Ninja in Ancient China

[greenfankermit]

<!--EZCODE LINK START-->http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3921/ninjacovercopytt7.jpg (http://<!--EZCODE)<!--EZCODE LINK END-->



This is going to be our first release. Hopefully it will be making an appearance before the end of the year. I thought I'm make a thread here to keep anyone that's interested updated on the DVD's progress.

[greenfankermit]

<!--EZCODE LINK START-->http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3554/cap044jb9.png (http://<!--EZCODE)<!--EZCODE LINK END-->

<!--EZCODE LINK START-->http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/5103/cap036vp0.png (http://<!--EZCODE)<!--EZCODE LINK END-->

[MikoHazuki]

Looks great! I can't wait to see this AND the other titles you intend to bring out! :D

[Markgway]

Cover art looks nice.

[morgoth]

Is that a screencap? Looks beautiful.

[greenfankermit]

The two pics from my previous post are screencaps. The pic below is a promo pic that will be in the image gallery on the disc.

<!--EZCODE LINK START-->http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4918/ninjafandomed2.jpg (http://<!--EZCODE)<!--EZCODE LINK END-->

[oldeschool17]

will you post up a trailer? im curious to see what this film is a bout

[Daisho2004]

I'm looking forward to seeing what else you plan on putting out. Do you have the same titles as Dragon Dynasty releases? What I mean is do you know what they are planning to put out so you can avoid any double dipping as to put it of the same titles.

[Markgway]

im curious to see what this film is a bout

Ninjas in Ancient China I would presume... 8)

[jirpy100]

Well, if you're so smart, how did the ninja get to ancient China, and just how old is ancient China???

(is this a baby venoms flick?)

[W Hong]

In the 2nd post of this thread, the green ninja w/ the metal claws looks like a scene from "Shogun's Ninja". I read that "Shogun's Ninja" finally came out on DVD earlier this year, so I'll be looking forward to watching "SN".

Sorry if I'm talking about too many ninja movies, but does it look like that "other" Chang Cheh ninja movie("5 Element Ninja") will actually come out next month on R3 DVD? If so, then I wish that 5EN could not just be released on R3, but also in all region from that new Shaw DVD company.

[ironfistedmonk2003]

It's a baby Venoms film, probably the best of them.

[teako170]

If so, then I wish that 5EN could not just be released on R3, but also in all region from that new Shaw DVD company. MB has this slated for an R1 release (after the R3 version comes out).

The two pics from my previous post are screencaps. Nice caps GFK! Thanks for posting. Now, what's the aspect ratio on this sucker? It doesn't appear (from the caps) to be 2.35. Looks more like 1.78. Care to confirm?

What's confusing about this film is in CC's "A Memoir," the last film listed that he directed is "Shen Tong" in 1993. No mention of "Ninja in AC." Anyone confirm if this is indeed an alt title or two separate films? I have a full screen copy of NAC but only watched the first 30 minutes. I held off watching the rest as I knew a wide print was coming out.

[oldeschool17]

Can we get some more info? Whos in this movie? Whats the "plot"? How bout a trailer?;)

[greenfankermit]

Teako - I believe Shen Tong is NIAC

Oldeschool -

Title
Ninja in Ancient China

Year
1993

Starring
Tung Chi Hua
Tu Yu Ming
Muk Lap San
Chen Yi Gong
Lam Ying Kwan
Ching Ah Lam

Action Choreography
Tung Chi Hua
Tu Yu Ming

We are working on a trailer at the moment. As soon as it's done the link will be posted on here.

[oldeschool17]

thanks. lookin forward to the trailer

[Chinatown Kid]

Had never even heard of this Chang Cheh film before, if it's got Ninja's and Cheh is directing then I definately want to check it out!

[peringaten]

Ancient China here is approximately 200 A.D., give or take several years either side; the ninjas based off the same principles as those in 5 Element Ninja: gold/metal, wood, water, fire and earth all seen represented. Storywise, much a reworking of the source Romance Of The Three Kingdoms, one of several great classical works of Chinese literature CC tackled during his career (the notable others Outlaws Of The Marsh aka The Water Margin, and the Monkey King spawning Journey To The West), the historically based Three Kingdoms a source he'd previously, somewhat less coherently, tackled with the muddley Weird Man. However gone are the fantastical elements seen in the previous Shaw flick (no floating tangerines here), and those wacky notions of Taoist spirits running around causing campy mayhem instead replaced with straighter plottings based upon a backdrop the legends surrounding the three warring states vying for power at the fall of the prominent Han dynasty. Source tying together the films, not treatment - a different take on the same source with straighter overall plottings; just ninjas are definingly worked in.

