Don't Play with Fire (1980) Blu-ray and DVD Announced by Cult Epics
By Lio Renwick
Cult Epics is bringing Don't Play with Fire (1980) to Blu-ray and DVD in June as a 2-disc limited edition of 3,000 copies. Directed by Tsui Hark, the film is one of the most controversial entries in the Hong Kong New Wave, and this release gives collectors three distinct versions of it, including the banned Chinese cut that was pulled from theaters.
Also known as Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind, the film follows three high school friends who flee the scene of a fatal hit-and-run, only to be spotted by Pearl, a sadistic young girl who blackmails them into escalating crimes with disastrous consequences. Disc one carries the uncensored international theatrical version (97 mins) from a new 2K transfer and restoration, presented in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo and Cantonese audio with optional English subtitles.
New supplements on that first disc include an audio commentary by Frankie Balboa and Brandon Streussnig, along with interviews with actor Paul Che, actor Albert Au, screenwriter Szeto Cheuk On, and assistant director O Sing Pui. Trailers are also included.
Disc two is where you get the other two versions: the banned Chinese version (100 mins), sourced from a mix of 2K and SD elements, and the English dubbed version (91 mins) in SD. An original theatrical trailer and bonus extras round out the second disc.
The set comes housed in a slipcase with art design by Tony Stella, and the case itself has a reversible sleeve featuring the original poster art. The first 500 copies ordered through the Cult Epics website also come with four repro Hong Kong lobby card prints and a 13"x18" folded poster with art by Tony Stella, which is a nice extra for early buyers.
Don't Play with Fire releases June 23, 2026, limited to 3,000 copies.
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