Severin Films is releasing The Bronson Lee Za Karate Collection on Blu-ray. The set marks the worldwide Blu-ray premiere of the action trilogy along with the recut U.S. version Bronson Lee, Champion.
Following the success of Toei Company’s Street Fighter films, the trilogy showcases 8th degree black belt Tadashi Yamashita in three martial arts features. Za Karate follows an Ohio farm boy who draws the attention of mobsters after entering a world championship in Kyoto. Za Karate 2 shifts to a revenge-driven pursuit involving martial artists sent to stop Tadashi before he can recover a stolen sword. Za Karate 3 concludes with Tadashi expanding his training to face a global lineup of kung fu assassins. The films also include appearances by Bolo Yeung, Shingo Yamashiro, and Shunji Sasaki.
Video and Audio Specs
The release presents all films in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The restoration is sourced from new 4K scans of the original camera negatives.
The runtimes include Za Karate at 86 minutes, Bronson Lee, Champion at 79 minutes, Za Karate 2 at 86 minutes, and Za Karate 3 at 86 minutes.
Audio options include Japanese mono for Za Karate, Japanese mono for Za Karate 2, Japanese mono for Za Karate 3, and English mono for the U.S. version. Subtitles include English for the Japanese versions and English SDH for Bronson Lee, Champion. The Blu-ray edition is Region A.
Bonus Features
The release features nearly 3 hours of new special features with Tadashi Yamashita himself and much more.
Disc 1: Za Karate / Bronson Lee, Champion
- Audio Commentary With Star Tadashi Yamashita, Actor/Director/Bruceploitation Expert Michael Worth And August Ragone, Author Of Eiji Tsuburaya: Master Of Monsters (ZA KARATE Version Only)
- Partial Audio Commentary With Cult Cinema Critic Lovely Jon (BRONSON LEE, CHAMPION Version Only)
- Bronson Lee, Thespian – Interview With Tadashi Yamashita
- Japanese Teaser
- Japanese Trailer
- U.S. Trailer
Disc 2: Za Karate 2 / Za Karate 3
Za Karate 2:
- Audio Commentary With Star Tadashi Yamashita, Actor/Director/Bruceploitation Expert Michael Worth And Boxer/Fighter A.J. ‘The Rabbit’ Richardi
- Teaser
- Trailer
Za Karate 3:
- Audio Commentary With Star Tadashi Yamashita, Actor/Director/Bruceploitation Expert Michael Worth And Fight Choreographer John Gray
- The Donnie Williams Show – Interview With Co-Star Donnie Williams
- Scene Specific Commentary With Donnie Williams
- Trailer
Editions and Packaging
The release is Region A and is presented across two Blu-ray discs. It includes a limited edition slipcover.
Release Date and Availability
Orders for The Bronson Lee Za Karate Collection will open on Black Friday, November 28.
In addition to The Bronson Lee Za Karate Collection, Severin Films will open Black Friday sales for several other releases, including Razor Blade Smile on 4K UHD, Mario Bava’s A Bay of Blood in a 5 disc 4K UHD limited edition, The Crippled Masters on Blu-ray with a 4K scan and new extras, and Adam and Eve on Blu-ray.
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