The ninjas represented/costumed as you'd imagine ninjas to be, and here colour coded by element. Ninja, martial, opera and straight intrigue concerns worked in place of the fantastical elements of the Weird Shaw flick - a premise, (besides the power struggles, CC heroic themes, bloodshed, betrayals, loyalties, etc.) with a little ninja action exposition, that Han dynasty innovation spawned the element techniques that informed the Japanese characterised take of Super Ninjas, allowing CC the creative freedom to liberally spice things up here and there such.
Put it simply, if you've seen the Weird Man (not essential to follow this film), imagine Ricky Tien's Taoist character in that film stayed in robed beardy mode, wasn't supernatural, but had taught his followers, originally played by Yu Tai Ping, Chu Ker, etc. here replaced by his final team, the element ninja techniques, giving rise to a mix of such and straight opera agility kung.

At a time HK was putting out the wire-worked takes of Tsui Hark, Jet Li and the new wave, CC was sticking to that formula he'd worked up with the Venoms - alongside the abdomen slicings, etc., using a faithful team of real gifted opera actors and martial artists to showcase genuine physical agility with CC's usual nice, keeping it real, kung stylings. Tung Chi Hwa, the pole weilding dude in Kung Fu Hustle, in lead General role, showcasing that he was really capable back in the day. Mainland location work, not set based. Look out for "Brass Head" in cameo mode.

[morgoth]

Thanks for the summary. Is the fighting anywhere near as good as Super Ninjas? And do know if Super NInjas was the first movie to use the 5 element ninja thing?

[teako170]

Look out for "Brass Head" in cameo mode. Haha! You're right - here he is. Nice catch P.

http://www.teako170.com/brasshead.jpg

I've always known this guy as Ma Sze-Peng but I think he's also called Yeung Hung (sp?).

[Linn1]

Anyone confirm if this is indeed an alt title or two separate films?

Shen Tong is the same film.

[greenfankermit]

I've always known this guy as Ma Sze-Peng but I think he's also called Yeung Hung (sp?).

Yeah, that's Yeung Hung, or Yang Xiong - if you want to go with the Mandarin pinyin.

[oldeschool17]

they look like lil keebler elves. Do they powerup by cookies? Lol. just kidding!
http://www.teako170.com/brasshead.jpg

[Mr Dragula]

Those screens look phenomenal, much better than the worn trailer on the rarescope releases. Is this still the same source as the rarescope? Looks way above their grade, and well worth getting.

[GwaiLoMoFo]

I have the Flashlegs version of "Ninja In Ancient China", but have yet to watch it. Ive seen a few other "Baby Venoms" films and they were OK, but had extremely low production values (looked VERY cheap). Ill have to check it out before dropppin cash on it.

[greenfankermit]

Work in progress......

uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UpQN0oo5TGQ (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UpQN0oo5TGQ)

[morgoth]

The movie looks good, and the pic quality looks REALLY good.

[teako170]

Work in progress......

uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UpQN0oo5TGQ
"This video has been removed by the user"

? ? ? ?

Aww mannn....... :(

[oldeschool17]

yeah why was the vid removed? Also can we get some specs on the dvd such as audio, language, and subtitles?

[greenfankermit]

Sorry guys, I put it up just to test out the software. I thought I'd let a few people on here have a look before I took it back down. An improved version will be up very soon.

[morgoth]

You have to be quick on these things teako and oldschool:p

[peringaten]

See you're digging the old Chocolate Rain, Kerm.

[oldeschool17]

oh i saw the clip, i just wanted some repeat viewing;)

[greenfankermit]

See you're digging the old Chocolate Rain, Kerm.

Some stay dry and others feel the pain, my friend.

[TambaChibaYama IchiFune]

yo greenfankermit? when is return of the deadly blade coming out????

[greenfankermit]

Return of the Deadly Blade wont be out until next year.

Here's a couple of pics to whet the appetite......
<!--EZCODE LINK START-->http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9831/vlcsnap91627vt9.png (http://<!--EZCODE)<!--EZCODE LINK END-->

<!--EZCODE LINK START-->http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/6440/vlcsnap93031fz9.png (http://<!--EZCODE)<!--EZCODE LINK END-->

[greenfankermit]

Here's the final trailer for NIAC.

uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vEidX0MpUjo (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vEidX0MpUjo)

[TambaChibaYama IchiFune]

:eek those look sweet!! thanks for the shots greenfankermit! cant wait!

[morgoth]

A million times better than the Wu Tang version!

