruthless anti-heroes. There’s a rich theatricality to the staging, down to the costumes and performances, that feels like a farewell tour for an older era. It’s fascinating to watch, even if the pacing drags in stretches. It never quite reaches the clarity or depth of Shaw’s most revered wuxia tales, but it carves out its legacy through sheer intensity and flair.

In contrast, THE DEADLY KNIVES, directed by Jang Il-ho, positions itself in the more grounded and grimy corner of the revenge genre. Gone are the ornate palaces and regal betrayals—street-level brawls and vendettas are in their place. The film stars Ching Li and Ling Yun as lovers torn apart by a family conflict that spirals into full-blown carnage. It’s a stark shift from THE EUNUCH’s operatic tone, trading wirework and sweeping landscapes for blunt-force choreography and a morally murky revenge arc. Yan Zi-fei’s arc, in particular, stands out as a sobering counterpoint to more heroic portrayals of vengeance. His journey is fueled by rage, but the cost of his actions is felt in every showdown. The choreography doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s scrappy, efficient, and well-staged for the era—exactly what fans of '70s kung fu cinema had come to expect.

Neither film here reshapes the revenge genre, and neither is trying to. Instead, this set works best as a time capsule, capturing a brief window when two types of martial arts storytelling—wuxia and kung fu—briefly coexisted. You can sense the shifting tide. THE EUNUCH still believes in mythical vendettas and spiritual nobility; THE DEADLY KNIVES is already planting its feet in a more grounded world, where revenge is no longer a matter of honor but survival.

Presentation-wise, Eureka delivers its usual high standards. The Blu-ray debuts for both titles are clean and sharp, preserving their original 2.35:1 aspect ratios and providing a Mandarin-language track with English subtitles. Including the English dub for THE DEADLY KNIVES is a nice touch for those who grew up with dubbed kung fu classics, though purists will likely stick to the original track.

Both films struggle with tonal consistency and character development. THE EUNUCH’s pretentious swings don’t always feel earned, and it leans heavily on spectacle to patch over storytelling gaps. On the other hand, THE DEADLY KNIVES gets bogged down in repetitive plot mechanics. Its realism is welcome, but the narrative stumbles just enough to keep it from feeling complete. They’re both solid watches, but don’t rise to the level of hidden gems.

That being said, this release is less about chasing perfection and more about spotlighting forgotten entries that still have something to offer. For longtime Shaw fans, EXACT REVENGE fills in some gaps in the filmography and gives voice to titles that rarely make it into modern retrospectives. For newer viewers, it’s a way to explore two different flavors of revenge storytelling without diving into the more overwhelming parts of the catalog.

EXACT REVENGE isn’t trying to blow your mind. It’s an assembled package for completists and genre historians, showcasing two blood-soaked slices of Hong Kong cinema history that, while imperfect, deserve to be seen, discussed, and preserved. THE EUNUCH and THE DEADLY KNIVES may not redefine revenge, but they echo a time when every sword slash and roundhouse kick carried a different weight.

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[photo courtesy of EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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