The Swordsman Trilogy Joins Shout! Studios’ Hong Kong Cinema Classics Line on 4K UHD + Blu-ray
Shout! Studios is releasing The Swordsman Trilogy 4K UHD + Blu-ray Collection in March under its Hong Kong Cinema Classics line.
Film and Release Overview
Shout! Studios is releasing The Swordsman Trilogy (1990–1993) as a multi-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray collection. The set includes Swordsman on 4K UHD and Blu-ray, while Swordsman II and Swordsman III: The East Is Red are included on Blu-ray.
The trilogy is a wuxia cycle centered on martial arts sect rivalries, political power struggles, and shifting identities within the jianghu during the Ming dynasty. Across three interconnected films, the series examines how ambition, loyalty, and ideology shape the martial world.
Swordsman (1990)
Swordsman introduces the conflict surrounding the Sunflower Manual, a legendary martial arts text pursued by rival sects and imperial agents. The narrative follows Linghu Chong of the Mount Hua School as his travels place him amid competing philosophies, covert power struggles, and internal divisions within the martial arts community.
The cast includes Sam Hui, Cecilia Yip, Jacky Cheung, Sharla Cheung, and Lau Siu-ming, alongside several notable guest appearances from Hong Kong genre performers.
Swordsman II (1992)
Swordsman II focuses on the growing influence of the Sun Moon Holy Cult and its enigmatic leader, Dongfang Bubai. Political tensions escalate as new alliances form and external forces enter the jianghu, raising the stakes for all factions involved.
Linghu Chong remains central to the story as the balance of power shifts among martial institutions. The film stars Jet Li and Brigitte Lin, with supporting performances from Michelle Reis, Rosamund Kwan, Waise Lee, Chin Kar-lok, and Yen Shi-kwan.
Swordsman III: The East Is Red (1993)
Swordsman III: The East Is Red depicts a fractured jianghu following the destabilization of established authority. Rival claimants, imposters, and foreign influences contribute to widespread unrest, drawing imperial involvement and large-scale conflict into the martial world.
Brigitte Lin returns in a central role, joined by Joey Wong, Yu Rongguang, and an expanded ensemble cast.
Video and Audio Specs
Swordsman is presented on 4K UHD from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative with Dolby Vision. All three films are framed at 1.85:1.
Audio options include Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono and English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono. English subtitles are included across all discs.
Bonus Features
Disc One – Swordsman (4K UHD):
• NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
Disc Two – Swordsman (Blu-ray):
• NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
• NEW “A Time Of Legends” — Interview With Co-Director Raymond Lee
• NEW “Cult Of Personality” — Interview With Actor Fennie Yuen
• NEW “David Wu: Proud Wanderer” — Career Retrospective With Editor David Wu
• NEW “Hark’s Dynasty: The Early Years Of Film Workshop” — Interview With General Manager/Executive Producer Terence Chang
• NEW “Hong Kong Confidential” — Inside Wuxia With Author Grady Hendrix
• Theatrical Trailer
Disc Three – Swordsman II (Blu-ray):
• NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
• NEW “Phoenix Rising” — Interview With Fennie Yuen
• Trailer
Disc Four – Swordsman III: The East Is Red (Blu-ray):
• NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
• NEW “A Return To Wuxia” — Interview With Raymond Lee
• Trailer
Release Date
The Swordsman Trilogy 4K UHD + Blu-ray Collection is scheduled for release on March 3, 2026.
Pre-order links (commissions earned)
Also coming to the Hong Kong Cinema Classics line are the Prison on Fire I & II 4K Blu-ray set, scheduled for release in February, and The Big Heat (1988), which is also arriving on 4K UHD and Blu-ray in February.
Physical media enthusiast covering Blu-ray & 4K UHD releases.