Gloriously over-the-top and wonderfully directed by Sun Chung, Human Lanterns is what happens when the Shaw Brothers merge their particular brand of martial arts with the American slasher . . . and this violent result is as disturbing as it sounds.
It helps when the leading character is psychotic, you know? And Lo Lieh knows his way around psychosis as he is often the bad guy for Shaw Brothers. But, here, he takes insanity to a new level as a deranged (and difficult to manage once hired) lantern maker who likes to slip a crazed-looking mask over his head and strap on some hairy bear claws before stepping out into the damp night for some kidnapping and killing.
And his targets aren’t random at all. In fact, he’s so driven by revenge that he actually enjoys pouring hot metal straight into the wounds he causes as he flays their skin.
How’s that for some horror?!
The title of this morbid martial arts masterpiece says it all. Pause there. Human. Lanterns. Get it? This horror hybrid film is a visually on-point slice of chop socky entertainment thanks to the work of art director Chen Ching-Shen and the unflinching direction of Sun Chung, who loves to go dark with the material and stay there.
While there is a wonderful use of neon throughout the film, the subject matter is extremely dark, which extends to the brutal choreography sprinkled here and there as the vengeful craftsman pits two warring noblemen (Lau Wing and Chen Kuan-tai) against each other by kidnapping their women, taking them to his underground lair, and then peeling their skin off . . . with which to make some beautiful art.
His prize-winning lanterns are, in fact, made from human skin!
Combining some show-stopping Hammer-like set designs with well-choreographed kung-fu, Human Lanterns is a clear winner when it comes to showcasing what Shaw Brothers can do so well with their films. It is straight-forward and extremely well-acted by its main cast. It is also disturbing as hell.
Human Lanterns is now on blu-ray thanks to 88 Films. It is martial arts macabre at its most deliciously evil.
Home Video Distributor: 88 Films
Available on Blu-ray - June 7, 2022
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles: English
Video: MPEG-4 AVC
Audio: Mandarin: LPCM 2.0 Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
Though featuring the Shaw Brothers custom brand of martial arts mayhem, Human Lanterns also taps into the early 80s craze for the American slasher film and the earlier Hammer horrors by providing a grisly take on the serial killer feature in an inimitable Hong Kong style. When an unbalanced craftsman decides to get revenge on two Kung Fu masters by creating special lanterns constructed from the human skin of their dead relatives, all hell breaks loose in this gruesome tale of bloody retribution. Taking its inspiration from movies like Psycho and real cases like Ed Gein, Human Lanterns is clearly not for the faint-hearted with its over the top gore and sadistic qualities but this slice of darker than dark fantasy still manages to be both wonderfully horrible and impressively entertaining.
Video
88 Films brings Human Lanterns to Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Interiors are strong. Colors pop throughout, but it is the blood effects - burning bright in the transfer - which seal the deal on this one. It’s full of great atmosphere thanks to the quick-footed script and looks visually eye-popping due to the 1080- upgrade. Black levels are strong throughout, bringing out nice details in both the loud and quiet moments of this epic adventure. The tracking shots are glorious to behold in 1080p. Blacks are solid and shadows maintain their lines. Even the costumes are noted stitch by stitch.
Audio
A 24-bit LPCM 2.0 Mono option is provided in Mandarin with English Subtitles.
Supplements:
Commentary:
-
There is a solid audio commentary with Kenneth Brorsson and Phil Gillon of the Podcast On Fire Network which gives fans backgrounds on the film, the actors, and the director.
Special Features:
Loaded with plenty of satisfying supplemental items, this release slaps with a lot of martial arts madness!
- High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
- 2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles
- Audio commentary by Kenneth Brorsson and Phil Gillon of the Podcast On Fire Network
- A Shaw Story - an Interview with Susan Shaw
- The Beauty and the Beasts - An Interview with Linda Chu
- Lau Wing - The Ambiguous Hero
- Original Trailer
| Movie |  |
|
| Video | |
|
| Audio |  |
|
| Extras |  |
|
|
Composite Blu-ray Grade |
||
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content throughout, graphic nudity, language and some drug use.
Runtime: 110 mins
Director: Che Chang
Writer: Che Chang; Kuang Ni
Cast: Sheng Fu; Kuan-Chun Chi; Ming Li Chen
Genre: Action | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Theatrical Distributor: Shaw Brothers
Official Site: https://88-films.myshopify.com/products/disciples-of-shaolin-88-asia-28
Release Date: December 1982 (United States
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: June 28, 1975
Synopsis: Impetuous young martial arts master Kuan takes a job at a textile factory where another disciple of the revered Shaolin discipline warns him about the rival Manchu clan, who run another nearby mill.