[contraspirit]

At least the trailer looks way better than Chang Cheh´s abysmal HIDDEN HERO with its undercranked old-school-action.

[iron flag]

Dope! Put me down for one of each!!!

[greenfankermit]

That's what I like to hear, ironflag.

The site should be fully up and running and ready to take pre-orders soon.

[Chinatown Kid]

Kermit, can you let us know of any other soon to be released titles in the near future? I'll definately be picking up Ninja in Ancient China, Chang Cheh + Ninjas has got to be good!

[venom10463]

Ninja looks great greenfankermit. I can't wait to get my dvd. Please hurry up!!!:D :p

[greenfan]

Ok guys.

Our website is now officially up and running. Check it out.

http://www.greenfandvd.com

[Alex]

the trailer looks good, hope you guys do well with it

i saw Return of The Deadly blade up on your site as well, how is that going? I've been wanting to see a good copy of this for ages

[dragonherb]

I've also been wanting to see a good copy of Return of the Deadly Blade for ages. Let's hope that the Red Sun bootleggers don't dare to lay their filthy hands on your stuff though, but they probably won't.. they make enough money on IVL/Celestial's expense anyway.

Edit: Forgot to mention, info about Return of the Deadly Blade would be great (image, dub etc.)

[greenfan]

'Ninja in Ancient China' is now officially available for purchase from http://www.greenfandvd.com
Get your copy while you can....it is genuinely limited edition. :D

[ironfistedmonk]

Don't forget to save me a copy :D

[greenfan]

Don't worry IFM. Yours is in the post.

[ironfistedmonk]

Nice one, cheers fella :)

[ironfistedmonk]

Got my copy today, nice print with burnt subs which are easy to read, no white background making them impossible to make out. You get a nice insert with some liner notes from the man Linn Haynes and an audio comm from Sir Nicholas of Watkins :D

I remember now why this is my favourite Baby Venoms film, the fights just keep getting better and better as the film goes on. Considering the time it was made there is very little wirework apart from a few Ninja moves which are compulsory in a Ninja movie IMO. These guys don't do the powder puff mainland style MA either, its fast and tight, a good film overall.

[Killer Meteor]

Are the subs Chinese/English or just English?

[greenfan]

It has Chinese and English subs.

[Winfred]

Can I purchase this DVD at Amazon?

[greenfan]

Amazon havent actually ordered any units yet. They will be ordering some next week, when they will also be correcting the listing.

You can purchase Ninja in Ancient China from .....

http://www.greenfandvd.com/shop/niac.htm

http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/4025931/-/Product.html?searchstring=ninja+in+ancient+china&searchsource=0

or directly from me via paypal.

[gfanikf]

We should have a review of this DVD up by mid-week

[Killer Meteor]

Looking forward to seeing this. Is it OAR?

[greenfan]

It's 1.66:1

[gfanikf]

Screencaps
http://hkfilmnews.blogspot.com/2008/01/ninja-in-ancient-china-dvd-screencaps.html

Review
http://hkfilmnews.blogspot.com/2008/01/ninja-in-ancient-china-dvd-review.html

[greenfan]

The artwork for Ninja in Ancient China is being replaced. Anyone who bought the original run now has a limited limited edition.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6531/niacgoodcovervk5.jpg

[ironfistedmonk]

Very nice mate, I prefer that one to the original cover.

[HAZ]

That's amazing!!

The only reason I didn't get the DVD was because of how the other cover looked. Now, I'm going to have to pick it up!

[Sandpalm79]

i found this using search feature.. i tried to order this 3 times but it kept saying my billing or something i put in didnt match my credit card info.. checked it though a bunch. dang

[kaleyboy]

I'm sure if you PM greenfan, he'll sort out a copy for you.

[Blood Sword]

That's amazing!!

The only reason I didn't get the DVD was because of how the other cover looked. Now, I'm going to have to pick it up!

lmao..so cover it as or more important than film itself:ooh:

[teako170]

Finally watched the greenfan disc.

The Baby V films of CC are the only ones I have yet to explore and was fairly impressed with this film.
Listened to the audio commentary by Nick Watkins which had a nice mix of Chinese history and Chang's career.

According to HKMDb, Lu Feng was in this? Must have been a bit part plus I stepped out a few times, so I missed him.
Anyone know where he appears? Nice to see some old Shaw regulars like Yeung Hung, Wang Chang-Chi, and Choi Wang.

What Nick said at the beginning of the last chapter made me a bit blue as this was "...the final fight scene of the final CC film."
If you haven't seen this one, check it out when you can - if only for that fact.